30 by 30

I will turn 30 in January of 2014. That gives me nearly 3 years to make a go at this benchmark birthday list. Note to self-no excuses.

1. Learn to sew...something. And then practice it to further the skill.
2. Landscape the backyard.
3. Take an epic trip.
4. Go to the Getty.
5. Find my perfect shade of red lipstick.
6. Do a daring activity. Possibly sky diving.
7. Find an exercise activity beyond walking and do it regularly not sporadically.
8. Visit the south.
9. Go to Napa.
10. Find some coveralls and take a tour of the space under our house. The attic and I are already acquainted.
11. Find my favorite bottle of wine. Not just the cheap stuff.
12. Make a fabulous four course dinner.

13-30 have not been defined, but then again I have the next 3 years to figure them out.

Wish List

In case the man in my life needs inspiration...

For the living room so I finish my coffee in time to get ready for work in the morning.

Available online or in store here.

For all the ravioli and penne we consume:

Also available online or in store here.

Also this cutting board from the woman who makes everything a temptation (sorry, no photo.)

For the morning watering and "cleaning" of the yard:

Available from my mothership, here.

A new vintage kitchen. You know why. If it needs to double as birthday, that's fine too!

Wishing and Hoping...

For this chaise lounge. It's amazing. I think a chaise lounge would suit me extremely well. Just saying "chaise lounge" is lovely. But not as lovely as owning that piece of furniture. It even fits two people!

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The List

Through various mentors in my life, I have been told a number of times how important it is to write a list of goals or dreams to try and achieve as we age. Starting the list the earlier the better is certainly ideal, much like retirement saving, so there is no good time like the present.

This is slightly off the cuff and will most likely be continued privately, but it makes for a good starting point.

1. To own my own home
2. To be a mom
3. Learn to sew
4. Take a 4 month trip to Europe
5. Experience Africa through Scott's eyes
6. Participate in more volunteer work
7. Enter a pie into the OC Fair baking contest
8. Learn how to play an instrument, even at a beginner level
9. See the south
10. Dance again

These can certainly change, but in the here and now as I enjoy my morning cup 'o joe, it seems like the start to a good list of challenges.

Wish List

I hope I am not alone in having secret wish lists year round of things that I would love to buy, though at this time I feel slightly guilty coveting things when people are out of work and struggling to make ends meet. I can't necessarily justify spending the money to buy these things nor necessarily afford all of them, but sometimes it helps by putting things on paper (or HTML) to really understand if they are just wants or actually needs. If anything else, maybe in a few months I can help stimulate the economy myself!

1. A Schwinn Cruiser, preferably in a super sweet color like eggplant or aqua

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2. An organized workspace
This would entail a new desk, shelves, drawers with files, etc.

Note: I am pretty traditional in my design needs-a roadie box turned into a desk is not my style, I just got lazy searching on Google images for something and this one kept popping up.
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3. A dresser/chest of drawers and someone to decorate my current home and future home. I am not talented in this area!

I definitely don't need a $1700 dresser either, imposters are fine. Al's Woodcraft anyone?

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4. A new camera

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I have loved my CanonPowershot that has been all over the world, literally. Twice to Africa and London with Scott, and New York, Boston, and Fiji with the two of us. He is old, tired, and a little fatigued. Sadly, he is ready for retirement after a good 6 years serving.

5. To meet Stacy London and Clinton Kelly and go on a shopping spree!

I am pretty sure they'd be open to me as a friend!

This list is always subject to additions and subtractions (though at this time I am thinking more of the former.) That bike is definitely number one for me!