My Year in Review #coaching #reflections #yearinreview

Yesterday, I posted a graphic to make you think...to take a few moments to let the happenings of 2014 sink in and let you evaluate the things that happened to, and for you.

Today, I wanted to keep myself accountable and post my own reflections.

My word of the year was Grow...

I did just that.

10 Goals Accomplished

• exhibition in a Toronto Gallery
• running through my pregnancy and completing a 5km race at 8 months pregnant
• staying true to my goals and not compromising for anyone
• signing up for the WDW Marathon 10km
• having blogposts through the end of the year completed by May 12th so I can focus my energies on clients and new projects
• developing new projects for 2015
• running a successful charity campaign
• grow the time spent meditating and being mindful
• start juicing
• secure my position as an expert in my field, own it, grow it, know it

5 Happy Accidents

• the creation of mobiles
• feathers turning into wall art
• the best customer ever in Idaho

5 Regrets

• now growing the time spent with my husband enough; we grew it a little (especially during pregnancy) but not nearly enough

3 Ways You Helped

• started teaching workshops and seminars with Shop Local
• helped a good friend realize her own inner strength and encouraged her to stand up for herself
• helped my BFF with her Thirty One business and supported her at her first vendor event

3 Things Forgotten

• mom guilt...and forgotten as in I do not have time for it, so it just doesn't exist for me. I know I'm doing the best that I can for my boys, and that my priority is a happy, healthy mama...so I can be a good mama for them
• end-of-pregnancy-anxiety...as in I forgot how bizarre of a time it can be at around 8months pregnant
• those who didn't positively impact my journey; sometimes, you truly just have to let them go

Notice how not everything is filled out? That's okay. This is my journey, and it will be entirely different than yours.

This year was pretty incredible. We celebrated birth, we mourned loss. We grew as a family, grew closer to those who truly matter. We embraced new challenges, found beauty in times of darkness, and emerged through it all together.

So how will this shape my 2015?

I have some big projects on the go, so if blog posts aren't daily...I apologize in advance. I am currently working on a book, inspired by my gallery exhibition Purpose, and have a slew of other ideas in my journal for future books. 2015 will be all about curating inspiration and stories of purpose.

Happy 2014, friends. Thank you for being there throughout this past year to witness our growth and to grow your own journey's!

Year End Reflections #coaching #reflection

As you sit down with your morning cup of coffee {or tea}, take some time to reflect today. It's December 30th. Tomorrow, at midnight, another year will have passed.

What did you accomplish?
What are you proud of?

Here is my challenge for you, one that I am really hoping you will do and come back to report on!

This reflection is all about you, noone else. It is meant to be a positive, mindful exercise to open your eyes to where you came from, what you started the year with and how you are finishing it out.

Be proud of the things that you have accomplished and the goals you have checked off your list
Be thankful for the happy accidents that crossed your path at just the right time
Take comfort in your regrets, as they may be things that weren't supposed to happen for you at that time
Know that when we take time to help others, we help our soul grow and flourish
Be content with things forgotten; if they were truly important, they wouldn't have been forgotten at all


Come back and share your reflections! How will they shape your 2015?

I can, I can, I can...so (year in review)

When I started thinking about the past year and wanting to do a Year in Review post for New Years Eve, I thought about all of the things that we have experienced and how to sum them up. Last year, I did a month by month photo recap. This year? This year is different.

2013 has left a profound mark on my heart and soul. We have been through the wringer this year, but at the end of the day...I have learned one thing.

I can do anything

I can make it through heartache
I can start a new facet of my business
I can run an amazing charity campaign with my incredible team
I can host a party for BlogHer with my bloggy bff
I can get my work into galleries, and book a solo exhibition for 2014
I can run a 5km...then another...a 6km...and another 5km
I can do Insanity, and actually finish it
I can
I can
I can
so

Happy 2013. Thank you for being there throughout every step, tear, smile, post.

Cheers to a year gone by, and a new beginnings for 2014.

#ootd Year In Review

I have absolutely loved sharing my #ootd {outfit of the day, and dang did it take me forever to figure out why all of these people were posing photos of their outfits and using that hashtag...uhm..duh?!} this past year on Instagram, and thought that I would do a little recap of some of my favourite looks from 2013.

Sept 13, 2013 - black leggings, stone suede peep toe booties, long necklace from Amber Bryce, Mustard top by Kristine Cook Designs

Sept 22, 2013 - cardigan from H&M, tank from Joe Fresh, Old Navy Jeans, American Eagle peep toes

June 2013 - debuting my Ardene studded wedges

October 2013 - chocolate moto boots for fall

June 2013 - getting ready to paint in my Dad's work shirt

May 2013 - flowy skirt, Joe Fresh tank and hammered cuff by Ostlund Custom Works

So as you can see, I have a thing for bright colors paired with neutrals. Patterns paired with solids.

and shoes. Oh shoes. My fall moto boots from October are definitely my favourites even if the winter months, and look great with all of my colored skinny jeans. And if I can find a cute peep toe, it will come home with me!

What looks were your faves this year? Did you try out any new styles and discover that you loved it?

A Year in Review

Another year has come and gone...another year of blogging, creating and sharing amazing memories with some incredible people.

January

In January, I was Freshly Launched by LaunchHER, which was a pretty huge accomplishment. It's crazy to look back a full 12 months later and see just how far my work and focus has come!

I also upcycled some jars, and shared fun crafts with you!

February

I started sculpting accessories and pendants in February, and rekindled my love with clay.

I also wrote for fashion houses Matthew Williamson and Stella McCartney!

March

The colder weather of Canadian March brought DIY Cake Stands, sponsorships with the Road to 30, and a vlog Guest Room Makeover.

April

BlogHer'12 took centre stage in April, as did my first of many celebrity designs with my journal and cocktail ring designed for Tenley Molzahn.

May

I was busy in May prepping for my son's 2nd birthday party,  designing for Ashley Greene, and creating pendants for the grand opening of the Carolinian Winery.

 

June

In June, I answered some questions about me...what makes me amazing {do people really think that? Gees!} and what was my first piece of art.

And I got a little sentimental about my Bear turning 2.

July

In July, BlogHer12 prep was in full swing and the butterflies were floating around my tummy.

August

Only the time of my life...BlogHer12 in New York City. Three days with the most amazing people I've ever met....loads of laughs, late night dancing, a little learning, and tonnes of perspective.

I also designed for celebs Tina Fey, Leah Remini and Keira Knightley!

September

I turned the big 3-0 in September, and had an awesome time at the party that my husband spent nearly 9 months planning!

It was also a month for blog redesign, visiting the home decor store Linen Chest, designing for Emily Blunt, and Mama's Night Out at the Western Fair.

October

Topping off at a record 34 blog posts, October brought some creative writing {that I hope to develop!}, posts about fashion inspiration, and the continuation of a blog series on the principles and elements of art.

November

Another 34 posts in November, and I was busily prepping for Christmas with friday decor posts, DecoArt projects  and a free winter printable that has gone off the charts on Pinterest!

December

It has been anything but quiet around here. Last minute gift ideas with DecoArt, clothing reviews, and more talk about the elements of art.

What will 2013 bring? Weekly fashion features, a new series about the Voice behind the Blog {aka: me getting really honest about what I am doing to set a healthy and positive example for my son}, elements and principles of design features, more projects with DecoArt, and monthly home decor projects in the New Year New Home series!

Cheers!