30 things before 30

As promised, I have comprised another to-do list for the coming year.  It's kind of nice that my birthday coincides with new year's, as it helps with the whole resolution / goal making, plus it makes me feel like I am not the only one motivated with new goals....Strength in numbers I always say!

So here it is, a list of things I want to do in this last year of my twenties....

1.  Learn to sew, properly
2.  Make something with paint sample cards
3.  Do some volunteer work
4.  Read 5 books
5.  Have a craft weekend with friends and family
6.  Take a course in something new that I'm interested in
7.  Start a dance company
8.  Get started on a masters program
9.  Submit something to a real magazine
10.  Dye my hair a fun color
11.  See a new place
12.  Do some scrapbooking
13.  Start a home design journal / look-book
14.  write 3 poems
15.  work out a new blogging schedule
16.  go to the dentist
17.  Do a major cleaning of my clothes and closet (aka get rid of a lot!)
18.  Make lots of new Desolation Dance Videos
19.  Meet one of my blog friends in person
20. Organize my digital photos
21. Buy and start using a tripod
22.  Roll down a grassy hill like I did as a child
23.  Get all of my stuff out of my parents house (hopefully)
24.  Ride a bike at the beach with the boy
25.  Learn to play an instrument (I'm thinking the ukelele)
26.  Wear more lipstick in fun colors
27.  Reconnect with an old friend
28.  See at least 1 concert
29.  Try to overcome 1 of my fears
30.  Make it a habit to look for the goodness around me, rather than focusing on the negative

Some are hold overs from last year's list - things I didn't accomplish, and some are really ambitious (see 7 & 8) but most are just fun things to motivate me and keep me busy, as always, through the year.  And I have to make the last one cheesy, I just can't help myself! 

So c'mon 2012!  Show me whatcha got!!!!

A few of my Favorite {new} Things!

It's back to work today (sigh) but even though Christmas is over, the joy doesn't stop when I think about all the wonderful gifts I received, and the reactions I got from the gifts I gave!  I love giving presents, there's nothing quite like it!

But here's a peak at some of my lovely birthday and Christmas gifts.

Oh yeah, the boy got me an ipad - Woo!

Love this perfume from my sister in law Anna

how cool is this porcelain ballerina from my aunt Jeanette?

More new foxes for my collection!

And I adore my stunning new watch from my brother in law and his wife, Neil and Katie

Thanks to all my family and friends for your generosity!  What did you get for Christmas?

Today is my Birthday...

Yes, yes it is.

Part of me wants to look back and write about all the things I did this year, what I accomplished from my 29 Before 29 list, and all the happy moments that made up this year.   

 But a bigger part of me doesn't want to look back.  This part is excited for the future - The beginning of my 30th year.  I can hardly believe how my 20's have flown by! Really, how scary!  But I'm also really motivated to accomplish some new goals this year and make some exciting changes in my life.  I'm definitely going to make a new list today of 30 things I want to do before I'm 30, which I promise to share soon.  It really helps me to be proactive and not put too many things off till "later." But I am also going to take a bit of time to quietly reflect on the year past and enjoy myself.   

Today I do have to go to work for a while, but then there will be vintage shopping, present opening and a special dinner at a fancy beverly hills restaurant called Bouchon!  I am so excited to spend the day with the Boy and celebrate this, the day of my birth...And it's my younger brother's birthday too, so I got to give a shout out to him too! 

Happy Birthday Tyler! 

Really, this has been a great year for the Lilac & Lace blog and I have all of you to thank for that.  I have made some great new bloggy friends, found some great new interests (burgers anyone) and reached 200 followers!  Woo hoo!  Thanks to Kate for being my 200th follower! 

I guess what I'm trying to say is thank you.  Thanks for reading my blog, for showing an interest in my life, for sharing your lives with me and for all the happiness you bring me.  And thanks to my friend Shani of Don't Smile Now for taking these lovely impromptu photos.  She's an awesome photographer, don't you think?  So here's to an amazing birthday!

We've only just begun....