Style Diary — Going into 2017 with Flair

...flared sleeves that is! I'm still processing the fact that another year has come and gone (and the fact that I have to go back to work this afternoon...). To start off 2017, I wanted to share with you some of my goals, for myself and for BBL, for the new year.

Goals for Belle By Laurelle:

Connect more with you all - I love getting to know you guys better! And I love reading your sweet comments on my Instagram and blog! I've been trying to ask questions a bit more, and am going to continue trying to ask more and to be better at replying to your lovely answers!
Have more beneficial content in each post - I love going to my favorite blogger's Instagram feeds and blogs and scrolling through their gorgeous pictures for inspiration. While that's enjoyable and fun, I looove when I learn something new or of a great sale/product, laugh at a funny story, or leave touched or inspired by something they shared. I try to write a bit in all of my posts, but I'm going to try to make sure each post has some kind of takeaway, to make sure you leave with something, a good feeling, new fact, or a smile, that you didn't have when you came!
Use and engage on Pinterest (and Facebook) more - I loooooove Pinterest. I was on it constantly and obsessed when it first came out! Lately though, life has been so busy that I have neglected it a bit. I'm going to try to be better about sharing my photos from my posts there and about finding and pinning inspiration to my boards more regularly!

Goals for myself:

Spend more time with God & Ross - Balancing life can be so hard. But I want to get better at prioritizing the two things that matter most to me in this world, my Savior and my husband. They should never come second to anything!
Become a morning person, and get to bed before midnight regularly - So I may never be a morning person, i.e. someone who looooves waking up and is all cheery right away, but I at least want to be able to get up early and have productive mornings. Right now I tend to be a night owl because can get so much done (case in point - it's currently almost 3am as I write this...), but it usually leaves me tired and not very productive the next morning.
Be more thankful, and curate that by writing down things I'm thankful for - I did this a few years back, and it completely changed my perspective! I want to be someone who constantly sees the glass as half full. It's how I used to be, but the hardships of the past few years have definitely dimmed my optimism a bit. I want to get back to being a person who is full of hope and encouragement!
Be better at keeping in touch - I'm much more of an 'in person' kind of person... Emails, texts, and especially phone calls are all things I have to remind myself and sometimes even push myself to do. But I've experienced how meaningful it is when someone I care about reaches out or responds to me, and how hurtful it can be when they don't for long periods of time. While I've gotten a bit better at this over the past year, I definitely have some room for improvement!
Use my time more efficiently & be more organized - While I have surges of productivity, often after midnight, I also tend to forget what I need to get done and spend my time aimlessly clicking on things on my laptop instead of using that time to it's full extent. With how much is on my plate, I can't afford to waste those minutes and want to get better at scheduling tasks I need to do, instead of just listing them and hoping I get to them.
Get back to eating mostly plants/whole foods and planning meals - Life got so busy this fall that i started to let my cooking slack, which meant more processed foods crept into our diet. I want to go back to eating more plants and whole foods, and I know that means I need to plan to cook! I'm hoping to set aside some time on Sundays to prepare for the coming week, and a lot of that will be cooking a few large meals so R and I have easy, healthy meals to grab when there's no time to cook!
Think more before... especially speaking and buying - Definitely more easier said than done! I want to live more intentionally this year, making sure my words, actions, and purchases are ones I'm not going to regret after they're said and done.
Read more - I love trying to learn and grow, and one of the best ways to do those things is to read. This isn't the first time I've had this on my list of goals for the new year, but I'm hoping I do a bit better at it this year!
Keep my emotions in check - I'm definitely a 'feeler' and tend to let my emotions drive my thinking, when I know it should be the other way around!
Work on pieces/practice even when I don't have a concert coming up - I am my own worst night mare, ironically... The students I teach that I have to push to practice are the ones I tend to least enjoy teaching, but I was and still am a pianist who needs to be pushed to practice! When I have a concert coming up, the pressure of the upcoming performance and ever nearing date light a fire under me, but I want to get better at practicing even when I don't have anything coming up. It's a skill that I've invested years in and playing beautiful music is something I enjoy! I want to keep cultivating it even with how much is on my plate!

And I could go on, I love setting new goals and trying to grow! But 10 is enough for today ;) Now it's your turn! What are your top resolutions for the new year? And what would you like to see more of here at Belle by Laurelle? I'd love to hear your feedback! Thanks so much for stopping by, and hope you have a wonderful first Monday of the year!

-Laurelle

{ps...these shoes are now on sale for just $50! And this top, which also comes in black, is currently 40% off!}