New Year's Revolution

That's right. I mean business for 2014. No more sissy resolutions about becoming a 'seriously dedicated' jogger...no more unrealistic expectations about cleaning out my closet and not buying shoes...NO! I finally found something I can get on board with. Like, whole-heartedly get on board with.

2014 is the year when I Just Do $#*%.

(I mean, I must be serious if I have a logo for it, right?)

Please, allow me to explain. It was New Year's Eve and I was at the store, trying to buy the ingredients for a fun, festive cocktail...when it hit me. Since last January, I have wanted to make a Bramble--a delicious, classic drink that I had in Siesta Key. Every time we're out and I look at the drink menu, I'm looking to see if they have a Bramble. I've asked at bars if they make it. No one in town keeps the blackberry liqueur on-hand, so I've yet to find it. But here I was, standing next to all kinds of mixers, and I thought to myself, Nicki--just do it. So I did.

I felt almost empowered when I showed up to the party that night with my lemons, blackberries, blackberry liqueur and gin to give the Bramble a whirl. And you know what? It was FANTASTIC. Why had I waited so long to give this a shot?! We went on a cruise to the Bahamas years ago and had an amazing drink on the island called a Coco Loco--I went home, bought all the ingredients, but never tried to make it--I didn't think I had an occasion to make it for. Why wait??

Now, this is starting to sound like all I want to do is become a bartender. Au contraire, mon frères. Enter Exhibit B.

After moving into our house, of course I was chomping at the bit to get things decorated. The kitchen is coming along, and I finally have a good color scheme and vision...which lead me to wanting a custom chalkboard to go above the trashcan. So, I was at the store the week after New Year's, and thought--you guessed it--Just do it! Found a frame on clearance for $9, bought the right shade of aqua/blue, sanded down the frame, painted the glass with chalkboard paint and voilà! Problem solved.

Think this new mantra is just a 2-trick pony? Nope. Read on.

Bathroom, painted. I fell in love with an OPI nail polish--the gray shimmer, the suede finish...I love it. And in thinking what on God's green earth I could do to our Mamie pink bathroom...I thought of my nail polish. That would be cool--dark, shimmery gray...light pink tile...some white, Parisian wall accents...could be nice! New Year's Day? You guessed it. I Just Did It. And by "Did" I mean "sponge-painted every square inch."

Here's the point. It's becoming more of a mindset--a revolution against procrastination. If I'm thinking of doing something, why wait? Why not Just Do It?! I'm not promoting only Pinterest-worthy projects, nor am I endorsing rash, crazy decisions...but maybe I'm pushing the envelope towards that--just going with your gut, and acting on your instincts. Who knows? Maybe this will cause me to jump the gun on some things--and even though Brad might get caught helping me clean up the $#*% I shouldn't have just done, I have a feeling that the good will far outweigh the bad this year. Either way, I'm sure I'll live and learn in the best possible way.