Happy New Year! This is a bit of a novel, so you may want to grab a drink and a snack...here goes.

I'm notoriously bad at the whole resolution game. Instead of specific goals, I vow to simply " Be Better" all around - be healthier, more present, work harder, the whole bit. While that's nice in theory, as Mr. C not so bluntly put it recently, "That doesn't mean anything." And, he's right. It really doesn't...it got me thinking. What can I do, in attainable terms, to be my best self. I'm still ironing out the details, but so far, here are a few:

1. Originally it was to eat cleaner, but with the left over Christmas cookies and ever-present cheese in my fridge, I wasn't off to a squeaky start. Instead, I've opted to let myself indulge in the delish treats as long as I drink half my body weight in water each day which to me, is harder. Hopefully my soon-to-be crystal clear complexion will overcome the fact that I'm peeing constantly.

2. Let go of some of that mom-guilt. Everyone has heard about this, and let me tell you, it. is. real. Backstory: I've scaled back to working part time from home, which is amazing, but it also means juggling, a lot. And even though I'm home most of the time, when I'm not, or when I'm home, but not as present, I feel horrible. This doesn't seem productive for anyone. Instead, I'm making a real effort to acknowledge those feelings, recognize that stepping away to get my nails done or enjoying a happy hour with colleagues does not in fact cancel out all the good-mom stuff I do day in and out.

3. Read. Before becoming a mom, I was a voracious reader. Afterward, not so much. Lately I've gotten back into it, and it literally makes me SO happy. The running list on my phone of books I want to read somehow disappeared, welp!, so please let me know if there are any good ones you'd recommend. The Last Mrs.Parrish is at the top of my list!

If you've made it this far, thank you! Here are a few extra tidbits that have been happening this week:

- For some reason I'm having a leggings moment. I know, I know, but honestly when it's snowy and cold outside, and I'm crawling around on the floor with the babe inside, jeans can feel a bit restrictive. These velvet ones seem like a nice hybrid between polished and practical. Add for under $20, also a no-brainer.

- A case for hibernating a bit more? Yes, please.

- As our 100 year old fixer upper transforms into the house of our dreams, I'm fantasizing about completely impractical, horse-before-cart details. Maybe we need to finish painting before we go all in on the gallery wall? Can't hurt to get some inspo!

-Summer is a while off, but this tote has me dreaming of sunny destinations.

- We recently got a new car (yay!) and I'm determined to keep it looking pristine. I love the idea of this organizer.

-MC-

New year, new you, right? Eat cleaner! Work out more! Become a DIY wonder woman who is simultaneously present, mindful and gracious! One scroll on Instagram, and we're inundated with so many #lifegoals that it can be positively overwhelming. So much so that our resolutions can be so lofty that they are unattainable and, ultimately, unfulfilled. This year I'm tackling a series of small resolutions that I can weave to my routine in a more realistic way. Here are three of my resolutions for 2016:

1. Edit. Now is the time to edit your closet and evaluate what you have (and what you need). I'm a classic clothing hoarder. If it fits, I keep it even if I haven't worn it in forever or ever... Apartment living does not take kindly to this habit. If you don't like/haven't worn an item in years/doesn't fit/ is stained, ripped or otherwise damaged, evaluate whether it should be tossed or donated. It's not doing anything just sitting there taking up space. (I'm forcing Mr. C to do this too!) This clears up valuable real estate in your closet so you can take a hard look at your wardrobe. What do you really need? What do you need to stop buying? If your favorite items need some TLC, now is the time. Make your wardrobe work for you!

2. De-clutter. A sub-bullet to the editing process but this time applied to my inbox. If my inbox is organized, my mind is calm. (Am I alone here?) Over the course of the year, I have signed up for a seemingly infinite amount of newsletters. Everyday I'm faced with sales, discounts, reminders, shop nows!, don't forgets and more. Go through these, reduce the frequency of emails or better yet, unsubscribe. Want more news/discounts/reminders later? You can always re-subscribe with no hard feelings. An organized inbox is a happy inbox.

3. Make myself accountable. I'm all about the whole "Be a Better Person" resolution, but this is vague and ultimately not that helpful. This year, I'm holding myself accountable for specific "ways to be better" - working out 2-3x per week, floss daily, blog weekly. Write it done and make it happen!

What are your resolutions for 2016?

-MC-