Rewind: Year in Review 2012

My oh my, another year has passed. Big changes happened in 2012, most of them completely unexpected but exciting nonetheless. Some of the BIG life events that took place...

nikkiMdesign partnered with the Buffalo Design Collaborative

My baby started Kindergarten

We sold our home in the city and bought a farm in the country

My husband changed jobs

My father suffered a heart attack

I became a grandma

I have been putting off reviewing last years goals. Why? Because I know that I did not reach most of them, but I'm okay with it now. I tried my best and that is all I can do.  :) 

So...let's REWIND!

2012 Goals:

1 Work with my partner to establish Nest Interiors as the go to showroom.

Accomplished with slight changes.

I established nikkiMdesign as a full-time interior design and commission artwork business. nikkiMdesign partnered with the Buffalo Design Collaborative bringing nikkimdesign into the commercial design market. I created an online presence with the launch of my new website and social networks, as well as working with White Orchard Home Furnishings to provide educational design seminars to consumers. I have networked with new associations and brought my artwork and crafts to local markets. I am quite satisfied with the results of this goal. 

2. Triple sales through my Etsy shop.

Not accomplished.

I only doubled my sales with Etsy, however, I sold prints through society6 nikkimdesign shop and doubled my work doing commission paintings. So although I didn't specifically reach the goal as it was written, I did expand my brand. :) 

3. Read 14 novels this year.

Almost accomplished. 

I read 10 novels.

4. Learn/create urban/street art. Large scale.

Not accomplished.

Unfortunaetly, I did not find the time to work toward this goal. I think it is a good one to move to this year though. 

5. End of year goal weight...115 lbs.

Not accomplished.

I really hate this goal. It is cliche and I just can't seem to care enough to pursue it seriously. I need to rethink this one. Part of me would like to shave off about 10 lbs. and the other part of me thinks I look just fine! Meh.

6. Finish refinishing the hallway staircase.

Accomplished! And then we sold our house! :-P

Hmmm. I guess I didn't do as bad as I thought.

I would love to know...

Do you set goals or resolutions? How was your year? 

♥♥♥

Winter Blues

It is March, dreary March. The skies have been grey for too long. The days are stale and mundane. This time of year is always a struggle for me, and I'm sure, you. I try to keep positive by surrounding myself with the ones I love, reading great books, and crafting, but somehow, every year at this time I get down.

So, in order to keep my spirits up, I decided to crochet something cute, bright, and fun...and these little bears were just perfect.

Their bright colors, goofy proportions, and itty bitty hearts have brought a little spring into my world over the past few days. I've set them on my table in the kitchen in front of a vase of flowers, and I think that is where they will stay for now. I am able to see them in the morning when I get my coffee, in the late afternoon when I'm making dinner, and just before bed when I turn off the lights in the house for the evening. Every time I pass by, they put a smile on my face.

Aren't they just adorable? I think I'm going to make a whole family of them. 

Tell me, how do you beat the winter blues?

GOALS FOR 2012

Listed below are my goals for 2012. I have the year to reach my goals before reevaluating them. Ready. Set. Go.

1. Work with my partner, to establish Nest Interiors as the go to showroom for the best products and interior design services in Buffalo, NY

How?
-That's our secret. :)

2. Triple sales through my Etsy shop.

How?
-Responding quickly to requests and customer needs
- Put this years sales back into marketing/advertising.
-Reach out to popular blogs for interview/mentions.
-Create new products. Setting aside time each week to explore ideas.
-Bring items to local stores/markets for sale.

3. Read 14 novels this year.

How?
-Join a book club for interesting recommendations, wonderful conversation, and friendships with like-minded people.

4. Learn and create street/urban paintings. Large Scale

How?
-YouTube tutorials
-Setting up studio in basement to allow for throwing, splashing, dripping of paint on canvas.
-Not being afraid of making a mistake. Experimenting.

5. End of year goal weight...115 lbs.

How?
-Continue speed walking in mornings.
-Portion control.
-Being aware of calorie intake.
-More sex ;-)
-Drinking more water

6. Finish refinishing the hallway staircase.

How?
-Take a few days off during the year and dedicate those days to only working on the stairs.

Each year I write my goals on our kitchen wall so that I have them in view as a reminder of where I want to be by the end of the year. It works well.

If you have any goals or ideas for me on how I can better meet my goals this year, please leave me a comment. I would love to hear from you! :)

Happy New Year!