for auld lang syne

Oh, New Years Resolutions... have you decided on yours yet? I think I typically end up with the same resolutions year to year but every once in a while I actually knock something off the list... like this year! I stopped biting my nails! I don't really know how I did it, but one day I just decided that it was time. Were you able to accomplish any of your resolutions for 2010?

adorable coasters via

I usually don't end up deciding on my resolutions until a few days into the New Year, but I'm ready for 2011 this time! So here it goes...

Be a morning person.

A few times in recent days, I've woken up at 6am, had some coffee and gotten a few things done around the apartment before getting ready and heading off to work. Those days were some of my most productive days! While the first few months of 2011 will be filled with 12 hour work days, I hope to keep up my early mornings after tax season!

Do more of what I love.

I had to steal this one from Ashley from the other day. How often do we continuously do things that we don't love? Sure we all have to work and do the chores but there are some things that I don't love that I don't need to do! So a little less of that and a little more of what I love... sewing, blogging, cooking, being with my husband.

Pray more.

I try to avoid religion and politics on here for the most part, but I know every once in a while my Catholicism peeks out. Well, here it is again. I hope that with all the bustle that 2011 will bring I will be able to find the time to step back on a daily basis to pray, reflect and give thanks. Honestly, a little silence every day would be good for all of us I'm sure!

Try new things.

Recipes. Restaurants. Clothing styles. Attitudes. Nail colors. I could go on forever... I think its time to branch out, without losing the things I love most of course, and try new things! This may be the hardest thing for me to do... I'm definitely a creature of habit!

Be a better friend.

Ever since graduation, my ability to keep in touch with friends is getting worse and worse. 2010 it hit rock bottom. This year, I will be infinitely better at keeping in touch. So get ready friends... expect more phone calls, more emails, and most importantly, more snail mail!

What are some of your resolutions for 2011?

for auld lang syne

Oh, New Years Resolutions... have you decided on yours yet? I think I typically end up with the same resolutions year to year but every once in a while I actually knock something off the list... like this year! I stopped biting my nails! I don't really know how I did it, but one day I just decided that it was time. Were you able to accomplish any of your resolutions for 2010?

adorable coasters via

I usually don't end up deciding on my resolutions until a few days into the New Year, but I'm ready for 2011 this time! So here it goes...

Be a morning person.

A few times in recent days, I've woken up at 6am, had some coffee and gotten a few things done around the apartment before getting ready and heading off to work. Those days were some of my most productive days! While the first few months of 2011 will be filled with 12 hour work days, I hope to keep up my early mornings after tax season!

Do more of what I love.

I had to steal this one from Ashley from the other day. How often do we continuously do things that we don't love? Sure we all have to work and do the chores but there are some things that I don't love that I don't need to do! So a little less of that and a little more of what I love... sewing, blogging, cooking, being with my husband.

Pray more.

I try to avoid religion and politics on here for the most part, but I know every once in a while my Catholicism peeks out. Well, here it is again. I hope that with all the bustle that 2011 will bring I will be able to find the time to step back on a daily basis to pray, reflect and give thanks. Honestly, a little silence every day would be good for all of us I'm sure!

Try new things.

Recipes. Restaurants. Clothing styles. Attitudes. Nail colors. I could go on forever... I think its time to branch out, without losing the things I love most of course, and try new things! This may be the hardest thing for me to do... I'm definitely a creature of habit!

Be a better friend.

Ever since graduation, my ability to keep in touch with friends is getting worse and worse. 2010 it hit rock bottom. This year, I will be infinitely better at keeping in touch. So get ready friends... expect more phone calls, more emails, and most importantly, more snail mail!

What are some of your resolutions for 2011?

past resolutions

As I was trying to think of my resolutions for 2011, I had to look back and see what my resolutions for past years have been (along with a sweet pic of me from that year for your viewing pleasure!)

2010

Stop biting my nails.

Okay, this has been a resolution for as long as I remember. I just decided to note it in 2010 because I'm pretty sure it was my only resolution AND I actually accomplished it! Go me!

2009

Cook 5 new full meals

... ones that are a challenge!

I have no idea if I cooked 5 new challenging meals in 2009. I'm sure I did. If I didn't, I definitely did way more than 5 in 2010! I love trying new recipes and looking back I get a kick out of this. I had been out of college living on my own for only 6 months so cooking 5 new meals was a huge deal back then!

2008

Love myself more.

Accomplished. Enough said.

2007

Read the whole Bible

I was ambitious back then! There were a few others I could have shared with you here (manage my money/time better, pray the rosary every day) but this one cracked me up. I actually did make quite a dent in it to be honest! J and I were following a guide to get us through... I think I made it through about 1/4 of the Bible before I stopped trying. This resolution for 2007 has become a life goal. 

There's nothing better than going back and seeing how far you've come! Stay tuned tomorrow to see my resolutions for 2011!

past resolutions

As I was trying to think of my resolutions for 2011, I had to look back and see what my resolutions for past years have been (along with a sweet pic of me from that year for your viewing pleasure!)

2010

Stop biting my nails.

Okay, this has been a resolution for as long as I remember. I just decided to note it in 2010 because I'm pretty sure it was my only resolution AND I actually accomplished it! Go me!

2009

Cook 5 new full meals

... ones that are a challenge!

I have no idea if I cooked 5 new challenging meals in 2009. I'm sure I did. If I didn't, I definitely did way more than 5 in 2010! I love trying new recipes and looking back I get a kick out of this. I had been out of college living on my own for only 6 months so cooking 5 new meals was a huge deal back then!

2008

Love myself more.

Accomplished. Enough said.

2007

Read the whole Bible

I was ambitious back then! There were a few others I could have shared with you here (manage my money/time better, pray the rosary every day) but this one cracked me up. I actually did make quite a dent in it to be honest! J and I were following a guide to get us through... I think I made it through about 1/4 of the Bible before I stopped trying. This resolution for 2007 has become a life goal. 

There's nothing better than going back and seeing how far you've come! Stay tuned tomorrow to see my resolutions for 2011!

train case {sewing box}

For Christmas J got me a vintage green Samsonite train case (and the camera that took the picture of it!) and I couldn't be more excited about it! I've always wanted some vintage luggage, and a train case is just perfect.  You may remember that I've been thinking about using a train case as a sewing box for a while... now, I can!

What do you think of it? Isn't it just wonderful??? I also got a sweet pair of Gingher shears from my Momma and I have already instructed J about how they should never be used for anything but fabric... hopefully he understands! (Although, sorry Momma, I know I used yours once or twice for paper when I was a kid...).

Did you get any great gifts this Christmas? Do tell!!!

train case {sewing box}

For Christmas J got me a vintage green Samsonite train case (and the camera that took the picture of it!) and I couldn't be more excited about it! I've always wanted some vintage luggage, and a train case is just perfect.  You may remember that I've been thinking about using a train case as a sewing box for a while... now, I can!

What do you think of it? Isn't it just wonderful??? I also got a sweet pair of Gingher shears from my Momma and I have already instructed J about how they should never be used for anything but fabric... hopefully he understands! (Although, sorry Momma, I know I used yours once or twice for paper when I was a kid...).

Did you get any great gifts this Christmas? Do tell!!!

Guest Post by A Hasty Life!

Hello Be Merry Kate Readers!

My name is Ashley, Kate and I are swapping blogs for the day, you can find her at my blog: A Hasty Life. I’m so happy to be posting here. Guest posting is such a wonderful way to meet new bloggers and share new ideas! I’m excited to see what new relationships blossom through this guest post (for both Kate and myself!)

New Year’s Eve is coming up and I’ve been thinking a lot about New Year Resolutions this year. Sometimes I make them, sometimes I don’t. I rarely keep them or even remember what they were by March. This year, I’m trying a new approach. Rather than giving up something I love or doing something I don’t love…I’m doing the opposite! I’m resolving to do more of what I love!

So…my New Year Resolution:

STAND OUT…

…rather than blending in. Sometimes there is a lot of pressure to blend in with the crowd, especially in the world of blogging. What is everyone else blogging about? What gets the most readers? What posts get the most hits? Sometimes the best posts are overlooked and don’t get the most attention. I want to try to stand out more, be myself, show off more of myself, let my own personality and uniqueness be the driving force of my life and the things I do, including but not limited to blogging.

NURTURE MY BODY…

…both inside and out. My body has gotten a lot of abuse lately. I had surgery over the summer to remove part of my colon in hopes to control my Crohn’s disease. So far so good. But I need to take back control of my body. I’d like to exercise more, eat better food, get regular massages, and care for this body that has gotten me through some tough times. There is a big trend to eat local and organic, I believe in those benefits. I just have to make the time and set aside the money needed to act on those beliefs. Money should not be the reason you don’t take care of your body. What better way to spend money than on the one thing you use more than anything else?

DO MORE OF WHAT I LOVE…

…and less of what I don’t. Sure, we all have responsibilities that we don’t necessarily love. Things that we just can’t quit doing because we don’t love them. But there are also a lot of things we do that we don’t have to continue doing. I don’t love watching daytime television. I do love taking photographs. Why not get up off that sofa and take more pictures! Part of it is laziness…okay…a lot of it is laziness. I want to pay more attention to how I spend time and make sure that I schedule in more time to do things I really LOVE doing and less of things that are just okay.

So, do you make resolutions? What do you love to do that you want to do more of? Resolutions don’t have to be a drag! Make you resolutions positive this year!

Thank you all for reading, its been a pleasure posting for you! I’d love for you to bop on over to my blog, A Hasty Life, and become my newest follower if you feel so inclined! I do hope to see you again around the blogging world!

Sincerely,

Ashley

{A Hasty Life}

Guest Post by A Hasty Life!

Hello Be Merry Kate Readers!

My name is Ashley, Kate and I are swapping blogs for the day, you can find her at my blog: A Hasty Life. I’m so happy to be posting here. Guest posting is such a wonderful way to meet new bloggers and share new ideas! I’m excited to see what new relationships blossom through this guest post (for both Kate and myself!)

New Year’s Eve is coming up and I’ve been thinking a lot about New Year Resolutions this year. Sometimes I make them, sometimes I don’t. I rarely keep them or even remember what they were by March. This year, I’m trying a new approach. Rather than giving up something I love or doing something I don’t love…I’m doing the opposite! I’m resolving to do more of what I love!

So…my New Year Resolution:

STAND OUT…

…rather than blending in. Sometimes there is a lot of pressure to blend in with the crowd, especially in the world of blogging. What is everyone else blogging about? What gets the most readers? What posts get the most hits? Sometimes the best posts are overlooked and don’t get the most attention. I want to try to stand out more, be myself, show off more of myself, let my own personality and uniqueness be the driving force of my life and the things I do, including but not limited to blogging.

NURTURE MY BODY…

…both inside and out. My body has gotten a lot of abuse lately. I had surgery over the summer to remove part of my colon in hopes to control my Crohn’s disease. So far so good. But I need to take back control of my body. I’d like to exercise more, eat better food, get regular massages, and care for this body that has gotten me through some tough times. There is a big trend to eat local and organic, I believe in those benefits. I just have to make the time and set aside the money needed to act on those beliefs. Money should not be the reason you don’t take care of your body. What better way to spend money than on the one thing you use more than anything else?

DO MORE OF WHAT I LOVE…

…and less of what I don’t. Sure, we all have responsibilities that we don’t necessarily love. Things that we just can’t quit doing because we don’t love them. But there are also a lot of things we do that we don’t have to continue doing. I don’t love watching daytime television. I do love taking photographs. Why not get up off that sofa and take more pictures! Part of it is laziness…okay…a lot of it is laziness. I want to pay more attention to how I spend time and make sure that I schedule in more time to do things I really LOVE doing and less of things that are just okay.

So, do you make resolutions? What do you love to do that you want to do more of? Resolutions don’t have to be a drag! Make you resolutions positive this year!

Thank you all for reading, its been a pleasure posting for you! I’d love for you to bop on over to my blog, A Hasty Life, and become my newest follower if you feel so inclined! I do hope to see you again around the blogging world!

Sincerely,

Ashley

{A Hasty Life}

{Christmas} Monday motivation

via

How was everyone's Christmas weekend??? Our was wonderful, full of family and lots of food! I got a beautiful vintage train case that I'm now using as a sewing box (and showing off in the living room) that I'll have to show you later. I gave J some nice tartan that he is beyond excited about. Overall, it was a success! Now I think its time for some shopping and some serious relaxation!

{Christmas} Monday motivation

via

How was everyone's Christmas weekend??? Our was wonderful, full of family and lots of food! I got a beautiful vintage train case that I'm now using as a sewing box (and showing off in the living room) that I'll have to show you later. I gave J some nice tartan that he is beyond excited about. Overall, it was a success! Now I think its time for some shopping and some serious relaxation!

sweet headbands

If you follow me on twitter you know that I wore a headband the other day for the first time in years... It was a little weird feeling, but I loved it! So now, I'm on the hunt for some cute ones to wear more often! Here are a few I'm loving:

Midnight Elegance from Much Love, Illy

Rope Square Knot Headband from Rehabbed Handmade

Elise Headband by Brookie Cookie's Bows

Ok, so that last one is a little girl's headband, but I believe she makes adult sizes as well. I'm clearly not ready to branch out with bright colors or massive flowers, but I think these three will suit me just fine! What do you think?

sweet headbands

If you follow me on twitter you know that I wore a headband the other day for the first time in years... It was a little weird feeling, but I loved it! So now, I'm on the hunt for some cute ones to wear more often! Here are a few I'm loving:

Midnight Elegance from Much Love, Illy

Rope Square Knot Headband from Rehabbed Handmade

Elise Headband by Brookie Cookie's Bows

Ok, so that last one is a little girl's headband, but I believe she makes adult sizes as well. I'm clearly not ready to branch out with bright colors or massive flowers, but I think these three will suit me just fine! What do you think?

vintage tuesday {moon and stars}

I just discovered this etching pattern in vintage glassware, so in honor of the winter solstice and the lunar eclipse, I figured I would share it with y'all!

via The Wishing Wardrobe

via Dreaming of Vintage

Isn't it just wonderful? I love it in this blue too! I need to find some of this in green post haste!

vintage tuesday {moon and stars}

I just discovered this etching pattern in vintage glassware, so in honor of the winter solstice and the lunar eclipse, I figured I would share it with y'all!

via The Wishing Wardrobe

via Dreaming of Vintage

Isn't it just wonderful? I love it in this blue too! I need to find some of this in green post haste!

last day

In the midst of all of the Christmas hullabaloo I almost forgot that it isn't actually Winter yet! I think I may have to celebrate the change of seasons on different dates from now on... how can I think of Fall when it has been snowing for almost two weeks now? Or when I've been wearing my big, down, ankle length coat for a week? Or when Christmas is 5 days away? Exactly.

But, in honor of one last day before Winter Solstice, I present to you, a few of my favorite things about Fall 2010:

lovely autumn flowers

via

 

finding out that J and I have a sweet godchild on the way!

that would be me (the godmomma), the real momma, and the big brother, T!

sewing, lots of it.

via

 apple raspberry pie - big hit for Halloween and Thanksgiving!

yes, I really did forget to take a picture of it once it was finished... twice.

 fall weddings

from a wedding I helped our wedding planner cousin set up this fall!

Notre Dame beating Southern California

via

bike trips and camping

And best of all, seeing my family for a wonderful Thanksgiving!

That's all of us! We sure are cute no?

What were your favorite parts of Fall? Can you believe its already over???