Hello, Late Twenties!

I turned 27 on August 22 and spent the day with my mom, had dinner with family, and grabbed a few drinks with some of my sweet friends. It was a really great day. :)

Last year on my birthday I made a list of things I wanted to accomplish in the next year. A few examples: go on a date from an online dating site, switch banks, sell my car, go to the dentist, take two vacations.

This year I asked friends what I should include and they suggested I buy a road bike, read a book a month, and apply to grad school. Some are on the boring side, some should be fun, and others are going to be a total challenge.

So here is this years list:

1. Learn something new each month.
2. Complain less.
3. Apply to grad school.
4. Buy a road bike.
5. Sell my car.
6. Pay off my higher interest student loan.
7. Exercise 15 minutes a day.
8. Keep my clothes off the floor.
9. Spend more time with family.
10. Wake up earlier.
11. Go overseas.
12. Read a book a month.
13. Take a hip hop class.
14. Vote in local elections.
15. Learn to homebrew.
16. Take time off from work every 3 months.
17. Call my grandma more often.
18. Cook a new recipe every week.
19. Open a Roth IRA.
20. Visit an old friend.
21. Wear suntan lotion every day.
22. Make a new friend.
23. Buy local and in season produce.
24. Ask for help.
25. Take more pictures.
26. Get a new tattoo.
27. Go after what I want.

Here's to another year of life! xo, Colleen 

Also remember my Summer Rules? Check out this blog Summer Goals. Happy unofficial last weekend of summer!

Expectant

I have a really hard time around the holidays but I don't really know why. I enjoy the season of Advent but Christmas totally stresses me out! This can be a really lonely time for some people and I think it's important to remind people that you care for them and I don't think it has to be in the form of a gift. My friend Lana is using this season to list all of the things she is thankful for. She is a wonderful lady!

I'm looking forward to the new year and I think this calendar by Erin Jang is an adorable way to keep track of 2011. Who knows what could happen in the next year. :)

[via A Cup of Jo]

Happy Thanksgiving Weekend!

I hosted Thanksgiving for the first time and finally made these pumpkin cookies. I was a little overwhelmed at first but I think everything turned out okay with the help of my mom. :)

It has been amazing having time off from work! I have been spending time with family and friends and yesterday I went thrifting.

Here are a few things from around the web. Enjoy the rest of your weekend! xo

I love this hat.

Maybe I need a nerdy boyfriend.

A church converted into a house.

Apple and cheddar scones.