Speaking of New Year's...

On New Year's Eve this year, Kendall began to scribble away on a small notepad, stopping every few minutes to put on his "I'm thinking really hard" face. Upon asking him why he was making such a face, he informed me that he was making a list, a list that was meant to last all year, and that he really meant it this time. 

Now, I've heard of these so called "New Year's resolutions," but I had never personally tried said resolutions. A year is a long time to commit to no chocolate or signing up for a gym you'll go to twice a month. But, Kendall decided that it was time that we both get serious about the New Year, and so began my own scribbling and "I'm thinking really hard" face. 

We decided on thirteen resolutions for '13.

I'm getting fancy up in here. Anyways.

1. Read scriptures everyday.

2. Go to the temple at least once a month.

3. No soda.

4. No junk food.

5. Exercise everyday - not tomorrow.

6. Focus on school and do all things on time.

7. Make time to be romantic.

8. Blog more.

9. Finish cleaning the house.

10. Be more organized.

11. Practice guitar everyday.

12. Learn a new hymn on the piano each week.

13. Pray always.

So, now that it's February (happy Groundhog Day!), I can actually give an accountability report about how I'm doing. Thirteen is a lot, and each of these has taken me a little bit of time to get used to. A year seems like a long time, but it makes my resolve to get things done that much stronger. I may slip up sometimes, but the main difference this list has made for me this year is that slipping up isn't giving up. I haven't failed because I had a cupcake the day after my birthday when I said I wouldn't. I haven't failed because I couldn't exercise the day I had a migraine.

So if you made resolutions, I just want you to know that I know they're hard and I know it's uncomfortable, but it's worth it. And other people are suffering right along with you. I'm suffering along with you. The most important thing is that we are trying to better ourselves, and even if we "slip up," failure is not an option this year.

What are your resolutions this year?

The married thrift.

When I started reading blogs, I did not understand everyone's obsession with thrifting. I tried to fit in, bought a couple shirts at Goodwill, then gave up that dream of being a hip and happenin' blogger. But when I got married the thrifting switch was flicked in my brain, and now I can honestly say I'm a trendy blogger who refuses to pay full price for anything and would rather have something gently loved than quickly manufactured.

{sweater: Forever 21; shirt: Downeast Basics; jeans: AE}

All our living room furniture? Thrifted. All my new clothes? None more than 10 dollars. In my premarital days, I never would have shopped the sale rack at Fiesta Mall's Forever 21, but on Friday that's where I found myself. Kendall would say I'm becoming an extreme cheapskate, because he loves comparing our lives to his favorite show at the time. (Side note: have you seen that show?! Those people are crazy!) But I'll just say I'm thrifty, because it's cuter.

Is anyone else loving these sweaters over tied and collared shirts? I saw it on the mannequins at Forever 21 (can you tell it's my favorite store?) and wanted to buy every single outfit. But I didn't. Because I'm thrifty.

To all you married thrifters out there,

Go you!

and me.

A goal.

As I sat contemplating the reasons that my favorite month has to leave me for another year, I realized something about months. I guess you could say this about weeks and days too, but for some reason months are a huge change in our lives. Months are when we pay bills, determine weather conditions, and count down to special events in our lives. Months seem to be the perfect time to start things -- weeks are too short and years are too long to truly commit to change.

A goal that I've struggled with for years is accepting my self-image. It's such a cliche thing for girls to be concerned about, but it is a serious issue for most of us and not something that I tend to take lightly. So, as my October came to a close, I came to the conclusion that I wanted to be better for myself. To make a new me on this first day of November.

Goal: Love myself.

Make the most of yourself

for that is all there is of you.

{shirt: Charlotte; belt: Ross; skirt: Forever, sandals: Forever; horcrux: cave with Dumbledore}

 

Remember last week how I absolutely hated my Friday and literally thought I was going to die? This week is the complete opposite. I felt like I was being born!

This Friday was more like my amazing, wonderful, perfect miracle day.

Because literally, miracles happened today.

Miracle Number Uno: So remember that horrible test that I stayed up all night studying for? Well we got our scantrons back today (took her long enough!), and Amber reallyyyy wanted to compare tests, when I noticed something odd..

I was missing the last 7 questions on the scantron.

Amber looked at me, dumbfounded, and exclaimed "Brittany, you didn't finish your test?!"

I distinctly remember going straight through to the end. There's no way I could have skipped and entire page. I must not have even had that page to begin with.

So I did an awkward little jumphoprun over my friends, as fast as my little legs could carry me, down to the stage (yes, the school of music lectures are in music halls, on stages) to the TA to tell her my dilemma.

She asked her higher power about it, and she didn't even say boo!

My professor just said "make it out of 33 instead of 40. Nice work, Brittany!"

So I got a 93 instead of an 84 on my exam!

Miracle Number Two: As you can see, Katie forced me into taking daily outfit pictures today {hers}. I'll confess, it's not that I don't like my outfit. Because I wouldn't wear it if I didn't. I honestly just don't feel comfortable having my whole body taken a picture of.

I felt so awkward the whole time because I thought that when I looked at the pictures I was going to realize how large and uncute I really am, how people really view me, and I was going to feel really awful about myself.

The moment finally came that Katie uploaded the pictures onto her computer...

and I liked them.

It feels so good to like me!

Did any miracles happen for you this Friday?

*Quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson.