1. What did you do in 2011 that you'd never done before?
2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I managed to complete some of them, but not nearly enough. Yes, I'll try to stick with a few resolutions-complete 2 half marathons, finish a few decorating projects...
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
No, but my dear friend Anne is close-maybe even on my birthday! I can't wait.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No, thank goodness.
5. What countries did you visit?
Puerto Rico (technically not a separate country, but it’s a territory, it counts) and The Cayman Islands!
6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you didn't have in 2011?
A sense of peace about my career.
7. What dates from 2011 will be etched upon your memory, and why?
Just the big dates like birthdays and our anniversary. Boring, I know.
8. What was your biggest achievement of this year?
Completing the Half marathon. I had so many false starts I began to worry that I would not reach my goal. It sucked in parts, and was hard, and fun, and hard. And, I’m really glad I did it!
9. What was your biggest failure?
Organization. I spent countless hours redoing things or undoing something, or looking for what I was supposed to be doing. 2011 was discombobulated!
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Yes, just a touch of the flu. But, man, my poor kids were sick this year. 2011 was the year of vomit and I am glad to see it go!
11. What was the best thing you bought?
The Property. I feel like it’s going to be such a great thing for our family. It has already become a favorite getaway where we can fish, explore, and hunt (the girls and daddy!). On the other side of the spectrum, well fitting bras. On the advice of Pam, get fitted. Then buy quality, it makes such a difference! (HInts: Nordstrom, Nordstrom Rack, and Soma)
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My kids handled lots of changes really well (new school, new friends, etc). I'm really proud of them both.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Sandusky. Enough said.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Taxes, school, and The Property.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Britney Spears and Bon Jovi concerts.
16. What song will always remind you of 2011?
"Forget You", "Pumped Up Kicks," and "Til the World Ends."
17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer?
I honestly have no idea. I'm richer in laughter and love, how's that?!
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Organize and plan better.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Worry.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
At home, with my family.
21. Did you fall in love in 2011?
Still in love with my husband and kids.
22. What was your favorite TV program?
Homeland, The Vampire Diaries, and I wish I could say Mad Men-PLEASE come back soon!
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
I don’t hate anyone (most of the big baddies died this year. It’s rough being a despotic tyrant). So, how about love- I kind of (totally) love Manny Diaz. I was afraid of how losing Muschamp and his defensive mind would impact Texas. I needn’t have worried, Diaz is freaking awesome. Total crush on that man now. Offense, listen up-you are free now to actually create an Offense, please do so.
24. What was the best book you read?
"The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" was really interesting,I also enjoyed "Bossypants."
25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Adele, did I know about her in 2010? I don’t know. She’s amazing.
26. What did you want and get?
I found some great vintage dresses this year
27. What did you want and not get?
A Pippa Modalu bag, sue me, I’m shallow. That purse is pretty, pretty.
28. What was your favorite film of 2011?
"Crazy, Stupid, Love"-a great flick.
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I honestly can't remember. Around my birthday I went to New Orleans for Mom 2.0, does that count?
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
The two Ryans-Gosling and Reynolds.
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept of 2011?
Classic with a twist in heels and Kendra Scott and kate spade jewelry.
32. What kept you sane?
Define classes. Seriously awesome.
33. What political issue stirred you the most?
Healthcare- it impacts my family and my career and honestly nobody is doing near enough to change what needs to be changed. Change will only come will enough Baby Boomers force the system to change-do you know there are something like 7,000 new Medicare enrollees every day? That’s a huge fiscal and resource impact…ok, got to get off the soapbox
34. Who did you miss?
Tons of people-friends and family, all who live too far away.
35. Who was the best new person you met?
My new co-worker. She’s wicked cool.
36. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.
It isn’t worth it to worry about what you can’t change.
37. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
“You can’t always get what you want. But, if you try sometimes, you get what you need.”
It's Christmas at our house. I didn't quite get everything done that I envisioned (what's new). *I reserve the right to edit this and add any projects I finish in the next 72 hours! But, the house is how we like it (Ok, me and the girls, I'm sure my husband doesn't really care). I stick with pretty traditional colors and themes- red, gold, green, and glitter. Ready for a little tour?
"New" decor from glass I found at our property. Looks remarkably similar to 
More deer, this one on our stairs. We could play a game called-guess how many deer are in our Christmas decor. Answer-LOTS!
See?!- another deer. This one is on our mantel with our Elf, Max.
And, of course the tree. This year I went with traditional beads instead of ribbons. I didn't fluff any branches. I think it looks a little "Charlie Brown" as a result. Oh well, I still love it. I love that our tree has ornaments that mean things to us, we have bookmarks and pictures and pipe cleaner snowflakes; I wouldn't want it any other way. You can have your perfectly decorated and fluffed tree. I'll take my memory tree any day. Not shown-I couldn't get our tree topper in the photo-our poor crooked little angel. It's hard putting that thing on straight! Just keeping it real here folks.
Their room had been a light lavender and lime color. In case you are wondering, SW Lime Granita. In fact, those colors had been the same ones we used in the nursery. After seven years of the same paint colors, I decided to change it. My daughter desperately wanted turquoise. I picked orange (Mistake #1).
The finished product- Lovely. Thanks again to my wonderfully patient friend Heidi, who came over to repaint what she just helped me finish painting 3 weeks earlier! The girls' room now reminds me of a Tiffany box. The color is perfect and I think it might have calmed my girls down a tad...maybe?! We are thisclose to finishing the room, hopefully with pictures to follow this week. 
If you're in the market for a new paint color, go to Lowe's. If you're in the market for the perfect shade of turquoise, go with SW Aqueduct. If you need to paint a room, become friends with Heidi!
You must try this- Buffalo Chicken in a Flapjack. Sounds sort of unappetizing, right?- WRONG! It is the BEST. Spicy and sweet and totally delicious. I may have had two of these. What?! The game was terrible, I'm a stress eater.
This was breakfast-Fried Bacon. I'm not proud...well, maybe a little. What better way to start the day than with a beer and fried bacon?!? It tasted like fried chicken skin with a hint of smoky bacon. In a word-yum. Also, so rich you could only eat one. 
While on the hunt for a Fried Pecan Pie or Fried Brownie (we never found them, so sad), we found these little nuggets of goodness, Fried Frito Chili Pie. Again, looks can be deceiving. This was a frito with chili and cheese, dipped in corn batter and fried. Kind of like a queso chili hush puppy. So delicious.
I was just going to tell you about my favorite dress of the moment. But, since BHLDN is so new, I thought there might be some brides to be who would appreciate a full run-down to see if the dresses and store are worth it (Cliff Notes version- YES!). *Warning-This is a long post, but the pictures are pretty!* BHLDN is literally breathtaking when you walk in. Every single detail has been thought through. I could have photographed every inch of their space and still not adequately conveyed the feeling of each room. The entrance welcomes you in with a quirky, yet grand flair. The sales staff immediately warmly greeted me; they were the very definition of southern hospitality. They really set the stage for my entire experience. I was not disappointed. *I did not tell anyone that I was going to post anything about the store and my experience, though they gave me full permission to take as many pictures as I wanted.*
Here they are in the drying stage. I found it really interesting that each girl had exactly the same colors, but their paintings look completely different.
I'm linking this project up because I LOVE it so!
