goals for 2010

2009 feels like it flew by in an instant, but looking back I realized that I've come a long way from where I was this time last year. 1/3/09 I was two weeks away from officially quitting my job in financial services. I was scared out of my mind and had no clue what I was going to do next. C and I started b & r as a way to motivate and inspire us (and it's still providing that for us a year later). Next C encouraged me to apply for an internship at ACQUIRE - the fabulous North End home accessories boutique - and I was thrilled when I got the position. I spent 5 months there - attending trips to Brimfield and the BDC to assist on design projects, etc - before giving up my North End apartment to accept a design assistant position in Martha's Vineyard for the summer. Add in trips to to San Francisco, Anna Maria island, Hilton Head and Aruba through all this and I was a pretty busy girl. Now I'm back home, living in the house I grew up in, trying to figure out what my next move will be. I'll be lucky if the amount of money I made in 2009 is 10% (no joke) of what it was in 2008, but it doesn't matter - I'm thrilled to be pursuing my dreams and am excited for what the future holds. I have big plans for 2010 and since I love to make lists... here goes.

1. Supplement the job I have / get a new job working as a design assistant in or around Boston. It's not going to be easy, but I really want to focus on getting more experience, on a more full-time basis.

2. Take classes/apply for school part-time or full-time. This is a tricky one financially, but I know that I need to supplement my work experience with educational experience - especially in drawing, rendering, studio work, etc. I'd love to dive in and get my Master's, but I'm not sure that makes the most sense for me long-term (ie; I'd have to work 90+ hours a week for the next 25 years to pay off my loans!)

3. Find a new place and get settled. Can't live at mom and dad's forever! Plus it will give me a chance to work more on my own design projects.

4. Get healthy. This one should be at the top of the list. Make time for dr's and dentists appointments. Be more active. Do more pilates. Try to stress and worry less and take care of myself. Simplify and enjoy life more.

5. Blog more. Take more pictures and continue to integrate projects and beautiful images to inspire both C and myself, as well as the rest of the blogging world.

And of course give back more and be a nicer, happier person in general!! Love this for 2010:

Quotable Cards via Elements of Style