New Year's Resolutions

The words "gym," "workout" or "yoga" are not allowed anywhere on the list. Let's be real here, we've all had gym memberships for the past 5 years, and have yet to see drastic physical transformation.
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In 2012, I'm really determined to do a few things, call them resolutions if you will. Before setting out on what is usually considered to be a tragic path-to-failure, I've penned guidelines, in hopes that it will help me to make realistic goals.

1 - the words "gym," "workout" or "yoga" are not allowed anywhere on the list. Let's be real here, we've all had gym memberships for the past 5 years, and have yet to see drastic physical transformation.

2 - any form of a diet is also restricted from the list. It only takes one good dinner party, vacation, work get-together, breakup, etc. to ruin this!

3 - mentions of being a better friend/sister/daughter/employee is absolutely forbidden, because really, what are the chances of remembering that everyday?

4 - let's just rule out all chance of failure and eliminate the word "financial goal" as well, because unless we expect a big raise or bonus next year, it's going to be tough to accomplish, especially when amazing sample sales keep popping up on the fly and Starbucks continues to make coffee better than we are able to at home.

5 - lastly, any desire to be like someone else is simply not an option, i.e. being a glamorous and put-together mom like Claudia Schiffer, always having the perfect outfit on (even at the airport, while holding a baby) like Victoria Beckham, or just being an equal balance of charm-beauty-New-York-cool like SJP.

Now that I'm on track with the rules, I've started to make the actual list of what to accomplish next year. The overall goal for me is to make life a little more interesting, nothing overly incredible, but small things that may enhance my current life.

  • For one month, buy fresh flowers every week -- it'll brighten the home, spirit, and could even catch on as a routine.

  • For two weeks, start looking at a new website/blog/magazine -- inspiration is everywhere, it just takes looking in order to find it.
  • For a friend or oneself throw a birthday bash that entails balloons, personalized coasters, cocktail-making, and a new party dress -- people don't do this enough these days.
  • Read Derek Blasberg's Very Classy, and take a tip or two from it - because self-improvement is a noble quality.
  • Look through old photographs, pick a few of the best ones, print them and hang them in the house. (If you don't take many photos, resolve to do just that - take more!)
  • Master a new recipe -- can be a meal or a cocktail, so long as it requires more than two ingredients -- cooking = entertaining, and entertaining = seeing friends more often! Better yet, make a signature cocktail.
  • Learn every detail about a particular kind of wine -- whether it be a simple Pinot Grigio or intense, full-bodied Bordeaux, it's always good to know what it is that's likable about it and is good dinner-table conversation.
  • There it is, folks... I think I'm off to a good start!

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