31 before 31

as much as i can't seem to accept it, i've joined the group of thirty-year olds.
i'm still having a rough time getting over the fact that i'm no longer in my twenties.

for the past two years i've been making these lists (28 before 29 and 30 before 30) so i thought i'd go ahead and make one this year as well.
the first year i made one it was a bit pathetic how many things i accomplished.
this past year was better.
i hope to keep the momentum up and accomplish a lot more things on my list this time!

1  //  learn calligraphy

2  //  rework my handwriting

3  //  bake french macarons

4  //  lose 20 pounds

5  //  crochet a scarf

6  //  start a 'bucket list'

7  //  learn an instrument

8  //  drink loose leaf tea 
• 06.2013 - i've been making delicious loose leaf iced teas and LOVING them!

9  //  start a heritage scrapbook

10  //  create a second youtube channel for crafting
• i'm going to just have one channel for now with playlists; after researching i realized that i do not have enough subscribers to have 2 channels at this time

11  //  keep a prayer journal
• started 06.2013

12  //  pray before i start the day

13  //  read the bible through in 90 days

14  //  update my etsy store

15  //  make a sale in my etsy store

16  //  start a sketch journal

17  //  keep working on watercolor illustrations

18  //  paint a portrait

19  //  stargaze for an hour and count shooting stars

20  //  make a quilt

21  //  read 5 non-fiction books

22  //  read 5 classic books

23  //  read at least 31 books
• 1 - the yard by alex grecian - 07.2013
• 2 - love, charleston by beth webb hart - 07.2013
• 3 - beyond all measure by dorthy love - 09.2013
• 4 - blue asylum by kathy hepinstall - 09.2013
• 5 - miss peregrine's home for peculiar children by ransom riggs - 12.2013
• 6 - divergent by veronica roth - 12.2013
• 7 - insurgent by veronica roth - 12.2013
• 8 - allegiant by veronica roth - 12.2013

24  //  try and blog about 31 pinterest recipes or projects

25  //  blog every day for 31 days

26  //  take a 31 day fast from social media

27  //  create 31 videos for my youtube channel(s)

28  //  create 31 scrapbook/card challenges for myself and use them
• 1 - all white layout
• 2 - purple layout
• 3 - quilling
• 4 - letterpress
• 5 - pop-up card
• 6 - ombre
• 7 - one color
• 8 - cross-stitch
• 9 - white, black and gold
• 10 - stitched title
• 11 - watercolor
• 12 - art inspired
• 13 - paper piecing
• 14 - origami
• 15 - chart
• 16 - list
• 17 - masculine card
• 18 - lyrics
• 19 - fabric
• 20 - lots of layers
• 21 - grid format
• 22 - silhouette cut background
• 23 - two-page spread
• 24 - lots of journaling
• 25 - translucent
• 26 - rainbow
• 27 - x-large photo
• 28 - line of embellishments
• 29 - pockets
• 30 - non-scrapbook or non-art products
• 31 - 5-minute card

29  //  photo a day for 31 days using my dslr

30  //  walk at least 31 miles (7.1 miles to date)
• 08.15.2013 - 1 mile
• 08.19.2013 - 1.3 miles
• 08.20.2013 - 1.8 miles
• 02.18.2014 - 1 mile
• 02.21.2014 - 2 miles

31  //  run at least 31 miles

i will be sure to keep you updated on when i am working on these things and mark them off the list!

- jess

30 before 30

somebody around here had a birthday this week... yep, little ol' me!  wednesday i began the countdown of the last year of my 20s.  how did this happen!?!  i am a bit sad that i only have one year left of my 20s but i'm determined to make this year count.

last year i made a 28 before 29 list and i was a bit ambitious w/ it and didn't accomplish a lot on the list.  today i sat down to make a 30 things to do before i turn 30 and i'm pretty happy with this list.  i think everything on here is definitely able to be accomplished in a year.  so here's the list...i look forward to checking each thing off...

1. start planning and save for 30th bday trip to nyc (decided to stay closer to home for bday)

2. visit biltmore estate

3. visit savannah, ga

     ---september 2012 vacation
4. spend the weekend in kansas city

5. take a completely random roadtrip

6. see a horse race in hot springs

7. go to a concert

8. spend a day at the ocean (trip postponed until a few months after birthday)

9. visit a state i’ve never been to

     ---louisiana - september 2012 (on my way to florida/georgia for vacation)
10. save more and spend less

11. bake 30 different kinds of cupcakes

12. make french macarons

13. make homemade ice cream this summer

14. stop comparing myself to others

15. seek God more

16. put more emphasis on my health

17. complain less

18. try to be 15 min early instead of always running late

19. mail cards to at least 5 people a month

20. read at least two books a month - and review it on blog

21. create a blogging routine instead of posting randomly

22. re-design blog

23. work on getting a bachelor’s degree

     --- researched; decided to not pursue at this time
24. stop being so unapproachable

25. push past my comfort zone

26. ride a rollercoaster

27. take a 30 day fast from tv (going to movies w/ friends excluded)

28. start scrapbooking my daily life - project life style

29. run a 5k

30. do a project 10-pan

          ---started july 11

...{...happy birthday and a check of the list...}...

guess what today is...did you guess? it's my blog's birthday!!! one year ago today i made my very first ever blog post. i can't believe it has been a year already! i thought and thought about what i wanted to post about today... and i decided i'd share with you guys a check mark i made off my birthday bucket list!

here's a clue...

that's right...i marked off number.11 from the list! i didn't run, but i did walk a 5k which supported our local cancer support house. it was a bit chilly that morning and the race started at 8am. so when i woke up at 6:15 i was definitely asking myself "what was i thinking!" luckily i'd teamed up with some other people, so i knew i wouldn't be alone in my walk that day. at one point in the walk i did tear up a bit...there was this steep hill and a person cheering on the sideline held up a sign that said if they could beat cancer then we could conquer that hill. it was a rather sobering moment realizing just what our walk/donation truly meant. i want to start back training and be able to run the 5k next year!

my friend Shelly...her daughter walked with her while her husband and son ran the 5k

with my friend Lydia whom i walked with...also she's the one who let me know about the event

the 3 of us after walking the 5k...goal next year is to run it!!!

i'm pretty happy with myself for the 76 posts that i've made in the past year and look forward to lots more posting in the next year. also, just wanted to let you know a couple of other places you can find me --> pinterest - twitter - instagram - youtube - i'd love it if you'd come follow me of course here on my blog and also at the other places just listed. and of course leave me a comment letting me know where i can come follow you too!
~ jess

...{...Birthday Bucket List...}...

Just a few days I ago I had a birthday!...turned 28 on the 30th.  28 feels...idk, just okay.  LOL.  Right now it sounds too old for me.  25 was a bit hard realizing I was half way through my 20's.  26 was a really good fit.  When I hit 27, I realized I was well on my way to 30...which just sounds way too old for me.  But somehow 30 is sounding less daunting the closer I get to it ;-)

Ever since I saw one of these lists, I've wanted to make one and couldn't wait until my birthday to start.  I was actually a bit surprised as I got about two-thirds into the list I had a harder time thinking of things to complete the list.  I'll try to keep it updated as I complete things.  And I'm thinking of adding it to my side bar so it will be easier for you to keep updated!

...now...in no particular order...

1. go to a summer concert (really, really want to go to NKOTBSB)
2. pay off credit cards
3. learn to sew, crochet, knit, ribbon embroider, watercolor
4. create an art journal
5. make youtube videos
06.07.11 my channel
6. ride a roller coaster (never been on one...terrified of heights)
7. read bible through in 90 days
8. memorize one bible verse a week
9. visit a state i've never been to before
10. lose 20 pounds, or more
11. walk/run a 5k (shelly - we need to start training and do this together)
10.22.11 5k walk
12. regularly send greeting cards to friends/family
13. blog 3 times per week (yay!...more postings on here)
14. open etsy shop (greeting cards and collage canvas)
15. visit kansas city (looks like a fun city)
16. start saving for house (want to buy one when I turn 30)
17. start saving for 30th birthday trip (NYC, Europe or a cruise)
18. start keeping a detailed budget
19. buy and ride a bicycle
20. exercise 5 days a week
21. start 401k (I should of done this 5 years ago)
22. make more foods at home and eat less processed food
23. scrapbook several days a week
24. organize all printed pics
25. get published (scrapbook layout or card)
26. becoming more outgoing/make new friends
27. keep a cleaner more organized space
28. learn to accept/love myself

Do you have a birthday bucket list or a monthly checklist?  How about any suggestions for next year for my list?  Share either in a comment below...I'd love to hear from you :-)

~ Love ya - Jessica B.