101 in 1001.

In starting this whole blog adventure, I came across Mackenzie's list (and amazing blog) of 101 things to do in 1001 days (2.75 years). As a list lover, I couldn't pass this up. I thought it might be best to keep all of these aspirations to myself (does anyone really care that I need to organize my iTunes library?) but this list has been incredible to make and I hope it'll inspire someone to make their own (let me know if you do!) 

Just think how satisfying it's going to be to cross each of these off!

Start date: December 28,2013

End Date: September 24, 2016

Status: 9/101

1. Become a homeowner. (March 2014 - here's how I told you!)
2. Create the perfect home-office space.
3. Visit one new country each year.
4. Attend a ballet.
5. Attend an orchestra.
6. Watch a movie outdoors.
7. See a TED Talk live.
8. Spend a day touring museums in NYC.
9. Take a walk or bike ride in Central Park.
10. Hike in Colorado.
11. Watch the sunrise or sunset from the top of a mountain.
12. Pull off an epic surprise for someone.
13. Send 50 handwritten notes. (11/50)
14. Attend an EDM festival.
15. Complete my 100^th barre class.
16. Introduce a friend to barre.
17. Attend 5 new networking events.
18. Take a cooking class.
19. Start an art collection.
20. Go to a Packers game at Lambeau Field.
21. Dance in a flash mob.
22. Find out my blood type.
23. Donate blood.
24. Learn calligraphy.
25. Host a dinner party.
26. Buy and wear a gown (for an appropriate event).
27. Host a black-tie or themed party (for #24 if need be).
28. See the Aurora Borealis.
29. Start practicing piano again.
30. Kiss under mistletoe.
31. Unplug for one full day (24 hours) each month.
32. Leave a 100% tip on a bill of $50 or more. (January 2014)
33. Write a letter to my 20-year-old self. Give it to a little in my life for HS graduation.
34. Fall in love.
35. Participate in an overnight observatory program.
36. Take a aerial silks lesson.
37. Attend a Boston Bruins game.
38. Visit New Orleans with a friend.
39. Establish a weekly signature blog post. (color scoop!)
40. Get involved with a volunteer organization. 
41. Find the perfect overnight bag.
42. Learn how to drive standard.
43. Visit Chicago.
44. Make someone I love breakfast in bed.
45. Go to a rooftop party.
46. See a shooting star.
47. Subscribe to a magazine that I usually buy at the store.
48. Subscribe a friend to a magazine.
49. Find the perfect shade of red/pink lipstick.
50. Re: #51, wear it at least once a week for 2 months.
51. Pay for the next customer in line 5 times. (4/5)
52. Attend a concert at Red Rocks Ampitheatre.
53. Spend a weekend in Vegas.
54. Replace coffee with tea for two consecutive weeks.
55. Plant an herb garden.
56. Plant a tree.
57. Try a new fitness class. (Dec 2013 at REV, April 2014 RowVT)
58. Throw a surprise party for a friend.
59. Get a promotion. (June 2014) 
60. Host a game night.
61. Organize my iTunes library.
62. Organize my digital design files.
63. Learn a fancy yoga move.
64. Put my own twist on a classic recipe.
65. Order from a food truck.
66. Go to the farmer’s market at least five times during one summer. (3/5)
67. Pack *good* (healthy and yummy) lunches for two weeks straight.
68. Learn to tie a tie.
69. Swim in the Pacific Ocean.
70. Make sushi.
71. Attend a First Friday Art Walk.
72. Do 25 consecutive, full range, non-knee push-ups.
73. Send photo Christmas cards.
74. Share a video post on the blog. (see number one.)
75. Design a logo for a business.
76. Design and help launch a blog or website for someone else.
77. Run in the VT City Marathon again.
78. Run in a Color Run.
79. Take a pottery class.
80. Have my photo professionally taken.
81. Have a spa day. Bring a friend.
82. Buy my parents a new computer.
83. Attend a Halloween party with an awesome costume.
84. Drink 8 glasses of water every day for a month.
85. Take on a recipe that I think is too complicated.
86. Do not eat out at restaurants or get take out for one month straight.
87. Open a new savings account.
88. Deposit $20 into savings for each completed item on this list.
89. Do the 52-week money challenge.
90. Shop local for 1 month – small stores and no online shopping.
91. Create an inspiration board.
92. Start a 1 sentence journal.
93. Spend an entire day in a bathing suit at the beach. Don’t forget sunscreen. (Bahamas 2014)
94. Go out to dinner by myself. No book or phone allowed.
95. Read 50 books. (3/50)
96. Learn how to blow out my hair the right way.
97. Take an outdoor yoga class.
98. Get rid of one email address and organize/clean out the others.
99. Become handy with power tools.
100. Buy a hybrid car.
101. Inspire someone else to make a list of their own. (Katlin in December 2013, Sean in January 2014)

The very first.

Here it is.

Drum roll please...

My very first blog post. Woo!

...Umm. Now what?

Just kidding. Sort of.

I've wanted to start a blog forever, especially as a marketing and social media maven. But even though I'm all about liking, sharing, tweeting, following and commenting, the task of writing an entire blog post on my own seems... terrifying.

Despite the apprehension, a new year seems like the perfect time to dive headfirst out of my comfort zone. I mean, I dove headfirst out of a plane this summer and not only am I here to tell the tale, but it was awesome. So how scary can blogging possibly be? I might even like it!
 

Anyway, scary is good.

This year has been one full of challenges that seemed too big to take on, adjusting to a new, fantastically crazy job, moving home after seven years away; yet I'm now on the other side feeling quite accomplished and so excited about what’s to come. There’s something to be said for taking a risk and putting yourself out there, being vulnerable. Sometimes it’s unintentional and those moments sneak up on you, forcing you to muster up some power that you thought was reserved only for superheroes or the runway-stomping, six inch heel-donning Victoria’s Secret models. The best part is, with every new conquest comes the need for another, to go bigger and push harder.

Obviously this time, Step 1: blog. Step 2: take over the world.  

So I'm going to take it one post at a time. Get ready for lots of cooking, DIYs and thoughts on fashion, business, marketing, design and whatever else captures my attention. My hope is that it will at the very least be entertaining, and perhaps at best inspire you, not just to craft and cook but to think and do; challenge yourself – your mind, your body, your heart.

While we’re getting in touch with the feels, I guess this may be a good time to share a little about myself, just so you know what you’re really in for. I’m a 20-something SWF who has a soft spot for glitter, witty banter and long walks on the beach… Ok, in all seriousness I am a fan of the beach, but I also love hiking or kayaking or snowboarding (a recently added skill-in-progress). I’m also a horse owner, occasional runner, barre addict and Vermonter with a need to create.

I think that’s all you need to know for now, but there’s more to come very soon.

xo Emily