Hi, friends! It’s been a slow few days and I’m so excited to get back in the full swing of things next week (and next year! Ha! Funny, right?).

2011 is going to be epic. I’ll be releasing a new design in the coming weeks/months, adding a new (and smashing!) contributor next week and changing things up around here… just a bit.

You’ll love it. I promise. Just like you’ll love 2011.

I promise that, too.

Be safe out there. See you next year Monday (can’t tell the same joke in one post, no matter how badly I want to)!

[Image Credit: Vladimir Kostromitsky]

You guys, I am on fire with my life list. Serious fire. Blow me out. No, don’t, because I like it hot.

That wasn’t supposed to sound quite the way that it sounded.

Anyway, I’ve been life listing this week, and you will be so proud of what I accomplished:

I have no photographic evidence of #2, but you’ll have to trust me on this one. I’m Queen of splits in this house. And it turns out, it’s not super hard. A lot of stretching with maybe a bit of wine and you’re pretty much a gymnast. Check indeed.

Mary from the grocery store (Hi, Mary!) is now the proud owner of a shiny, new life list. We struck up a conversation about olive oil and pretty soon we were exchanging life-long goals and childhood dreams. Mary wants to ride a horse (go get ‘em, Mary!) and shoot a gun. Probably not at the same time. I hope.

I am completely and totally enrolled in an online drawing class that starts in January (join me! Do it!). After reading Carla’s top five reasons to take her Silly class, I knew it would be the perfect spot for me. Plus? Online. Meaning pajamas. Bonus. If you’d like to join and learn to draw (while filling out worksheets, which I LOVE), you can sign up here. I’ll keep you posted on how it goes when I finish!

I joined a gym (don’t make fun) this week because I like cheese and am pushing 30. Apparently, that’s a bit of a bad combo for my metabolism. And Monday, I walked like eight miles b/c I was engrossed in a book and didn’t notice. Tuesday, I walked two miles. And today? Today, I ran. I ran like the wind (on a non-windy day, I suppose) for an entire mile. Without stopping. I promise. It took me 14 minutes, so I suppose that’s more like jogging, but pish posh. I did it. And I am Woman. Hear me super Roar.

Fellow life listers — get on it. You’ve got to catch me (especially now that I can run fast. Sort of.)!

[IMAGE CREDIT: DAVE GEETING]

Shortly after I posted my goals for 2011, I realized I have a lot of habits that I already sort of love and things about myself and my life that I’d hate to change. And as important as it is to strive for betterment, I’d love to make a list of non-goals: the moments, habits and choices I want to stay the same:

1. Keep drinking that water. You’re doing great.
2. Never stop asking for what you want and/or need.
3. Family is a priority for you. I love that. Don’t forget it.
4. I think you brushed your teeth every night before bed last year. Gold star for anti-laziness!
5. You embraced your pixie hair, even though you hated it at first. I’m proud of you.
6. Keep pitching your memoir. You’ll get there.
7. Don’t forget that you’re doing what you love. Please don’t forget that.

What about you? What do you love about yourself, your life and your circumstances? List them. Say them out loud. Write them on your mirror in royal red lipstick. Remember them forever.

Lotsa photos. Every day. Sans cream filling.

LINK:  PHOTO DONUTS

OK, Erin. A 2011 to do list for you, from you. Perhaps talking to yourself in first person should be gracing the list below:

1. Stop using emoticons. No, really. Quit it.
2. Avoid the word “got.” It can always be replaced with a better alternative.
3. Drink as much coffee as you’d like and stop feeling guilty about it. It’s delicious.
4. Make your bed daily.
5. Join a book club (can be online). Read assigned books in said book club. No cheating.
6. Walk George and Bernie at least four times a week.
7. Stop picking at your cuticles. It’s gross and you’re going to get old lady fingers.
8. Throw a party.
9. Make a habit of sending postcards to unsuspecting friends.
10. Let’s try and stop with the impulse purchases and boredom-induced shopping, OK? Great.
11. Minimize complaining.
12. Plan your dream vacation with Ken. You two deserve it.
13. Dance party daily.
14. Finish one entire tube of lipstick before switching colors. You’re getting totally ridiculous, you know?
15. Have some fruit for breakfast once in awhile; it’s not gonna kill you, Loechner.
16. Get behind the camera every day. You don’t have to be a photographer to catch a memorable moment.
17. Start living a real life, instead of an Internet life. No more weekend working.
18. Moisturize nightly, preferably with something lavender. You’ll sleep sweetly.
19. Finish reading The Renaissance Soul. You liked it, remember? Pick it back up.
20. Tackle ten items from your Life List. Ready, set… GO.

[IMAGE CREDIT: KLAENGUR GUNNARSSON]

I typically don’t run giveaways anymore, but I’m feeling the post-Christmas consumerist rush and couldn’t help myself. Can you blame a gal for wanting to continue spoiling herself a wee bit longer? Certainly not.

Luckily, the kind folk at Beso.com were happy to lend a hand to Design For Mankind readers that didn’t get everything on their wish list (I know, I know). To the tune of $150. Yep, that’s right! A mini shopping spree!

Here’s how to win:
-Sign up for a free account at Beso.com (it will come in handy later; trust me — this is a killer shopping destination!).
-Leave a comment below with your new or existing Beso username (and maybe say hi to me, or tell a joke. Or a cute story. I love stories.)

I’ll choose the winner at random and will email you if you’re the lucky duck! You have 48 hours… ready, set, GO!

Update: This giveaway is now closed. Congrats, Laura!

[IMAGE CREDIT: JORDAN STRONG]

I rarely keep a running list of New Year’s Resolutions, but for some reason, it feels right this year. Maybe it’s because my renovation is almost finished(!) and transition is impending. And I simply can’t wait. I feel like I’ve been floating through life since we left Los Angeles, and although I do love the midwest, I’ve just felt… lost. The sort of lost you feel when you’re not quite home yet. When your favorite pieces of art aren’t hanging on your walls, but instead are hanging out in storage bins across town.

And although I have so, so much to be grateful for, I’m really looking forward to starting anew while re-visiting my roots. I can’t wait to host a dinner party, tile a backsplash and tarnish my own pots/pans. I can’t wait to figure out how to fold a fitted sheet (I know, I’m 27 and still can’t master that one) and build a tree house.

Anyway, I’m rambling. All of this to say that I can’t wait to share my resolutions for the new year with you guys. I’ll be spending the next few days thinking, listing and prioritizing. List to come!

Will you guys be resolving anything new in 2011? Or will you be flying free from the rulebook? Whatever it is you decide, enjoy this new year. It’s going to be a good one.

IMAGE CREDIT: AIRDROPPER

Wishing you a Merry Christmas for those of you celebrating! Posting will be light next week (sans a super awesome giveaway), unless I change my mind. I do that sometimes all the time.

Get thee to the eggnog!

I’ve finished my giftwrapping and am now moving on to wrap my brother-in-law’s gifts for his family (poor boy is an architect, has zero time and we definitely owe him a few favors for his brilliant renovating ideas).

Anyway, I plan to use a few tips from Ebony’s gift wrapping zine (which is AWESOME). If you’re unfamiliar with Hello Sandwich, get familiar. Ebony is a former VOGUE Living editor and all around sweet friend of mine. Because she’s a dear, she sent over a few sneak peeks for you dear readers above!

Careful; you’ll fall in love with her in no time. ;)

LINK:  HELLO SANDWICH