Here’s to a Wonderful 2014!

The fun thing about having a blog is that you can use it almost like a diary, and look back to see where you were at a certain point in time. It’s interesting to see what my goals were for 2013 and see how they have changed…and which ones I never completed.

 

Rather than making lofty resolutions at the beginning of the year, I was inspired by a great list I saw on Craftberry Bush and it really spoke to what I want to accomplish in 2014

 

Heading into a new year is all about starting with a clean slate – so I bought a new planner. I use my phone to keep track of important dates and appointments, but there is something wonderful about having a real book in your hands for jotting things down. I started by putting a copy of the above list in the front of the book, as a reminder as I go through the year to keep these goals in mind. I’m always carrying around little post-it notes in my pocket with lists of things to do or pick up, so my plan is to keep them all in this book instead.

I’m also getting into year two of my “5 Year Q&A a Day” Journal. It’s been interesting to see how much my answers have changed/stayed the same over the course of a year.

 

I try to read before bed almost every night and usually it is fiction, but this year I did something different – I bought two new non-fiction books at a boxing day sale. I’m really pumped to start reading them.

The first is Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg, which comes highly recommended by my sister and many of my colleagues. I also grabbed Bossypants by Tina Fey. I just adore Tina Fey and I’ve wanted to read it for the past couple of years, but never got around to it before.

 

Obviously, a BIG part of the beginning of 2014 will be planning our wedding for this May. For us, the next four months will be full-on wedding planning mode. Up until last week, all we’d done was book the venue/caterer, pick a date and brainstorm the rough idea of the design, style, theme, whatever you want to call it.

Now we’ve been nailing down all the details that are floating in our heads. Last week I not only found the bridal gown, but also got together with all the bridesmaids to pick out their dresses. Next week we have appointments with photographers, DJs, menu planning with the caterers, you name it. I’ve been having daily chats with my mom and sister over invitations, centerpieces and place cards.

 

I’m actually really excited to roll up our sleeves and get into it. This fall and then the holiday season were both too chaotic to do much and now we get to focus on the wedding planning and actually enjoy it.

 

I went to the venue on the weekend with my family so that my dad, brother and sister could see it. It looked so beautiful with the snow everywhere, but I can’t wait to see it all green in the spring.

 

It was FREEZING (-33°C or -22°F), but the horses were still out for the day.

 

I’m also excited to plan our honeymoon! We’ve decided on a Southern US Roadtrip, but we still need to pick all the places we want to go. We’ve both spent time down there on family trips, so it will be fun to share it with each other. We had so much fun on our road trip through New England this fall, that I know it’s going to be a great adventure. The big highlights we’ve picked so far are New Orleans, Savannah and Charleston.

 

I can’t wait to see what else 2014 has in store for us and for you too!