Last Minute Valentine's Day Tips

I've always enjoyed Valentine's Day. While I don't really think of it as a "big" holiday and I would much rather receive flowers or go on a date just because it is always fun to celebrate love with someone that you care about. That being said, there are some years (like this one for me) where nothing ever gets planned and you end up needing to throw something together at the last minute. We ladies get pretty lucky here because it is usually up to the guys to have something ready to surprise us with. If you think your man has fallen into this unprepared category, worry not for today I am pairing up with Man Crates to create a "date crate" of items to help your man provide you with the perfect date!

Man Crates is a really neat company that creates gift "baskets" for men. The cool thing about these baskets is that they come packaged in a crate that needs to be opened with a crowbar! I don't know about you but I always struggle to wrap gifts for guys without making them way too pretty or girly. Man Crates are an awesome gift for significant others or just guy friends but their newest product, the Date Crate, is especially clever as it is filled with items to help your guy take you on a romantic date. Here are my top 5 picks for a "Last Minute Date Crate"!

1. Recipe Book- Missed out on all the good restaurant reservations? No problem! A home-cooked meal is so much more romantic anyway. Light some candles and enjoy each others company without having to shout over the noise of a crowded restaurant. Whatever you do, please don't resort to a fast-food restaurant like an ex of mine once did.

2. Good Movie - Snuggle up on the couch with a good movie after dinner. When Harry Met Sally  is a great choice that both of you will find entertaining.

3. Sweets - Can't celebrate Valentine's Day without some chocolate! Chocolate-Covered Strawberries are my favorite treat - Bonus! These can also be made at home!

4. Flowers - Another Valentine's Day (or any day...) essential. No boring roses though please! Drop some hints on what your favorite flower is so he can stand out even more.

5. Nice Attire - I know you're not going to the Opera or anything but you will be hard-pressed to find a lady who doesn't enjoy getting dressed up. Some guys need some help in this department (I once had a date show up in a Batman tee shirt...) but most guys should own some dress pants and a button-up shirt or sweater.

What else would you include in your "Date Crate"? Be sure to check out Man Crates for the perfect manly gift!

Note: I was not compensated by Man Crates for this post. All opinions are my own.

January Goal Check-In

This year I want to make sure to check-in on my goals each month to make sure I am staying on top of them and make any adjustments necessary to keep myself on track. So far I think I have done a good job of easing myself into things but I am now ready to step it up a notch.

1. Get Fit - My work offers free fitness classes at lunchtime (amazing!) and I have been going every Monday to the yoga class. It is a good class and a really nice way to break up the day - plus it is very convenient as it is just downstairs! This month I plan on adding the Thursday core class to my schedule.

2. Read More - This was my least successful goal. I did finish Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell but I didn't like it very much and it ended up being a very long read for me. I have started my next book, The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith (really J.K. Rowling) and I am already deeply engrossed. I am disappointed that I didn't read two books this month as I had planned but I am hoping to catch up in February, it's a short month so it will be tough but hopefully I will select very captivating reads and plough through them!

3. Save Money - I think I have seen the most success with this goal which is great because it's the most important one to me. I have really cut down on my lunches out since starting my new job and not working downtown has helped me resist the temptation to shop! I did use a bit of Christmas money for a couple sale items from J. Crew Factory but it was within the shopping budget I set for myself so I am happy about that. I have two big trips coming up (England & France in March for George's friend's wedding & Badminton in May) so I want to be even more strict about my spending.  There are a couple things I have been looking for for awhile (navy cape and faux-fur vest) so if I find the perfect one(s) within a reasonable price-range I will purchase but other than that no shopping for me!

I'm pretty happy with the way the year has started off goal-wise and I really think these monthly check-ins are going to help me stick with them all year.

Did you set any goals for 2015? How have you been staying on top of them?

Making the switch...

This weekend I am planning to make a big switch on the blog...to my own domain (www.20-somethingproject.com) and to WordPress! I use WordPress at work so I am a bit more familiar with it and I think it is more customizable and user-friendly. I am working on designing a new layout (yikes!) so it's possible I may not have it all ready for the weekend but that is the goal!

Does anyone have any times for switching over or for designing WordPress blogs? I could use any help or advice!!!

xx - Elena

Hand-Lettering

Over the last six months or so I have gotten really interested in Graphic Design. I used to think that because I was mathematically-oriented, I couldn't be creative. Obviously that is not true but unfortunately it has taken me until recently to realize it!

I've been exploring a lot more creative outlets recently, I even asked for (and received!) a Bamboo Tablet for Christmas! I've been seeing a lot of amazing hand-lettering on social media and I wanted to give it a try so I signed up for this course. Hoping to start it tomorrow and will keep you updated on how it goes!!

credit: http://www.fubiz.net/en/2013/01/03/hand-lettering-quotes/

Have you started any new hobbies or classes yet this year?

2015 Goals

Well, I'm a few days late but I wanted to think about these for a few days and make sure that they were really the things I wanted to focus on this year. So, without further ado...

This year I wanted to keep it sweet and simple so I decided to focus only on the three things that stood out the most to me (plus I have my 101 in 1001 list!). 

1//Get Fit - It feels very cliche to have fitness on my list but I have seriously been slacking in the exercise department recently and am ready to feel a bit healthier. 

2//Read More - This was a goal I started last year but this year I'm taking it on again and adding twice as many books to my list; hoping to tackle two per month this year!

3//Save - Last year I was in a pretty good place financially but being unemployed for most of this year did some serious damage and I'd like to get back on the right track and be more financially secure.

Do you have any exciting goals for the New Year?