2018 goal results

photo courtesy of “Her Creative Studio” via Style Collective

Can you believe 2018 is almost over? I’m looking at the calendar in disbelief! It still fells like it should be early fall; despite the wintery weather we have been enjoying!

At the beginning of the year, I shared with you my goals for 2018. Instead of making traditional resolutions, I set personal and professional goals for myself. I worked hard at these goals; but alas, there were some goals which were not achieved. Three cheers for the goals I did achieve! Hip-hip-hooray!

So, I thought I would share with you what worked, and what didn’t, in my list of 2018 goals.

2018 goals and results

Get outside more: I was really good at this until the fall 2018 semester hit. With my unexpected surgery over Labor Day weekend, I got way off track. My activity was restricted, and I stopped scheduling outdoor activities. For 2019, I need to ensure I don’t get off track, and continue to get outside more!

Give my husband more attention: I am sad to say, I may have failed at this one. We scheduled a date night in January, and then only had two more during the course of the year. In 2019, I need to really step up to the plate, and schedule a date night; one night every month!

Make more educational family time: We tried to tie education into our vacations, and our family outings. We took a hike in the Marin Headlands where we taught our kids about our local military history. We also took our kids on a hike in Saratoga where they learned about our local historical quarry. Our vacations included historical attractions too! This has been quite enjoyable for both us, and our children. I definitely want to continue this goal in 2019!

Get my fitness on track: What is with me getting sick and getting off track? It happened in 2017, and again in 2018. For 2019, I need to stay healthy and not let occasional bumps get in my way.

Diversify my blog income: This has been incredible! In the past, I have relied on brands coming to me for sponsored content and collaborations. I have also relied on passive income from affiliate links and Google ads. In 2018, I actively pitched brands I already shop at, and work well with my blog. This worked like a charm, and I was able to partner with brands such as adidas, Chico’s, SOMA, and more! All of which I was already a customer, and felt like they enhanced my blog. I hope to continue pitching and working with brands I love, and hope you love, again in 2019!

Stay away from “fast fashion:” So, I think I did well with this! I stopped shopping from brands which appeared to be fast fashion and focused on affordable brands with more ethical manufacturing standards. If I failed, please let me know! I worked hard on this one, and hope to continue it for life.

That’s it! These are the goals I worked hard at in 2018, and some worked, while others need more work. Stay tuned for my 2019 goals in early January!

What were some of your goals this past year, and how did you fare working towards them?

Thank you for stopping by and sharing your goals!

XOXO

Cathy

Casual holiday party outfit 2018

christmas wreath justins santa clara casual holiday party outfit idea

Casual holiday party outfit idea: sparkling CZ earrings (old, similar here) / lipstick / metallic scarf / black puff sleeve top / velvet pants (last seen here) / holiday nail polish / blue topaz ring (old, similar here) / Chanel bag (similar here) / pewter suede booties by Donald J Pliner (old, similar here) /

First, I would like to apologize for the quality of these photos. We tried taking pictures inside, after the sun went down, but alas, the artificial light was not our friend. I don’t have fancy camera equipment, so my daughter did her best with our basic dslr camera. I hope you can still see the outfit well enough, in case you are interested in putting together a casual holiday party outfit this season!

I wore this outfit last week to our Jr. League sustainer holiday party. The party was originally going to be held at a member’s home, but unfortunately that fell through. Thankfully our fabulous party planners found an alternate space at Justin’s restaurant in Santa Clara. The decorations were so pretty! You can see one of the beautiful wreaths they had on the walls inside in the photo above.

This is an annual party which is always festive, yet casual. It’s so much fun to be able to socialize with ladies who are active in the community both through volunteerism and fundraising. So many of these women are an inspiration. I am always overjoyed yet humbled in their presence. I wish I had pictures to share, but I was too busy having fun to snap photos. I have to admit, I was quite sad when the evening came to an end. Some of these women I only see once a year at this annual party, so it’s always sad to know it might another year before I see them again.

My casual holiday party outfit worked out perfectly. The boots were comfortable enough for standing and socializing, while the comfortable velvet pants made the night effortless. All black with a pop of sparkle is always a good go-to look for the holidays; and evening looks in general throughout the year!

Shop my casual holiday party outfit idea:

I hope you are enjoying the holiday party season, thanks for stopping by!

XOXO

Cathy

holiday house party outfit ideas

Jambu boots and a fun surprise

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pictured: Jambu Rimini boots in black /

How cute are these booties from Jambu! I love my Jambu Rimini booties in black. I wear them all the time. They are so perfect for everyday wear; plus these booties are super comfy-love that! So, this is why I am really excited to announce a giveaway!

I have partnered with Jambu to giveaway a fabulous $150 gift certificate to Jambu.com so you too can enjoy these booties; or any shoe you want from their website. Love!

In order to enter to win a fabulous $150 gift certificate to Jambu.com, please visit my Instagram page and enter to win the giveaway!

To enter, all you have to do is follow both me, @BayAreaFashionista and Jambu @Jambuandco, like the post, and tag two of your friends who love shoes too! Then, we will choose one winner at random and that winner will receive a $150 gift certificate to Jambu.com. Loving this!

*Please note, this giveaway is for residents of the United States only. You must be 18 years or older to enter. This giveaway is not affiliated with Instagram and no purchase is necessary to enter. Giveaway term starts December 13, 2018 and end at 11:59pm PST on December 17, 2018. Winner will be notified via Instagram DM by December 19, 2018.

You can find the Instagram to enter on right here.

Thank you for all your support and good luck!

XOXO

Cathy

*thank you Jambu for sponsoring this post, all thoughts and opinions are my own

fashionable and comfortable fall boots