2018 Here We Go

Hi friends! Happy 2018! New year, new goals, and chatting about the past year. 2017 was one hell of a year. I graduated college, moved back to suburbia, JMC turned 5!, completed a 5 month internship, started pursuing my MBA, went on a road trip to Texas, saw John Mayer, and read 25 books!

My personal goals for 2017 were to unplug more, and read 22 books. The 22 book goal although seemingly more challenging this year was surpassed to 25! I also started making a personal goal in August to be more active and walk 10 miles a week. The goal has been going well and I have been enjoying my walks. Unplugging more has been tough, but I've lowered my need to check social media.

Not to say that 2017 wasn't filled with challenges. This was a hard year not just for me, but for the world, and the United States as a nation. There's still moments where I sit in my room and listen to the news and my heart just breaks. However a line from Harry Potter tugs at my heart. If I may, slightly rephrase an Albus Dumbledore quote, "Hope can be found in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light."

In regards to my personal life 2017 had its ups and its downs. I delved into some of my struggles in my Summer Goodbyes post. These challenges were strenuous, but have made me become more appreciative of those I really care about in my life and let them know how grateful I am for both the good and the bad.

On the other hand this was the first year I really set goals for JMC. Since JMC was going to turn 5 in 2017 I really wanted to push myself to make JMC the best it could be this past year.

The 5 main goals I wanted to accomplish were:

1. Redesigning the site on a budget .

2. Use a blogger planner to stay organized.

3. Join blog affiliate organizations.

4. Write a disclosure policy & make a media kit.

5. Work with 3 new KC based photographers.

All my goals were accomplished minus making a media kit. I'm still working on making a new one. I might give it another try when I'm on vacation in the next couple weeks. I'm still struggling with using a blog planner, any thoughts on how you organize your content? I am really proud of how JMC looks, I think the site is more accessible/easier to navigate than ever! Plus its all responsive which is pretty neat. I'm also proud of the local photographers I've worked with this past year, thank you all so much. I am so honored for your support. If you know any local photographers in the Kansas City area please reach out, I'd love to support them and collaborate!

Since 2017 is now seemingly so far away I wanted to share some of my favorites

Favorite movie:

Wonder Woman. I've loved Wonder Woman since I was a little girl. This movie was huge to me, shattering so many glass ceilings.

Favorite book:

Summer Day and Summer Nights: Twelve Love Stories by Stephanie Perkins. As nerdy as this sounds there was nothing more I wanted to do on my summer vacation than read this book. It was a pretty good one. I'm a sucker for a love story or 12! My runner up was Anne of Green Gables narrated by Rachel McAdams on Audible.

Favorite television show:

Master of None. Although Suits is definitely my favorite show on air currently (Mr. Robot is giving it a good run for its money). Master of None got me. I don't know how Aziz Ansari did it. He found a way to top season 1 in a completely different way. I watched all of Master of None season 2 in a single day because it was so good, and I have no regrets. 

Favorite song:

Praying by Kesha. This song was very close to my heart this year.

Favorite album:

The Search for Everything by John Mayer. Many of you know I'm a huge fan John Mayer fan. I've grown up with him, his music, and its helped shape who I am. I learn something new from it everyday. I patiently waited for this album since Paradise Valley was released in '13 when I first started undergrad. This album felt like a gift to me, coming out two days before my 22nd birthday. The Search for Everything just spoke to me on a different level that is so hard to vocalize. As I was embarking on my senior year in college this album was something that let me hold on to life a little longer.

Favorite outfit captured in 2017:

This Victoria Beckham top paired with Rag & Bone jeans was my favorite. Probably because I'm obsessed with Victoria Beckham's clothing and some of her Target pieces were incredible additions to my closet. However, I think the real reason why I love this outfit so much is because I started off my 22nd year in it, and I just felt so happy.

Favorite purchase:

Chanel Black Large Boy Bag. My favorite purchase has to be my Chanel bag. After reading so many biographies on Chanel this past year to finally own a piece from the brand feels very sweet.

Favorite bargain:

This vintage Toni Palm Bergdorf Goodman handbag worn in Seeing Spots. This was a hard favorite to pick considering I added a jumpsuit and a couple new DVF wrap dresses into my wardrobe. My heart always squeals a little bit of joy when I see this purse in my closet. I found it for $25 on eBay and its still my favorite item I've added to my closet this year. Its just so darling and reminds me of something Marion Crane would wear. 

Favorite beauty product:

Modern Renaissance by Anastasia Beverly Hills. Since I got this palette as a graduation gift it has changed my life for the better. I can't believe I went on so long without it. Who knew I needed red eyeshadows?!

Favorite nail polish:
I'm Soo Swamped by O.P.I. I've never had my nails done in green before, much less painted my nails green, but this color was so fun and fresh. I need to get green done more often.

Favorite JMC post:

Every Day Should Be Earth Day. This was such a fun post to do. I felt I could share a lot of my passion for going green on JMC. It was also cool to be able to share what I was learning in my globalization class on the blog. In 2018 I want to find more ways to incorporate green tips into my posts! 

Favorite JMC photo:
From Five Years Later, my shoot with Xochi Romero for her Faces of KC project. 

2017, what a year. Definitely had its challenges, but overall a good year. 2017 felt like my year for fashion/embracing my own style and I hope that 2018 just lets me learn more about myself through my style. In 2018 I vow to live a year of intentional gratitude, be more conscious about my purchasing behavior in regards to sustainability, and read 23 books.

Cheers to 2018 friends!