see ya 2012

It's that time of the year again - to reflect and refocus. Here are my thoughts on the year that was 2012. (you can read about my 2011 here)

(source)

1. What did you do in 2012 that you’d never done before?

I went to vegas, atlanta, and helped throw a surprise party.


2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

let's see: my 2012 goals were to exercise, continue saving money, and get a better job.

I SUCCEEDED at: saving money by making weekly deposits into my savings account and putting more thought into purchases.

I FAILED at: exercising and getting a better job. all of the womps.

I always try to keep things in mind to work on for the new year and this year I hope to be more gutsy and just say yes to more things.


3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Yes. one of my jersey girls gave birth to her second daughter, my goddaughter, and my mom's cousin's son (did you get that?) also had a little girl.


4. Did anyone close to you die?

no. *knocks on wood*


5. What countries did you visit?

I stayed in the states but I did visit the west coast for the first time!


6. What would you like to have in 2013 that you didn’t have in 2012?

this was my answer last year and it bears repeating:

a job that doesn't crush my spirit. I know, I know, here I am complaining about a job AGAIN but my current work place leaves much to be desired.

also, a boyfriend. again, I know. but I'm tired of being single, however, that doesn't mean I'm ready to latch onto any ol' schmo who winks at me.


7. What dates from 2012 will be etched upon your memory, and why?

june 9th - the day of my dad's surprise party
august 27th - the day of my dad's triple bypass surgery


8. What was your biggest achievement of this year?

saving money and reading 65 books in one year.


9. What was your biggest failure?

not exercising regularly.


10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

None other than your standard cold which kicked my butt.


11. What was the best thing you bought?

my iphone! yes, I'm one of those who willingly drinks the apple kool-aid and my fossil watch.


12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

my mom. forever and always, this woman impresses me on a daily basis.


13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

my sister.


14. Where did most of your money go?

again, same answer as last year:

TARGET!


15. What did you get really excited about?

Every time I went out of town.


16. What song will always remind you of 2012?

"Call Me Maybe"


17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer?

a)about the same
b)same
c)thankfully, richer


18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

say 'yes' more to activities


19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

stay home


20. How did you spend Christmas?

Christmas was very low-key and spent at our house for the first time in about six years. We usually spend it at my grandma's in VA but decided on staying home and it a good decision. We woke up at a leisurely pace, ate breakfast, opened gifts, napped, and ate dinner.

21. Did you fall in love in 2012?

sadly, nope. but I hope that it's coming!


22. What were your favorite TV programs?

Scandal
Nashville
Revenge
Girls
The Mindy Project


23. What was the best book you read?

Room by Emma Donoghue
Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins


24. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Little Big Town. This year, I got more into country music and thanks to pandora, I 'discovered' the group and their crazy good harmonies.


25. What did you want and get?

an iPhone.


26. What did you want and not get?

a better job and to fall in love.


27. What was your favorite film of 2012?

I didn't really watch that many movies this year. However, I was really pleased with the Hunger Games adaptation.


28. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I turned 26 and spent it celebrating in Vegas.


29. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

having someone to share all my ups & downs with (yeah, I went there again).


30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept of 2012?

I decided to take a little more 'risks' this year with patterns. With the help of various blogs, I learned to embrace pattern-mixing and bold colors.


31. What kept you sane?

books, music, my mom, and best friend.


32. What political issue stirred you the most?

women's issues. With this being an election year, a lot of craziness was thrown into the mix, namely what old men thought should be done with and/or about women's reproductive organs and rights.


33. Who did you miss?

Same as always: my jersey girls. frequent texting and emailing is just not the same.


34. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2012.

'Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.'


35. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

no lyrics in particular come to mind but I've thought of my 2012 to be The Year That Wasn't.

My Christmas List

Not to sound like a matyr but I've spent very little time thinking about what I want for Christmas. I have been too busy making lists of gift suggestions for others and was literally stumped when I was asked what I wanted over the Thanksgiving holiday.

So in preparation for this post, I allowed myself some time to come up with a few things:

Hunter boots. preferably in a bright color like pink or yellow.

Clarisonic. I had this on my list last year but it didn't show up under the tree. I hope that I have better luck this year.

Sideways cross necklace. This type of necklace seems to be all of the rage on Etsy. This necklace first came on my radar when I used to watch The Rachel Zoe Project. Taylor, the tempermental assistant, was always sporting this necklace while bossing around Brad or rolling her eyes at Rachel.

Essie nail polish. I want as many as possible presented in a cute apothecary jar a la this pinterest post.

Black MK bag. Just like a good pair of black flats, a 'nice' black handbag is hard to come by. However, I've been stalking the Michael Kors section in the handbag department at my favorite department store and I've found myself coming back repeatedly to ogle this one.


What's on your list this year?

Fall TV 2012

For the past couple of weeks, I've been a bit emotional. There's a whole lot of reasons but it all just comes down to this: Adulthood is hard. So to give my brain a little bit of a break, I've been zoning out in front of the television. A full DVR is a comforting sight.


Returning favs:

(source) Happy Endings. You need to be watching this show if you aren't already. My personal faves are Penny and Max. Brad is straight up eye candy for me.

(source)Scandal. Olivia Pope is the baddest chick around.

(source) Parks and Recreation. Apparently, people either love or hate this show (what is there to hate??!). I fall into the LOVE category and cannot get enough of the cuteness that abounds with Leslie & Ben.

(source) Revenge. this show is rough on my nerves but produces oh-so-satisfying soap opera action.

(source) Parenthood. uncontrollable crying of the eyes. but they're good tears.



New favs:

(source)Nashville. Who knew country music was a breeding ground for such drama? but there are amazing original songs that are interwoven into the storyline each week. Also, the main character's two daughters are sisters in real life and apparently YouTube celebs.

(source) The Mindy Project. Mindy Kaling, I love you and all of the thoughts that come out of your brain.

(source) The New Normal. I have to admit that the pilot episode was a bit much for me, however, after the second episode included a Little Edie impression by the child actress I WAS HOOKED.



What are your new favorite shows? Any ones that I should be watching?