Things for 2019

Alright, so this year didn't see quite the same amount of excitement as 2017 did but we still did manage to have what I think was a darn good year. This year I went to see Taylor Swift with my siblings, completed my very first Tough Mudder Half, celebrated my broski's 21st birthday in Las Vegas, tried a new activity, saw Christina Aguilera in concert, continued my family's paint party traditions, and spent two blissful weeks with my love in Italy. 

But now it's on to even bigger and brighter things in 2019 and I can't wait to see all that happens in the new year. Of course, it wouldn't be a new year without my "Things For" post. It's basically New Year's resolutions but slightly different. Let's see how badly I failed I did based on the goals I set back in January 2018. My "Things For" 2018 list included the following: 

1. Travel to a new country and/or state.  Hooray! Checked this off both as a new state (Nevada) and a new country (Italy).
2. Use one new never-before-used-on-the-blog polish per month. Let's see....in January I swatched OPI Relentless Ruby; in February I swatched Sally Hansen Street Flair, in March  I didn't use any new polishes; in April I swatched Sinful Colors Alfresco; in May I didn't post at all; in June I didn't post any nails; in July I didn't swatch anything; in September I swatched OPI Italian Love Affair; in October I didn't swatch anything; in November I didn't swatch anything; and in December I swatched OPI Pompeii Purple. So all in all I did five new-to-the-blog polishes. Five out of twelve isn't toooo bad, right? Lol.
3. Check at least five things off my Bucket List and two things off my 101 in 1001 list. From my bucket list I completed #126, #211, and #587 and from my 101 in 1001 list I completed #41, #90, #91. Since I completed two things from my 101 in 1001 list I'm going to mark this as completed. 
4. Post a design for every major holiday: Valentine's Day, Easter, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas, and New Year's Eve. Every single year I try to do this and every single year I fail.
5. Review this list and create a list for 2019. Done! Hopefully I do better in 2019!

My Things for 2019 are going to be:

1. Swatch at least one new-to-the-blog polish per month.
2. Run at least 50 miles total this year.
3. Eat more fruits and vegetables and less meat. Perhaps a meatless Monday or Fish Friday?
4. Try at least one new activity. Doesn't matter what it is, as long as it's new.
5. Travel to at least one new country and one new state.

Do you make new year's resolutions? What are some of your goals for the new year?

Things for 2018

This year saw a wealth of excitement and fun here on The Files. I went to see Ariana Grande with my sister, celebrated one of my best friend's weddings, celebrated my own wedding, and made my world a little smaller by traveling to France, England, and Ireland. My mom turned 60, my sister turned 30, and my brother turned 20. We went to the Philadelphia Flower Show and I did a paint night with my sister. And I hung out with my college buds during a girls trip to Gettysburg. 

But now it's on to 2018 and I can't wait to see all that happens in the new year. Of course, it wouldn't be a new year without my Things For post. It's basically New Year's resolutions but a little different. Let's see how badly I failed I did based on the goals I set back in January 2017. My Things For 2017 list included the following: 

1. Travel more. Thanks to the honeymoon I definitely traveled a bit more this year. I went to Paris, England, and Ireland with my new husband. I also traveled domestically to New York with my sister and to Gettysburg with some friends. 
2. Do one swatch post per month. Hahaha, I went to look and see if I completed this and as it turns out I never swatched a polish in January...so that was a failed attempt from the beginning. I think I'll carry this on into the new year. I have to try one new never-before seen on the blog polish per month. That's not so bad, right?
3. Try a new manicure technique. Completed! Gel polish application counts as a technique, right? This was the first year I attempted full on gel-polish-requiring-UV-lamp and I think it worked out really well. 
4. Check things off my 101 in 1001 list and bucket list. Completed! I checked off #6, #80, #87, #89 (here, here,  and here), and #98 (here, here, here, and here) from my 101 in 1001 list. I also checked off #25, #29, #34, #73, #144, #159, #169, #196, #204, #211 #219, #220A,  #253, #481, #492, #517, #628, #629, #630, #631, #633, #635, #636, #637, #638, #648 kinda sorta, #651m  from my Bucket List. I am actually surprised with how many items I completed so I think I made really good progress on both lists.
5. Review this list and create a list for 2018 (and try not to be shocked that it's 2018!) Reviewed. Now to create a new list for 2019, although I am a little shocked it's 2018 already...

My Things for 2018 are going to be:

1. Travel to a new country and/or state.  
2. Use one new never-before-used-on-the-blog polish per month.
3. Check at least five things off my Bucket List and two things off my 101 in 1001 list.
4. Post a design for every major holiday: Valentine's Day, Easter, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas, and New Year's Eve.
5. Review this list and create a list for 2019. 

What are some of your goals for the new year?

Things for 2017

I cannot believe I just typed 2017 in the title of this post. Can you believe it? It's 2017! I remember when we celebrating the turn of the millennium in 2000! Now it's been 17 years since then?? Ugh. As I do every year, I go through and look at the list of things I set out to achieve/do over the previous year and to come up with a new replacement list of things I would like to accomplish/do this year. Let's take a look at last year's list, shall we?

Here are the 6 "Things I'd Like to Do During 2016". I wonder how I did...

1. Swatch at least 10 polishes. Looks like I swatched only 8 polishes! Ahhh so close!
2. Complete a Valentine's Day, Easter, Anniversary, Birthday, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and NYE manicure. Ah, I missed Thanksgiving! Although, my nails were painted for Thanksgiving so I guess we could count that? My NYE haven't made it to the blog yet BUT they are on Instagram!
3. Complete at least one Wishlist Wednesday OR Friday Favorites each month. Nope, didn't get this done...not even close.
4. Secure legal employment. Completed!
5. Make a 101 in 1001 list and make some progress. List made and progress recorded! Check out my 101 in 1001 list to see how I'm doing!
6. Review this list and create a 10 Things for 2017! Completed! Although I'm just going to put five things this year. My 101 in 1001 list will make up the rest!

I think for next year I'll list five things.

1. Travel more.
2. Do one swatch post per month.
3. Try a new manicure technique.
4. Check things off my 101 in 1001 list and bucket list.
5. Review this list and create a list for 2018 (and try not to be shocked that it's 2018!)

Things for 2016!

If you're an avid reader of The Files you knew this post was coming. Every year at the end of the year I choose my Best Of manicures and create a list of things I hope to do/accomplish/etc (resolutions??) during the coming year. I also review the list I made the previous year to see if I actually got anything done. So, let's look at the list I created a year ago shall we?

15 Things for 2015!

1. Complete at least 10 swatches over the year. Check! I'm happy to say I swatched OPI Bronzed to Perfection, China Glaze Limbo Bimbo, Sally Hansen Strawberry Icing, Avon Strawberry, Ruby Wing Peony, OPI I Eat Maine-ly Lobster, that unnamed Kleancolor polish, Sinful Colors Pink Forever, OPI Flashbulb Fuschia, China Glaze Conga to My Cabana, and China Glaze Second-hand Silk! That's 11 different polishes this past year! Bonus points :)
2. Update my list of nail polish to reflect some of my new polishes! Done! We're now over 350 polishes!
3. Wear the same color family for an entire month. Completed! Remember the Parade of Pink from October where I posted various pink polishes throughout the month in honor of breast cancer awareness?
4. Complete a Friday Favorites post every month. Nope, didn't do this even a little bit :( Maybe I'll be better at it in 2016?? I only had a Friday Favorites post in January and September. I think for 2016 I'll do Wishlist Wednesday instead.
5. Have a nail design for every major holiday in the US. I don't know what I considered "major holiday" but I'm going to say I didn't do it. I'll try this again in 2016.
6. Complete my current cross-stitch project. Done! Post here!
7. Survive the BAR EXAM! Done! Successfully too!
8. Maybe do a youtube video or tutorial or something. Oh, I actually did do this! I posted a slideshow video of all my 2014 designs. 
9. Keep on top of my Toetally Tuesday posts (at least 2 per month). No....maybe this year?
10. STOP neglecting my blog! I think I did a good job at this during 2015. Of course I had my breaks while I was studying and preparing for the bar, and I think I missed March and April but in my defense I was applying to the bar, studying to graduate, working, participating in law review, and working on an honor society. I was a tad busy. Forgive me??
11. Use up all my random lotions and potions that are piling up in my bathroom. Nope not even close...but I'm making progress.
12. Have a guest post here on the files! Haven't chosen someone yet. If you're interested comment below or email me!
13. Do a giveaway. Not this year...maybe 2016.
14. Try a new design technique. Probably. I did nail the gradient manicure a couple times!
15. Review this list and create a 10 Things for 2016! (16 would be ridiculous) Done and done! But I'm making it 6 things for 2016 instead of 10.

For 2016, here are 6 Things I'd Like to Do During 2016:

1. Swatch at least 10 polishes.
2. Complete a Valentine's Day, Easter, Anniversary, Birthday, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and NYE manicure.
3. Complete at least one Wishlist Wednesday OR Friday Favorites each month.
4. Secure legal employment. 
5. Make a 101 in 1001 list and make some progress.
6. Review this list and create a 10 Things for 2017!

If you like these, take a look at my 14 Things for 2014 post. Are you thinking of doing anything in particular during 2016?

15 Things for 2015!

If you've been a visitor of my blog for a while now, then you know the drill that happens at the end of the year here on the Files. I choose my Top 14 of 2014 around the end of January and then create a list of things I hope to do, accomplish, etc in the coming year. So, looking back at my 14 Things for 2014 post, let's see if I failed miserably or just missed a few! A few of them I will be carrying forward to 2015. I'm backdating this post because...ya know. 

14 Things for 2014

1. Post at least 8 times each month. No "I'm busy" excuses! Hmmm, I failed 5 months...BUT a few other months had 14-15 posts so it as evens out ya know?! Of course there's that whole not-one-post-in-December thing but...eh.
2. Complete 18 swatches of new polishes. Not even close...only 3 swatches. How is that possible?!
3. Wear the same color (but not specific polish) for a whole month and blog it. Ex: "Mauves all May" or "Maroons all March"...although that's way to specific so I'll have to do a more general "blues" or "purples" for a month instead. Totally forgot about this! Will carry it forward!
4. Restart my Toetally Tuesdays posts. Nope. Failed.
5. Complete a First Friday Favorites post every month. Lol, I need to stop thinking I will do this! Trying it for ONE MORE YEAR and then I will abandon it.
6. Try a new design technique. I think I did do this this year!
7. Bake more. What can I say? I like cookies... I made a few cake pops and I think a cake...so yeah I did this!
8. Reach 100 amazing followers and do a giveaway to celebrate. Done and done! Totally awesome!
9. Complete a nail design for every major holiday in the US. Nope, missed the last few. Will carry this through to 2015.
10. Complete a cross-stitch project. I completed the one for Steph and Matt! Of course, I started another that is NOT finished. I'll blog about that later!
11. Watermark all my blog photos. That's a huge undertaking...
12. Buy a nail polish from the CoverGirl Hunger Games collection. I think I got the orange one!
13. Visit Maine (to see my best college buddy!) this summer. Nope. I was working :(
14. Last but not least, review this list January 1, 2015 and create 15 things for 2015. DID IT!

Alrighty, it looks like I failed miserably. That's ok though, that's what being a blogger is all about! Set some goals, miss them, and keep trying! In the spirit of thinking I will do better...here are my 15 for 2015!

15 Things for 2015!

1. Complete at least 10 swatches over the year.
2. Update my list of nail polish to reflect some of my new polishes!
3. Wear the same color family for an entire month.
4. Complete a Friday Favorites post every month.
5. Have a nail design for every major holiday in the US.
6. Complete my current cross-stitch project.
7. Survive the BAR EXAM!
8. Maybe do a youtube video or tutorial or something.
9. Keep on top of my Toetally Tuesday posts (at least 2 per month)
10. STOP neglecting my blog!
11. Use up all my random lotions and potions that are piling up in my bathroom.
12. Have a guest post here on the files!
13. Do a giveaway.
14. Try a new design technique.
15. Review this list and create a 10 Things for 2016! (16 would be ridiculous)

14 Things for 2014

Apparently I missed this last January! I always put a list of things I want to do, try, or eliminate in the new year but, for whatever reason, I didn't do a new version for January 2013!! Lame. Eh, no matter, I'll just use my "12 from 2012" list to evaluate how I've done and then create a new list for 2014. I promise to review them in 2015!

12 Things for 2012

1. Go on a vacation. I'm talking about an actual vacation: a few days down the shore, a trip to Maine, camping, etc. I went to Ocean City Maryland with my dad, brother and extended Ohio family in August right before school started! It was so nice to see my grandparents, aunts, and cousins :) I blogged about it here and here. No camping and no trip to Maine though.

2. Use each of my polishes. Ha! No way. This will probably never be done. I'm not going to carry this one over again.

3. Swatch each of my polishes. Ha! Same. Not going to carry this over.

4. Move out of my parents house (if possible and practical to do so). Currently I live in an apartment near my law school's campus. Can't say I miss being home, except for the constant company and home-cooked meals of course! It is nice to have my own space though.

5. Finish that cross-stitch project. No, and I've started a new one. I'm going to carry this over but extend it to either one.

6. Graduate from undergrad! (and start law school!!) Completed like a boss. And I'm now halfway through law school!

7. Run more. I started going for runs during the semester and I'd like to do that more. Maybe even run my first race (outside of my track days). A 5K perhaps? I ran a 5K (The Color Run - Philadelphia) with my sister this past July. Blogged about it here.

8. Stretch more and become more flexible. Ehhhh, sort of?

9. Complete some nifty crafts (for example: photo coasters like these). I completed a lego project with my best law school buddy and her kid last fall...does that count? I think yes.

10. Fix my radio in my car. Nope, but I've decided I won't bother.

11. Buy a Nook Tablet or iPad or something similar. Nope. But I DID buy a laptop so I think that counts.  

And the last and biggest thing I'd want to do: #12. RELAX. I get so worked up sometimes about things and I'd like to just chill out and roll with the punches more. Sometimes I can be really uptight. Let's work on that. I'm good.

Alright, so all in all I didn't do that badly. I still haven't swatched or used all my polishes (recently I was just talking about how I had found polishes I didn't even know I had...) but I don't think I'll include that anymore. There's no point when I know I will not complete it going into it and I don't have enough time to actually try and complete it. Anyway, here are my 2013 Blog Goals.

14 Things for 2014

1. Post at least 8 times each month. No "I'm busy" excuses!
2. Complete 18 swatches of new polishes.
3. Wear the same color (but not specific polish) for a whole month and blog it. Ex: "Mauves all May" or "Maroons all March"...although that's way to specific so I'll have to do a more general "blues" or "purples" for a month instead.
4. Restart my Toetally Tuesdays posts.
5. Complete a First Friday Favorites post every month.
6. Try a new design technique.
7. Bake more. What can I say? I like cookies...
8. Reach 100 amazing followers and do a giveaway to celebrate.
9. Complete a nail design for every major holiday in the US.
10. Complete a cross-stitch project.
11. Watermark all my blog photos.
12. Buy a nail polish from the CoverGirl Hunger Games collection.
13. Visit Maine (to see my best college buddy!) this summer.
14. Last but not least, review this list January 1, 2015 and create 15 things for 2015.