2016.

2016 is going to be huge, just wait + see.

I’m excited for the new year because I love the opportunity to take a minute to take stock of all I’ve learned in the last year, all the triumphs and failures, all the opportunities and challenges.  2015 was a big one.  I gained two nephews and two godsons.  I cried/applauded/felt my heart explode as my sister married her best friend–and I earned a new brother.  I spent a ton of time with my family and friends–in fact, I think I saw at least one of my sisters every 2-3 weeks this year!  I saw the Kentucky Derby and the US Open.   I got to spend 10 days on vacation with my family in Aspen.  And I took a wild leap of faith by leaving my job and starting my own business with my husband.

So, 2015, you’ve been pretty cool.

But, 2016, you’re going to be just as bad-ass.  This year, our company is going to take off.  We’re going to hire our first employee.  We’re going to move into our own office space.

And on a personal note, here goes for my own resolutions/goals

1. I’m going to go even blonder (?!).  I’ve been flirting with blond highlights for the past year and a half.  Right now, it’s somewhere in this range.  I kind of want to do one of the blonder looks below. Hell, maybe even this.  My new shampoo should help.

2.  I’m going to run a 10-miler.  Not a competitive race, though — just 10 miles on my own.  I’ve discovered a new running route close to my house (the 606, an above-ground trail on the West Side of the city that is sorta copying off NYC’s High Line) and have been gradually running farther and farther.  Right now I’m averaging 4-5 miles per run.  I know I can get to 10 at some point.  Mr. Magpie gave me some MAJOR running swag for Christmas, including these bad-ass bluetooth earbuds ($95).  They literally changed my life.  No longer do I have cords dangling down, getting caught in my running jacket and occasionally flying out.  These bad boys stay put and you can control the volume and even the soundtrack just by tapping your earbud.  THE BOMB.

He also gave me this fanny pack ($25) — no joke.  A fanny pack.  But it’s brilliant because I still need to run with my iPhone for music + my Nike Plus app, and this badboy is waterproof.  He also wants me to run with cash and a credit card just in case, so this makes for handy, lightweight storage.  Finally, he got me a Garmin running watch ($250)

I’m a little on the fence about whether to keep this.  For a long time, I really wanted the Apple Watch, which I think looks cooler and has more applications.  But the reviews say it’s non-ideal for running.  For starters, you still need your iPhone if you want to track your distance using Nike Plus.  And there’s a lag whenever you check your watch for an update on mileage or pace — it needs a few seconds to sync via Bluetooth with your phone.  And for a runner, that sucks!  You have to basically hold your wrist out for awhile until it loads.  I’ve also heard that if you’re sweaty it can be hard to swipe the face.  SO, then I thought the Garmin Watch would be cool.  But you still need to run with your iPhone because you can’t play music through the Garmin Watch, and you know I need my jamz.  Lots of runner love the Garmin, though, because it gives you the info you need, it’s easy to use, and you can pause the workout by tapping one of the side buttons (vs swiping on a screen, which can get sweaty).  AHHH.  But do I need it now that I am going to be running with my iPhone anyway, which already has Nike Plus?!  What do you think?

3.  We’re going to add a dog to the family.  We’ve wanted one for so long, and what better time to do it than when we’re both spending a ton of time working out of our home?!  Hello, doggie bed ($110) and doggie bowls ($99).  And how cute is this shoe toy ($15)?!  You know I’m going to be keeping my Louboutins under lock and key…

4. I’m going to take more risks with fashion.  Sometimes I find myself climbing into a predictable fashion box.  No more.  Why not take a few leaps?  A little red lace romper (on sale for $190)?!  Sure.  A white lace jumpsuit?  Why not.  A frilly off-the-shoulder bikini ($400)?  Now we’re talking.

5.  I’m going to finally buy those damn chairs for our off-the-kitchen-nook and put built-in shelving into the basement (that’s a story for another day).  I’ve literally been shopping for chairs for our nook area since we moved in and have been on the fence about this for way too long.  They’ve been a tough find, though — they need to be petite in size to fit, preferably swivel, and have a low back. You see, there’s this little area just off our kitchen but before you get to our glass sliding doors to the backyard.  We’ve tucked a petite couch in there against one wall, a little tufted coffee table/bench, and then a large TV on the far wall.  We want to put two chairs facing the couch for when we have guests over that can also pivot in case everyone wants to watch TV.  (We often host awards shows in this area.)  I’m currently leaning towards a pair of these ($1,350 each) in a great fabric…but they don’t swivel.  Mr. Magpie is more into these, these, or these.  (Note: they all swivel.)  For a hot second I thought I might be able to parlay this into an opportunity to buy a pair of Jonathan Adler Maxime chairs, which I’ve ALWAYS lusted after, but Mr. Magpie made the valid point that they look about as comfortable as a wooden stool when it comes to watching TV.  So.  Stay tuned.

6.  I’m going to read at least 35 books this year.  I read 37 this past year and am committed to keeping pace.  At the very top of my list right now:

+Lovely, Dark, Deep (Joyce Carol Oates), as strongly endorsed by my little sister.

+Modern Romance (Aziz Ansari).  Let’s face it, I love a celebrity memoir.  And his Netflix series was so precious and heartfelt.

+Mansfield Park (Jane Austen).  Somehow I never read this in all my years pursuing an advanced degree in literature.

+My Life on the Road (Gloria Steinem).  I am fascinated by her.

+The Sense of an Ending (Julian Barnes), as recommended by a fellow lit nerd friend of mine.

One of these days, I’m going to get set up on Good Reads and y’all can follow along with me (and vice versa).  My sister’s been begging me to do this forever…

7.  I’m going to get serious about staying stress-free.  I think I may have mentioned this in a few previous blogposts, but this year, while wonderful, has been stressful.  You know, the whole “let’s leave our jobs, start something new, and take a huge risk” thing.  It’s led to my fair share of sleepless nights, stress headaches, heart palpitations, stomach aches, and everything in between.  To combat this, I’ve just started using the meditation app Headspace (super cool — 1o-minute long sessions I try to do in the morning to clear my mind).  I’m going to commit to carving out 30-45 minutes for a run or a gym class (I’m contemplating using Class Pass, where you sign up and pay $79/month and can try all kinds of fitness classes close by.)  I’ve also been using the app Daygram to write a little one-or-two-sentence note at the end of the day just to give myself a quick minute of reflection before I go to sleep.  Finally–I know I don’t write much about religion on this blog–but I’m a Catholic and I have been praying a novena (daily rosary) every morning.  This also seems to clear the air and start the day on a positive note.  Any other tips?!

OK, so there are 7 substantive resolutions for ya.  Here’s hoping for a productive year!  CHEERS!