Goals for 2013:

1. Read 50 books.

2. Walk/jog/run 365 miles. (Let's be honest. That will be all walking.) 

3. Cook 200 meals. (that's not daunting or anything.) 

4. Burn 15 different candles. 

5. Learn all the words to 12 totally diverse songs. 

That covers all 5 senses, a balance I've always learned from my mother. 

-xo_vs

Finish Line.

So far over Christmas break I....

Watched:
1. My So Called Life
2. Portlandia
3. Heathers
4. Happy
5. Bag It


Read the whole book: 
1. Hunger Games
2. Catching Fire
3. Mockingjay

Finished Knitting: 
1. A grey scarf
2. Pom wraps for peanut candy mixes for family

I am still working on all of these projects, but really want to make this a monthly post to see how far I've come every month in being well rounded media-wise and make sure I'm constantly learning.

xo_vs

Pictures.

Just found this post in my drafts.  I was overjoyed at this collection of photographs!


I love pictures.  If I could just choose one social media platform, I would definitely choose Instagram.  So naturally, I have tons of pictures on my computer that really don't make sense to go with any other post.  They're all going to be joined together as one happy family right here!

xo_vs

Happy Five.

I am blowing up the blog with content from days past today.  I just need to get everything from the stock pile out there and start with a clean plate!

Also, here's a happy five.

1. Michael being home.
2. Consuela (our Roomba) cleaning while I'm doing other things.
3. Bright colors of yarn.
4. Fun neighbors.
5. Long naps.


xo_vs

Digging Deeper.

I am so inspired by Milagro Girl that I really want to share what is going on during my journey.  Marriage has changed me so much, even in just these first three months, I feel like through becoming part of a pair, as well as other paths happening in my life have made me take a deeper look.

• I have learned that it is okay to say no.  Yes, that is so hard for me, especially with people who are close friends and I know it hurts them for me to turn them down for whatever occurrence, but for personal sanity, sometimes you have to say no.  
• I have learned that it is okay to give up.  Willingly giving something up is not failure.  Sixteen hours of classes was just too much for me to take on while having two jobs and learning to be myself in this new life.  I dropped my only Wednesday class, and am taking it next semester.  That way, I have 13 hours to take this semester, and 9 next to graduate! (I am so ready for that day!) 
• I have learned how to deal with stress.  It's just not worth it to freak out about one test, or about getting everything done as fast as possible at work.  I promised myself three weeks ago that I wasn't going to get so exhausted just because of one small event in my day.  Which leads into the next...
• I have learned to slow down.  I didn't realize that I had learned this until this post.  When you focus on what you are doing, more gets accomplished.  I have to quit thinking of the to-do list.  

xo_vs

Patterns.

I love pretty patterns.  That's all.

Bright Stripes

Back to it.

It's been a while.  I've been reading tons of blogs and getting really inspired, but I felt like I needed to create some internet content to get lost in the mix of the web of chaos.

An update on my unplugging:

I have been off of Facebook for almost two months now.  After that post, I ended up deactivating my whole page and have had no desire to get back on.  I am on instagram and twitter, but trying to always keep it in moderation.

One of my main goals was to get ahead on my school work.  It paid off, and I was done with all my final tests and projects one week early.  I spent that week organizing and cleaning, which was another goal on my list.  I organized the bathroom cabinet, just like I wanted to do.

I made a huge to do list and accomplished it all, but I'm trying not to make one over Christmas break, and just enjoy what comes.  It has been relaxing.  I've been knitting again, something I haven't done in a long time.  I cooked all weekend- Michael and I haven't eaten out since he got home from his trip to Michigan for work- that is a rare feat for us.  I made taco soup and queso, lemon chicken and twice baked new potatoes, green beans, cinnamon toast, peppermint bark, and Christmas cookies! I never cook this much.  It feels great to be providing for our little two person family.

As for reading more and building my relationship with Christ, I'm working on it still.  Those are both open ended goals.  I'm working on them together and separately.


I am so thankful for where I am in life right now.  There are a lot of questions unanswered, but a lot of things have brought me overwhelming peace.

I love that Michael and I are spending our first Christmas together! It has already been fun!!!

Merry Christmas,

xo_vs

Wedding Pictures/1

Hillary came to the Ghuge's house to help me get ready! Look at those toes up in the air- exactly how I do my hair every morning! 

Beautiful bouquet by Brook at Wild Iris!  

Shoes were by far my favorite part of my outfit! And I love the henna that Abhi did with our initials. 

Good grief- he is SO handsome! 

-xo_vs

Unplugging.

I am going to attempt to unplug from social media for a bit.  I have been inspired by the glorious Milagro Girl. This may last until tomorrow, or until my new phone comes in and I get really excited to play with it, or maybe until New Years.  (probably not, but who knows.)

I have been progressing into this unplug for about a week now.  Last weekend, Michael and I went to Six Flags and left our bag on the dock because we felt really unnaturally trusting of strangers.  Don't trust strangers with two phones and two wallets with two debit cards, four credit cards, two drivers licenses, and a social security card.  Just learn from our mistake.  (Side note: we are fine! Got all of the cards cut off with only a few redbox movies rented with them. ) Until my new iPhone comes in, I am using an old phone that really doesn't work how I would like it to.  Needless to say, I have realized how totally spoiled I am and am VERY thankful for Apple products now.  Also, I have tons of respect for those of you with Droids.  They are super confusing and make me angry.

Back to the unplugging- I have only been using this phone for calls, texts, and Instagram, but the camera doesn't make me happy so I wasn't really posting pictures.  I was just getting jealous of my friends being able to post pictures of our desserts at Sandra Bullock's bakery in Austin and I couldn't.  So I just deleted that app.

So I am hoping to create a lot more free time by doing this.  Milagro girl said I should have a few goals to motivate me and I totally agree, so more than anything, this post is to get my goals out there.

1. Get ahead on school work.  Like really ahead.  Like go ahead and do my final project for Personal Selling ahead.

2. Write a mass to-do list.  This is just because to-do lists really motivate me to get things done!

3. Organize my home.  I have had organize the bathroom cabinet on my to-do list for at least a month now and it hasn't happened.  I also have an Ikea dresser in the middle of the living room that really needs to go to the bedroom.  There are also a million other things.

4. Grow my relationship with Christ.  Typically, I would move things like this to the top of the list to make myself look good, but I'm typing things as I think of them, and I just now thought of this.  Clearly, this time should be used to get this to the top of the list and get my priorities straight.

5. Read more.  I went to a fantastic book store on Sunday in Austin called Bookpeople, but I couldn't justify buying a book because I haven't made time to read lately.  I want to read more.  I love reading when I have time!

7. Create Something.  It has been forever since I have actually exercised my personal creative side.  I am so ready to make something I am proud of.

If you need me at any point, text me (include your name! I have no numbers saved in this phone either!) or email me: victoriawsearcy {AT} gmail {DOT} com!

Love you all.  Really.

xo_vs

On his day off.

Should be working on a project that is due in two days, but I just had to post something quick. I just really like this print and it made me giggle! 

I saw it on Pinterest, but it's original home is on Matt Kaufenberg's blog.  I just fell in love with this whole site.  

-xo_vs

October.

Things I am loving on this October First: 

1. Candles

2. Season two DVDs of Downton Abbey

3. Coffee first thing in the morning

4. Fairytale Pumpkins

5. Chilly mornings

6. Cardigans

7. Renewed spirit

8. Good books

9. Lots of rain

10. Craft projects

What does your October love list look like?

-xo_vs

Bag Lady 2.

Another installment of the Bag Lady.  This week: a camera case, a dopp kit, and a wonderful purse.  The links of where to purchase are underneath the pictures! 

Leather Camera Case

Moustache Dopp Kit

Marni Apron String Shoulder Bag

xo_vs