2017 Goals + Word of the Year

Hello Lovelies!

Let's be honest 2016 was a terrible year, so many shocks and surprises, so many deaths, especially in the last week. I'm glad it's a new year and hopefully things start looking up and getting better! Today I'm going to share with you my word of the year, goals, and some things I want to do this year!

I did really good with my 2016 goals , and I'm hoping that I can accomplish just as much in 2017! Let's get started!

Word of the Year: Recovery
My main goal for the year is recovery. 2016 was a hard year for me health wise, and I really want to spend this year recovering and taking care of my health. Towards the end of 2016 I had so many injuries and complications from procedures and I'm just now starting to heal.

I finished physical therapy for my lower back in November, I just came out of  a boot for my foot last week, and then Friday I had another injection for my back. Thankfully so far I haven't had any complications from this one. The injection I had in July is what started a downhill spiral for me, it's the reason I had to go to physical therapy and during that time I also fell down a flight of stairs. I've also been dealing with neck pain and dizziness from my fall!

I think that pretty much sums up how crappy the last few months have been and why I'm looking forward to a new year! So here's to recovery and here is the rest of my goals!

Happy New Year + Weekly Inspiration

Hello Lovelies!

I hope you all have a wonderful year and may all your dreams come true! I'm gonna stick with my blogging schedule and do my weekly inspiration today, and I'll share my Goals for 2017 tomorrow!

"Whatever you decide to do, make sure it makes you happy."

Going in to the new year I'm choosing to have a new mindset, I'm trying to focus on the good things and not stress over the bad things. It's actually been really peaceful the past few days, I just hope when I go back to work Wednesday, I don't get stressed.

Goal of the week: I'll talk more about it tomorrow, but my word of the year and my main goal is Recovery!

That's all for today, don't forget to check back tomorrow for my Goals for 2017!

XoXo,

Lori

Links to Love + Top 4 Posts of 2016

Hello Lovelies!

This was supposed to go up yesterday, but it was a long day. It started out with only 5 hours of sleep (the most sleep I've got all week)! I started out at my family doctor and I was supposed to go get blood work after that, but I didn't have time, so I'll be doing that next week!

I was late getting called back, which put me behind schedule leaving for my doctors appointment in Nashville!!! I was already anxious about getting my injection, since the last one didn't go so well, so of course my blood pressure was a little high all day.

I was really worried cause if you're more than 15 minutes late you have to reschedule your appointment and we live almost two hours away from Nashville. (Yes, it's ridiculous that I have to drive two hours for a injection that takes less than 15 minutes!) Somehow we managed to make it to the doctor with 5 minutes to spare! (Thank you, God.)

Overall, it really wasn't a bad trip, I love going to Nashville, I just wish we weren't so rushed and I could have enjoyed it a little more. So I'm off work for another four days to recover and I'm hoping I can spend it planning content for the new year!

Also, some good news from yesterday, I've lost 8 pounds since I saw the doctor in November! I had no idea but I'm really happy about it!

Here's this week's Links to Love!

THE BEST HASHTAGS TO USE ON INSTAGRAM (UPDATED)

Instagram is one of my most ignored social media channels, I always forget about it. Maybe this hashtag cheat sheet will help me step up my game, I suck at hashtags, so wish me good luck!

Sequin Free NYE - A Little Seersucker Sass

Sadly I'll be in bed all weekend, but I can still look at all the cute NYE dresses, right? Next year I'm thinking either Nashville or Florida for NYE, if I can get time off work!

10 Signs you are a Mature Adult

I got 2 out of 10!

Standing Core Workout
I definitely want to give this a try in a few weeks when I'm feeling better!

Writing My Story's Best Blog Posts of 2016
Things That Annoy Me: Driving

Book Review: Tina Wainscott - Falling Free

Life Update: Demi Lovato, Promotion, Holiday World

5 Must Have Makeup Products Under $10

Well, Goodbye 2016! I hope you all have a good night, be safe, enjoy, and get ready for 2017!
 Are you ready for 2017? Let me know below!

XoXO,

Lori
BLOGLOVIN  INSTAGRAM  PINTEREST  TWITTER  TUMBLR

2016 Goals Update

Hello Lovelies!

Looking back at the goals I set for myself at the beginning of the year, I think I did really good! I accomplished more than I thought I would. 2016 in some ways was better than 2015, and in some ways worse. But overall, I think it was a pretty good year!

I still can't believe the year is over and we're getting ready to start a new one!

This is how my goals went in 2016!

Blog Related

- Reach 100 blog followers. (I'm at 62 followers, I think at the beginning of the year I had 45)

-Comment on other blogs more.

-Post more. Get back to a normal blogging schedule. (Working on it)

-Clean up everything, blog content, blog design, social media profiles, EVERYTHING!

-Increase Social Media Reach
-Read More ARCs, request less.

School Related

-Study more.

-Start college. (Sadly didn't happen, no money = no college)
-Work extra hard in Math.

-Stop being so antisocial and make friends!

Health Related

-Lose 60 pounds or more. (Down 7 pounds, shit happened!)

-Be in a size 10 by the end of the year (Still at an 18)

-Cut back on desserts
-Worry less and live in the moment.

 Here's a few more things I wanted to do this year!

Things I Want to Do:

-Open a savings account. (Bahahaha, nope!)

-Buy a new laptop

-Read 30 books. (Made it to 14!)

-Meet with an Army Recruiter. (Never gonna happen, I have too many health issues)

-Buy my blog URL. (maybe next year?)
-Buy a pair of high heels. (My foot is in a boot brace, I don't think I need to add heels!)
-Closet clean out party!
-Budget better!
-Backup my photos more often!
-Redecorate my room.
-Diversify my blog.
-Buy a really nice bag.
-Be more present and social online.
-Kick  my snooze button addiction.
-Live more than I work.
-Be Happy (I'm working on it!)

I think this is the first year I've actually made a pretty good dent in my goals. I'm excited to see how next year goes!

How did you do with your goals? Are you ready for a new year?

XoXo,

Lori

Happy New Year + Goals for 2016

Hello Lovelies!

It's Day 4 of the New Year, and as promised, I have my goals for 2016 ready for you! I did pretty good with my goals last year, you'll see some have made a reappearance this year, and I'm gonna do my best to get them done!

Here's my goals for 2016!

Blog Related

- Reach 100 blog followers.

-Comment on other blogs more.

-Post more. Get back to a normal blogging schedule.

-Clean up everything, blog content, blog design, social media profiles, EVERYTHING!

-Increase Social Media Reach
-Read More ARCs, request less.

School Related

-Study more.

-Start college.
-Work extra hard in Math.

-Stop being so antisocial and make friends!

Health Related

-Lose 60 pounds or more.

-Be in a size 10 by the end of the year (Currently 18)

-Cut back on desserts
-Worry less and live in the moment.

Okay, so you've seen my new years resolutions, here's a few more things I want to do this year!

Things I Want to Do:

-Open a savings account.

-Buy a new laptop

-Read 30 books.

-Meet with an Army Recruiter.

-Buy my blog URL.
-Buy a pair of high heels.
-Closet clean out party!
-Budget better!
-Backup my photos more often!
-Redecorate my room.
-Diversify my blog.
-Buy a really nice bag.
-Be more present and social online.
-Kick  my snooze button addiction.
-Live more than I work.
-Be Happy

That's it for today, I haven't figured out what my new blogging schedule is going to be so just bear with me a little bit longer. I have three days off next week, so I'm gonna do my best to get things back on up and running!

XoXo,

Lori

2015 Goals Update

Hello lovelies!

Another year is coming to a close, and to be honest I don't know where the year went. Time just keeps speeding up and I wish it would slow down a little.

This year I made a lot of goals, and I achieved most of them, and some I didn't. Because I made so many goals this year I'm not gonna go over all of them, but here's some of them.

Here's my goals for 2015!!!!

Things I Want to Do:

-Open a savings account.

-Buy a new laptop

-Find a pair of glasses and start wearing them.

-Read 60 books.

-Get a job.

-Get my license.

-Look into buying a car.

-Buy a new camera and learn how to use it.

-Nashville 

-Get my hair back to being completely blonde.

-Clean out my closet
-Put more of an effort into finding a church.
-Try Pilates.
-Buy my blog URL.
-Sign up for Google AdSense.

My #1 goal for the year is:

To get my shit together. I'll turn 18 on March 13, it's time to get my shit together!

I think I did pretty good this year, much better than last year.

I'll be back Monday with my goals for 2016!

XoXo,

Lori

Happy New Year + Goals for 2015

Hello lovelies, it's crazy to think another year has come to close, but 2014 was a great year for me! I learned a lot, I grew a lot as a person, and overall it was the best year yet!

I believe every year brings a new opportunity to start fresh, this year is the year I learn to take care of myself before others, I'm going to make sure of that! I believe there's always room for change and improvement, and that's what I plan to do, change and improve!

This new year is a chance to 'get it right', I will graduate, I will learn to drive, I will do so many things I've wanted to do for so long, without caring what other people think about me. This is my year, 2015 is going to be my year, and no one's going to get in my way!

I'm letting go of my past, and I'm letting go of the people in my life who can't let go the old me. I'm ready for a new start, and I'm gonna get it, I'm tired of waiting around for someone to save me from myself. I'm going to be my own hero and I'm going to make my dreams come true, this is me, this is who I'm supposed to be!

Today I decided I would share with you my goals for 2015! Usually I make a very vague list and I never accomplish any of it, so this year I decided to make clear goals! I've organized my goals into categories, and I've decided that I'm going to do a few updates on my goals throughout the year, my first update will probably be in March or April!

Here's my goals for 2015!!!!

Blog Related

- Reach 150 blog followers.

-Write five guest posts.

-Buy a new camera and learn how to use it.

- Network, network, network.

-Clean up everything, blog content, blog design, social media profiles, EVERYTHING!

School Related

-Graduate high school.

-Decide where I'm going to college.

-Sign up for at least one class in graphic design or website development.

-Find a tutor for math.

-Stop being so antisocial and make friends!

Health Related

-Lose 60 pounds or more.

-Be in a size 10 by the end of the year (Currently 18)

-Find a doctor willing to do allergy shots.

-Get fitted for a bra for the first time ever.

-Find and see a new neurologist.

Okay, so you've seen my new years resolutions, here's a few more things I want to do this year!

Things I Want to Do:

-Open a savings account.

-Buy a new laptop

-Find a pair of glasses and start wearing them.

-Read 60 books.

-Get a job.

-Get my license.

-Look into buying a car.

-Go to Atlanta for my graduation!

-Nashville (Taylor Swift concert & maybe move there for college).

-Get my hair back to being completely blonde.

-Clean out my closet
-Put more of an effort into finding a church.
-Try Pilates.
-Buy my blog URL.
-Sign up for Google AdSense.

My #1 goal for the year is:

To get my shit together. I'll be 18 on March 13, it's time to get my shit together!

If last year was a terrible year for you, then I hope you're able to leave it in the past where it belongs, it's a new year, you can do anything, you just gotta go out there and do it!

XoXo,

Lori

End of 2014 Survey

Hello lovelies,

I hope you have a great New Years Eve, if you go out please be safe and responsible, don't get hurt, that would be a terrible way to start off the new year! I'm not planning on going out tonight because I have an Upper Respiratory Infection and Bronchitis, so I'm not feeling too good and I'm probably going to fall asleep as soon as the ball drops!

Anyway, because no one has time to read a super long and probably boring post all about 2014, instead I thought I would share with you my end of 2014 survey. I've shared it a few times over the past week, but I haven't received as many responses as I was hoping for. So if you haven't put in your response please do, I would love to have your feedback in time for the new year!!!

Also, I just wanted to say I love you guys ans thank you for sticking around this year, I can't wait to share with you all my new projects and adventures that next year will bring!

Thanks again everyone, I'll see you tomorrow!

XoXo,

Lori

Blogmas Day 6: Christmas Bucket List

Hello lovelies, today I'm sharing with you my Christmas Bucket List! Most of the things on my list I've already done, but I plan on doing them again and gain, so I thought I'd share it with you!

Drink Hot Chocolate

Eat A Candy Cane

Bake Cookies

Stay in bed all day.

Buy a pair of fuzzy slippers.

Christmas Lights Tour

Watch The Grinch

Spend time with family

Try a new recipe

Decorate A Tree

Set goals for the New Year

Live in the moment.

What do you plan to do in these last few weeks leading up to Christmas? Comment below all the things you want to do this Christmas season!

XoXo,

Lori

Sweater Weather

 Hello there lovelies, since the past two weeks have been kinda hectic with the new year and all, I decided to make today's post an easy read.
     One of the main reason I love winter so much is because I can wear sweaters, and darker colors, without being judged for it.

Sweater Weather by loriboyd featuring cross jewelry

        So what do you think of my little creation? Do you like it? If you could change anything about it what would it be? Let me know what you think in the comments below, well that's all for today, I'll be back tomorrow with a review!
                                                                         Stay Creative,
                                                                                          Lori Ann

This Year!

     I wasn't planning this post, but I found these cute pictures on Pinterest so I had to share them. I feel like they represent where I am in my life, and how I feel about the new year.

  This year, is my year, I'm going to make it the best I possibly can, and I'm shooting for the stars. I will graduate this year, I will lose weight, I will find a job, AND I will be Happy!

         Last year wasn't the best for me, but towards the end of the year my life turned around. I feel like a new person, and I'm starting to get passionate about the things I used to love again.
        This year I want to be my year, and it will be my year. I'm going to work hard to achieve everything I've been putting off, and I'm going to have a smile on my face even when it hurts.

 

A bad habit I'm going to break:

    My internet addiction, it's bad.

A new skill I'm going to learn: 

   I would love to get a HD camera and actually learn to use it. I also need to learn time management.

A person I hope to be more like:

    I wanna be more like, Taylor Swift. I wanna be more like her because of all the charity work she does, and she never blabs about it to the media. Also she gets a lot of hate, but she never responds to it, she ignores it and rises above it. 

(FYI 6 boyfriends in 8 years is not a lot, I know some people who have 20 boyfriends/girlfriend in a year!)

A good deed I'm going to do:

   I would love to donate to charity this year, whether it be time or money.

A place I'd like to visit:

    I'm planning on going back to Nashville to visit colleges and universities, I'm really happy about it too, cause Nashville is one of my favorite places in the world.

A book I'd like to read:

      Staying Strong: 365 Days a Year by Demi Lovato. I've read a few pages on the internet, and I feel like this is the perfect book for those days when you need a little inspiration and motivation.

A letter I'm going to write:

   Not sure, I'll have to think about this one.

A new food I'd like to try:

    Anything on my Pinterest food board.

I'm going to do better at:

    Time management.

    That's all for today, let me know below what you think. Is this the year you turn your life around? Are you planning on making this your year?
                                                        Stay Creative,
                                                                          Lori Ann



P.S. I did a Google Image search for both pictures, but I couldn't find who the owner is, all that came up was a bunch of Pinterest boards, and the only links led to other bloggers saying they found it on Pinterest.

Beauty New Years Resolutions Tag

   Todays post is this tag I found online and thought I'd use it, I think it's very fitting for this time of year, plus I've been trying to do a TAG once a month.


1. What is a technique you've improved on during the past year?
  - Using eyeliner pencils, and I also learned how to tightline my upper waterline.


2. What was your overall most used makeup product last year? 
 -  My Wet N' Wild Palette in C246 Greed.


3. What brand would you like to try in this year?
 - I would really like to buy some new makeup brushes, and I've been looking in to the Real Techniques brush sets. I've seen so many good reviews and tutorials using them, so I think I'm going to buy some soon.

4. Are there any products you'd like to use up this year?
- My lip balms, I have four on my nightstand and two or three in my handbag. I also need to use up my lotions, I have four sitting on my nightstand at the moment.

5. Favorite Winter makeup and outfit?
 - For makeup its the same year round, eyeliner, mascara, and a neutral color on my eyes. My daily winter outfit consists of dark colored jeans, boots, a black or white tank top, and a cardigan.

6. What is one bad makeup habit that you want to break this year?
 - I really need to wash my makeup brushed more often.

7. Favorite clothing to keep warm in the winter.
 - Boots and lots of layers, usually a tank, cardigan, and coat.

8.  A fellow blogger you've been loving?
 - I absolutely love Tiffany over at Makeup by TiffanyD , I've been following her for about five years.

9. What activity are you going to start this year?
 - More exercise, I started exercising more towards the end of 2013, but I need to step it up if I'm going to meet my weight loss goal by the end of the year.

10. Describe the year 2013 in 3 words.
 - Crazy, eye-opening, life-changing. (Does that count as 3?)


   So like always you are all welcome to join in on this TAG, leave your links below so I can see your answers. I also would like to TAG Lauren over at A Touch of Southern Grace .
                                                                  Stay Creative,
                                                                                   Lori Ann

2014 New Years Resolutions!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! I cannot believe it's 2014 already, and even though I'm super bummed another year has flown by, I'm determined to make the most of the year.

     Today I'm going to share with you my goals for the year, and tell you a little about them.


1. Blog More.
   - For the biggest part of last year I only blogged 3 times a week, but towards the end of the year I started posting 4 times a week. I want to keep up with that, and maybe even work towards blogging 5 times a week.

2. Graduate or be Close to Graduating High School.
  - Right now I'm super motivated, and I wanna get this done, that way next year I can go to college, and really start my life.

3. Find a Part-Time Job.
   - I tried last year to find a job, but no one was hiring. So this year I'm gonna search more, and just keep applying, until I finally get a job. Plus I have a friend who's dad is opening up their 3rd Subway store, so I think if I asked he would probably hire me.

4. Crack Down on My Reading List.
   - I have a whole list of books I want to get read, some for entertainment, and others for my High School and College Reading List.

5. Finish the First Draft of My Novel
  - I've never really talked about this on here before, but in November I started writing my first novel with the help of NaNoWriMo. Since NaNo ended I've been slacking off on my writing, but this is something I really wanna stick with, and I wanna finish at least the first-draft by the end of the year.

6. Lose 60 Pounds.
  - I know that sounds like a lot, but that's what I'm going for, I need to do this, and I need to do it now. Not for anyone else, I need to do it for me, and only me. I need to learn to love myself, but I know if I don't lose all this extra weight I'm carrying around, then I'll never be able to love myself the way I want to be able to.

7. Take the SAT and ACT.
   - This was on my list last year, but I didn't feel ready to take it. So I think I'm gonna sign up for the testing date in March.

8. Visit Colleges & Universities I Want to Attend
 - This year I HAVE to visit some campuses so I can decide where to apply starting in the fall.

9. Make it Out of the State of Kentucky at Least Once
  - This kinda ties into the visiting campuses because I'l have to go out of state to see most of my top picks. This one is going to be hard because my mom HATES traveling, but hopefully I'll have my drivers permit by then and can do most of the driving for her.

10. Get My Driver's Permit
    - I want this so bad, but my mom is always working and can't take me. But I WILL go this year, hopefully next week and get this done.

   So there you have it, my 10 New Years Resolutions, I hope you'll stick around this year to watch me achieve them!
                                               Stay Creative,
                                                               Lori Ann

Top 4 Posts of the Year!

    It's hard to believe another year has flown by and tomorrow is the beginning of a new year. Originally I was going to do a Top 10 post, but honestly I don't really think I have that many posts worthy of being the a Top 10 list, so I settled for a Top 4 list.
    So here are the four blog posts I'm most proud of, and I hope you think so too!


1.) My Online High School Experience
   - If you haven't read this you totally should.

2.) How I Saved My Damaged Hair
  - If you color you're hair often, then you have to read this.

3.)Book Review: Caitlyn Duffy- The Viscount's Daughter
  - This was by far the best book I've read all year, and this post was probably my favorite to write because I couldn't say enough good things about it, it really did touch me, and made me want to start reading more after spending the past year not really reading.

4.) Book Review: Mira Lyn Kelly- Waking Up Married
  - This was the beginning of my decision to change up my blog. It was after this post that I got serious about my blogging, and started to make changes and spend more time focusing on what I was publishing.


   As you can tell all of these, are from the past six months, actually all of them except one is from the past three months. The reason for that is because I feel like something hit me during September and October that made me really start trying harder with everything.
     Around the first of October I started to get really inspired, I was inspired to become a better person, and to work harder at everything I do. I had always enjoyed blogging, but I never really put a lot of effort into it.
     The past few months I've made a lot of changes, and near the end of next month I'll be announcing more changes, that is a promise to all of you. I've already decided what I'm going to do, and I'm really excited to share all of my upcoming changes with you.

    Well that's all for the YEAR, I hope you have a good New Years Eve, and please just remember to be careful, and if you're going to be drinking please do so responsibly.
                                                                     Stay Creative,
                                                                                      Lori Ann

Merry Christmas

     I wanted to wish you all a very Merry Christmas this year, and I wanted to say that I hope you enjoy your holiday.

    I also hope you have fun celebrating the New Year, but please be careful, and remember it's never a good idea to drink and drive.


                                   Stay safe, Stay happy, and enjoy this time with your family.
                                                                       Stay Creative,
                                                                                     Lori Ann