Resolutions...Take 2!

My goodness how time flies! It's already January 17, 2012 and we are more than TWO WEEKS in to the new year!!! How's everyone doing on those resolutions? Eh? So-so? Been better? GREAT? 

One thing I love about the new year is that it's a time to reinvent yourself. We make resolutions and try sticking to them in an effort to make ourselves better people. I don't mean in a "changing your entire being because you were a downer last year and hate yourself" kind of way, but a "I'm already a confident person who might have had a crummy end to last year so what am I gonna do about it" kind of way. It's taken me a while to figure out what I want to improve upon last year, because 2011 was a BIG year...HUGE even! SO MUCH stuff happened and I'm so thankful to be where I am today. But I figure it's still January, so why not make resolutions now...and anyway this way I might have an easier time sticking to them because they don't seem like set in stone resolutions because it's so late. Now they are basically goals that I'm voicing near the beginning of the year.

1) I really need to stop biting my nails! I have gone through times when I will leave them alone and I think I've stopped biting them but then I notice that one is longer than the others. I proceed to pick that one off in an effort to "even" it up with the others. That backfires because I always make it shorter than every other nail so I bite them all off and tell myself it will be different this time if they get to start over. That's laughable! So seriously...2012 is the year I stop biting my nails!

2) I really need a job! I have been looking for almost a year now with no steady job and very few real leads. I've contacted, followed up with, asked for any other leads, and recontacted firms too numerous to count! I know the jobs aren't always available but I gotta say it's growing discouraging. This wasn't intended to be a debbie downer kind of post so that is all I will say in my personal little pity party. 2012...I'm conquering a job and I'm going to be the best new hire any company could ask for!

3) I'm revitalizing my mark. business! mark. is a company that takes fashion and beauty trends and challenges young women to make their mark. It's an empowering brand with Ashley Greene, a powerhouse of a role model as their brand ambassador. If I, through the relaunch of my mark. eBoutique can expose just one person to the idea of making their mark on the world and changing the world for the better, then I think I've completed what I set out to. Here's the direct link to my mark eBoutique: http://mboice.mymarkstore.com/

4) I'm going to get serious about working out! I like yoga! I like feeling refreshed and rejuvenated after sweating and stretching! As a former dancer I have one outlet that gets my heart pumping and is fun and exciting. That's all well and good. What gets me though is the fact that I like dancing to work out, but I think running, jogging, lifting weights, swimming, etc. is just redundant and pointless. I HATE jogging...WITH A PASSION! I LOVE performing! But I don't have a way of doing that anymore. So I resolve to do yoga, pilates, and ballet barre to work out. I wish there was a Barre3 near me!

I think that's enough to share with the whole of the internet!

Hope you are all enjoying 2012 and making the absolute most of each and every minute God has given you!

Vern Yip

Yesterday I had the pleasure of meeting HGTV Designer Vern Yip!
Last week I got a text from a classmate saying Vern would be visiting the local I.O. Metro store. Vern has partnered with the furniture and decor retailer and is touring the stores, I suppose as a spokesperson. I was SO excited at the thought of meeting such a renowned designer, I simply couldn't miss the opportunity. So...yesterday was quite a full day!
First, my husband had class and a meeting on campus, then I had to finish homework. When Joe got home, I left for the super cute coffee shop near I.O metro, since I didn't know how long my homework was going to take. I got done with my work a couple hours earlier than I thought I would so I headed back home to see my man.
On my way out of the parking lot I thought I'd drive by I.O. Metro and just see if there was a line and whether I should jump in line or not. There wasn't so I continued on home. BUT...there are two extremely important things you should know before reading the next part of this post!

1. The store is on a corner in the parking lot
2. I look at other drivers as I pass them going the opposite direction

As I was pulling around the corner, I noticed the driver of the champagne colored sedan was none other than the exact person I was hoping to see in just a couple hours! It's safe to say, as a result of my stupid starstruckedness...and there I go making up words...my turn was not as sharp as it could have been. I didn't hit him, but I was definitely MUCH closer than I would have liked, or even should have been if concentrating on my driving AT ALL. I just keep telling myself that it really wasn't that close and that Vern had something else on his mind and didn't notice. *Crosses fingers* Vern, If you're reading this, I apologize profusely. WAY TO LEAVE A GOOD FIRST IMPRESSION, KATE!!!
Anyway, when the time was right and my girls were ready to go, we finally made our trip to the store. We stood in the rather short line and got to ask Vern a couple questions about our portfolios. He didn't seem to remember me as the dipstick who can't drive, so all is well.
It was a good meeting, and I feel I left a good enough impression that I won't be completely skipped over in a couple of years when I have experience and projects under my belt and am auditioning for Design Star. *Crosses fingers*...again!