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one down, fifty-one to go! my 2016, its looking to be a good one. we came back from our two week christmas break from work refreshed and ready to rock and roll at logo. seriously, i still can't believe i get to work where i work. every day is a gift and a blessing.

we celebrated my dad's birthday on the 6th. dear old dad, he has set such high standards for any male that may come into my life. sorry not sorry. another year older, another year wiser they say!

so whats on the calendar for 2016? i am excited for the year. its my first full year out of school and living away (yes, my parents are 40 minutes down the road but still). its my year. its 52 weeks of me. i have a feeling about 2016 - if it hasn't already fallen into place, it will. so what is actually on my list for 2016? come 12 months from now, i hope to have this list crossed off.

1. take painting classes 
2. work on my brush script and calligraphy 
3. my first trade show in houston
4. new orleans trip
5. beach trip
6. new york city trip 
7. spontaneity 
8. read more 
9. relax more
10. send snail mail 
11. keep family as #1 
12. try something new that scares me 
13. know the number on the scale doesn't mean everything
14. stay healthy 
15. eat right
16. love right
17. live right 
18. know this list isn't definitive 

some things i won't be able to really measure at the end of the year. was i spontaneous? did i relax more. i hope to live this year so that i can look back in december at the past twelve months and feel like i am able to cross off everything on the list now and what i hope to add as the year goes on. i know everyone makes their new years resolutions and unfortunately, myself included, those resolutions fall by the wayside. this year though, i hope that i can stay on track. 

and now without further ado (and the end of my rambling), here's to fifty one weeks of the claire with red hair. 

xoxo,

clp

lilly pulitzer for the home

today is friday for me! as of 12:25, it was officially the weekend! i think i am really going to enjoy having no friday classes this semester... too bad jobs aren't just monday through thursday! but between yesterday and today i have been to all my classes, printed all my syllabi and bought my books so i am ready to roll for this semester. hopefully it will be a good one here on rocky top!

i posted some of my new year's resolutions previously but i wanted to add a more recent one that i did not share. another one of my resolutions this year is to put my self more on a budget and control my spending. so far i have done okay, but with the new resort and spring collections coming out, i know i am going to have a harder time! my mottos are going to be "spend less and wear more" and "quality over quantity." there are a few things i may treat myself to with christmas gift cards, but besides that, i am going to try to wear what i already have since most of it has only been worn once or still has the tags on it! i am lucky enough to be able to wear, in my opinion, fabulous clothes so i think they need to be put on display more and i believe i shouldn't buy something just because it is the newest thing! fingers are crossed that i can keep to this resolution y'all! 

as most of you know, i love Lilly Pulitzer. one of my favorite things about the brand is that they are not just clothing. they partner with other companies to produce items ranging from iPhone chargers to shower curtains. Garnet Hill is one of the companies that Lilly partners with and they just released their newest collection of Lilly bedding and bath! i can definitely see some of the following in my apartment next year!

perfectly printed percale bedding collection

well-connected cotton rug

sister florals towels

happy thursday y'all! tomorrow is friday which means it will be the weekend for everyone! have a good one! 

xoxo,

clp 

happy 2014! & a recipe

2014 is here! i celebrated mine with my parents at home in front of the fire and my ankle in a brace (thanks to me missing a step a few nights ago - if a sprained ankle hurts this bad, i can't even imagine a broken one).! i know that doesn't sound like the usual 21-year-old NYE, but i'm not exactly the typical 21-year-old when it comes to partying...

to ring in the new year, last night we had authentic chicken tamales, homemade guacamole and salsa with sliced veggies (i cut up jicama and bell peppers to use instead of chips... saves both carbs and calories!). we then had our annual chocolate fondue as a NYE treat, complete with cubed angel food cake, pineapple and strawberries! (back to healthy eating tomorrow, right!?) NYE has never been a favorite holiday of mine so i may have been asleep before it actually struck midnight here, but i did ring in the new year with NYC... this old woman couldn't keep her eyes open another minute! nonetheless, it was the perfect way to end 2013 and to welcome 2014!

i don't totally understand the concept of new year's resolutions because i think if you want to make a change or start something new, you shouldn't have to wait until January 1st to do so. however, i am jumping on the resolution train and making a few. in 2014, i resolve to:

1. continue "documenting" my life by taking pictures more
2. continue to eat healthy and maintain a healthy lifestyle and weight
3. relax a little & stress less 
4. socialize more 
5. travel more 
6. read more
7. work towards achieving my career goals 
8. stay organized and purge the unnecessary 
9. step outside my comfort zone 
10. just be happy

it may be a cliché, generalized list of resolutions but i think they are good starts to living the life i want to live. 

tonight for supper we are feasting on traditional new year's foods for good luck in the new year. we always make a big new years day supper and my grandparents come over to munch on the good luck with us! our menu this year includes:

• pork tenderloin, so that we can embrace the challenges and adventures that await us 
• black eyed peas, to bring prosperity  
• greens, to bring wealth (recipe below) 
• cornbread, also to bring prosperity 
• baked squash casserole, just because we like it

new year's day greens

6 Canadian bacon slices, chopped
1 sweet onion, chopped
1 16 0z package fresh greens of choice (turnip, mustard, collard or mixed)
1 12 oz. can light beer
2 tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp butter spread
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper

1. sauté onion and bacon in large dutch oven over medium-high heat until onion is tender.
2. add greens in batches and cook, stirring occasionally, until wilted. 
3. stir in beer and bring to a boil.
4. reduce heat to low and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 25 minutes. stir in remaining ingredients. 

(recipe courtesy of Southern Living)

here's to more happiness, more smiles, more sparkle, more laughter and more love. happy 2014 y'all.

xoxo,

clp