here goes.... Day Zero/75 in 1001 Project

I sat down this weekend and thought about this list. I really think the idea is great! Putting 101 things you would like to accomplish down on paper makes me accountable to accomplish the items and they are things I truly REALLY want to do in the next 3 years. Here is a little recap of what the Day Zero/75 in 1001 Project is. {yes, the project is really 101 in 1001 but I made a list of 75, therefore cutting it down!

The Mission:
Complete 75 preset tasks/goals/challenges in a period of 1001 days.

The Criteria:
Tasks must be specific (i.e. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and represent "stretching."

Why 1001 Days?
It's all about a realistic deadline. 1001 days (about 2.75 years) allows you several seasons to complete tasks, which is better for organizing and timing things like overseas trips or outdoor activities.

Start Date: January 1, 2010
End Date: December 20, 2013
Goals Complete: 0/75
Goals in Progress: 0/75

Here is my list....

Health/Fitness/Beauty :
1. Get a Facial every season.

2. Go to a Yoga class once a week.

3. Sign up for a race once a season.

4. Try a Pilates mat class.

5. Try a Pilates reformer class.

6. Run my 5th marathon.

7. Do a 2 week cleanse: no alcohol, no carbs, no sugar, no processed food.

8. Lose 12 pounds before my 30th bday.

9. Get a Minx manicure.

10. Get my hair back to the roots {natural hair color}.

11. Run the San Francisco all women's 1/2 marathon.

12. Run the 7 mile bridge run with beau in the Keys.

13. Invest in fancy eye cream.

Friends/Family/Beau:

14. Send my best friends a care package just because.

15. Send my parents a thank you gift just because.

16. Send my sisters flowers just because.

17. Take a vacation with beau, no friends and family.

18. Take a trip in my sister's airstream trailer, Amelia.

19, Get a dog.

20. Take a walk on the beach once a week with my beau.

21. Kiss my Beau on the top of the Eiffel Tower.

22. Visit my siblings twice a year.

23. Go to an Syracuse Football weekened with our significant others.

Travel/Learning/Adventure:

24. Learn conversational Dutch.

25. Cook out of one cookbook from front to cover.

26. Start a dinner club.

27. Plan a lavish birthday party for a friend.

28. Plan a lavish dinner party for my 30th birthday.

29. Make Fresh Bread.

30. Swim with Dolphins.

31. Drive cross country {fly back!}.

32. Make a homemade cocktail once a week.

33. Hike in Yellowstone Park.

34. Have dinner at French Laundry.

35. Make french macaroons

36. Attend the NYC opera at the MET.

37. Go to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade.

38. Visit Holland during tulip season.

39. Learn to sew.

40. Take a photography class.

41. Visit New Orleans.

42. Visit Savannah, Georgia.

43. Volunteer an at elderly home.

44. Make a homemade soup once a week.

45. Clean out my closet twice a year.

46. Host a swap party.

47. Donate my old clothes to a charity.

48. Go to Wine Country with beau.

49. Donate to my alma mater once a year.

50. Attend a Beyonce concert

Financial/Home:

51. Save up my money for a pair of Christian Louboutins.

52. Save up my money for the Marc Jacob bags I have been drooling over for years.

52. Pay off my credit card bill.

53. Buy a chair at a thrift and learn how to reholpolster it.

54. Take my 401K and find a way transfer it into a way of savings.

55. Hang up curtains in every room of our house.

56. Organize the cabinets in our kitchen.

57. Plant an herb garden in our yard instead of the pots of plants.

58. Redo our "bar". Re paint, new photo painted.

59. Stock our bar with adult beverages.

60. Invest in a side table form West Elm for our dining room.

61. Organize my contact lists in my computer.

62. Make my portfolio.

62. Grow my blog readership

63. Move blog from Blogger to Wordpress.

64. Decorate the back yard/pool. {strings of lights, patio chairs, etc.}

65. Host a SURPRISE party at our home.

66. Organize all of our files into one large filing cabinet and label and clean.

67. Organize photos into albums.

68. Organize all loose recipes.

69. Puchase a fresh pasta maker.

Professional:

70. Have an event published in a magazine.

71. Meet Martha Stewart.

72. Plan a wedding {a friends, a clients, maybe my own.}

73. Take some culinary classes.

74. Have a core group of clients who will travel with me.

75. Attend Engaged12. ~ Luxury Wedding Conference.

I hope you enjoyed a sneak at mine. If you have done a list, let me know. DO share!

xoxo~ Rebecca

HAPPY NEW YEAR! ~Day Zero/101 in 1001 Project

HAPPY NEW YEAR! I got back from Holland on Sunday and too be quite honest, haven't realized the whole new year thing yet. I was in such a rush over the holidays {great time though!} that I didn't really stop and think about what I wanted accomplish in 2011. This is the year I turn the big 3-0! There are so many things I want to do that every year I say I'll do, well time to stop saying and doing. I read about this awesome project on Peach and Pearl Blog and I had to share. I am going to complete my project this weekend. I wanted share the details and Emily's project. I think it is a GREAT idea. No more waiting, 2011, it's time to find the happiness and excitement in life!

A brief recap for those of you unfamiliar with the Day Zero/101 in 1001 Project:

The Mission:
Complete 101 preset tasks/goals/challenges in a period of 1001 days.

The Criteria:
Tasks must be specific (i.e. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and represent "stretching."

Why 1001 Days?
It's all about a realistic deadline. 1001 days (about 2.75 years) allows you several seasons to complete tasks, which is better for organizing and timing things like overseas trips or outdoor activities.

Start Date: January 1, 2010
End Date: September 27, 2013
Goals Complete: 1/101
Goals in Progress: 3/101
Last Updated: January 5, 2010

BOLD marks a completed item
PEACH marks a partially completed or in-progress item

Here is Emily's list...

Kind :: to myself and others
1. Pay the bill for someone behind me in the drive-through line
2. Make a new friend
3. Send a care package to someone I don't know
4. Get a pedicure once every summer (0/3)
5. Volunteer at the animal shelter at least twice a month (0/66)
6. Complete the 100 Pushup Challenge
7. Take walk after work once a week (0/132)
8. Leave a lovely sticky note on a stranger's windshield
9. Start going to a fun exercise class, like Pure Barre or Irish dance
10. Visit one or both grandmas (without parents!)
11. Cultivate five habits to make my life more green (0/5)
12. Seek out five people I know who are getting married and offer my expertise (0/5)
13. Read To Kill a Mockingbird (my favorite book of all time) every August (0/3)

Settled :: at home, wherever that may be
14. Reupholster a piece of furniture
15. Get at least one room to a place where I feel it's fully decorated
16. Make a fresh flower arrangement every month (0/33)
17. Live somewhere with a window seat
18. Invest in IRA every year (0/3)
19. Buy or install new shelving for books
20. Can or pickle some sort of vegetable
21. Transfer car insurance from parents
22. Acquire a KitchenAid mixer
23. Buy a new cookbook every year (0/3)
24. Buy that chair I really want at the flea market and refinish it
25. Buy a car
26. Successfully transport trunk from Island to apartment
27. Personal

Daring and Adventurous
28. Visit Canada (preferably Montreal, Quebec, or Prince Edward Island)
29. Attend an opera
30. Try raw milk
31. Go treehouse camping or glamping
32. Cheer at a Southern football game
33. Eat vegetarian for three separate weeks (do not have to be consecutive) (0/3)
34. Backpack and camp at least once a year (0/3)
35. Attend The Nutcracker every year (experiencing as many different versions as possible) (0/2)
36. Visit Chincoteague
37. Have a croissant at a French cafe
38. Stealth-plant tulips
39. Explore two more states/regions I've never been to (0/2)
40. Wear a large hat to the Kentucky Derby
41. Host an adventure dinner party like Jordan
42. Go to Europe
43. Attend the ballet (besides The Nutcracker)
44. Try ten new foods (0/10)

Faithful
45. Read the New Testament
46. Go on a missions trip
47. Increase giving/tithing by 5% every year (0/2)
48. Kneel in prayer at least once a week (0/132)
49. Invite someone to come to church with John and me
50. Go to church when traveling (to experience new pastors and ways of doing things)
51. Do another service at the Island
52. Find a way to observe the Sabbath
53. Email Adam Hamilton sermons to three people who might be interested (0/3)
54. Find a Bible study that meets regularly at FUMC
55. Add one piece to the Willow Tree nativity each year (0/2)

Creative
56. Post my outfit every day for one month (0/31)
57. Memorize another favorite poem
58. Acquire a sewing machine and make something with its assistance
59. Get someone to publish my thesis
60. Put together a portfolio of projects I've worked on -- both personal and professional
61. Make a quilt for picnics
62. Read biographies of five people I admire (0/5)
63. Interview, shadow, or intern with three people who do things/have jobs I'd like to learn more about (0/3)
64. Buy two new books of poetry every year (0/6)
65. Make another video commemorating a big trip or event
66. Improve product photography skills
67. Improve product styling skills
68. Develop a product to collaborate on with Aunt Nan and open a dedicated Etsy store for it
69. Learn something from someone I admire (i.e. flower arranging from the Little Flower School or Blossom and Branch, fabric crafts from Purl, Adobe programs or photography from Nicole Hill Gerulat)
70. Consult with a calligrapher and then buy real calligraphy supplies
71. Get Peach & Pearl a spiffy new look
72. Grow blog to over 500 subscribers in Google Reader
73. Get to 50 sales on Etsy (23/50)
74. Monetize blog
75. Switch blog platform from Blogger to Wordpress
76. Make a favicon
77. Design and print return address labels for P&P packaging

Warm and Welcoming
78. Start a book club like Brooke
79. Host an outdoor party when fruit trees are in bloom
80. Purchase six books I remember from my childhood -- nice, hardcover copies (0/6)
81. Plan another backpacking adventure with as many friends as will come
82. Successfully dock a boat each summer at the Island (0/3)
83. Host a series of collaborative dinners a la Sunday Suppers
84. Send news to The Quarterly at least once a year (0/3)
85. Transfer Christmas card recipient list/log to Google Docs like Kate

Joyful
86. Buy cowboy boots
87. Learn a new ballroom dance every year (0/3)
88. Find a signature drink and learn how to mix it
89. Jump off the dock at the Island once a year (0/3)
90. Adopt a beagle
91. Learn how to French braid my hair
92. Learn how to French braid the hair of others
93. Buy a classic Christmas book every year (0/2)
94. Meet Eddie Ross
95. Buy new (vision) glasses
96. Read my thesis every May (0/3)
97. Practice yoga three times a week for three months (0/36)
98. Read the entire Chronicles of Narnia series (0/7)
99. Develop a classical playlist on Grooveshark
100. Watch a taping of The Martha Stewart Show
101. Begin a new 101 in 1001 list!

Let me know if anybody starts the project. I would love to see what's on your list. I'll be sharing mine soon!

the Lululemon manifesto

Lululemon, sigh, there is something I love so much about you. Everytime I walk into your stores I feel happy. You are totally on my list of happy places. I pretty much live in my groove pants on the weekends. I kind of wish I could throw on heels, a sparkly necklace and call that a date night outfit? no?

Have you ever read the Lululemon Manifest? No? Get out one of your red recyclable bags from the store and start reading. I love the statements on this bag SO much I think I might hang up a poster of the manifest in my office this year just inspire me!

Oh my, these statements are SO true! Friends are more important than money, 150% agreed. My move to Florida has made me appreciate the amazing wonderful friends I truly have in my life no matter where in the world I live they will always be. No dollar, euro, RMB could buy me the besties I have! {yep ladies, no chinese coins could replace you!}

Here are a few favorites:

A daily hit of athletic-induced endorphins gives you the power to make better decisions, helps you be at peace with yourself, and offsets stress.

*

Drink FRESH water and as much water as you can. Water flushes unwanted toxins from your body and keeps your brain sharp.

*

Your outlook on life is a direct reflection of how much you like yourself.

*

Jealousy works the opposite way you want it to.

*

Breathe deeply and appreciate the moment. Living in the moment could be the meaning of life.

*

Successful people replace the words 'wish', 'should' and 'try', with 'I will'.

*

Do not use cleaning chemicals on your kitchen counters. Someone will inevitably make a sandwich on your counter.

*

Nature wants us to be mediocre because we have a greater chance to survive and reproduce.

*

Mediocre is as close to the bottom as it is to the top, and will give you a lousy life.

...now I need to listen to all of these items and actually do them myself!

Maybe I should read this every day before I go to bed as a reminder to live my life and do them. Maybe I should read it in French? Doesn't it read so much prettier in the Francais version? Do yoga, breathe, drink water, laugh, enjoy life! As beau reminds me daily....its not that bad, enjoy it!

xoxo~Becca

back to blogging

I know that these past few months I have been a bit sporadic with keeping up the Urban Flip Flop blogging. Recently I think, where did all my time go! I wake up in the morning and have 101 things I want to get accomplished and then I go to bed with a list of 102 things plus a few more that I still want to get done. Today when it was chilly {finally} and got oh so dark out way too early I thought "tonight I'm going to organize my life and accomplish stuff!". I came home, made dinner and sat down at the dining room table ready to organize, {glass of vino by my side}.

{image from:LCY Etsy Shop}

I started blogging as an outpost of my thoughts while in DC. A way to write about my transition from moving to my home of 7 years, Washington DC to Florida, this new questionable state. I thought that blogging would be a great way to post stories about my struggle to find a job, interviewing, packing, moving, post things I love that I couldn't share with my friends over drinks and all my experiences of my life with beau here in Fort Lauderdale. It has been! However...

{Image from: ishoutnouns Etsy}

I started to get busy with my move, travel, work, etc. I have been blogging here and there. I have joined a lot of organizations in Fort Lauderdale. I have been forced to put myself out there, build a new life here, meet new people, do a lot of things and next thing I know Florida just took time from me and my blogging. By the time I went to sit at my computer.....the day was over...and I was falling asleep.

{image from KeepCalmShop Etsy}

So here I am. I am back and going to be blogging. I am scheduling blogging into my life. I love writing my thoughts, sharing my ideas, parties, travels, dreams, everything. If I have 1 or 100 or more followers, well oh well, doesn't matter. Becca the Blogger. From my urban life to wearing flip flops and the interesting things I have found in between, I will be back writing about them and everything else.

{image from MADEBYGIRL Etsy}

The picture above, hhhmm, I think it might look nice in our room. I hope beau likes it because it explains what I love and what I've been spending my time on....reading blogs and getting caught up all the wonderful things that are out there to read!

So that being said.... here I am back to blogging....

xoxo~Becca

because...it's my BIRTHDAY

I woke up this morning and went on a quick run to start my birthday. I had a nice breakfast with beau and his parents, wearing my lovely balloon crown from my beau (oh yes, pics to come!). I got some very nice gifts (a bike! tickets to a musical I LOVE, a great pink necklace from my sister). On my way to work I decided to stop and get a coffee. The pink mini donut at Starbucks was calling my name (as it does every time I see it) but this time I thought "oh who cares, its my birthday!". I mean truly, how cute is this little pink donut!

So here I am, 29, one more year to the big 3-0! Instead of New Year's resolutions, I am going to make some birthday resolutions. There is a list of things I want to do before I turn 30.

So here is to my day full of cupcakes, mini pink donuts, bubbly and everything wonderful! Thank you for the birthday wishes! Next year....let's all celebrate together.

xoxo~the birthday girl Becca

a day to remember

I saw this print and I felt like it was fitting for my day ahead. (I'll write more tomorrow.) The print is fitting. Today is the beginning of moving forward to living what I love.

a new bag

I want a new purse. It's Spring. I'm bored of my selection. I want something new to carry back and forth to work every day. Oh if only my budget would allow. I can wish!

MZ Wallace Bea - $395
Rebecca Minkoff Flame Linear Studded Leather Satchel - Top Handles -..., $595

Nine West $89

Women's Navigation - Women - Marquee satchel - J.Crew, $280

Tory Burch Tevin Leather Satchel - Tory Burch - Bloomingdales.com, $595
Coach :: Kristin, $350
Windsor Palace Snake Gwendolyn at kate spade, $595

Coach Sydney Bag: $798

Shamrock Shake

St. Patricks Day when I was really little was always a fun day. At school we had an Irish Jig contest and my mom would make us skirts with shamrocks for the contest. I was a bit to little, but my sister I believe may have won a few times. After school we would get to go to McDonald's and get Shamrock Shakes. I woke up this morning craving one! I think I need to indulge this afternoon in this minty flavored milkshake. Green Beer, forget it. Minty McDonald's milkshake, absolutely!



xoxo~Becca

Happy 2010!

Happy 2010! I started my New Year off this morning by laying in bed for hours, drinking coffee and reading magazines, I absolutely love doing that. I started to think of the past ten years, what I've done, where I've been. Some fun memories came into my mind

that I thought I would share. Wow, the last 10 years have been quite a decade.

Here is to the next 10 and many many more memories! Happy New Year!

{10 years of memories}

***

Attended Syracuse University

Joined a sorority

Met great forever girlfriends

Lived in London (Saw Prince Harry & William, sigh)

Interned in NYC

Graduated College

Travelled to fabulous countries: France, Italy, Scotland, Austria, Ireland, Mexico, Canada

Got my first job at the Kennedy Center

Saw Beyonce live in person at work, served her fried chicken. (hee hee, yes, huge deal!)

Moved to Washington DC

Met more great forever girlfriends in my new city

Ran my first, second, third and fourth marathon

Ran a 1/2 marathon with my parents

Sold my car and became public transportation friendly

Opened the Newseum and started a new job

Stood on the mall with my sisters and 1,000's of others watching Obama's Inauguration

Voted in my 1st presidential election, voted in the 2009 election!!!

Moved into my own place

Stood in three of my best friends weddings

Started practicing yoga

Got braces for the 2nd time.

Saw Queen Martha live in person with my oldest sister

Watched the Piano Man perform for my Dad's birthday

Relived my youth by going to a New Kids concert

Started blogging, opened a Gmail Account, Twitter account, Facebook account,

life will never be the same.

Bought my first designer handbag (haha, big memory out of college of buying Louis!)

Did the South Beach Diet, Weight Watchers, Cleanse and am still hunting for

the magical weight loss plan

Dressed up for Halloween as a Brownie, Starbucks Barista, Witch, Princess Leia

Hosted my first Thanksgiving

Begin a great tradition with my sisters of the Sister Box

Died my hair black, blonde, brown and a little in between

Read the Twilight series

Ate my first Magnolia Bakery Cupcake

Went to St. Tropez with a bestie

Grew up ....a little

Worked at an amazing inauguration event with my sisters

Got ready for the next decade of my life to bring bigger, better and more wonderful memories!

xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Planning for the New Year

At the beginning of every year I search and search for what agenda to purchase. There is something I love about writing in a calendar. I still use my iPhone for a majority of my appointments but there is something I love about writing in a paper agenda and seeing the big picture. Here are a few of my suggestions if you are searching for one as well.

My Agenda - These are made my the same company who make the Mom Agenda's. They are so detailed with room for every day and every time. They come in pretty metallic colors this year. I love that they started making them for the not moms. I have a busy life too!:)

Moleskin - The classic moleskin brand has created a book with individual planners for each month. You do not need to carry around a large year planner anymore! My sister and I discovered them last week in Seattle and I think we let out a little cheer of excitement when we saw them!

Graphic Image - I have been admiring this planner for two years. It is so pretty. The pages have gilt edges, you can get it monogrammed. I love it. Maybe I will treat myself to this in 2010.

Planner Pad - I know, this is not a stylish planner, however I have heard all of raves about them. If you want to be super organized invest in this and decorate the outside!

Tiffany's - OK this would be a luxury I know, but how pretty is it! Patent leather Tiffany blue!

Kate Spade - I always loved this planner, unfortunately they switched it up. Unlike in the past with a daily calendar they have made it smaller to only have three pages per month. If you are looking for a pretty desk calendar, this is it.

always planning! xoxo