2014

Top Posts of 2014

Hello lovelies! I wanted to do a summary post of all the awesomeness that was had in 2014 here at DIY Mama! I had a roller coaster of a year blog-wise. Some days I wanted to stay up til dawn writing and crafting while there were weeks of me not feeling motivated to share one thought. I hear this happens and that it’s ok.

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I’ve also learned a ton on the tech & social media side of things, although I feel I’ve only begun to scratch the surface. Let’s see what you all thought were the best posts! They were interesting to me because they weren’t all in my top 5 but I do remember really loving writing each of these. Here were your top posts for 2014:

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Top Adult Attractions

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Now that I’ve had my first full year of blogging, I’ve realized there are two major things I need to work on for 2015: photography and branding. I was all over the place last year, mostly because I was learning how to use my DSLR (still am), editing programs and how I wanted DIY Mama to feel. I’m very thankful to all of you as readers and I’ve loved being able to share myself with you this past year! What was one post that stood out to you?

2014 Wish List

Season’s Greetings! I’ve been decorating, wrapping, visiting with Santa and making Christmas presents! I’m deep in the Christmas spirit and there’s still much more to come! Shhh, don’t tell Sophie, but she’s meeting Ana and Elsa tomorrow at a Christmas party!

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I wanted to share a few of my wishes for this year’s Christmas list in case you were stumped on what to ask for or buy for the crafty/organized Mom in your life!
packing-cubesEagle Creek Packing Cubes– I love traveling (which we do a lot) and I love organizing (finding what I’m looking for quickly because I’m impatient.)

martha-stewart-paintMartha Stewart Craft Paint– I found a set of these in metallic on clearance and LOVE them but want them in solids.

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Online Calligraphy Course– I’ve been following Melissa’s Instagram for quite some time. I swoon over her hand lettering and would love to learn her technique.

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Mollie Makes Embroidery Book– Embroidery is a craft that I have yet to dabble in but always love the home made feel it creates.

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Bicycle Basket– Remember my darling bicycle from Mother’s day? Wouldn’t it be even cuter with a basket to hold a picnic blank and snacks for the park?!

vinylSgt Pepper’s and Garden State Vinyl-I’ve collected quite a few vinyl but it still feels incomplete without these two albums that I never get tired of.

Sweet wish list, huh? My favorite gifts are always surprises that aren’t on my list. I also love receiving hand made gifts because I know how much thought and time went into the present. What’s on your wish list this year? Do you have anything on my list? I’d love to know your thoughts on them!

UPDATE! I was a lucky girl this year! Between Christmas and my 30th Birthday, I recieved the packing cubes, 3 sets of Martha Stewart Paints, Molly Makes Embroidery book and an even better bicycle basket from Longaberger! So grateful.

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How Do You Stick With Your NYR?

This year I wanted to do something a little different in the way of my New Years Resolution. Every year I have something that’s measurable and what I believe to be do-able! Every year I only complete maybe one of my goals.  They’re also always very similar (weight loss, new language, read ___ books, some kind of charity.) I usually accomplish the weight loss goal but gain it all back before the end of the year, I read a lot but never keep track of what I read and always wait til December to do our Charity so it always ends up being the same one. THIS YEAR, I said, THINGS WILL BE DIFFERENT! It’s been two months and I’ve already been terrible at keeping track of my goals! Here they are and here’s how I will NOW start to keep on track with them:

C.A.R.E. (yes I made a short acronym for them to help me keep track of them-step one.)

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Compassionate- I’ve been reading ‘Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff’ because I’m notorious for doing exactly that…ALL OF THE TIME! The thing that has stood out to me most is compassion. ‘It involves the willingness to put yourself in someone else’s shoes, to take the focus off yourself and to imagine what it’s like to be in someone else’s predicament, and simultaneously, to feel love for that person.’-Richard Carlson

Active-My ultimate goal is to lose 40 lbs. I’ve lost 36lbs since giving birth but I still have a long way to go. By being active for at least 20 mins/day (beyond baby wrangling and cleaning) I hope to not only burn some cals but to release some tension. I’m always happier when I exercise!

Relaxed-Breath in. Thank you. Breath out. I love you. This is my mantra for relaxing. I’ve not yet been successful at meditating but it does help when I stop and breathe and say these words. I also do my nails or color a coloring book to calm down when I notice myself getting snippy or my mind overflowing.

Encouraging- I have so many wonderful people in my life that are SO AWESOME and need to be told. I think sometimes people just need to be told how great they are because they’re not seeing it in themselves. I’m often quite honest when I think someone can’t achieve their goals and I’ll make an ‘eh’ face when I NEED to be encouraging them! There is no reason to be anything but encouraging to the ones I love.

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Photo Credits: Shelly Bergman, Unsplash

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