New Month // November Goals

November is here! I wanted to have my goals post up on the 1st, but I was a little too sugared up from Halloween candy that I got from a party to think straight! Here I am now, though, fully detoxing from that sugar high (I will miss you, candy). I realized that I sort of accidentally skipped October goals!

Before November gets going, lets review September's goals...
+ Book a photo session with a client
I did book an event to shoot for October, which was a nice bit of extra income, so that's good! I would still like to book a portrait session or something like that though so I am going to keep at it with this goal.

+ Read two books
I finished one and started a second at the end of the month, but I didn't finish the second one in September so I didn't quite make this goal! Making reading part of my evening routine has been a really nice way of unwinding before bed though and I have since moved on to another new book!

+ Work on my hand lettering skills
Though I am not nearly where I would like to be with this, I did work on my lettering! I also made a friend in one of my classes who is into lettering too and she has been giving me some tips to practice, so that's nice! Hoping I can continue to work on this in October.

+ Make a video of our trip to Hawaii!
Done! You can watch it here :)

+ Frame photos and hang things on the walls
I didn't get to this unfortunately, mostly because I just am not sure what I want to hang up. I think I am going to scour Etsy for some inexpensive prints and maybe make a few pieces myself. Also need to decide how I want to display photos. All of this just takes time, which is not something I have a lot of!

+ Find eating balance/follow Whole30 principles
Hmmm.. Still working on this one. I have a lot of different ideas and interests when it comes to eating, but I just need to find something that works for me and get into a new groove.

Goals for November...
+ Decide what to give people for Christmas!
This year, I will not rush around right before Christmas! Or, at least I will really try not to haha. I am planning to hand make most of the gifts this year because #brokecollegelife, so I need to get started early!

+ Practice yoga 2-3 times per week
I've been going to a yoga class one a week and it has been really nice, so I would like to do my best to do yoga another one or two times at home on my own. I recently checked out Yoga With Adriene on YouTube and I really enjoy her videos!

+ Create and order Christmas cards
In the past, I have been very awful about this! Every year I want to send some out, but I only got around to it one year and didn't even finish sending them to everyone I wanted to. This year, I promised myself to keep them simple and not try to make it into a huge DIY project because let's face it: I just don't have time for that.

+ Register for classes for the spring semester
Registering for classes is one of the biggest pains! It can be difficult to make sure every class fits in your schedule when you need it to and then actually getting a spot in that class is a whole other story depending on your registration date! I am working on figuring out all the classes I need and when I can take them, and it is draining... Wish me luck!

+ Spend time with family
I don't really have family living around me, so whenever I can go down to San Diego to see them it is extra special. I am super excited to be going down there for Thanksgiving and can't wait to see my sister especially!

+ Host a Friendsgiving
Hosting a Friendsgiving is something I have wanted to do for a few years now, but I have never had my own space to do it... Until now! The invites are out and now I am just waiting to hear back from people and need to plan the menu! Everyone is going to bring something and we will just have a nice time hanging out together :)

It should be a great month! I am really looking forward to the start of the holiday season and want to do my best to enjoy every moment of it!

What are your goals for November?

Currently // In November...

Well, it's November now. How did that even happen?! There's only one more monthly page left in my blogging calendar and there's a fresh calendar waiting for me to tackle the new year. I haven't blogged all that much this fall, but things have been good and I am still proud of this little space of mine. I have big goals and dreams for this blog, and am already so thankful for where this year has taken me.

I just wanted to take a moment to savor this month and season a bit with a little list of what I have been up to lately... So here it is!
Reading... Mostly blog posts! These days, I don't have much free time to read in general, so I feel pretty lucky when I can get in a few posts from my favorite blogs. Maybe soon I will be able to carve out some time for the books on my to-read list.
Playing... Catch up! It feels like I am always a few steps behind where I need to be. I'm working on it though!
Watching... The Mindy Project (not as good as it used to be), Casual (dark, but funny), Jane the Virgin (hilarious), 
Trying... To be productive! Lists help me, but I find my mind wandering and getting distracted to easily. Not great for a girl with lots to do!
Cooking... Chili! My favorite and the very best when it is cold out.
Eating... Plain Greek yogurt with honey & chia seeds.
Drinking... Caramel Brûlée Lattes! They are by far the best holiday drink. Happy they're back, controversial red cups and all! 
Calling... My mom a lot lately.
Texting... My girl Abby because she just gets me <3
Pinning... Things about blogging/business and design inspiration.
Going... Home to San Diego for Thanksgiving to spend it with my dad and other family!
Loving... My new, cozy winter coat that my mom got for me when I went to visit her last weekend!
Hating... How cold it is in my house/room at night and in the mornings. Getting out of my warm bed is the worst!
Discovering... My love for hand lettering! I just wish I had more time to practice. I suppose it will be one of those things I focus on during winter break! (Along with finally making a scrapbook)
Thinking... Of planning a blogger event in the Bay Area for early next year... We shall see! (if you live in the Bay Area and would be interested in a blogger brunch or something, let me know!)
Feeling... Nervous for my portfolio review coming up in two weeks. There's still so much to do and perfect, and I'm a bit of a wreck about it all. Also, feeling ready for a break!
Hoping (for)... Time to actually plan/photograph/write a real blog post! I've been overwhelmed this semester and hate it.
Listening (to)... The Gilmore Guys Podcast. I'm obsessed. It's like re-watching each episode in my head! Plus, they make my commute/grocery shopping/homework way more entertaining :)
Smelling... Coffee as I sit here in Starbucks.
Ordering... Nothing unfortunately because #brokecollegestudent.
Thanking... God for taking such good care of me always, but especially this past year that I've been on my own. Feeling very thankful for all the ways I have been blessed.
Considering... Cutting my hair. I consider this very often, but never act upon it... Hopefully soon I will actually do something! I desperately need a trim at the very least.
Starting... To realize that the semester is so close to being over and that the holidays are just around the corner! It's exciting!
Finishing... This post so I can get started on my school projects. Wish me luck!

What have you been feeling, listening to, considering, etc? Share with me anything you'd like, friends! I hope you all are well :)

P.S. We went to Yosemite earlier this month and I am so excited to write some posts about that! So look out for those in the near future! I only have 1,200 photos to sort through first... :D

New Month // November Goals

November! A new month! This is really such a good month. Past Novembers have held some of the most memorable times, and I am hopeful that this November will not disappoint! I can already tell that things will be pretty busy with school and work, but I am ready for the challenge.

If we take a look at the past few months, my goals have been absolutely p o i n t l e s s. I have utterly failed and ignored the goals I set for myself, which only leaves me disappointed in my lack of efforts. Here we go one more time and I am determined to be successful this month!

+ Work out at least 2x per week. I failed at this. Ugh. Dai and I did work out at our hotel while we were in LA, so that definitely counts for something, right? haha

+ Treat myself to a few new pieces of jewelry.

I did, indeed! I got two new statement necklaces, and even a few new clothing items. It was nice to spoil myself juuuuust a little bit, but it will be important to stick to my budget this month.

+ Drink 1L of water per day.

Done! It really feels good to stay hydrated and I definitely notice a difference in how I feel when I don't get enough water in my day. Hopefully I can continue this habit!

+ Spend time with family.

Since we went to a wedding this past month, I was definitely able to spend time with family I don't always get to see often. I also spent some time with my dad, which was really nice.

+ Send a friend something in the mail.

Fail. I would like to revisit this goal for November though! Keep an eye on your mailboxes, friends ;)

+ Stay on top of school projects.
We are just about a month and a half away from the end of the semester (aaaahh!) and things are quite busy! I am going to need to be very intentional about staying on top of my work and making it a priority.

+ Start and complete college applications.

I'll admit... I'm a little behind on this. Applications are due November 30th and I have got to get going! This process is a little stressful and exciting, but I'll definitely be relieved when it is over.

+ Work on blog design update!

I've been dabbling with this for the past week or so, but haven't quite finalized the design. There are also a few elements I am looking to change, but don't know the proper coding to do so, so we shall see what I can do about that. I'm also considering hiring someone to give this space a facelift for me. I'd love some recommendations! 

+ Plan meals ahead of time & only buy what I will really use.

Since I just grocery shop for myself, if things that I buy go bad, it is my own fault. I have found myself not eating all that I buy and I hate wasting money and food this way. I definitely need to be more intentional about planning meals I will actually make and using my food budget more wisely.

+ Finalize plans for potential getaways!

Dai and I have started talking about plans for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and my 21st birthday (which falls on New Year's weekend), and I think we have some adventures in mind! I'll keep you updated!

+ Read one book.

I love reading, but hardly ever take the little time for myself to do so. Hopefully I can manage to just read one book this month!

Do you like November? What are you looking forward to? Do you have any goals?