{Me and Martha.}

Well, it is officially 2014, which means my year-long project has begun. Sort of.
We've been in that after-the-holidays-funk, so we haven't really tested ourselves in the kitchen. That will change this weekend! I was going to cook my way through Martha's Cooking School book, but then I thought, wouldn't it be more fun to live this year through her monthly "Living" magazine instead? I mean, she covers everything appropriate for every month on the calendar- cooking, crafting, good thoughts, good things, etc. I'll still use the book, but the magazine seems like a better fit.
Problem- it's now the 3rd of January, and I still haven't seen this months edition on newsstands or lighting up my kindle screen :/
What's a girl to do?
I'll tell you what I did. After a crap day at work, I stopped by Michael's (conveniently located at the end of our street) and picked up a few things for something I had in mind. Not a Martha craft per se, but I definitely think she would approve!

(...until I get home from work, and can get better ones, this photo from my phone will have to suffice)

 

I took a wooden picture frame (10x10) and replace the generic picture with a sheet of burlap and the glass that the frame came with. I topped it with some birch wood slices (for coasters) and 2 small (faux) magnolia buds in that beautiful blue vase. I think it makes for a very pretty little setting!

Decorating goal for 2014: bring more of the outside, in.

{2014: my year of living like Martha}

So, I've read/watched this:

...and I've read this:

...and I've started cooking my way through this (but stopped out of laziness):

With a new year and my 30th birthday around the corner, I feel like I want to have my very own year-long challenge. So, I will take these last few days of  December 2013 to get myself ready, and enjoy Christmas with our loved ones. My adventure begins on January 1st. I will be cooking Martha's recipes, crafting Martha's...crafts, and generally following her guidelines for living. All while trying to (finally) become a mom and upgrade us to a slightly larger home.

{Becoming a Proper Lady.}

  

Recent pop culture events (ie: Miley at the VMAs...reality t.v...countless other "celebrity" antics) have left me scratching my head. 

What has happened to our society? I mean seriously. I don't know about you, but I've had enough. I may not be a mother but I am an Aunt and knowing that this is what my nieces are growing up with...it makes my stomach turn. 

I'm not saying that I am the perfect example of a proper lady, but I damn sure try. I want to give these girls someone to look up to. I want to live a life to be proud of.