Hi Friends! I’m Natalie Mason. I live in Charleston, SC and I am mom to Sterling 12 , Frances Moon 8 and our mini golden doodle Dolly.

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Goodbye 2014, Hello 2015

Dec 31, 2014

I honestly can not believe another year has come and gone.  I now have a one year old and an almost five year and that seems crazy to me.   This year has been one filled with many ups and downs and I look forward to seeing what the New Year has in store for us.  I am thankful for so much this year, my family, friends, Matt, Sterling and Frances, and our health.  I am especially thankful for all of you who read my blog,  leave comments and email me.  You all lift me up and inspire me everyday and I thank you.  I read every single comment and email even if it takes me awhile to respond!   It is crazy once we get older how fast the years seem to fly by.  Sometimes the days seem incredibly long but then in the blink of an eye another year is gone and we are a year older. 

I have grown a lot this year and I am still working on bettering myself.  It is a constant journey to connect with yourself and be best the version of you.  I have learned I am stronger than I think I am but I greatly rely on the support of my family as well.   I have learned to say no and that I don’t have to attend every single event I am invited too.  Sometimes family time and a night in is more important.   I love a night in almost as much as a night out.  I have learned that the quality of your friends is way more important than the quantity.  I have a handful of friends that I love and trust and that matters most.  I have learned lunches with my girlfriends make me incredibly happy,  a time to connect and laugh that is so good for the soul.  I have learned a hangover is not worth it once you have kids. I have learned sleep is a thing of the past once you have kids.  I can now function on few hours of sleep and it is my new normal.   I have learned that not using credit cards is liberating and not as hard as it seems (more on our debt journey later this month).   I have learned that good tequila is worth the money- don’t drink the cheap stuff!  I have learned just how much I appreciate my parents and how hard they worked to raise us after struggling to discipline Sterling, this year has been trying with him.  I have learned my stomach and boobs may never look the same again after two kids and that is ok.  I have learned that having two kids is HARD (harder than I thought it would be)  never a moment for you but also so rewarding.  I love seeing how much Sterling and Frances Moon love each other.  2014 was my first entire year with two kids and I am so grateful for the two of them.

 I get so inspired at the end of each year to start a New Year fresh.  I am not big on making resolutions because I usually break them.  I set simple goals for myself instead.  These are my goals so far-  I also have a list of house improvements I want to do next year that I will share as well after the New Year.

I want to exercise more and do more yoga.  I have been slack in the exercise department lately.  I need it for my mental sanity as much as to tone up my body.

I want to meditate at least 10 minutes every single day- lately I have been doing about 3 times a week I want to do more.

I want to drink more water and less wine.

 I want to remember to tell Matt I love him everyday. 

I want to volunteer my time in some way and perhaps take Sterling with me to do this.

I want to try and be in the moment with my children.  I have a hard time with this I am frequently multitasking and thinking about what I need to do next, my mind never rests.  I want to sit down and just enjoy them because they are growing up way too fast.

I want to eat less meat,  mainly chicken and beef.  I feel so much better when I stick to a mostly vegetarian diet – but don’t worry I am never giving up cheeseburgers or bacon:)

I want to get more organized and plan out my blog more than just the night before

I want to really clean out and organize our garage- it would shock you if you saw the inside:)

I want to read more good books.

I want to declutter.

I want to judge less and be more accepting.

I want to grow a garden,  a legit garden not just one in pots.

I want to take a vacation with Matt somewhere tropical.

I want to spend more time outdoors.

I want to try more new recipes- cooking brings me so much joy.


I wish you all the happiest New Year and I hope 2015 brings you everything you hope for.

 

 

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  1. Great goals friend! Ditto! Here's to a better year in 2015!

  2. caycee says:

    Love this post and love you mama!!! Here's to more lunches in 2015 😉

  3. Ally Harding says:

    I write goals too not resolutions. I feel like as soon as I come up with a resolution I've set myself up for failure! These were all so great and many I aspire to do myself! Have a wonderful New Years and let's plan a lunch or two next year!
    Ally – Life as I know it

  4. Natalie H says:

    Love this! Great goals for 2015- pretty similar to what I'm hoping to accomplish!

  5. Marychris says:

    That quote box at the bottom = bomb.com

  6. paperjunk-lc says:

    Thank you for all the great content you've posted this year. I've tried some recipes and new looks from your blog! I love your goals for the new year. Oh and your kids are adorable!

  7. Annie Roche says:

    Happy New Year! I'm still scared of having another child – 2 looks like hard work!

    Annie

  8. Great goals!! Excited to see what you all are up to in the next year xo

  9. Love this post! I've been following you for some time now but have never commented. I would like to hear what has worked as far as discipline goes with Sterling. I have an almost 5 year old little boy and we have had a rough year with him as well. Everyone told me that 4 was so much better but this year has been tough for us.

  10. Valerie Dye says:

    Happy New Year! I love your blog and really enjoy reading it!

  11. Jillian says:

    great goals for 2015! i cant wait to see what the new year has in store for you. xo jillian – cornflake dreams

  12. Amy Buchanan says:

    Amen to the hangovers not being worth it anymore! Cheers to 2015!

    ACB

  13. Love all of your resolutions!! If I actually made a list it would be pretty much the exact same. 🙂 I am SO glad I found your blog this year, searching for reviews on Zella from Nordstroms brought me here, lol. I feel like we have a lot in common but my kids are older, have a 13 year old son and 9 year old daughter. I am a 'career' SAHM, just hang on until both are in school, it's pure bliss. 🙂 Cheers to you and your adorable family for a wonderful 2015!!

  14. Klabarksdale says:

    I've been reading your blog for a months now, I love it! Your New Year's Goals remind me of my own. Thank you for being an inspiration.

  15. Allison says:

    Love reading your blog every morning! It's so fun…full of great fashion ideas and every recipe I've ever tried of yours has been amazing! You are so talented and I wish you the very, very best in 2015!

  16. A Manolescu says:

    Happy New Year, Natalie! These are great goals, and I share many of them…now if I could just remember to DO them 😉
    Wishing you and your family health, love and happiness in 2015.

    Alissa

  17. Ginger says:

    Happy New Year, Natalie! I so enjoy your blog and especially this one. I have sent some of my friends that are planning to go to Charleston in 2015 your blog of places to dine along with my journal from our trip to Isle of Palms/Charleston this past Thanksgiving. Happy New Year! Ginger xoxo

  18. Jen says:

    Would love to hear more about your meditation and how you quiet your mind. This is a goal for me in 2015!

  19. Happy New Year! Wishing you a wonderful 2015!

  20. Such a great recap and reflection on the year. I know so many of us can relate and agree with pretty much everything! I look forward to following along another year and watching those cute kids grow. I love all your honest posts and appreciate you keeping' it real 🙂

  21. Love your blog Natalie! It's my favorite read and I follow quite a few.

  22. Ann + Robert says:

    Great goals! Thanks for sharing. Cheers to an amazing 2015! 🙂

  23. Jenner says:

    I continue to love and appreciate your blog. I struggle with many of the same things you do and I really enjoy how candid and honest you are about these struggles, failures, and successes. Wishing you a lovely 2015!

  24. What a thoughtful, beautiful post. I wish you so much joy in the coming year!

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