New Year's Resolutions

"The object of a New Year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a new soul and a new nose; new feet, a new backbone, new ears, and new eyes. Unless a particular man made New Year resolutions, he would make no resolutions. Unless a man starts afresh about things he will certainly do nothing effective."

-Gilbert K. Chesterton

Happy new year everyone! Considering today is the first day of 2016 (Is it just me or did 2015 just fly by?) I thought it would be fun to share my personal new year's resolutions with you all. Some of them, of course, will have to do with style (if you want to see my top five style resolutions for this year click here!) but most of these ones are about making 2016 my best year thus far by being healthier, happier, and less stressed! Ready to hear them?

1. Keep a Planner and Stay Better Organized

This is something I tried to do throughout 2015 by using the calendar on my phone, but failed miserably. So this year for Christmas my mum gifted me a lovely leather bound planner from Gallery Leather, and I cannot be more excited to start using it! The reason why this is so important to me is because in 2015, though it was great and all, due to not properly keeping a calendar I had a tendency to over extend myself leaving me completely stressed out. So in 2016 I will get better organized.

2. Eat Healthier, Exercise More, and Get Better Sleep (Hopefully lose a little weight too!)

The one thing that I wish would've stuck around about 2014 was my diet. Two years ago, I ate completely clean and was very committed to eating healthy and exercising regularly. In 2015? Not so much. With working long hours, writing, photographing, and of course blogging, I found myself going out to eat much too frequently and eating (and drinking) things that simply aren't good for me and on top of this I barely made it to the gym this year. Therefore in 2016 I'm going to begin eating better, drinking less, and exercising everyday again, because come bikini season, I will have a toned stomach even if it kills me!

3. Budgeting My Money Better

Yikes! If I learned one thing in 2015 it's that I need a personal accountant because I am terrible with money. 2015 is the first year that I have lived completely out on my own and though I'm fine with getting my bills paid, I never seem to be able to save, I think this is because I never set a budget for myself. For this year I have actually set a budget and I think it will really help me get a hefty nest egg in my savings account. Not to mention give me a good bit of money to have for spending when I visit the U.K. in October! (Wow, so weird not to be saying "next year"!)

4. Travel

Though I do have one huge trip coming up to visit my beau in October, I also plan on making a few smaller ones throughout the year within the states to visit friends and family. For instance my bestie lives right outside of St. Louis Missouri and I still have yet to visit her there and actually take a look around! I also plan on doing these via road trips in the spring and summer months so I can actually enjoy the scenery a little more. I love flying as much as the next lady, but nothing is more exciting than being on the open road!

5. Be a Bit More Thrifty

Yet another thing I miss about 2014-- thrifting. I used to look forward to spending every Saturday morning at Goodwill or The Red, White, and Blue Store with my mum just seeing what awesome stuff we can find! In 2015 I unfortunately haven't had time to head to the thrift store and honestly spent a questionable amount of money on Tradesy (It was worth it, I swear!). But this year I plan on getting back to my thrifty self!

6. Try Something New At Least Once A Month

This is a big one for me just because I've been itching for some excitement! Whether the new thing will be a different fashion trend, restaurant, museum, or just driving aimlessly to new places to take some photos, I want to live life to the fullest and have new experiences and make some seriously sweet memories!

7. Get Back To Photography--That Isn't Work

Some of you may or may not know that I am actually a professional photographer for the company Dick's Sporting Goods. However ever since I graduated college and got my degree the only photography I have done has only been work or blog related. Now, not that that's a bad thing but I would really like to get back to my creative roots this year and start some new projects! Love this photo? To check out more of my personal photography work, click here.

8. Take One Day A Week To Just Relax

This goes back to how I over extended myself all year long in 2015. So this year I am vowing to just take Sundays easy. No work, no blog (okay maybe not this one but I'll work up to it!), just relaxing and enjoying time with my furbabies and loved ones. And you know, when April comes around, Game of Thrones!

What are some of your New Year's Resolutions? Be sure to share them in the comments below!

I hope you all have a wonderful year in 2016, and just remember today is not just a new day, but a whole new year, and a blank slate. I'm sure everyone will do marvelous things this year and I can't wait to see what unfolds! And at that, I leave you with this:

"I hope in this year to come, you make mistakes. Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You're doing things you've never done before, and more importantly, you're doing something."

-Neil Gaiman

Happy New Year Everyone!

Xx, Bree

Wishes Granted + Exciting Life Update!

Hey babes, in light of the recent holiday I just wanted to share some of my "granted wishes" from previous wish-lists throughout this year that I received as Christmas gifts (along with a gift of the furry variety)! Let's just say Santa really nailed it this year, and I just thought this would be a fun little post-holiday topic. Ready to take a look?

New Makeup & Brushes

My mum took the time to read my blog and found out that I had my eye on those awesome (and adorable!) makeup brushes from BH Cosmetics! And of course she couldn't just stop there: She bought me a whole new Bare Minerals foundation kit along with they're gorgeous eyes kit. Both of these gifts are truly amazing and I highly recommend them.

The brushes (currently still on sale I believe!) are professional quality and work so well. They are very soft, not causing any irritation to the skin and making blending makeup a bit easier. And as pictured above they come with a nifty little case to make them easy to travel with (this is seriously a life saver for my trip to the U.K. next October!).

And I have to admit, I am a bit biased because I have always been a fan of Bare Minerals products due to my sensitive skin but they really do have amazing products! Their eye makeup colors are just so rich and pretty they became a fast favorite of mine. And as for their foundations, they're absolutely perfect for sensitive skin and are so light and airy they never appear cakey! It's as if you're not even wearing makeup.

New Perfume, Undies, and Workout Gear

Ahhh, this time someone must've taken a peek at my Influenster lists to find the Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet. But none the less I was thrilled to find this light, feminine, and floral scent in my stocking yesterday morning! I really can't wait to wear it all year long.

I also was surprised (well not really because my mum gets my pretty things from Vicky's every time they have their sale!) to find some nice new undies from Victoria Secret, I don't know about you but I'm a sucker for useful gifts!

I also received a nice and warm pair of Nike Men's Joggers (judge me the men's ones are way comfier!) and the reason I'm so excited about them is because next year I plan on becoming much more fit and healthy in preparation for my trip to Jersey, there for I'll be using my gym membership more than once a week! And I might actually be living in these sweats after work hours (and who knows with the athletic trend on the rise maybe a possible #OOTD soon?!).

Last but not least, my exciting life update: I would like to introduce everyone to Rollie!

So for anyone who has been following me here, or on social media, you know I'm a crazy animal lady (no shame)! Well since November I have been looking for a new a furbaby to add to my family. Unfortunately the search wasn't going so well due to bad timing and unreliable shelters. Well finally, on December 22, I went to the local humane society to look at a pit bull pup, but instead found an adult dog named Rollie, who I instantly bonded with!

Rollie is a Tree Hound/Blue Tick Hound mix that had been at the shelter for nearly three months before I rescued him. What's even more sad his he is six years old and had never lived as an inside dog (except for in the shelter of course) until I brought him home. So needless to say his reaction to having a bed was adorable:

Rollie is adjusting well to his new home (he's such a good boy, he picked up potty training very quickly though he never had to be house trained before!) he loves my other dog, Moses, and even gets along with my dads old gal, Onyx. Rollie even likes my cat, Lola, though she's a bit disdainful towards him (I tell him it's just because she's a cat and not to take it personally!). 

So needless to say, my favorite Christmas gift of all, was the gift of giving this little wiggle butt his forever home!

What did everyone else get for Christmas? And do any of you have a favorite gift you gave? Please tell me about it in the comment section below! And until next time, I'm wishing you all a happy New Year!

Xx,

Bree

#BLOGMAS: My Cozy Winter Essentials

Seasons greetings everybody! Wow, I can't believe it's already December 15th, meaning only ten more days until CHRISTMAS!!! Considering this is my second favorite time of the year,  I'm very excited to be gearing up for the holiday festivities. Though the holiday season is super fun, it can also be super stressful. Between last minute gift shopping, making the "family visits" game plan, and all the other Yuletide craziness, I sometimes forget to just chill out and take a breather. That's why for this blogmas post I thought I would share the top 14 things that help me stay sane-- I mean relax, throughout the season.

Yankee Snowflake Cookie Candle, Lush Golden Wonder Bath Bomb, Victoria Secret Hydrating Body Lotion, and loads of lip balm. (Because everyone can use some pampering!)
 

Aerie "Oh What Fun" sleep shirt, Flannel Boxers, and Snuggly Star Robe. (So you can be cozy reading by the fire.)
 

Ugly (but warm!) Ralph Lauren sweater, fleece lined leggings, fleece lined slipper socks, and a fuzzy blanket. (These are the essentials for when you visit your aunt's house that always seems to be freezing--come on, you know we all have that one relative!)
 

Good Reads (For when you are bored because you're snowed in.)
 

And finally for when you're home and unwinding: Festive mugs, hot chocolate, Pinnacle Peppermint Bark Vodka (to spike the hot chocolate), and lastly for that sugar rush, and in my opinion the best winter sweets, candy canes!

How do you keep your cool (and stay warm) during the winter season? Tell me about it in the comments below or Tweet me at @StarkRavingChic!

Also just a reminder: In honor of the holiday season, I am hosting a giveaway and you can still enter up until December 25th for some very pretty prizes. To get all the details see my last post!

Until next time babes, keep it chic!

Xx, Bree