this month - august

MAKING - Facetime calls with my 2 yr old niece like it's my job.

CRAVING - peaches. all the time.

PLAYING - a game called rearranging-the-whole-apartment-get-excited-jared

LISTENING TO - the Apple music playlists with current music, in an attempt to stay relevant. *sigh*

READING - The Nightingale

WATCHING - Tig

WEARING - as much of Madewell's new Fall collection as possible, & yes, that includes overalls.

LEARNING - to use this daily planner that I fully expect to change my life

GOING TO - the beach with our Coulomb besties later in the month!

WORKING ON - portion control *insert sideeye emoji*

OBSESSED WITH - this eyebrow mascara

PLANNING - in advance for allll the work travel weekends this fall. Like, 5 in a row.

EXCITED FOR - even the slightest of breeze's now that we've survived July's humidity.

HOPING - my new philosophy on my relationship with food sticks.

STARTING - to get the hang of Snapchat... I think. (follow me! kelseybethune)

FINISHING - Criminal Minds. Because I'm the picture in the dictionary when you look up "binge-watching."

What are you up to this month?

this month - june

^^ finally got a picture where the month isn't centered directly in the middle of my forehead ^^

MAKING - things to fill our blank walls

CRAVING - dad's grilled pizzas

PLAYING - catch up on aaaaall the things after an insane May

LISTENING TO - Stuff They Don't Want You To Know, a very borderline boring podcast about conspiracies

READING - emails. Like... let's not kid ourselves.

WATCHING - Orange is The New Black SEASON THREEEE

WEARING - earrings, but only because Jared got me moon phase earrings for our 9 year dating anniversary.

LEARNING - how to style my hair, made more interesting by the fact that I left my straightener in Richmond this past weekend.

GOING TO - explore more corners of DC with my love in this slightly quieter month

WORKING ON - bettering my day-to-day schedule. It'd be so lovely to have an update on that for you come July.

OBSESSED WITH - Grapefruit juice & the Into The Woods soundtrack

PLANNING - more details for our grand 5 year anniversary adventure

EXCITED FOR - a mini trip home for golden doodles, toddlers & a swimming pool

HOPING - for more rainy days, which are goooood for my soul

STARTING - to see some new growth on the plants I somehow accumulated this spring #oops

FINISHING - my third Whole30, if I can say no to the gelato in our freezer for 20 more days

What are you up to this month?

this month - may

MAKING - more frequent trips to the weekly farmer's market

CRAVING - a day slathered in sunscreen, on the water somewhere

PLAYING - house, as the spring rearranging bug has bit

LISTENING TO - the new Alabama Shakes album, forever and ever amen

READING - reviews on outdoor partitions, in our continued attempt to home-ify our giant balcony

WATCHING - puppy videos on youtube, pretty much every day at this point

WEARING - dresses! & sandals that show my toes!

LEARNING - that you don't walk to work in the same outfit you're going to wear to work when it's over 70 degrees outside

GOING TO - Richmond via train more often & learning to love it. Learning.

WORKING ON - a non-wedding event for the first time & maybe having too much fun with it

OBSESSED WITH - Shiner's Ruby Redbird being back in the grocery store for the warm weather

PLANNING - for the summer months, already

EXCITED FOR - a haircut! 

HOPING - my baby cilantro plant survives

STARTING - to see more sunsets, even on the days I work at my part time job, as the days get longer

FINISHING - off old candles to make way for a new army of Anthro candles

What are you up to this month?

this month - april

MAKING - antihistamine cocktails, because allergies

CRAVING - a first trip to the beach, which is usually in April

PLAYING - the curly-or-straight game with my hair as the humidity begins to move in

LISTENING TO - podcasts, morning & evening & drives to Richmond-ing

READING - the Skimm every morning & feeling oh so informed!

WATCHING - way too much of The X-Files, to be completely honest

WEARING - a lighter coat, hallelujah

LEARNING - how to pack for 2-5 day trips real well

GOING TO - TWO Cardinals games at the Nats stadium! AHHH!

WORKING ON - weeding the winter clothes out of our closet, little by little

OBSESSED WITH - La Croix and peanut butter toast

PLANNING - itineraries for a few different visitors, from friends to grandparents

EXCITED FOR - Into the Woods & finalllly watching it

HOPING - to win back our back patio from the birds that have taken over it this winter

STARTING - to spend more time on Pinterest, but only because of Tart

FINISHING - a long hunt for a coffee table, hopefully

What are you up to this month?

this month - march

MAKING - a month out of birthday festivities, celebrating my wonderful Jared

CRAVING - Twizzlers, because that's what happens when I give up sugar

PLAYING - lots of Jaymes Young & Broods

LISTENING TO - our neighbors through our kitchen walls #apartmentlife

READING - my own writing to proofread for errors more often than the two books I started this winter

WATCHING - House of Cards, Season 3 (which will last us a week) then resuming The West Wing, duh

WEARING - heels more often, in an attempt to elevate my appearance for the remainder of winter

LEARNING - the ins & outs of Squarespace, now that Tart's blog is up & running

GOING TO - Richmond & Roanoke for #girlboss shenanigans

WORKING ON - saying "yes", which is not always easy for the ambivert I've become in my old age

OBSESSED WITH - slouchy tees & boyjeans. Saving up all my pennies.

PLANNING - our 5 year anniversary trip... Suggestions, anyone?

EXCITED FOR - My best fraaand Emily & her hubby visit from Indiana next week!

HOPING - that this time change next weekend come swiftly & painlessly. I'm SO ready for the extra daylight!

STARTING - to venture out to coffee shops on my Tart work days to avoid the cabin fever I've been feeling

FINISHING - a doormat project, an intense 30 day detox & editing our Europe photos, you betcha

What are you up to this month?

this month - february

MAKING - crockpot recipes, all day, every day

CRAVING - a good concert

PLAYING - The X-Files as my work background noise. It is 1990s glory.

LISTENING TO - lots of classical music, mostly Vivaldi

READING - Serena

WATCHING - as many Academy Award nominated films as possible

WEARING - a new coat that comes down to my knees because good gracious it's cold

LEARNING - how fun having a huge rug is when you don't own a vacuum

GOING TO - Norfolk/Chesapeake to celebrate three birthdays on my side of the family

WORKING ON - cleaning up the house before we go to bed at night

OBSESSED WITH - cutting holes in my jeans

PLANNING - our Valentine's Day date night

RESEARCHING - Indian wedding traditions

HOPING - we get one solid snow day out of this winter

STARTING - up my morning workouts again, after a 5 month hiatus 

FINISHING - Frasier, after recently finishing How I Met Your Mother... Oh, Netflix.

So sorry for the silence that fell over January's posts... Beyond being overwhelmingly busy with Tart, I've also fallen into a social media inspiration rut. Eep. Hoping I can shake it & get over this winter funk.

this month - january

MAKING - fresh, whole, homemade breakfasts & dinners

CRAVING - Chick-Fil-A, which is fortunately not accessible in the city

PLAYING - Joshua Radin's new album (Onward & Sideways)

LISTENING TO - the Stuff You Should Know Podcast to make city walks go faster

READING - *now accepting book recommendations, before I read a Jane Austen book for the 47th time*

WATCHING - Into the Woods on an upcoming date night! EEE!

WEARING - all the long sweaters & tall socks, in an effort to survive my walk to work

LEARNING - that it really does snow more in Washington, DC than in Norfolk, VA

GOING TO - Richmond (let's just assume this is happening at least once a month every month)

WORKING ON - structuring my days, maximizing productivity

OBSESSED WITH - Satsuki Shibuya's artwork

PLANNING - Our 2015 travels & budgeting thusly

RESEARCHING - how to bring my half-dead philodendron back to life

HOPING - to be more consistent with this little blog, my annual resolution

STARTING - to clean up the desktop of Jared's mac, which I have been cluttering since August

FINISHING - editing our Europe photos (still) & 2014 recap posts

(This Month posts inspired by the bleubird blog - Join in the fun! Share the link to your This Month post in the comments!)

this month - december

EATING - More bread, goat cheese & wine that I have ever consumed in my entire life, a true sign of life after Paris. #nobueno

DRINKING - one sip of the eggnog that Jared insists upon buying, & then I'll be set until next year.

PRACTICING - self-control as the desire to buy allll the Christmas ornaments rears its ugly head.

MASTERING - all of Mariah's classic vocal runs during this wonderful holiday season.

LEARNING - how to do Christmas on the smallest of scales.

PLAYING - NSYNC's Christmas album, which I finally bit the bullet & bought on iTunes after the 5th song on my original CD started skipping.

FINISHING - a writing project that has been in the works aaaall year. Cannot wait to share.

READING - Refinery29, who always manage to keep my informed & entertained, but especially so during the holiday season.

WATCHING - our stack of Christmas movies. So far, we've watched Elf, The Holiday & Die Hard.

WALKING - with a little more pep in my step, now that the weather is acting a little more wintery.

WEARING - my blanket scarf baaaaasically everywhere I go. But my Madewell coated denim is a closed 2nd.

COOKING - up a plan for our very odd Christmas Day this year, our first spent away from family.

WORKING - on editing our Europe photos. It is slooooow goin'.

TRAVELING - to Richmond & maybe somewhere fun for Christmas, but mostly just exploring DC at Christmastime.

WANTING - Amelia's salted caramels, a maid to clean up my clothes that have been scattered throughout the apartment since ohhh, Europe? & the nativity set I forgot to grab from my parents' attic. Meh.

 Whatcha doin' this month?

As an aside, this marks the twelfth This Month post that I shared this year, & I'm more than proud that I actually followed through with at least ONE of my monthly post goals ;) I'll be continuing the This Month post series going into 2015, so please feel free to join me & share your links in the comments!

this month - november

TRAVELING - To London & Paris! Sorry, had to shift things around & get that out of the way, because everything else will refer to that, basically ;)
EATING - A picnic (or two?) by the Eiffel Tower. Pinch me.
DRINKING - High tea & a lot of champagne. Then we'll get home & I'll be drinking nothing but juice for two weeks. #detox

PRACTICING - using what little tiny bit of French vocabulary I have stored away & not freaking out 100% of the time we're abroad.

MASTERING - packing my 55L backpack, three times once this trip is all said and done. Yeesh.

LEARNING - new cities! I mean, the learning will never end.

PLAYING - whatever music or sounds will keep me asleep on the plane.

FINISHING - a book I literally (har har) started in June.

READING - as many guides to London/Paris blogs as possible to figure out where we should be eating.

WATCHING - allllll the people!

WALKING - in the light, thanks to Dr. Scholls. All hail.

WEARING - a mostly black, navy & grey wardrobe the whole trip, which made packing so much easier.

COOKING - breakfasts every morning. So happy to have kitchens in our Airbnb apartments!

WORKING - the day after we get back. lol. 

WANTING - It to be time to walk out the door to the airport... But also to soak up every precious moment of this highly anticipated trip. Ah!

 Whatcha doin' this month?

this month - october

EATING - birthday cake, & anniversary dinner & all the other delicious things that October entails.
DRINKING - pumpkin beer, rosemary spritzers & apple cider. I could go on. Have I mentioned October is my favorite?

PRACTICING - a little abstract art via the welcome mat the previous tenants so kindly left for us.

MASTERING - waking up early enough to have a balcony breakfast together. It's THE BEST.

LEARNING - so much at my new PT job... Like, the drinking-out-of-a-fire-hydrant kind of learning.

PLAYING - Imogen's newest album with the windows open in the afternoons.

FINISHING - organizing a few last corners in our apartment.

READING - Gone Girl, if I can manage to stop watching all the shows that are premiering. 

WATCHING - Gilmore Girls from the beginning, yaaaassssss.

WALKING - to work with my honey! We work in the same district now & it's SO pleasant.

WEARING - booties basically every day, for as long as my poor feet can stand them.

COOKING - mostly Whole30 still, but treating ourselves to the restaurants surrounding us. 

WORKING - on growing out these bangs... Heaven help me.

TRAVELING - to an apple orchard! But otherwise, just welcoming out-of-town friends to DC.

WANTING - Netflix to rethink taking down my beloved classic Law & Order right when I was in the middle of 1993 with Mr. Big & Lumiere investigating. *huff*

 Whatcha doin' this month?

this month - september

EATING - another month of Whole30, this time with Jared!
DRINKING - all the home-brewed coffee, forever and ever, amen.

PRACTICING - the sidewalk stare. You know, with ear buds in & not making eye contact, while maintaining a friendly demeanor that also says, "No."

MASTERING - getting into our apartment with  full arms using the ol' one handed key-turning technique.

LEARNING - that it's somehow already September of 2014. How??

PLAYING - with furniture, trying to make everything fit.

FINISHING - a photo project that I started before this wacky moving process took over our lives.

READING - up on keeping plants alive, shelving assembly instructions, The Washingtonian (like a n00b), & the metro map once every 2 seconds whilst navigating the city.

WATCHING - David Tennant's final season of Doctor Who, now that Jared & I are back under the same roof.

WALKING - in short bursts, as apparently all of my shoes give me blisters.

WEARING - maybe, possibly something autumnal by the end of the month? Or is it 200% humity forever... I forget.

COOKING - with more elbow room, or at least with more counter space.

WORKING - hopefully! Applying all over town.

TRAVELING - absolutely nowhere. Staying put & exploring.

WANTING - new plant babies for our balcony & kitchen window!

 Whatcha doin' this month?

this month - august

EATING - way too much Panera on the road.
DRINKING - way too much Starbucks on the road.

PRACTICING - handlettering for a very special & important project.

MASTERING - the art of living out of a suitcase for three weeks.

LEARNING - so much about making the most of a tiny living space.

PLAYING - Sia's newest album = GIRL POWER

FINISHING - a loooong four months of long distancing with my Jared. HALLELUJAH!

READING - California by Edan Lepucki, via audio book during my drives from Norfolk --> Richmond --> DC

WATCHING - Parks & Rec, which was my comic relief after long days/nights of filling boxes, but now I'm just addicted.

WALKING - my furry niece, Maisie, during my stay in Richmond.

WEARING - different combinations of the same 3 shorts, skirts, dresses & shirts until I'm back with my full wardrobe in Washington. Getting creative.

COOKING - pizzas on the grill as often as possible!

WORKING - with Amelia on funnnnn things.

TRAVELING - up, down & all around. Ready to sit & stay.

WANTING - the pumpkin beers to go away for at least a couple more weeks. Stop rushing me.

 Whatcha doin' this month?

this month - july

EATING - perhaps a taco or two as a reward for a month without them.
DRINKING - a birthday cheers this weekend to my bestie, Amelia!

PRACTICING - self control in regards to 4th of July food in all of its not-whole glory...

MASTERING - Craigslist apartment hunting skills. 

LEARNING - a lot about DC neighborhoods & the part-time jobs that are not available.

PLAYING - in the pool with my niece, who has figured out how to swim at 1.5 yrs. old #geniusbaby

FINISHING - up at my job & packing up our Norfolk apartment by the end of the month!

READING - too many design blogs, pretending that we'll have money left over to decorate after paying rent, ha!

WATCHING - a lot of soccer, & a lot of Grey's Anatomy.

WALKING - across the street from work for coffee more often than I care to admit. Is summer fatigue a thing?

WEARING - clogs whenever I can, bandeaus instead of bras & a top knot almost every day.

COOKING - on my own, & I haven't sliced any appendages yet. *knock on wood*

WORKING - on a plan to turn our four post bed into a low platform bed for the new place.

TRAVELING - to DC one more time before it's home to visit with Emily!

WANTING - Christmas. What?? It's July 1st, I can't help it.

 Whatcha doin' this month?

this month - june

EATING - all the fruit, specifically blackberries.
DRINKING - more fruit, making up fruit + herb + water combos (favorites: strawberry basil, blackberry mint, lemon rosemary)

PRACTICING - patience. Always.

MASTERING - my forward fold... hopefully.

LEARNING -to use nail polish remover instead of chipping my polish off at my desk.

PLAYING - around with Whole30 compliant recipes.

FINISHING - photo & video projects that have been hovering for way too long.

READING - apartment postings, eeeevery day.

WATCHING - Orange is the New Black SEASON TWOOO.

WALKING - to work, rain or shine this month. Making that promise to myself.

WEARING - pants more often than I want, since my poor legs have already fallen victim to one night of savage VA mosquitos.

COOKING - out with friends who have more than just a fire escape.

WORKING - on freeing up space on the ol' iphone. Daunting, really.

TRAVELING - to Richmond for a very exciting wedding.

WANTING - more dresses in my closet.

 Whatcha doin' this month?

this month - may

 

EATING - a Whole30 diet because bandwagons & I-need-a-support-group & stuff
DRINKING - no caffeine! I'm 4 days in. Ignore my desperate pleas for coffee.

PRACTICING -self restraint - See above

MASTERING -beach-less beach hair

LEARNING -how to cook the perfect poached egg

PLAYING -with my co-worker's new australian shepherd, who lives in the office with us during the day #bliss

FINISHING - off a bottle of aloe after last week's episode of sunburn

READING - up on how to keep plants alive becauuuuse...

WATCHING - season 2 of House of Cards

WALKING - with a scarf over my face, as Virginia's pollen is NO joke

WEARING - my Cardinals hat when we watch the game. BASEBALL SEASON, BABY.

COOKING -less, salad-ing more.

WORKING -on my baby sister's graduation announcements. HOW.

TRAVELING - around Virginia for client meetings & weddings - Must be May!

WANTING - more pink in my hair

 Whatcha doin' this month?

this month - april

EATING - all sorts of salads, because that's what you do when it's warm outside
DRINKING - green tea + local honey for those allergies, man

PRACTICING - Chopin's Nocturne in E Flat Major, Op. 9 No. 2

MASTERING - responding to emails & messages when I receive them

LEARNING - to accept compliments

PLAYING - Ingrid Michaelson & Nickel Creek in anticipation of their new albums #throwback

FINISHING - cleaning out our closets in anticipation of a yard sale

READING - headlines while I brush my teeth to get my day started

WATCHING - Jimmy Stewart everything, as Jared's on a kick & I'm totally game

WALKING - confidently in open toed shoes on the days that allow it, thanks to a much needed pedicure

WEARING - flowy skirts & short sleeved shirts & absolutely no coats or scarves, please

COOKING - lots of fish, which is new

WORKING - outside, wherever I can find a porch that will take me

TRAVELING - south for a spring break week in North Carolina

WANTING - to spend a weekend organizing & printing photos from the last ummm, 8 years

Whatcha doin' this month? 

this month - march

EATING - birthday cake for Jared, mama & one of my besties

DRINKING - more coffee, because it's somehow not spring yet

PRACTICING - making the bed every morning

MASTERING - the french twist

LEARNING - to appreciate decaf coffee & tea in lieu of dessert

PLAYING - James Vincent Mcmorrow's latest album & The Black Keys on Pandora

FINISHING - my "winter" foundation off in anticipation of some vitamin D

READING - Isaiah

WATCHING - The Grand Budapest Hotel, almost certainly followed by a Wes Anderson marathon

WALKING - with blisters since my feet are apparently not used to flats after this cold winter

WEARING - layers to keep up with days that start & end cold with some warm in the middle

COOKING - my mom's Corned Beef & Cabbage recipe (for the first time!) for a St. Patty's party

WORKING - on a fun project with Virginia Bloggers

TRAVELING - to the beach on any warm days March throws at us

WANTING - to spend plenty of time with my grandparents, who are in town for most of the month

Whatcha doin' this month?

this month - february

EATING - eggs on everything

DRINKING - grapefruit juice, only a little because I'm obsessed with its color

PRACTICING - newborn poses with my sister's almost-here baby boy

MASTERING - the new part-time job

LEARNING - to appreciate decaf coffee & tea in lieu of dessert

PLAYING - The Avett Brothers & fleet foxes

FINISHING - the brainstorm process for some painting projects around the house

READING - The Goldfinch (by donna tartt)

WATCHING - scandal

WALKING - to work in the mornings

WEARING - tall socks, hats & hunters

COOKING - stews, soups and chilis

WORKING - my body & feeling all the things with barre3

TRAVELING - to Richmond (for real this time) this weekend

WANTING - to not be called in for jury duty *fingers crossed*

What are you hoping to do this month?

this month - january

EATING - less sweets, because my face is picketing (ha) against December's delicious shenanigans.

DRINKING - coconut water... because face picketing ^^

PRACTICING - waking up earlier.

MASTERING - meal planning.

LEARNING - how to be more structured & intentional with my time.

PLAYING - French pop, unapologetically.

FINISHING - un-Christmasifying our apartment.

READING - up on writing a business plan & ughhhhh.

WATCHING - The Office if I'm by myself, Frasier if Jared is home.

WALKING - more often, even if it's freezing.

WEARING - button downs, toms & messy buns as this month's uniform.

COOKING - ambitiously. I'm currently on a chinese recipe spree.

WORKING - on my January bride's wedding prep.

TRAVELING - perhaps to Richmond, but mostly ready for a month of calm at home.

WANTING - snow. Now that Christmas is over, it's either snow or spring, please & thanks.

[I saw this list once on the bleubird blog, & I really loved the idea of defining some of the month ahead of me. What better time to start a new series or three on the blog than the beginning of a new year, right? Now I just have to think really happy, twelve-month long thoughts.]