lists | Hello Sunshine

If you’ve been around a while, you probably know that I’m not afraid of making resolutions and intentions and I dive headfirst into a good goal-list so here we are; a new year, a new list.

For me, the best part of list-making is that I know I will not achieve everything but if I write it down or say it, it’s more likely to happen.

10 things I want to work on (but may not) in 2019

Swimming: Once I’m in the water, I’m happy as a clam but mygawd it’s hard to get in. I know the benefits, I have a membership to a pool, my kid swims three days a week… I have no excuses.
Self-acceptance: I’m going to get into this later but it’s something I need to work on. I have ideas, I just need the confidence to believe that I am capable.
Barre: I fell in love with barre classes a few years ago but haven’t done it in ages. I should. I will. My aching body will thank me.
Photography: I am planning to take some time this year to learn more skills (lighting, styling, etc.) It’s been an intention for a few years but I need to stop thinking about it and start doing it. (see #2)
Entertaining: Who says it has to be fancy and involve several courses? I love having people over but it doesn’t happen enough. I’m thinking games nights or simple gatherings. Murder Mystery anyone?
Hooking or pottery: Two somewhat newish things I discovered that brought me joy. I am not planning to hook 1000 pillows or become a professional potter but I need to focus on stuff like this.
Cooking: I don’t love cooking because I want to be good at it, and I am not. I want to get more comfortable in the kitchen.
Personal projects, like a website or whatever this space is: The woes of any self-employed person is they never put the time into their own projects. I need to organize my days better for this.
Reading: I’m already pretty decent at this, I read a lot and I listen to a lot of audiobooks but I want to make it more of a priority.
Gratitude: I have a lot of things to be grateful for but sometimes it’s hard to not dwell on the hardships. I need to remind myself of the good stuff. Make simple things more fun!

No pressure, but 2019 is kind of a big deal. It’s the end of a decade, the end of my thirties and I am approaching my #fortybeforeforty deadline with a long list of items to tackle so why not add more and make it fun!

Have a happy new year, make it a good one.

(image) all gifs from Giphy

Last week I shared with you my 10 favourite podcasts, and now I’m going to tell you about my favourite blogs. Guys, I’m all over the place. I probably subscribe to 100+ blogs which I check daily on Bloglovin’. I scroll through the titles like a teenager on Instagram only stopping to read a few full posts each day. Below are the top ten I am most likely to open and read.

Shutterbean Food. Photography. Pretty Things.
I like that she lives near San Franciso, she’s really into design, photography and cooking + she has only one child who’s close in age to David.
A Cup of Jo A daily women’s lifestyle site founded by Joanna Goddard that covers style, design, culture, food, travel, relationships, and parenting.
Joanna and her girls always deliver. No matter what they’re saying, I am reading + the reader comments on this site are ace.
Minimalist Baker Here we share plant-based recipes requiring 10 ingredients or less, 1 bowl, or 30 minutes or less to prepare. All eaters are welcome.
It’s actually her photography that keeps me coming back. I am sure the recipes are great, but I want to take her online photography class the most.
Design Mom Design Mom helps women across the globe stay well-informed, to manage their home life and their work life gracefully, to learn new things daily.
Even though I follow her sister and her sister-in-law, this one is my favourite. I’m not Mormon, and I do not have a ton of kids, but she seems like a good mom + the living with kids posts are excellent.
swissmiss Tina Roth Eisenberg’s personal visual archive
If I couldn’t be Canadian, I’d be Swiss. Love the quick and frequent posts. Always a lot of great content gems + she owns Tattly Temporary Tattoos
Carrots ‘N’ Cake Helping Everyday People Experience Healthy Living.
One of the sporty blogs that have kept true to its content. So often, I’ll be really into a blog, and then they have a baby or something, and the focus shifts. I am not here to read about your baby; I am here to read about your last race.
Dinner: A Love Story It all begins at the family table.
Jenny wrote a book on How to Celebrate Everything. I like that. She’s funny and keeps things real + she seems to be friends with Joanna from A Cup of Jo, so that’s cool.
Design*Sponge Design*Sponge focuses on the creative community, with the goal of making the art and design world personal
The GOLD STAR of design blogs. For those who love peeking inside people’s homes, this one is for you + they’re so great at publishing articles about women, diversity and inclusion in design. Bravo!
The Lazy Genius Collective Be a genius about the things that matter and lazy about the things that don’t.
She got me with her bracket lists + she’s really good at giffing
Joy The Baker Sweet treats. Savory indulgences. Approachable recipes and good-life inspiration!
She wrote a book about brunch. Enough said. Always good content, a lovely New Orleans flare + she links to some heavy but good links on Friday.