My Favorite Blogs to Read

Happy New Year! Each new year brings a great time to reflect and plan for the coming year.
One thing I'd like to focus on this year with my blog is to be more defined in the topics I write about and really find my niche when it comes to blogging.

There are several bloggers I really look up to and find inspiration from.
There are so many blogs that I love reading or following on their social channels,
so I wanted to share a few of my favorites!

Images from respective bloggers Instagram profile pictures:
@juliahengel
@carly
@ashleybrookedesigns
@emilyschuman

Julia from Gal to Glam
Julia Engel from Gal Meets Glam is one of my favorite bloggers to follow on social media. She and her husband take all these fabulous trips and I love getting to see where they go! They recently moved to Charleston which is one of my favorite southern cities and I think she's just so classy, I love her style and she's a blogger I really look up to!

I even had the chance to get to meet Julia in person a few weeks ago when she and her husband came to Atlanta for the day.

Meeting Julia in Atlanta

Gal Meets Glam Blog
Gal Meets Glam Instagram

Carly from The College Prepster
The College Prepster was the first blog I really started following on a regular basis back in college.
I appreciate how open and honest Carly is on her social channels and through her blog. She has great style, advice and is about my age so easy to relate to.

We share a love for Lilly Pulitzer, dogs, fitness and we both started our blogs while we were in college. I would love to get to meet Carly one day!

The College Prepster Blog
The College Prepster Instagram

Ashley from ABD Designs Blog
I discovered Ashley on social media a few years ago with the adorable mugs she designs! She makes many other precious products that I wish I could buy ALL OF THE THINGS! She just came out with these adorable workout tanks and I just can't wait to buy one. Her ABD shop has the perfect girly gift ideas for friends, coworkers, your mom, sister, etc.

I had the opportunity to meet Ashley over Christmas and she's so joyful, generous and down to earth!

My first ABD Mug that I keep at work and admire each day!
Houston gave this to me for Christmas a few years ago.

Ashley Brooke Designs Blog
Ashley Brooke Designs Instagram

Emily from Cupcakes & Cashmere
My sister, Betsy introduced me to Emily Schuman from Cupcakes & Cashmere several years ago. I think Emily has the cutest ideas and I love her book my mom gave me a few years ago about styling, receipes and hosting ideas.

Cupcakes & Cashmere Blog
Cupcakes & Cashmere Instagram

I have more of my favorite blogs listed on the right side of my blog under "Favorite Blogs."
Do you have any favorite bloggers you keep up with?

xox, A

New Year's Resolutions

The great thing about a new year is the ability to "start fresh." Even though we have the ability to do that everyday, something about a fresh year makes it easier.

I actually took the time to write out my New Year's Resolutions and would like to share them with you:

1. Spend more time reading Scripture - I often get caught up in reading devotionals or Christian books, but forget to read the most important Book of all... my Bible!

2. Find a job! - I graduate in May and I find it very important that I find employment this year, despite the poor job market these days.
Mini Goals:
-I would like to have two interviews scheduled by February 1st (informational or actual).
-Send my resume to at least 10 people or companies by February 1st.
-Find a job by Spring Break!

3. Take advantage of my last semester at Samford - I have special friendships that I want to be sure I devote time to and step away from any friendships that seem to be surrounded with any type of "drama."
- I especially want to take advantage of living in the same city as my big brother, Michael, and hope to meet him for lunch or dinner maybe once a week since I know I'll be moving a state away after graduation.
-My Chi Omega family is very special to me and I want to be sure and invest in those beautiful women while I'm in Birmingham.
-Last but certainly not least, the majority of my best friends are women I've met in college and I want to devote special amounts of time to them. I certainly feel that school is important, and have always put school first, but I don't want to look back on my last semester of college and regret missing out on any fun times with these ladies!

4. Start a blog... CHECK! And I hope to write at least once a week this year!

5. Read two books - I'm not much of a reader (this is why I have set the bar pretty low with only two) and I'd like to spend more time reading and less time on social media. Any recommendations??

6. Love my body! Thankfully, I haven't had much of a problem loving my body (Although it was certainly easier when I cheered in high school and worked out at least 4 times a week, but since being in college it has become a little harder to carve out time to stay active and I've never been a huge health nut! But I'm hoping that I can begin cooking more (I'm taking a Food Prep 101 class this semester that I'm REALLY excited about!) and find fun ways to stay diligent in a healthy lifestyle!

What are some of YOUR goals for 2013??

Well that's it for my first blog post ever! I'd love your comments, questions, concerns and feedback anytime:)

-A