A Healthy Resolution

MK spoke about one of her resolutions earlier this week so today I wanted to chime in with one of mine. I tend to be very critical of myself. Setting mostly strict goals for improving myself, our home or even my relationships but when I came across this post on Ashley’s Instagram it resonated with me! Why am I so hard on myself?! Resolutions don’t have to be all about structure and bettering ourselves, they can be fun too. If I’m being honest that’s usually what I need in my life. Andy always gets on to me about my lack of ability to do things just for fun, I tend to keep a stack of to dos, cleaning, laundry etc. none of which are things I love like baking, reading, playing tennis etc.

So this year one of my resolutions is to bake one new recipe a month. I'd also like to read more! For January I’m getting a late start but I just started reading Gone Girl and decided to master cheese pennies, one of my favorite treats! 

Are your resolutions strictly about bettering yourself or do you cut yourself some slack? I’m thinking 2015 is the year for me to let go of some of those tendencies.

- Heath

PS we have book club this evening and we have lofty goals of actually reading in 2015, turned into more of a wine club in 2014, so we’d love any book suggestions you have!

image via Honestly Yum

Happy Friday | Resolutions Update

Happy Friday guys! We're heading to the beach this weekend so it's going to be a good one. I'm taking V swimming this time too so I can't wait! Anyone have any big plans for the weekend? MK's post last week got me thinking about what exactly I have and haven't accomplished this year so I thought there's no time like the present to take a look at my resolutions...

We have a trip to Istanbul booked for Labor Day with a stop over in Munich on the way home, two cities neither Andy or I have ever been so we're super excited! | I'm failing miserably at printing photos (not one photo printed) but will make this happen ASAP | We've stayed on top of our monthly budget but honestly it's been more of an after thought while doing other things so I'm going to try to make a point to focus a little more on just finances next month instead of laundry etc too | We haven't taken or planned any weekend getaways and probably won't because we've both been lucky enough to travel a good bit this year together and separately so we'll push this to next year | I am learning to play tennis you guys and I love it! Any Charlotte folks who want to hit balls let me know | My wardrobe could definitely still use some basics but I think it's slowly getting better so I'm less worried about it right now | MK and I are back in the habit of our morning runs and are running the Thunder Road Half Marathon this fall | I am very conscious of what I'm eating now and have been trying to keep my weekday meals clean and healthy, lunches are the biggest challenge for me but I think I'm doing pretty well (stay tuned for more ideas) | I really want to get better about cooking the last half of the year. I did OK early on but I've let myself drop off lately so glad I'm I checked in on myself today!

I really can't complain about 2014 thus far. First half of the year was great but I'm happy I checked in on myself, I really am going to print photos this week! How are you guys doing on your 2014 goals?

- Heath 

image via Perpetually Chic

Let's Chat | Resolutions Update

Happy Friday, and welcome August.  I seriously can't wrap my head around how quickly this year is moving.  I know I'm cliché, but my Virginia is about to be 10 months old somehow!  I've spent some time this week and last thinking about the year, thinking about how quickly it's moving,, and I thought back to my plans and goals for the year.  (Seeing as that the year is over half way over, it might finally be time to check in on my resolutions and make sure I'm kinda getting close to accomplishing at least some of them!)  So, below is my little check in update, primarily for myself, but I'll share if you're interested...

I'm not doing well taking too many more pictures.  I am a little better about taking pictures but this reminds me to pull out my camera right now | I haven't signed up for a floral class and this may get bumped from the list, we'll see! | I started a needlepoint Christmas ornament for Virginia, and this is one item that I made happen this week when I looked at my resolutions and looked at the calendar | hosting 4 parties this year - humm...this hasn't happened unless you count the Thai takeout I ordered a few friends for bookclub last minute one night | I am running the Thunder Road half marathon this year and Heath and I are training now!! | and I'm doing well in general making health a priority, exercising 3-4 times per week, eating super clean breakfasts and lunches and moderate dinners | J.D. and I are sticking with our monthly finance "dates" (more on this later) and it's a very good thing because.... | J.D. and I have booked a vacation together (with Heath & Andy too!) and we're going to ISTANBUL for Labor Day (more on this later too!) | and finally, most importantly, I'm really pleased with myself this year because I am (easily) enjoying every single second I have with Virginia, and I've somehow managed overall to not sweat the small stuff, and instead just love on her and enjoy every minute I get.

So far, 2014 is looking good, even if it's passing more quickly than I'd prefer!  Anything on your resolutions list that you've checked off, or something you're going to make a point to check off in the second half of the year??  I'd love to hear.

~Mary Keller

Image of Istanbul via Flickr

Spending Freezes

A little over a year ago (wow!) when MK and I decided to finally make this blog happen one thing that was (and still is) very important to us was keeping it real. We try to be very honest and open on here about things that are truly attainable and things that are wish list items. Our hope is posts like this and this, while somewhat mundane, display our real life and the immaterialist views we both share and posts like this and this convey that while we may not be able to purchase that fancy piece of furniture or bag we’re lusting after it’s still fun to look and possibly save for. In an effort to keep things real I’d love to talk about something that’s been on my mind a lot lately, finances.  

Andy and are both very good savers. We knew this about each other before we got married, (probably even one thing we liked about each other – nerds!) we’ve always been this way. But beyond our day to day spending/saving habits we’ve recently started putting ourselves on small spending freezes. I know I’ve mentioned here and there that we have some financial goals we were hoping to accomplish so big picture we evaluate our finances monthly and if/when we’re close to a new big goal we stop spending completely. It may sound crazy, but it’s even crazier how long you can live without much spending!

The basic concept is that eliminating all (or most) of our daily expenses can push us to achieve our next goal. During a freeze we essentially try to eliminate 100% of our daily expenses, the flex piece being groceries. We don’t starve ourselves, but we do try to use mostly items we have on hand and keep our grocery bills to a minimum, just fresh produce. We typically keep things like beans, dried pastas, tortillas, frozen shrimp, eggs and salsas on hand so in a pinch during freeze weeks we can make a shrimp scampi pasta, shrimp or bean tacos/burritos and huevos rancheros for dinner. These are pretty standard in our dinner rotation but when combined into one or two weeks it keeps our grocery bill super low. That combined with no picking up coffee, no picking up lunch at the office, no dinner dates, no new clothes or accessories for our house allows us to put most of our take home income straight to savings.

Our most recent financial goal we set was to be ready to buy a house.  While we’ve always been saving to buy a house and casually looking as things come available we knew that in the upcoming year or so we would probably be financially and mentally ready to buy.  The housing market here is a bit tricky in the areas we are interested in because there isn’t much inventory and most houses are sold within days of being on the market (if not before then).  Just laying this out so we don’t sound crazy when you read the next few sentences…

In early March a friend reached out to us about an estate sale across the street from her (hey Amanda!). She inquired about the house hosting the sale and found out it would be sold after finalizing the estate sale.  MK and I quickly got in the car and headed that way, after walking through it, I was sold.  Even Virginia liked it and she's a skeptical little thing!  I came home that day and mentally walked Andy (who was on drugs from his surgery still!) through the entire house. Unfortunately the daughters running the estate sale were unable to sell us the house because they had a trustee handling the estate on their behalf.  At that point we put ourselves on a spending freeze. We knew we were financially ready to buy, but that a spending freeze would give us more room for any unforeseen costs and more room for bidding too.  Fast forward two months (longest spending freeze we’ve ever done) the house officially went on the market and after a long few days of bidding wars we didn’t get the house. Not going to lie I was devastated, there were tears involved (I can be dramatic). (It's really tricky to compete with house flippers with deep cash pockets!)  But now it’s fine, we moved on and now have an even better little cushion to sit on until another house we love comes available. While I was so upset when this was happening, looking back it just made me thankful we love our current little rental home and thankful we sacked away all that money the last two months that we can now put towards vacations in 2014.

A few things to note – I’m guessing it’s much easier to do a freeze without children. I have no clue how it would work but I’m guessing you could do something similar. It's also easier to do with a spouse or significant other. It feels lonely to stay in alone and cook a meal from things in your pantry but with others it’s just a small challenge that you can enjoy together! So if you’re single invite a friend over to “clean out your pantry."  A real friend won’t judge and it’s equally as entertaining as a restaurant without the people watching :). If you guys have any money savings tips, we'd love to hear!

- Heath

image via The Everygirl

Happy Friday & Our Winter List

 

Happy Friday everyone!  This week sure flew by!  Does anyone else have things that they really like to enjoy for each season?  What are some of your winter must dos?  If there is any season that needs a list of reminders of what to enjoy about it, it's absolutely winter.  It would be nice to not wish the cool weather away and actually enjoy it.  We're headed to Nashville this weekend to visit J.D.'s family.  I'm so excited for Virginia to meet all of her cousins! :)

Anyone else have any winter favorites?  Good winter meals or fun plans you recommend? 

p.s. Some of our favorite cool weather meals here, and our must-do "Fall List" here.  Some may carry over!

~Mary Keller

(Finally!) 2014 Resolutions

 image by Waiting On Martha

Warning: Apologies in advance for the world's LONGEST POST, but we're planning on a good 2014!  I know we're half way through January, but we finally had time this past weekend to sit down and actually make some resolutions.  I don't know if these are goals or resolutions or what you want to call them, but I'm a big fan of taking time every year to think about what you would like your year to include.  So, onto our "Resolutions" Below!

Mary Keller :
My college roommate and bff's mom suggested we read Write It Down, Make it Happen forever ago, and it really is true.  Write things down and make them happen this year.  I think it's much more fun to think about things you want to make happen for the year vs. thinking about things you want to change about yourself!

1. I will take more pictures in 2014 - Guys, this is on my list every year.  Close friends know that I am the WORST about taking pictures and with Virginia here this absolutely has to change.  I got a new camera last fall and I'm getting better.

2. I will take a floral class in 2014 - This is something I've been wanting to do for some time.  Nothing fancy, but just something to be a little better at arranging grocery store flowers.  I'm thinking about this online class by Chelsea Fuss

3. I will needlepoint one Christmas ornament for Virginia in 2014 - My grandmother gave Virginia a needlepoint ornament for Christmas and I'd really love to start the tradition of needlepointing her an ornament every year.  That means I have to learn to needlepoint first. 

4. I will host 4 parties in 2014 - I say it all the time but hosting and attending parties seriously brings me so much joy.  It's not exactly prime party time at our house with Virginia being so little, but I'd at least like to have 4 parties this year, even just casual dinner parties would be perfect!

5. I will Run the Thunder Road Half Marathon in 2014 - We ran this last year and I love this race.  Pre Virginia, Heath and I used to meet to run a few mornings (at 5:30 am!!) every week.  When it gets warmer and I can count on Virginia sleeping at night I plan to start this back up.  I feel SO much better when I'm running and running is quick and practically free.

6. I will make health a priority in 2014 - Speaking of running, I will make time to be healthy in 2014.  I know this is on everyone's New Year's list but for good reason.  My plan is always eating healthy during the week (super healthy breakfast and lunches) with normal dinners, and then enjoying a few splurges on the weekends.  My goal is exercise 3 days week.  I'm not trying to become any fitness allstar or anything this year, but I do need to have exercise as a regular part of  my life.

7.  I will have monthly "finance night" with J.D. in 2014 - J.D. and I are dorks and sit down monthly to create/review our budget, and I want to continue making this a priority this year.  Our life seems to click when we're on budget and just generally touching base, sitting down with each other monthly.  We've made so much progress since we've been married with this habit.

8. I will go on a vacation with J.D. in 2014 - Later this year when Virginia is a little older, I want to go on a getaway with J.D. purely for fun, even if it's just for the weekend.  Years ago I created a Mighty Life List that includes places we want to see in our amazing country and world.  I'm excited to see a new place this year, and can't wait to decide where that will be!  (Deciding where to go and planning the trip is half the fun!)

9. I will be present and enjoy my baby Virginia in 2014 - This is really my number one and the only thing I really care about in 2014.  I can honestly say so far this year I'm really doing well with this one.  I think going back to work has really helped me stop and focus completely on her while I'm with her.  I could stare at those brown eyes and make goofy noises to make her laugh all day long.  Love that girl and can't wait to enjoy 2014 with her.

Heath:

Take a trip somewhere new – In 2014 we’re planning a trip (preferably) somewhere neither of us have been. While it’s fun to go anywhere with Andy we’re particularly wanting to explore somewhere new together in 2014. I think we’ve determined that this year we don’t have the time for a long trip to somewhere like Australia or Asia (which I’m dying to visit) so we’re going to attempt a long weekend like Cup of Jo suggested or Brooklyn Limestone seems to do quite often. Right now we’re thinking Ireland, Chile or Prague. I’d love to hear any suggestions you have.

 

Print photos – I have an ongoing goal of taking more photos and practicing photography because I genuinely love it so much but this year I’m making it a goal to actually do something with these photos. I have thousands of photos we’ve taken through the years but embarrassingly we have only one photo printed from our wedding and none from our honeymoon. Not to mention all the other fun trips before and after! So this year I’m going to take the time to catch up; print photos for us to frame and make photobooks for the rest.

 

Finances – Andy and I are pretty good savers but we aren’t necessarily the best day to day budgeters. We met some pretty big financial goals in 2013 and already have some hefty ones set for ourselves in 2014 but in addition to these I’d like to take more time to evaluate our monthly spending and budget. I think this will not only allow us to stay on top of our big picture goals, but also create ongoing dialogue about smaller goals.

 

Weekend getaways – We have a bad habit of not scheduling small weekend trips for the two of us which means our calendar generally gets filled up with other plans and then we decide to stay put for the few weekends we have that are free. So in 2014 I’m making it a priority to schedule a  few weekend getaways for the two of us to some NC cities we have been meaning to visit.

 

Tennis – In 2014 I will learn to play tennis, like really and truly learn. In the fall I started taking a clinic, and while it’s temporarily on hold right now for the winter I want to make it a goal of mine to attend the clinic regularly come spring and practice in between. Hopefully if I make a valiant effort for an entire year I will see some substantial improvement.

 

Wardrobe – At the beginning of 2013 my mom, sister and I did a HUGE closet clean out. We each got rid of a serious amount of clutter in our closets and it felt so good! I highly recommend everyone doing it once a year. We each made a good list of things needed(I realize this is all relative, I don’t actually need any clothes) to replenish our closets and a few items that we want. The reality is, I actually never acted on many if any of these items. I think I got overwhelmed and just stalled but in 2014 I’d like to knock out some or most of the items that I think are basic essentials for my closet and put into place the French 5 piece wardrobe going forward. While I talk a lot about style and clothes on here, my true style objective doesn’t include a never ending supply of things to choose from, it’s actually fairly simple and repeats a lot of essential favorites. I’d like to get closer to this place in 2014.

 

Exercise – I’m sure this is on everyone’s list but I have decided to make my health goals in 2014 a little more specific. MK and I used to run together a few mornings a week, we kept this up until right before Virginia was born but since then I’m embarrassed to say I’ve run only once or twice ugh! So starting today I’m getting back on track with my running every other day. I’d like to train and complete the Thunder Road half marathon with MK this fall and schedule another in the spring to keep me on track. I’d also like to incorporate more strength training into my life. If anyone has any good ideas for this I’m still looking (but remember I’m too cheap for you Crossfit folks!)

 

Health - This may sound crazy to some people but I have a confession - I eat ice cream multiple times a week. It’s a horrible habit that I’ve had as long as I can remember. In general I (try to) eat fairly healthy during the week and allow myself a little more wiggle room on the weekends. But if I’m being honest sweets have always been in a different category. I know my metabolism will only slow down from here so in 2014 I’m going to go ahead and nip this in the bud. I can hear Andy laughing now, but I’m going to eliminate my weekday sweets - making exceptions(of course!) for special occasions. Wish me luck!

 

Cooking – Our household tends to be the opposite from many others as far as cooking goes. Andy loves to cook and on top of that it doesn’t stress him out to do it on weeknights. I too love to cook but tend to get more enjoyment out of cooking on the weekends when I have more time to do so. As a result Andy cooks a lot of our weeknight meals. In 2014 I’d like to make a point for me to do more of the weeknight cooking (I’ll be relying a lot on the recipes we’ve perfected here). I’d also like to make a point to have this time be OURS. Take the time for us to just cook and talk to each other, maybe with a little music on in the background too but nothing else no blogging, no working, no catching up on cleaning etc. just cooking the two of us. It’s one of our favorite things to do together and I want to cherish that right now while we don’t have kids and other things pulling us in a million directions.

See, told you these were long!  Now, off to print and pin up this list on the kitchen bulletin board!  What are your goals & dreams for 2014?  We seriously would love to hear!

P.S. Another blogger Habitually Chic who inspires us to absolutely Write it Down and Makes it Happen.  Very jealous of her move to Paris for 3 months plan!  Wish I could add that too.

Image via Waiting on Martha