Last Week in Pins: Adventures

Last week was a bit of a pin-crazy week for me. Between New Year's and being at home sick, I had plenty of ambition and time to Pin. Being in the New Year's mood, my pins mainly relate to things I want to do or pretty clothes to do them in. It makes sense, right? Here are a few of my personal favorites, all focusing around those New Year's resolutions.

I went bungy jumping once and formed a bit of a fear of falling from it. Now, I guess it must be done again to get rid of the fear. This is one of the places that I would be ok with jumping off a ledge and dangling from my feet.

For all those cold adventures where I need a sweater... and some style...

Best be in shape for an adventure, especially if it includes trekking the wilderness or jumping from way too tall of things. This 30-day bum challenge seems to be shooting quite a few birds with one 30-day stone!

The Dismals Canyons in Alabama. This place is pretty fantastic backpacking inspiration! Apparently, they are one of the only locations where you can see dismals- these insects that glow blue when larvae. The insect larvae will line the cavern walls so at night, they glow blue!

My 2014 New Year's Resolutions

I recently read Emily Henderson's New Year's resolution list on her blog and it has inspired me. Emily's New Year's resolutions are one of my favorite things that she does and have inspired this resolution avoiding Pisces to make a list of the things I would like to accomplish in the new year. Last year's was quite simple and not too difficult to accomplish without much effort or growth. This year, however, is quite different.

Back in the November/December region I decided to make 2014 the year of personal development. This means becoming a better person through volunteering, being more productive, making a keen effort to grow, becoming more physically fit, and exploring new areas of development. The whole idea of growing and changing does scare me quite a bit, but honestly, all of us are always changing, so why not put in the effort to change for the better? This has become my mantra for the year- change for the better.

The list format I love has one overall goal with multiple rules/ways to do to accomplish it completely helps me to easily remember what is on the list (yes, that is a problem) and letting you know my goals will help me stay more accountable. The list mainly focuses around being more productive, personal development, and business growth. Unfortunately/fortunately, there are about a billion ways to do all of these… So, hold on to your hats, this list is long. 

Note: Since the business stuff can get a little boring and number-y and does go a bit more into the finance department, I decided to leave that out. But, it can pretty much be summed up as "do more business".

1. Improve My Relationship with the Hubs

• Have a set time for work and a set time for leisure every day.
• Have one day per week without cell phones or computers to spend with each other. 
• Dress better around the house Read a non-fiction and inspirational book once a month (at least)
• Be mindful of ways t

2. Triple Blog Readership

• More personal posts
• Six posts per week
• More personal workout posts
• Begin doing workout videos
• Network with other bloggers/sites/video content suppliers/apps
• Begin advertising on the blog
• Pin more
• Instagram more
• Contests!!!! (said in an Oprah giveaway voice)

3. Personal Growth

• Listen to one self improvement podcast/CD a day (at least)
• Notice something incredible every day
• Do one thing that scares me every day 
• Go on an adventure

4. Improve My Time Management

• Reduce the daily time trolling the internet. If this was an income producing job, I would be a billionaire.
• Set a schedule for at least one day of the week
• Keep to a set schedule. Set reminders and make lists if needed, but get things done on time. 
• Take the word busy out of my vocabulary. I simply cannot stand how often this word is spoke from my mouth.

5. Learn Japanese

• Accomplish the first 1-2 Rosetta Stone levels for Japanese

6. Remove the Excess from Life

• Clean out one room/closet a month and donate or sell the unused things
• Seriously cut back on buying things on a whim

7. Save more

• Put more monthly income into savings
• Again, cut back on buying things on a whim. Everything passes a list of questions- do I need it? will it improve my life for longer than a week? Does it help me accomplish my goals? Could this money be better used if saved? 
• Keep better track of finances. Not that I am bad at this, but I am pretty bad at this.

8. Improve My Fitness Capabilities

• Try one new workout a week
• Work out 4-6 times per week
• Complete 1 yoga flow per day
• Complete 2 races in 2014
• Begin my yoga instructor certification and/or become a yoga instructor

9. Volunteer More

• Either become a big sister or… work at an animal rescue, go on a volunteer trip, or become involved with one more local organization that has values and leadership I agree with. 

10. Improve My People/Social Skills

• Read books related to the subject
• Work with more people in life
• Meet with at least one friend a week
• Talk to one person you do not know per day 
• Be in the moment/pay attention

What are some of your resolutions and goals for 2014?

Things I Will be Reading in 2014

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Welcome to the New Year! I seriously cannot believe that we are in 2014 already... Whhhaaatt?!?!?! This year I have a few different goals- some relating to business, some personal, and a few others mixed in as well. This year will be filled with more writing, loads more reading, tons of networking, plenty of yoga and jogging (maybe even a race or two) some trips, and at least one adventure.

Someone I very much admire once said that the only things that will change us are the books we read and the people we associate with. I have completely taken this to heart over the past few months and plan to continue this throughout the new year. Here are a few of the things I cannot wait to read in the year 2014!

The Daily Positive

The Daily Positive is a blog created by Dale Partridge, the founder of Sevenly. Sevenly is a pretty incredible business that works to fund non-profits through monetary donations, word of mouth, and social awareness. Dale is also in the process of writing a book and (from what I understand) takes quite a bit from his blog. Posts are simple, short, and to the point. They are all about self improvement; written in a way that is easy to digest and interesting to read. So happy I stumbled upon this gem!

The Art of War by Steven Pressfield

This book is on Rob Bell's recommended reading lists. Considering that Love Wins is one of my most favorite books ever and Rob Bell is someone that I deeply respect the opinion of, it just makes sense to look into the people and books that inspire him. Another great book that I may be reading again and completely recommend to anyone who has not yet read it is The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis. It is incredible and short and wonderful!

Zen Habits

There was once a time where I listened to a daily podcast about Zen Habits. Now, I have started reading this blog by Leo Babauta. Like The Daily Positive, Zen Habits is a daily blog that focuses on self improvement. The blog is extremely simple and does not ask too much of me, which is great considering that the idea of changing scares me beyond belief. Sad, I know, but true. If you are having a hard time coming up with New Year's resolutions, maybe a few of these will help!

The Lazy Runner by Laura Fountain

I have been reading her blog for a year now and have even brought it up in a few archived posts- it seems about time to read her book. Laura's blog has inspired me more than I thought a blog could inspire a girl to run, I simply cannot wait to see what her book has in store... Maybe it will even push this yogi towards her first big race?!? Oh, that thought is exciting!

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

Let's face it, people skills are a pretty important thing and one that almost everyone in the world could use some help with. How to Win Friends and Influence People is one of those books every person interested in improving their people skills should read once in their life. I am almost completely embarrassed to say this will be the first time reading it completely through- but hey, 2014 is a year of growth, so here goes!

What I Would Do with $1,000 at Crate and Barrel

Snapguide has teamed up with Crate and Barrel for their first ever contest and the grand prize is a $1,000 gift card to the aforementioned home decor store! Second prize is a $500 gift card, third prize is a $100 gift card to Amazon, and two fourth prize winners get a Snapguide swag bag. All of these sound pretty fantastic, but I sure do love the sound of a $1,000 guilt free shopping spree at one of my favorite home decor stores ever!

Anyone can enter, just download the app, start an account, and add up to five guides relating to making your home better for the new year! Yes, that is it. So far, I have four of my five guides secured and am just waiting for pictures and details... But, in true putting the cart in front of the horse fashion, I have already been shopping and made a list of all the things I did not know we needed but now must have for under $1,000!

Note, the couch is a bit more than $1,000, but we would be selling ours, so it counts. Right?

1. Nomadic Planter $89.95 I 2. Reclaimed Wood Sculpture $99.95 I 3. Squares Nail Art $99.95 I 4. Corso Pendant $199 I 5. Circlet Stands $49.85-$69.95 I 6. Potted Olive Tree $199 I 7. Arch Charcoal 3-Drawer Chest $499 I 8. Yukon Small Coffe Table-Bench $599 I 9. Shore Frames $19.95-$29.95 I 10. Clarendon Large Wall Mirror $299

11. Willow Sofa $1,899 I 12. Fernando Accent Table $199 I 13. Brass Leaf Centerpiece $129 I 14. Denim Rug $69.95-$399 I 15. Potted Yucca $169 I 16. Clarus Brass Display Boxes $59.951-$129 I 17. Bourne Bar Cabinet $999 I 18. Dinosaur Study II Print $400 I 19. Barnes Antiqued Brass Curtain Hardware Set $49.95-$79.95

Oh man, I so love all these colors together. Heaven. In fact, these will most likely be the colors of any certain websites that get a face lift, all of my clothes for the next year+, and every room of my home forever. Just sayin'...