{Life} Five Goals for 2014

With the coming of a new year comes the inevitable wave of goals, future plans and lists that follow, penned hopefully in those pretty new agendas we're almost too scared to write in. But so long as the 'R' word isn't used, it should be OK... Now I don't know what it is, but setting 'resolutions' is seriously the kiss of death for me � there's just too much pressure surrounding the word, and I've never made a resolution that I've managed to keep... ever. Sorry past Vickie, but took ya long enough to figure that one out! Goals on the other hand, now that I can get behind. So with that in mind, here are five things I endeavor to do in 2014:

1. Put my health first.

This sounds pretty obvious, but 2013 was largely spent in a carb-fuelled, sleep deprived state. This year I plan on eating right, exercising, uping my water intake and making sleep a priority, no matter what.

2. Become an adult.

Along those lines, I would also like to become a more responsible human being in general. That will involve paying bills on time, meal planning, visiting the doctor and the dentist more regularly, etc.

3. Think ahead, financially speaking.

I hate thinking about money, but this year I endeavour to put my financial house in order... And if that means no more Saturday morning visits to Shopbop, so be it.

4. Choose happiness.

It's really easy for me to dwell on the negative aspects of life or let stress get the best of me, so I want to make 2014 as pleasant as possible for myself and all those who are stuck with me... You're welcome, everybody.

5. Plan a wedding.

It's been a year since Mr. AiF and I got engaged and I still haven't even sized my ring yet � needless to say, I need to get on this whole wedding thing pronto!

But enough about me, what are your goals for the new year? Share what plans you have up those sleeves of yours and let's inspire each other to be the best we can be in 2014! xx

Photo by Maria Laliotis, super mom

{Life} Holiday Wishes

Hello love bugs! Christmas is finally here, so I just wanted to pop in and wish you all the happiest of holidays... So here's to a day of relaxing by the fire, drinking your weight in Egg Nog (or cocktails � no judgement) and spending time with the ones you love best � Happy Holidays!

Photo via Beth Photos

{Life} Girls + Bicycles

On Sarah: Blazer- Club Monaco | shirt- J.Crew | kilt- LCC Uniform Store | broach- vintage | shoes- Payless | bag- Cambridge Satchel Co.  
On me: Plaid bomber jacket- Zara | blouse- H&M | faux leather skirt c/o Forever 21 | booties- ShoeMint | bag- Phillip Lim x Target | tights- Joe Fresh | headband (worn as necklace)- Forever 21 | ring- vintage | watch- Michael Kors 

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of shooting with my friend and fellow blogger, Miss Sarah Chan. She's pretty much the cutest thing ever (right?!) and she makes riding a bike look oh-so good... And can we just talk about the fact that homegirl can cycle in heels? Because I think that deserves an award of some kind, but I digress.

We met for chai, loaded up the bikes with some cute bits and bobs (a big thank you to RedBike for letting me borrow this beautiful Pashley Sonnet Bliss!) and set out on a photo adventure with the help of our pal Jerry. There were laughs, leaf tossing (which is harder than it looks, let me tell you) and Gossip Girl references made on school steps. And for the record, you CAN eat yogurt on the steps with us at lunch � we're nice like that. xx

Photos by Jerry Aulenbach

{Life} 10 To Try This Fall

You know what I said last week about stopping to smell the pumpkin spice? Well this fall I fully intend to. Life's too short not to enjoy the beauty of each season, so I made a list of 10 things I'd like to do or try before it's too late. Feel free to add to the list, and above all else, remember to make the most of the season... Like #4 while doing #5 and eating #2 while wearing #9 � or something like that.

1. Host a casual outdoor party.
2. Bake something festive, like these pumpkin fritters.
3. Cozy up by the fire with an apple pie spice latte.
4. Movie nights are always a good idea, especially when they're 90's themed... Beetlejuice, Hocus Pocus, Death Becomes Her and Practical Magic are always a good idea.
5. Try out a new manicure.
6. Make candy apples with your girlfriends.
7. Paint a pretty pumpkin... or ten.
8. Start a book club... even if your the only member.
9. Wear as much plaid as humanly possible (I love this look).
10. Vamp-up your lipstick arsenal.

Photo by Andrew Tarver 

{Life} Balancing Work + Blogging...

Writing this blog is the single most fulfilling project I've ever worked on, and I'm always thankful/baffled that you guys pop in each day to see what's up. But as many of you well know, running a blog can be more akin to a full-time job than a side project, so figuring out how to balance work and blogging (and, well, life) can be tricky. I myself work full-time and write a weekly column (which together require me to attend about four events per week), and since people always ask how I manage to post 5x a week on top of that, I thought I would share what works for me here. I'm by no means an expert on the subject though, so if you guys have suggestions or tried-and-true tricks for balancing everything and not ending up in a straight jacket, I'm all ears... So with that said, here goes!



1. Schedule, schedule, schedule
Working ahead is the only way I'm able to post Monday to Friday, so I schedule my time down to the minute. I know exactly when I'll be taking outfit photos, how long it will take to write and promote each post, etc, so I schedule my time accordingly.

2. Make an editorial calendar
Outfit posts are one thing, but if your blog is made up of different features and content, having an editorial calendar is key. I like to sit down at the end of each month to plan DIY's, giveaways or anything else that comes to mind for the following month. This is also an opportunity to remind myself of any project/collaboration due dates I have coming up, which are easy to forget when things pile up. So in the end, not only does having an editorial calendar keep me on task, but it helps break up my content and add another dimension to my personal style-focus as well.

3. Enlist the help of friends + loved ones
This is a big one. If I didn't have supportive people around me willing to snap photos or bounce ideas off of, I would literally have to stop blogging. My co-worker Brittney is always game for snapping lunchtime photos (even in the dead of winter!), and Mr. AiF's (usually) more than happy to play the role of photographer/blog manager, listening to me go on at length about different projects and ideas. And considering the type of blog I run, there really wouldn't be an Adventures in Fashion if not for their help. 

Another great way to stay on top of content creation is to make friends with other bloggers with a similar focus to yours, and simply help each other out. For instance, no coffee date or hang out session with my pal Kastles happens without a round of outfit photos, so find a Kastles, Brittney or Lobbie of your own and get them drinking your blog's Kool-Aid, so to speak.

4. Work ahead 
Days off are definitely meant for having fun, but when the majority of your content just so happens to be generated from the outfits you wear, weekends suddenly become a fashion blogger's best friend. I like to photograph one or two looks over the weekend to have a cushion for the following week, editing photos and scheduling posts in between episodes of Girls or Downton Abbey. Besides, you never know what may come up or what the weather will be like (I found this discipline particularly helpful during the harsh winter months), so having a back stock of photos translates into less stress and time wasting later on. This applies to bloggers of all kinds � Like those adorable little boys in beige say, always be prepared. 

5. Batch
I find the best way to boost my productivity is to focus on one task at a time. I do that by carving out periods dedicated to different tasks throughout the day, like responding to emails or processing ads. It can be difficult balancing the creative (aka- fun) aspects of blogging with the business side of things (if that's your focus), so designating 20 min to one task or an hour to another really helps me focus and GSD rather than jumping from one thing to the next.

6. Recharge
You know how I said that days off are for having fun (in addition to working ahead)?  Well I meant it. Taking the time to relax and recharge will boost your creative juices and not only make you a better blogger, but a better person as well. So unplug, disconnect and do things that make you happy each week � Your mind and body will thank you for it.

Thanks for reading, and be sure to chime in with all your brilliant, task-juggling tricks � The more the better! xx

Photo by John Rawlings (Vogue, 1953)