Following Through & A Giveaway.

Every year is the year, right?

The one where we'll make goals and actually keep them.

The one where we'll finally do something about our dreams.

The one where we're going to be productive, going to get in shape, going to get organized.

And then February rolls around, and we have a hard time even remembering what are goals were.

So this is just a friendly reminder that it's been 30 days since you made those New Years goals, and that is not enough time to quit.

So keep going, keep dreaming, keep chasing. You're one month down and have eleven to go in this year. The year. Your year.

You can do it, but the catch is that you actually have to do it.

To help you get back some of that motivation that somehow disappears in thirty days, I've teamed up with some friends. We're giving away Blog, Inc. & #GIRLBOSS to help you follow through on your goals way beyond January 1st.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This is your year. You can do it! 

just write: the worlds you've seen.

you worry we haven’t seen enough, 
that time is moving much too fast. 
you think we need to see much more
to make these memories last. 

but there are ten-thousand different galaxies
in the bubbles of champagne,
a hundred-million little worlds
in the way you say my name. 

So yes, our time is short down here
and yes, it goes so fast. 
but don’t forget the things we’ve seen
that make our moments last. 

for I’ve sailed throughout the universe,
and swam in every ocean blue, 
in one single conversation,
if I’m sharing it with you. 

life is full of little moments, 
our own eternities.
so don’t forget the worlds you’ve seen 
by being here with me. 

3 Books I Read in January & Whether or Not You Should Read Them.

I was in a strange and rare autobiography mood this month for some unexplained reason. But, it does explain why I only read three books this month. I just can't tear through them like fiction books.

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) by Mindy Kaling

Plot: Mindy Kaling has lived many lives: the obedient child of immigrant professionals, a timid chubster afraid of her own bike, a Ben Affleck–impersonating Off-Broadway performer and playwright, and, finally, a comedy writer and actress prone to starting fights with her friends and coworkers with the sentence “Can I just say one last thing about this, and then I swear I’ll shut up about it?” -via Goodreads

Favorite Quote: 

“I don't want to hear about the endless struggles to keep sex exciting, or the work it takes to plan a date night. I want to hear that you guys watch every episode of The Bachelorette together in secret shame, or that one got the other hooked on Breaking Bad and if either watches it without the other, they're dead meat. I want to see you guys high-five each other like teammates on a recreational softball team you both do for fun.” Her thoughts on married life. 

My Thoughts: I got to a lunch meeting early, so I sat in my car and read this. At one point, I was laughing out loud so much that I put the book down to wipe my eyes, only to notice that someone had parked next to me and was full on gawking at me, presumably making sure I wasn't having a seizure alone in my car. And that tells you everything you need to know about this book. 

Should You Read it?: If you know who Mindy Kaling is, then yes. If not, you need to go watch The Office.

I Didn't Come Here to Make Friends by Courtney Robertson

Plot: "For the first time ever, a former Bachelor contestant takes us along on her journey to find love and reveals that “happily ever after” isn't always what it seems. Filled with all the juicy details Courtney fans and foes alike want to know, I Didn’t Come Here to Make Friends is a must-read for every member of Bachelor nation." -via Goodreads.

Favorite Quote: This isn't a quotable book. 

My Thoughts: The Bachelor is the show that I hate that I love. But alas, I do love it, making this book seem like Christmas morning. I've gotta hand it to her, homegirl basically just gave everyone the what-for by telling every secret, ever. Wonder what happens when the cameramen go home? She tells you. Wonder what happens after the show ends but before it airs? She tells you. It's a magic book full of secrets that left me feeling so sad for these people, but so happy that I got to know all these things. Very healthy, I know. 

Should You Read it?: If you are a fan of the show, then heck yes. If not, nope. 

Yes Please by Amy Poehler 

Plot: "In Amy Poehler’s highly anticipated first book, Yes Please, she offers up a big juicy stew of personal stories, funny bits on love and friendship and parenthood and real life advice (some useful, some not so much), like when to be funny and when to be serious. Powered by Amy’s charming and hilarious, biting yet wise voice, Yes Please is a book is full of words to live by." -via Goodreads

Favorite Quote: "If you can dance and be free and not embarrassed, you can rule the world.” 

My Thoughts: I laughed and cried and told my husband, "This is SO accurate!" So many times while reading this book. I also loved getting to hear about behind the scenes SNL action. The whole book just felt like catching up with an old friend over coffee. 

Should You Read it?: Definitely.

***

Reading these definitely made me feel like I was getting all the cool-kid gossip, but now I'm ready to curl up in my pajamas and devour some fiction. What did you read this month?

5 Things I Wish I Would Have Known Before my Wedding.

1. Now is not the time to be nice. If you're like me and can sometimes have somewhat of a doormat personality--you're gonna need to dig real deep and find your inner boxing gloves.

Here are some real life examples where it's not the time to just be nice and let someone walk all over you. Maybe these happened...maybe I just have a really good imagination.

• When one of your bridesmaids has her dress altered six inches shorter than the rest of the group because "it makes her legs look better."
• When someone calls to tell you they think your shower idea is stupid and they have a better idea for a shower...the morning of your wedding shower.
• When someone gets to your wedding 20 minutes late and then bangs on the door to be let in as you are about to walk down the aisle. 
• Any instance where someone tells you that you need to change something about your wedding, and you don't want to. 

You will never have this exact experience again...so enjoy it and don't worry about being nice. Worry about it being perfect for you. And your husband...but if you're marrying him, it's probably because he is great and wants the day to be whatever you want it to be.

2. People are going to let you down...and that's okay. Because people are also going to surprise you with how great they are. Here's the deal: there are some people that you're going to expect a lot of, and they're just not going to come through. There will be people you expect to be a part of your day that will not even make it to your wedding. And you will feel very protective and hurt, thinking, "But this is MY WEDDING! How could you not drop everything in your life to make it perfect?!"

But then there will also be people who really pull together to make sure you have the most amazing day ever. And those people are the best.

3. Don't answer your phone the day of. Better yet, hand it off to someone else. I got so many texts the morning of my wedding. Some were sweet congratulations, but some were things I just did not need to be worrying about--like the 85 people who texted me asking what they should wear.

Just hand it off to someone you trust to tell you if there is actually something you need to see...not just your ex-boyfriend saying he misses you or someone asking if they can give a speech.

4. You really should eat. I'm going to confess something here. The morning of my wedding, I ate McDonalds.


Yep.


McDonalds.

Never mind that we were right by Panera, and I could have had a smoothie or a dainty little quiche. I needed a hash brown, dangit. I will never forget my mom calling my dad and saying, "She decided she wants McDonalds!" In the same way that she had said, "She decided she wants this wedding dress!"

My dad came to the rescue with the hash browns, and as we were making sure everything was set up perfectly, we were shoving our faces with McDonalds. We're the classiest, let me just tell you.

But seriously: You need to eat on the day of your wedding. I promise you will still fit in your wedding dress, no matter what you eat. I tested that theory out for you. You're welcome.

5. If you want it at your wedding, you should have it at your wedding. 

My wedding was on December 29th. These were my colors:

If I could only tell how many times I heard, "But those are more like summer wedding colors, don't you think?" 

If you want it, you should have it. Colors, food, music, all of it. If you don't want it, don't put it in your wedding. Everyone is going to have an opinion and you should probably just smile and nod and then do whatever you want, because it's not their wedding.

What would you add to this list?

just write: piece by piece.

we're all a little broken,
we're all a little scarred.
we're all a little twisted,
jaded, chipped, and marred.
but I can love your broken pieces,
I can love your shattered heart.
I can love the deepest parts that you
keep hidden in the dark.
I can't put you back together,
for that's not what you need.
but I can stay here with you
and love you, piece by piece.

A Year of Journaling: 52 Journaling Prompts.

Last week I wrote a post about why you should keep a journal. I thought it would be cool to follow that up with some prompts to help you get started if you're new to journaling, or if you're just in a journaling rut. 

1. Write an "About Me" about yourself.

2. A list of things you're thankful for.

3.  Small things that make you happy.

4. The last time you celebrated something.

5. The best thing that happened to you this week.

6. Something you want to change about yourself.

7. Something you could do right now to get you closer to where you want to be in life.

8. Someone you love.

9. A skill you want to learn.

10. Your favorite quote right now.

11. Something that you think holds you back.

12. A word that actually describes your life, and a word you wish described your life.

13. Someone you admire and why you admire them.

14. Something you're stressed about.

15. Something that's been making you laugh lately.

16. The happiest moment in your week so far.

17. Write a letter to teenage you.

18. What you like the most about yourself.

19. The one dream you have that you just can't stop thinking about.

20. The biggest way you've changed in the past year.

21. The last bad day you had.

22. The place you currently call home.

23. Your best quality.

24. The last time you tried something new.

25. Three rules you try to live by.

26. Your family.

27. Your bucket list.

28. 5 big goals you have for your life.

29. The last person you said, "I love you" to.

30. A list of things you love about this season of your life.

31. Pros and cons of your job.

32. How you've been spending your free time lately.

33. A list of your favorite books and why you love them.

34. Your best friend.

35. Something you're scared of.

36. Your dream job.

37. Something you're really good at.

38. Your bad habits.

39. A tradition you want to have with your own family.

40. Sum up what you believe in on one page.

41. Your favorite things about the town you live in.

42. Describe your day in 5 words.

43. The last time you broke the rules.

44. Where you hope to be in five years.

45. What you think you would be doing with your life if money didn't matter.

46. Write a letter to your future self.

47. Something you're really proud of.

48. Your favorite way to relax.

49. One way you'd like to grow in the next year.

50. Your favorite way to spend a Friday.

51. A project you're working on.

52. How you think you're making the world a better place.

Now, get yourself a pretty journal* and get started!

*denotes affiliate link, disclosure here.

Your New Favorite Blog: Dream Big & Buy the Shoes.

My name is Emelia, sometimes known as Emmy, Mia, or Britney Spear's BFF & I blog at Dream Big & Buy the Shoes.

Awesomesauce. 

I loved reading blogs and also have always had a passion for writing. I was inspired by the way these women poured their hearts out daily and made me smile and laugh so I finally got the courage to start my own.

My favorite book is "A Million Little Pieces." Even though it was kicked out of Oprah's Book Club it was very eye opening.

My favorite post is "Perks Of Being Engaged." 

My soon to be stepson and all his funny phrases. He's been saying "You have got to be kitten me right meow" lately and I laugh every time.

Comments have been turned off, go say hi to Emelia instead! You can find her on instagram, twitter, and pinterest!