May Goals

Hello Lovelies!

I cannot believe I haven't posted a monthly goals in months! Actually, I can believe it. I didn't realize until yesterday that I only posted Links to Love and Weekly Inspiration posts last month. 

Anyway, here's my goals for May!

Read 3 books.
I've been slacking in the reading department, so maybe this month I can get back to it.

Write 5 blog posts this month.
Last month I posted five times, but I only posted Weekly Inspiration posts and Links to Love. I didn't have any real content. I want to do my best this month and try to branch out.

Get back to blogging.
I want to get back into all things blogging. Reading other blogs, commenting on other blogs, link-ups, posting more, etc.

Work on Blog Design.
I still haven't got my blog design fixed from my major screw up a few months ago.

Finish my FAFSA.
I know, I know, I'm late on this one, but I already had the financial aid office at my local community college tell me that I won't qualify for any free money, my only option is loans.

Send in my high school transcript.
Now this is an easy one.

Work on managing my anxiety.
Here lately my anxiety has been acting up a lot. I'm hoping that this month I can focus on learning to manage my anxiety.

Lose 2 pounds. 
I've been going to the gym for a little over a month now and I can feel myself getting stronger and I love it!

Buy a new pair of shoes.
My current tennis shoes are worn out, between working 8 hour shifts on my feet and going to the gym 4-5 times a week, I need a new pair.

Find a new car. 
Let's be honest my Suzuki sucks, it's time for a new car.

XoXo,

Lori

Snapchat:

August Goals

Hello Lovelies!

I hope you all had a great weekend! Sadly I had to work and I was also sick over the weekend, so that made working even worse. Honestly I'm still not feeling all that great, but thankfully I already have an appointment with my doctor today, so I won't have to wait too long to see what's wrong.

Before I get into my goals for the month I have some really exciting news! I finally got a new internet provider!!!! No more data caps and no more limited bull crap. I can finally go back to blogging like I used to and I can FINALLY finish my blog re-design! It's been so long since I first started the re-design process, and I'm so happy I can finally finish it.

It won't be finished this week, but I'm hoping that I can finish it by next week or the following week!

Hello August!

Finish College Prep American Government.
Finish College Prep English 3 Part 1.
Finish Algebra 2 Part 1.
Start Studying for the ACT.
Clean Out Closet.
Get Organized.
Read 3 Books.

Open A Savings Account.

Save $100.

August Beauty Ban.

10 Goals!

Finish College Prep American Government.
I think I've finally found a study pattern for this class and so now I'll be able to finally finish it pretty quickly.

Finish College Prep English 3 Part 1.
I just started this class, but I should have it finished by the end of the month. I have the course outlined and I know what I have to get done and I'm gonna make it happen.

Finish Algebra 2 Part 1.
I hate math! I can finish this class this month, it's just hard finding the time and motivation to do it.

Start Studying for the ACT.
Since I've decided to put off college for a year, I decided I'm going to retake the ACT so I can get a better score.

Clean Out Closet.
I really need to clean out my closet, I have so much stuff I never wear and I'm tired of looking at it.

Get Organized.
I really need to get organized this month, my closet, my desk and my bathroom counter are my problem areas.

Read 3 Books.
I've been working so much recently I haven't been able to read, but I want to make time for it, so my goal is to read three books this week.

Open A Savings Account.
This month I want to open a savings account, I really need to start saving money for college. So my next payday (August 12) I'm going to go ahead and get an account.

Save $100.
I want to save $200, but I don't wanna push it, so I'm going to set my goal at $100 and then maybe I'll be able to save more.

August Beauty Ban.

I've been spending way too mcuh money on beauty products recently and it needs to stop. I'm putting myself on ban for this month, except for two things. I have two things I need to order from Sephora (only $28), but other than that I'm not buying anything else!

What are your goals for August?
Let me know below or leave a link to your blog!

XoXo,

Lori

April Goals

Hello lovelies!

It's April! I have just under three months of high school left and so much to do, I have 10 classes left to finish, plus I'm still trying to decide what to do about college!

This month I'm hoping to get back on track with school, my health, and this blog! I can already tell that this month is going to be great! How do I know? Because I've already accomplished two things that I've been putting off for three years, and at the moment I feel like I'm on top of the world!

Here's the thing, I realized that I'm the only thing standing between myself and success, I'm 18 now, and it's time I start acting like it. So I did what I had to do, and I completed something that I had been terrified of doing, and I realize now how stupid that fear was. I completed the task in an hour, and I felt so much better afterwards!

So, my advice to y'all for the month of April is to do something you're scared of, or something that you've been putting off! Trust me, once you get it done and over with you're going to feel so much better!

Lose 4 Pounds.
I've started working out more and I really want to see some results this month. Four pounds isn't much, but it's a start.

Workout twice a week.
I've been working out twice a week for a month now, some weeks I do more, some weeks I don't. My plan for this month is to keep doing the 2x weekly workouts and I'm really hoping that I can get a gym member ship this month and then I can do more.

Start & Finish Spanish 2 Part 2.
I finished Part 1 pretty quickly, so I'm expecting to get this one done just as fast.

Start & Finish Vocabulary Studies Part 1 & Part 2.
I wanted to start this class last month, but I couldn't, so I'm starting it now, and it seems like it's going to be a pretty easy class.

Start & Try to Finish Algebra 2 Part 1.
Bleh, I'm not looking forward to this one, but my goal is to do it and get it done as quickly as possible.

Start College Prep US Gov. & Economics Part 1.
I'm pushing it with this one, I probably won't make it to this one this month, but I can try!

Spend More Time On Social Media.
The last two months I've been neglecting my blog and my social media, I didn't do it on purpose, but it happened, and I want to spend more time this month focusing on social media.

Try to get my drivers permit.
I'm actually going this morning to take the written test, so hopefully by the end of the day I'll be driving!

Design A New Blog Header.
It's time for a new blog header, I've been trying to decide on a new header since December, so this month I'm going to finally get it done!

Update About Me Page.
I haven't updated my About Me page in about a year, so it's definitely time to get that done.

Read five books.
I read four books last month, so this month I decided to aim for five!

Open my own bank account.
I have my own debit card and my name is on my moms bank account, but I really want to get my own bank account opened up and start saving some money.

Be employed by the end of the month.
I've put in a few applications already and I'm going to keep putting them until I find something, I really need to start saving some money.

Be Productive.

I have 14 goals this month, I really need to focus on managing my time so that I can make as much progress as I possibly can this month. I have so much to do, but if I manage my time and don't get distracted I can do it!

What are your goals for April? Let me know below!

XoXo,

Lori

February Goals Update

Hello lovelies!

Sorry I haven't been posting recently, last week's snow and ice messed with our internet dish and so we haven't had any internet for a week!

I've missed blogging so much, it's been driving me crazy not being able to write! I'm hoping that this weekend I can get some blog posts scheduled for next week and get back on track soon! Senior year is really kicking my butt!

Anyway here's this months goals update!

Lose Weight

Buy a new stationary bike.

Finish Chemistry Part 1

Finish English 2 Part 2

Start & Finish Chemistry Part 2

Start & Finish Spanish 2 Part 1
Read two books.

Move and get settled into new house.

Work on blog design (Header & Background).

Get measured for a bra for the first time ever.

Try to downsize my book collection.

Go through and clean out my closet.

Make the most of UE's RoadTrip weekend.

Make sure all college applications are complete and that colleges have everything they need.

11 out of 14 accomplished!

Lose Weight.

Yes I did lose weight this month. I really need to make a full post about this, but for now I'll just give you a few details. So when I saw the doctor earlier this month I hadn't weighed myself in about two months and so when  I saw the doctor I found out that I had apparently gained back the 13 pounds I lost last year, plus and extra four pounds.
I was NOT happy when I saw that number on the scale, that is the highest I've ever weighed and I don't like it, so I've been making changes this month and so far I've lost two pounds. I don't plan on doing a weight loss update this month, but I will next month.

Buy a new stationary bike.

Sadly I didn't get a new bike this month, I had other things I needed more and so the bike took a back burner.

Finish Chemistry Part 1.

I've finished this class and now I'm just waiting to get my final grade back.

Finish English 2 Part 2.

For this class I have four assignments that I'm waiting to hear back on and then I will be done with the course.

Start & Finish Chemistry Part 2.

I've started the course but haven't finished because I'm still waiting to get grades back on assignments.

Start & Finish Spanish 2 Part 1.

Nope didn't happen!

Read two books.

This month I read Colton Holiday Lockdown and One Frosty Night. I've also been reading Ethan Frome and I hope to finish it by the weekend!

Move and get settled into new house.

I think I have two boxes left to unpack and then I'll have everything together in my bedroom, bathroom, and office.

Work on blog design (Header & Background).

I'm really happy with my new background, but I still need to design a new header. I did add a new header, I just don't like it, so I need to work on it. I also need to work on some of my widgets and re-code a few of them.

Get measured for a bra for the first time ever.

I went into Victoria's Secret last Saturday while I was in Evansville and I got measured. However, I'm still not going to be able to order online because I had to buy two different sizes. With one of the bras I bought, I was able to get the same cup size I've been buying for years, and for the other I had to go down one size, so really it's just going to depend on the type of bra I buy.

Try to downsize my book collection.

I finished this the first week of the month! In total I got rid of 24 books and I'm hoping to get rid of a few more soon!

Go through and clean out my closet.

I've cleaned my closet out a little. I got rid of a lot of stuff I haven't worn in years. I've also done a lot of shopping this month, buying things I need, and a few things I've been wanting!

Make the most of UE's RoadTrip weekend.

Last weekend was awesome! I had so much fun, I still haven't decided if UE is where I'm going to attend, but I can definitely say that I can see myself being happy there if I choose to attend.

Make sure all college applications are complete and that colleges have everything they need.

My college apps are completely done, now all I have to do is sit and wait!

So that's it for today, I have a book scheduled for tomorrow, so you have that to look forward to!
Did you accomplish your February Goals?

XoXo,

Lori

February Goals

Hello lovelies,
Today I'm just going to dive right on in because I don't have much time left before I lose access to the internet.

Okay, so I want to let you know that I  probably won't be posting this week. As I mentioned in Friday's post I moved over the weekend, because of this move I'm not going to have access to the internet for about a week or two. I'm going to try to find a way to get on, but for the meantime I will probably only be posting once a week.

Normally I would plan for this, but this move was unexpected and we didn't realize that AT&T doesn't offer internet where we're moving, so we have to find someone else to do our internet through! It really sucks, but there's nothing we can do about it, I just really hope we can get an internet connection back soon!

Here's my goals for February!

Lose Weight

Buy a new stationary bike.

Finish Chemistry Part 1

Finish English 2 Part 2

Start & Finish Chemistry Part 2

Start & Finish Spanish 2 Part 1
Read two books.

Move and get settled into new house.

Work on blog design (Header & Background).

Get measured for a bra for the first time ever.

Try to downsize my book collection.

Go through and clean out my closet.

Make the most of UE's RoadTrip weekend.

Make sure all college applications are complete and that colleges have everything they need.

14 Goals!

Lose Weight.
I didn't lose any weight last month, so this month I really want to focus on exercising and getting fit.

Buy a new stationary bike.
In order to accomplish goal #1 I'm going to need some new equipment, I've decided it's time to buy a new stationary bike.

Finish Chemistry Part 1
This was a goal I set for last month and it didn't happen, but it will this month!

Finish English 2 Part 2.
This is another goals I set last month and didn't finish, but I will get it done!

Start & Finish Chemistry Part 2.
I really hope I can finish this class this month, I'm ready to get it done and over with!

Start & Finish Spanish 2 Part 1.
This is a new class that I just got opened, so I'm excited and I hope I can get it finished this month!

Read two books.
I only read one book last month, so I really want to get back on track with that this month.

Move and get settled into new house.
I love out new house, we're moving from a two bedroom apartment into a four bedroom  house, I'm so happy we'll finally have room to breathe!

Work on blog design (Header & Background).
This month I want to work on my blog design. Winter is almost over, so the background isn't going to work for much longer, and overall I'm ready for a change.

Get measured for a bra for the first time ever.
This is something I've been wanting to do for a few years and I just haven't done it. This month I'll be going up to Evansville, Indiana, and they have a Victoria's Secret in the mall there, and I'm planning on going in there to get sized/fitted for the first time in my life.

Try to downsize my book collection.
With the move I realized I really need to downsize my book collection, it's time.

Go through and clean out my closet.
Again, this is something I really need to do, I have so many clothes I never wear and I just really want to get rid of them.

Make the most of UE's RoadTrip weekend.
I'll be spending a weekend in Evansville at the University of Evansville and I really want to make the most of it!

Make sure all college applications are complete and that colleges have everything they need.

I think all I have left is sending in my transcripts, but I want to check in with all the admissions counselors and make sure they have everything they need.

Sadly, that's it for today, I'll try to post again soon, but I don't know when that will be.
What are your goals for February? Let me know below and I'll respond as soon as I can!

XoXo,

Lori

Making Changes

Hey y'all, I mentioned a few weeks ago that I was planning on making some changes, at the time I hadn't made any solid decisions, but now I have and I want to share them with you!

As of right now I have one temporary change and five permanent changes to tell y'all about!

Temporary Change:
Okay, you might have noticed that recently I've been posting more book reviews than anything else and there's a reason for that. The truth is when I first discovered Netgalley back in the Summer I went overboard and requested way too many books, I've been trying to get through them but it's hard to do on a tight schedule.
Right now I'm trying to get through all of the Christmas-y books that I requested, I think I have 18 so for the next few weeks you're going to be bombarded with book reviews. I think I've decided that till I can get through all these books I'm going to be posting a book review on Wednesday and Thursday, so you'll be getting an extra post a week from me.
I think after the New Year I should be caught up, but till then be prepared for great books coming your way!

Upcoming Permanent Changes Include:

Weekly Inspiration Series Update.
Honestly this one really isn't that important I just felt like mentioning it to get you ready for all the changes coming your way. Since I started my Weekly Inspiration series I've always made it a mixture of pictures and quotes I've edited and things I've found on Pinterest or Tumblr.
Well I've decided to start making all of the Weekly Inspiration edits on my own, I've planned it out so that this will go into effect the first Sunday of 2015.

The End of 5 Words.
I mentioned a few weeks ago that I was planning on ending this series at the end of the year, that is still the plan. At the time I told y'all about that I had no idea what I was going to replace it with, but now I think I've decided I'm either going to do a Friday Five or a Weekend Links! The series will be ending the last Friday of the year, and the new series will start the first Friday of 2015.

Monthly Favorites and Weight Loss Update Changes.
For the past few months I've been trying to do a monthly favorites post, but I never seem to be able to find a place to put it, so I've decided to swap a few things out.
First, changes to my Monthly Weight Loss Update. I've decided I'm going to start making this post the last Saturday of the month, that way a Monday slot is open.
Second, since  I have a open Monday slot, I've decided that that's where my Monthly Favorites will go.

Blog design.
For the most part I'm happy with my blog design at the moment, but there are a few things I want to change. First I really need to make a blog button, I realized a few days ago that I don't have one, so I'll be making one soon. Second, I think I've decided to start sponsoring blogs, so if you're interested in that let me know.  I'm keeping my color palette the way it is, but I do want to make a few tweaks.

Blog Content.
My blog content is constantly changing. One month I'll be focused on book reviews, then fashion posts, then beauty reviews. I've realized that I really need to start trying to balance out my different posts, so working on my blog schedule is something I'm trying to work on at the moment.


Most of these changes will be going into effect after the new year, so nothing dramatic, but I'm so excited and I couldn't wait to tell you. I love starting a new year because it's a chance to start over and make major changes without people questioning your sanity!
XoXo,
Lori

Pinterest Finds

Hello lovelies, I hope you're having a great day! Today I have great news to share with you, big changes are coming, very big changes, some personal changes and then some pretty big blog changes too!

First up blog changes. I've known for a while that I wanted to make some more changes. I'm 100% sure I'm going to be making changes to blog content, and I think I want to make some design changes too.
I know for sure that I will be getting rid of the 5 Words series, I used to love doing it, but for the past few months I just hate it! So that's going to change, I have a few ideas of what I'm going to put in its place, I just haven't made my mind up yet, but that's okay I still have a few more weeks to make a decision.
 The last 5 Words will be posted on December 26, it will be the last Friday in December and also the 100th 5 Words post, so I figured that it would be the perfect time to end the series! In regards to the blog design, I will tinker with it over the next few weeks, I don't plan on making any huge changes, just a few tweaks, but who knows, I might decide to makeover the entire blog!
 Regardless of what happens I'll keep you updated!

Second, personal changes. This one actually might end up affecting my blogging schedule, I'm going to try not to let it interfere, but it might.
So last week I went to Tumbleweed for dinner with my family and while we were there my mom startedtalkingwith the manager and I decided to ask her if they were hiring, and they were. So she told me to put in an application and to call her the next day, so I went home, put in the application, and called her Thursday.
We set up an interview for Yesterday and it went great! I go tomorrow for my second interview with the other manager and she told me that the job was pretty much mine because she liked me enough to send me to a second interview!

You guys!!!! I can not explain how excited I am, I've been trying to find a job since the day I turned 16, I feel like things are finally starting to work out right and I'm really excited for tomorrow!

Okay so now that I've said all that I think it's time to get to what today's blog post is supposed to be about, this months Pinterest Finds!!!

1. I really do believe this quote, I believe that there's a reason it took me so long to find a job and I really hope that the time is right for this to happen.

2. This is so true.

3. Since I'm still recovering from my sprained ankle I've been sorley lacking inspiration for working out, so this month I've been pinning a lot of exercise motivation.

4. This month I've developed a great love for Jennifer Lawrence, she's amazing!

So that's all for this months Pinterest Finds, I hope you liked it!!! Let me know below what you think about my blog plans, I would love to hear any ideas you have, whether it be about the design, or about what you think I should replace 5 Words with!!!

XoXo,

Lori

August Goals Update

Hey y'all, I hope you're having a great week! This month has been crazy, with me moving, not having internet, and being sick I really didn't accomplish everything I wanted to accomplish. 

However, I will say one thing I'm proud of is the fact that I finally finished my new blog design. I started working on my blog design back in June and it's just been all over the place. 

Over the past few months, I've experimented with a lot of different colors, backgrounds, and headers, but in the end I realized that a simple white background is what I love best. I also designed a blog header that I really love and I installed blog buttons that were super easy to install!

So what do you think? Let me know below what you think of my new blog design!

Sign up for the September 13 ACT test date.

Review Algebra 1 Part 1 & Part 2 and take final exam!

Start working on admissions essays.

Plan Nashville trip.

Start and finish English 2 Part 1 & Part 2

Clean out my closet before moving!

Read 3 books.

Finish new blog design!

Find a Neurologist and schedule an appointment.

Lose 5 pounds!

5 out of 10!

Review Algebra 1 Part 1 & Part 2 and take final exam!  &  Start and finish English 2 Part 1 & Part 2

This month I actually took a break from school. It wasn't intentional, but it was a much-needed and well-deserved break. I've been working all year long and I haven't taken any breaks, I've even worked through holidays and weekends! So this month was my break month, I started back on Monday and honestly I feel so much better, my brain really needed a rest!

Obviously I didn't get either school related goal done but I'm okay with that. I also found out I won't be able to start working on my next English class quite just yet. I was hoping my school would let me start working on my English class while I finished up my other classes, but they won't, so it looks like September will be Algebra and Geometry month! Yikes!!!

Start working on admissions essays.

I also didn't get to start on this, not having any internet for pretty much the entire month has really screwed up my plans, so I think I'm going to start writing my essays this weekend.

Plan Nashville trip.

No internet= no planning getting done!

Lose 5 Pounds!

Ha! I knew this was a long shot when I made this goal, I just didn't realize how impossible this was going to be this month. Between moving houses and also being in bed sick for two weeks, I didn't lose a pound.

Sp that is all for this months goals update, I hope you enjoyed it!

XoXo,

Lori

August Goals

Hello lovelies, I hope the new month is off to a great start for you! This month for me is going to be very busy! Starting this week I'm moving, signing up to take the ACT again, planning my trip to Nashville next month, and so much more!

Via

Sign up for the September 13 ACT test date.

Review Algebra 1 Part 1 & Part 2 and take final exam!

Start working on admissions essays.

Plan Nashville trip.

Start and finish English 2 Part 1 & Part 2

Clean out my closet before moving!

Read 3 books.

Finish new blog design!

Find a Neurologist and schedule an appointment.

Lose 5 pounds!

I know it sounds like a lot, and it is, but I'm ready for it! I'm really happy, and I have a lot of motivation!

XoXo,
Lori

Goals for June + New Blog Design

Hello lovelies, can you believe it's already June? It feel like just yesterday I was writing my New Years Resolutions!
So you've probably noticed that once again I have changed my blog design, and to be honest it probably won't be the last time. As you can see below one of my goals this month is to work on a new blog design, so that's what I will be doing this month, I want to find a blog design that I really love that way I can actually keep it for a while and not change it in a few months time!

So there's that, I wanted to give you a heads up, and here's the rest of my goals for June!

FINISH College Prep U.S. History Part 2

Start and finish English 2 Part 1

Finish half of Geometry Part 1

Read a book.
Take better care of my hair.
Spend more time blogging.
Be more involved in the blog community.
Work on a new blog design.
Start working out again.


As you can tell once again my goals mainly revolve around school, but this month I'm also adding in some goals for the blog. For the past month I haven't been as focused on blogging, so this month I really want to put in more hours and focus on creating better content.

I guess that's all for today's post, I'll update you later this month about my goals!
XoXo,
Lori