HAUTEPink

New

Year2011

Image from www.weheartit.com

Image from www.weheartit.com

HAUTEPink We have just put the first decade of the 21st century to sleep and looking back, things are not like we had been raised to believe. According to the great minds of the past, this is the century where we are supposed to be getting around in flying cars and wearing some rather questionable clothing. Instead, we are still driving on land and we had a brief period...the eighties where we wore some questionable clothing. This issue of HAUTE PINK is compiled of firsts. It’s our first “mini” issue. Our first issue with nothing for sale and the first issue of a new decade. You’re probably wondering what we’re going to talk about in this issue since there will be no mention of products. This month it’s all about “Goals”. I don’t believe in resolutions, because they are never kept. Goals are easier to focus on and less intimidating and you can always add to them. A few goal suggestions: Change your hairstyle and/or color, clean your closet, learn a language, meet new people, read a book, change your lipstick, learn how to change a tire, cook a difficult dish or smile more. Here’s your challenge for 2011, do something that you have always wanted to do or try, but didn’t have the nerve to. You’ll be surprised how unintimidating that thing is.

Happy New Year

GOALS... What’s On Your List?

I have a long list of things I want to do this year. A couple of years ago I did a blog entry about some of the things I wanted to accomplish in 2009. Praise God, I did them all. In that blog entry I made it clear I donʼt believe in resolutions. Instead, I chose to set goals, desires and dreams...these are a lot easier to accomplish. I encourage you to do the same thing. Make three lists: GOALS, DESIRES and DREAMS. Keep them realistic and for the more challenging ones, draft a buddy. Someone that will keep you accountable. If one of your goals is to lose weight, then ask a friend who is a gym rat to help you with this one. If itʼs study a subject you have an interest in, call your friend the bookworm to help you with this one. If you have been a little nervous about changing your look, call you friend the fashionista and ask her to go shopping with you. If itʼs your desire and dream to start your own business, find a local business similar to what you want to do and ask the owner for advice on how to get started. And if you want to meet someone, donʼt ask your single friend, ask your married girlfriend whoʼs been married the longest or your mother( smile). Relax, mother really does know best and she probably has a friend with a single son. (For the few guys reading this...a single daughter.) Whatʼs on my list? Iʼve been writing my list in my head and now itʼs time to write it.

1. Lose Weight - I lost 30 pounds in 2010 but that was phase one. Now itʼs to phase two which Iʼm keeping a secret.

2. Study more - It was my desire to study my Bible more in 2010 which I did. Now I want to kick my Bible study time up a notch. I have always wanted to learn French, so this year Iʼm going to give it a try.

3. Redecorate my bedroom - My room is in need of a major overhaul and thatʼs all Iʼm saying.4. Expand my cooking skills - This will be easy because we just remodeled our kitchen5. Meet new people - Last year I joined a writerʼs group and got involved in Helps Ministry at my

church. Iʼm not quite sure how Iʼll meet this goal this year.6. Figure out Facebook - I have two Facebook accounts and I donʼt have a clue what Iʼm doing. 7. Blog more - I have changed the look of my blog several times, but I want to blog more frequently.8. Read the stack of books I collected last year - Since I started writing, I have acquired quite a

few books...some for pleasure and some for reference. 9. Finish the books I started writing last year - these are the third book in my series and the other

two are stand alone novels.10. Take a vacation - I am ashamed to admit I havenʼt taken a vacation or a mini break in a few years.

This year, Iʼm going somewhere that doesnʼt involve me walking around a showroom, convention center, or sitting in a meeting room. I really need to spend some time seated at a pool with a handsome man bringing me cool drinks.

11.Renew my Passport - I put this off because I hadnʼt been on vacation. 12.Start dating - This is a big one and it has the potential to be intimidating...if I let it.

These are a few of the things on my list. Whatʼs on your list?

Itʼs the beginning of a new year and there are a few things to

make sure you start the year off right.1. Clean your closet and dresser - Get rid of anything

you canʼt wear, that canʼt be repaired or havenʼt worn in awhile. Exceptions - you be the judge. I always

keep vintage couture and things with a sentimental value, I put in a storage box or bag in the back of my

closet.2. Clean out your lingerie drawer - If itʼs ripped and not

supportive, dump it and restock the basics. And a few new nighties wouldnʼt hurt either. A lady should always

look like a sleeping duchess.3. De-clutter your desk - Put 2010 to rest and start off

with a clean slate or desk blotter.4. Pull your credit report - The government made it

possible to get a free copy once a year.5. Visit the doctor and dentist - Make your appointments for your check ups.

6. Review important papers (i.e. insurance, investments, passport, warranties, etc.)7. Clean out the pantry - thereʼs probably food way in the back thatʼs almost as old as you

8. Dump your old makeup and reorganize your vanity - If itʼs been on your vanity for more than twelve months, sorry, itʼs time for it to go. Get over how much you paid for it. Chalk it up as a costly lesson and

next time make it a point to use it.9. Back up your computer hard drive10.Prep files for tax time11. If you have a down comforter and pillows, get them cleaned. Otherwise, out with the old synthetic

pillow and in with the new. Pillows are supposed to be changed or cleaned once a year.12.Clean out your linen closet. Just like your lingerie drawer, get rid of the things that cannot be fixed. To

start the year off right, buy a new set of bed linens and bath towels.13.Change your furnace filter14.Get a new toothbrush15.Clean out your everyday handbag16.Check the batteries in the smoke detector(s)17.Refill your first aid kit. If you donʼt have one, buy one for your house and one for your car.

18.Review your emergency plan and kit19.Change the batteries in your flashlight20. Change the place where you hid your spare set of keys21. Clean out your TIVO or DVR

New Year To

Do List...

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hand lettering by alan ariail