Email theblondeprep@gmail.com with questions, comments, or concerns. Powered by Blogger.

More Goals for 2020....


Now that a new semester is officially here and I'm getting back into a routine, I want to share a few more "concrete" goals that I have in mind for 2020. I shared my overall goal for the year at the beginning of the month, but there are a lot more things I've added to my list in the last couple of weeks that I want to share to hold myself accountable for!

At the beginning of 2019, I looked back on the goals I had set and analyzed how well I met them! I forgot about that post but rediscovered it the other day and want to do the same thing to kick off this new year!

From 2019:

1. Stop overthinking every little thing -- I did not do this... at all. Maybe it's just a personality trait ingrained in me that I can't change? I am the biggest overthinker. If I text someone without using like five exclamation points, I will think about it for hours if I sounded mean (or something ridiculous like that). Maybe I just have too much time on my hands?!

2. Blog at least twice a week -- I didn't do this at all. More details in the 2019 recap I wrote the other week, which you can find here.

3. Be kinder. -- I think I did a good job of this! I am so lucky to have so many amazing, fabulous friends, and my precious little family, and I'd like to think I did a good job of just being nicer to all of them in 2019. 

4. Be okay on my own -- I did this! In 2018 I was really dependent on other people to make me happy. In 2019 I definitely think I had a good grasp on myself and tried harder to be my own person. Going to get into this a little more below!

and I know no one cares, but I can do my laundry now... kind of :)

For 2020:

The first couple of weeks this year have given me a good feeling for what's to come... I'm feeling inspired, refreshed, and motivated! Here are a few things I'm hoping to work on throughout the year... I've split it up into general goals, and then a few specific ones at the end! I think having specific, more measurable goals for myself will be interesting.

General Goals:

Eat more vegetables // This sounds so dumb, but I actually love eating vegetables and I just don't prioritize it! I want to eat a vegetable at least once a day, lol. 2019 was a year of lots of exercise, so 2020 can be the year of lots of vegetables!!

Read more books // I read a lot over winter break, so expect a blog post on that coming soon! In doing that though, it made me realize that I want to try to read more consistently throughout the year... not just on vacations or over breaks. I'm going to try to at least keep a book in my possession at all times so I won't have an excuse not to read. 

Do + Post what I want // I put a lot of pressure on myself to post certain things that I think will be well-liked by whoever sees it, and this year I just want to give up on trying so hard and just post whatever I want. At the end of the day, no one cares what you post as much as you do, so you might as well just post things you like! For example, you may have noticed while I was on Long Island that I posted a lot of interior photos on my Instagram! I love interior design and I know those photos don't get as many likes, but I love them, so that's what matters!

Be Myself // Going off of that, I just want to be myself more this year and stop feeling like I have to do things for other people or be a certain way when people are around me or watching me. I mentioned above, I feel like a did a better job of being on my own in 2019, but I didn't necessarily do a good job of just being myself when I am with other people. I don't know if this will make any sense to anyone, but I'm kind of like a chameleon personality in the sense that wherever I am, I'll adapt to that situation. I am a very go with the flow person, and while I think that's a good thing, this year I want to make sure I am doing things because I want to and not because I feel like I have to for other people. I don't think I ever do this intentionally, and I wouldn't really consider it a people-pleasing thing (because I don't think I'm a people pleaser at all), but more just that I don't really make executive decisions for myself and I want to!

Specific Goals:

The Daily Stoic // This is a little connected to the previous goal! Basically, I want to hold myself accountable every day to be a better version of myself. I saw someone on Instagram post about this book, The Daily Stoic (can't remember who) so I bought it and I've been reading it every day! There is a passage every day that just inspires you and sets your mindset for the day and gives you something to think about. My goal for this year is to read it every day and stick with it! So far I am loving it. As someone with an overthinking issue, I find meditation really uncomfortable, so this is a great alternate form that feels much more guided and productive!

Investing // I started investing in 2019 and I am obsessed with my investment portfolio (I use Ellevest!). It's an amazing (and easy) way to get a head-start on your finances as a young adult. In fact, it's really one of the smartest things you can do for yourself and your future. I don't often talk about finances and real-life, important things on here, but wealth management and financial independence are two things I am strongly passionate about, and this year I am hoping to not only triple my current investments but share with you all in blog posts my tips and how I got started! Would you be interested in this?!

Listen to more podcasts! // I was better about listening to podcasts on my way to my internships the last few summers, but at school, I get so caught up in my music that I rarely switch over to podcasts. Podcasts are a great source of inspiration for me, so I want to try and listen to at least one episode a week... my favorite podcast is Gals on the Go! What's yours?

What are your goals for 2020?
xoxo

Playlist // The Good Kind of Sad


One of my goals for my blog this year is to share more of my playlists! In 2019 I started making monthly playlists, as well as a few random playlists for certain kinds of ~vibes~. I absolutely love creating playlists, and I spend far more hours on Spotify than I'd like to admit. Today I am sharing a little playlist that I've titled, "The Good Kind of Sad," because what better day to share than on my last first day of school (!!!) when I'm feeling all kinds of {good kinds of} sad.

Goodbye, Winter Break


Ahh!!! I can't believe I am heading back to school today for my last semester of college! I am excited, sad, and a little nervous, as always with a new semester. Although this is my eighth time around the block, starting a new semester of school never comes without a few bumps in the road. I can't believe this is it!

The Best Puffer Ever


Yesterday I had a little work sesh with my friend Koryn, which meant shooting a few photos and spending a couple of hours working at our fave coffee shop! I always love spending time with Koryn because she just gives off such good vibes and I always leave her feeling refreshed and inspired, and usually with a few Instagram photos to post ;)

I wore my faux leather puffer and decided it is worthy of an entire blog post. You guys... this puffer. It is the best thing I own.



I bought it a couple of months ago on Bloomingdales, where it is still available in most sizes and colors! However, now it is available at over 50% off in a few sizes and colors here!! Even at full price, you'd be shocked at the quality you're getting with this puffer... it is by far the warmest coat I own! Even warmer than my parka!! And because it's faux leather, it stays dry and cozy when it's sleeting, snowing, or just wet and gross outside.

For size reference, I am wearing it in a size small. It is meant to be a little oversized and roomy, so I would suggest taking your normal size, or down one size if you're in between (I'm usually a size small or medium in everything, hence I took the small).

Not only is it so cute and warm, but it goes with everything! I have gotten endless compliments on it, and I think everyone needs it!!

And just because we're here, this is the beanie I've been wearing all season long. It's only $10 and I love it.



xoxo

Winter Sorority Recruitment Outfit Guide (pt. 2)


When looking through my analytics to determine blog post ideas for this year, I noticed that for the last two years, my most popular post has been my winter sorority recruitment outfit guide! I shared this the winter of my sophomore year, a year after I had gone through winter recruitment myself, and I feel that now it could use a little update provided that it's so well-loved amongst many of you going through the process year after year!

Cookie Exchange Party Recap


The Saturday before Christmas I hosted my annual cookie exchange party with all of my friends! Although it's now a few weeks in the past, I still want to share a recap of the party for future reference. I've been hosting this party with my mom for five years now, and it's our favorite annual tradition. 

Warning: there are a lot of photos below!