January 6, 2013

Happy 2013!


Hello Lovelies! Happy 2013! I can't believe this is my first post in the new year! I hope you all had a lovely holiday and I am very excited to see what 2013 will bring! I rang in the new year playing League of Legends at home with my fiance. Pretty exciting, huh? :P 

Since I haven't posted on here in a little over a week I thought it was about time to post. If you follow me on instagram, you may have seen that I picked up the Urban Decay Naked nail polish set so I will be posting swatches of those soon. I have a few other posts coming up so please don't stray away :)


I have strain away from my blog for long enough, but have still  been keeping up with fellow bloggers' posts. I have seen so many inspirational New Year's resolutions on blogs and YouTube and at the end of 2012, I was putting a list of my own resolutions together. I usually make a few "resolutions" throughout the year, but I don't feel like I always follow through with them. The two beauty related things I've improved on have been consistent with washing and cleaning my makeup bushes and, although this may sound silly, grooming my eyebrows. I used to be horrible about keeping my eyebrows maintained, but I feel like I have improved and remember to pluck and groom then once a while. This year I decided to make resolutions that I could really follow through with that would help improve my life now and later on.

Here are my 2013 New Year's Resolutions:

BE HEALTHY This includes my overall health and well-being. I'm going to try and exercise at least 2 to 3 times a week and incorporate more water, fruits and vegetables with my meals. I'm going to make sure I am flossing my teeth at least once a day before bed. I used to be on top of my oral health, but flossing is something I have been occasionally neglecting. I will also try not to stress as much with work and blogging. I need to better my time management and always include time for myself to relax. 

SAVE MONEY I have set a goal for myself that I can afford to save by the end of this year. This also means that I will not be buying items I don't need, including cosmetic items. I'm worried about how I will be with not buying nail polish and beauty items, but I know I will be strong enough to stop myself because I really don't need to add to what I already own. 

DE-CLUTTER This is one of my main resolutions this year. This past week during my hiatus from blogging I had already started going through everything to see what I could get rid of or donate. I have gotten rid of a lot this past weekend, but my plan is to keep at it every weekend to eliminate more. This goal involves living simply and using what I have so this also incorporates my resolution to save money. I noticed I have accumulated a lot of cosmetic sample products and random items like floss so I'm going to make sure I use these items before going out and buying anything.

READ MORE I have always been a book lover and I'm hoping to make time to read more. Right now I've planned on a book a month just so I can pace myself. Thanks to a good friend, I have so many unread books in my ibooks app and I have a lot of reading to do. Two weeks ago I finally read Divergent by Veronica Roth which was recommended by a fellow blogger friend Victoria from Confessions of a Canadian Wallflower and I read it way too fast, which is both good and bad. It was good because it was a book I couldn't put down, but bad because I feel like I didn't savor the book enough and I feel sad that it's over lol. Luckily this book is part of a trilogy so I have more to look forward to. (Thanks again for the recommendation, Victoria!) Reading one book a month seems like a great way to pace myself and maybe later on I will up the number to get through more unread books. 

BE THANKFUL I want to be more thankful for who and what I have in my life. I feel like I take things for granted or am more selfish than happy with what I already have. This resolution is something that I want to always think about anytime I start thinking negatively. I am very thankful for the people I have in my life, including all of you who read this blog and enjoy the interaction as much as I do. 

I usually don't write long posts, so I commend you if you were able to read through this without getting bored, but I would like to end this with something to help bring you happiness this year and going forward. I'm sure many of you have seen this before, but it is such a good thing to remember:

5 SIMPLE RULES FOR HAPPINESS
1. Free your heart from hatred
2. Free your mind from worries
3. Live simply
4. Give more
5. Expect less
-unknown

I always keep these rules in my phone to look at to remind myself of these ways to live happily. I hope you all had a lovely weekend and I hope you have a beautiful week! 

44 comments :

  1. Happy 2013, Traci!! I can relate to your new years resolutions :-) Those are really wonderful and thoughtful!! Best wishes to you in 2013, I have a feeling it's going to be a great year! :-)
    xoxo!
    Colleen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Happy new year, Colleen! Aw thank you so much. It really means a lot! This year will be wonderful for all of us!! <3

      Delete
  2. Welcome back ;)
    Your New Years Eve sounds a lot like mine, I think I was watching a movie, very exciting stuff!! De-cluttering is also on my list and I have already started doing some of it, it feels good getting rid of stuff I know I am not going to use :)
    I am also trying the whole no spending thing - mine is targeted at clothing, so far I am 2 weeks strong but IDK how long that will last lol. I am hoping atleast till the end of January!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Nat! Haha we know how to do it on New Years! Wootwoot!
      It really does feel good getting rid of stuff. Good luck with that! I'm sure you can make if until the end of January! Hopefully even longer! :D

      Delete
  3. Happy New Year, Traci! Thank you for sharing your goals and resolutions with us, along with more of yourself. :) I am excited for you on this new 2013 journey, and I agree, resolutions are hard to keep but I know that with hard work and dedication, it can be done! Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Happy New Year, Daisy! Aw thanks so much! I hope 2013 brings you much happiness!! <3

      Delete
  4. great resolutions! happy new year and great blog, let me know if you want to follow each other on facebook, twitter, gfc or all?

    http://www.counttofour.com

    http://www.counttofour.etsy.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much! Happy New Year! I'll have to check out your blog :D

      Delete
  5. What wonderful goals Traci! I will have to give Divurgent a read as well! Many of your goals are similar to mine and I am curious to see if I will be able to slim down my beauty collection over the next couple of months. I don't believe in no-buys because I will just be disappointed with myself for breaking my rules and shopping is something that makes me oh so happy :)

    Good luck with your resolutions!

    P.S. I just got the UD nail polish as well and it is AWESOME!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Jayne! Ooh let me know how you like it if you end up reading it!
      I'm hoping to use my products to the max and hopefully that will give me some room haha. Good luck with that! I see what you mean about "no-buys". I do always end up feeling guilty when I buy something and I tell myself not to lol. I guess it will have to be more of a "buy less" kind of thing haha.
      Oooh yay! The polishes really are awesome!!

      Delete
  6. I love your resolutions! As you know, reading more is one of mine too! And I agree with all of your other ones too... the five simple rules for happiness are great! Hope 2013 is an amazing year for you :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Ellie. You know I love yours too! Aw I'm glad! It's a great reminder! :D I hope 201 is just as amazing, if not more, for you too! :D

      Delete
  7. Are the 5 simple rules from Tumblr? ;) tehehe

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You know...I really don't know lol. I've seen them every where online, including Tumblr, but I don't know the original source. Since almost everything on Tumblr is from somewhere else, I can't be sure :)

      Delete
  8. Great resolutions - but don't let them stress you :)
    Even if the naked colors aren't really me (do not go well with my skin tone) I look forward to seeing your swatches :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aw thanks, Maria! :D I'll try not to let them stress me!
      lol thanks! I can't wait to post them!

      Delete
  9. What great resolutions! Welcome back! I can't wait to see what you have for us in 2013!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Jamie! I can't wait to see what you have for us this year, too! :D

      Delete
  10. Happy New Year! Great resolutions, I think my main goals are pretty similar to yours :) I DEFINITELY want to declutter!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Happy New Yea, Julie! Haha awesome! Good luck with de-cluttering! :D

      Delete
  11. Happy New Year! Our resolutions seem so similar - I think they just continue year to year, haha. I can't wait to see what you come up with this year :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Happy New Year, Heather! Yea, you're right lol...it's a forever continuation haha! Thank you! I'm loving the manis you've been doing for the challenge!

      Delete
  12. Happy New Year Sweetie!!!! Absolutely love all your resolutions, I have better similar ones, so the best to all of us :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Happy New Year, Iris!! Thanks! Yea, definitely lol Good luck with your resolutions! :D

      Delete
  13. Happy New Year Traci! I love your New Years resolutions, especially the one on decluttering :D I'm in desperate need of declutter!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Happy New Year, Ina! Haha thanks! Ah same here! I can't wait until I can say I don't have anything to get rid of!

      Delete
  14. Happy 2013! Your resolutions are very inspiring!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Happy 2013, Nory! Aw thanks! I hope you have a beautiful year! :D

      Delete
  15. Welcome back! And Happy New Year :)
    Great resolutions, I'm still thinking about mine lol. The Naked polished look gorgeous :)

    Elle xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Elle! Happy New Year! :D
      Good luck with the resolutions you come up with! Hehe I'm really liking the polishes!

      Delete
  16. They have a nail polish set for NAKED?? Omg where have I been?! lol
    I can't paint my nails for my dear life, but I LOVE reading your blog!

    Much <3
    http://www.indefinitestyle.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. lol! I was so excited when I found out! haha. Aw lol thanks, Oanh! <3

      Delete
  17. You're such an amazing person, Traci!! <33

    ReplyDelete
  18. Traci, i love this post! :) I absolutely love the rules for happiness ^.^ polishes look good, but i didnt know urban decay had nail polish....where have i been at? LOL Can't wait for your swatches.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aw thanks, Lydia! I'm so glad :D haha I love their cute little bottles! I can't wait to post them!

      Delete
  19. I feel like I'm advertising for this app, but I use it and would love some friends. I use MyFitnessPal to keep track of calories/exercise and if you're interested in it, you should join me!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ooh I'll definitely check it out! Thanks, Aki! Sounds like something I can use :D

      Delete
  20. Saving money goes along with declutter as you said. I never bought too much makeup but I saw some yutube videos about girls having way too much to the point they look hoarders and at the end they never get to enjoy what they have.

    Have you ever tried Waterpik? it's flossing with water and I love it and it's not so boring as the traditional floss lol

    I feel happiness comes in the simple things, I hope you reach all your goals and you have a happy year :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's so true! There's only so much you can use in a day and there are tons of makeup that can be bought...it would suck to not enjoy what you have if there's too much :/
      Ooh Waterpik? I feel like I've heard about it, but I'll have to check it out! It seems fun to use haha! Thanks for the heads up!
      Thanks so much, love! I hope you reach yours and have an amazing year! :D

      Delete
  21. Happy New Year Traci! What great resolutions, I think I may have to add them to my list too! If you want a good read, try the Millennium Trilogy by Steig Larsson, such great books xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Happy New Year to you, too, Dani! :D Ooh thanks for the recommendation! I will definitely check this trilogy out! Good luck with your resolutions!

      Delete
  22. I absolutely love your goals, so realistic and so manageable! I think you can achieve all of them. Sometimes I think about how lucky and blessed that I am! We have to take time to reflect on what we have..that always makes me feel better! You are very inspirational and I've enjoyed your work and your talent. I love the quote that you ended with, so, so true! Living life simply and filled with love is the greatest life of all! I heart you, Traci! Happy New Year <3

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm glad you think so! I really hope I can do well this year and going forward. You're so right about taking the time to reflect on what we have. It's important that we do this! Aw you are definitely an inspiring person and am so glad we've come to know each other!! I heart you too, Minette! Happy new year! <3

      Delete

I read every single comment that all of you lovelies leave. Please don't hesitate to leave one, I love hearing from you! Thanks for visiting! ♥