Over the past few days, I've read a lot of articles about reasons why you shouldn't create resolutions for 2015 but, in my personal opinion, that feels a lot to me like telling people not to make goals because they couldn't possibly achieve them. Now, that's clearly not the way that I want to be motivated to become a better person or to take positive steps in my life. The reason why {some} people don't partake in New Year's resolutions is because they set unrealistic and unattainable goals and standards for themselves. And, let's be honest, no person in their right mind is able to achieve them {no matter how hard they work}. Losing 30 lbs in 2 weeks? Reaching a 6-figure salary at the company you're with within 1 year, when you were just hired as an intern last month? Of course you're going to be let down when it doesn't pan out. They're resolutions, not wishes. 

However, when you set realistic resolutions for yourselves that are outside the standard norm of "lose x amount of pounds" or "get a promotion/large increase in salary", you can usually gain some leeway within your long-term progress. I try each year to set goals for myself that add value to my life in the long term. This can be anything from personal issues you notice in your behavior throughout the year that you'd like to work on, to helping others out in a more significant way, or something as simple as not eating in front of the television before you go to bed. It's difficult to set a standard list of resolutions for a group of people because everyone's lifestyles vary so greatly. Each of us have our own personal battles and internal goals that we'd like to work on. 

Throughout 2014, some of my resolutions included challenging myself to take things more lightly, try new experiences {even if they weren't necessarily "for" me}, take a leap of faith within my professional setting, and give back to those in need around us. If I hadn't set those goals for myself I may not have tried that first flying lesson, completed my 21 Acts of Kindness Challenge, or, for heaven's sake, even started the AEE blog. 

Tips for following through with the Resolutions you set:

• Ensure that they are something you truly want/need to change in your life right now
• Make sure they are specific, realistic, and measurable
• Plan ahead; decide how you will deal with temptation
• Make smaller goals to lead yourself up to the long-term goal
• Place a time frame to measure your progress/achievement
• Reward yourself for good behavior
• Don't beat yourself up; do the best you can and take it one day at a time
• Tell your spouse, friends, and/or family members so that you have added accountability
• Remind yourself often of your resolution {place a note in your phone once a week/put a reminder on your desk}

Keep this in mind: Experts say that it takes approximately 21 days for a new activity to become a habit and 6 months for it to become part of your personality. It won't happen overnight but, if you are persistent, it will pay off in the long-run. 

My Resolutions for 2015:
-Don't sweat the small stuff; embrace back-up plans
-Meditate for 5 minutes each morning {MyCalmBeat - App}
-Try at least one new experience {class, location, etc.} each month
-Return phone calls and emails more diligently
-Buy less "things"
-Put $$$ away each month to buy our 1st home
-Post more frequently to AEE blog

My loved ones' Resolutions for 2015:
-"Be less negative and more positive in general."
-"Eat more consciously and clean. Check the ingredients of what I'm eating/drinking."
-"Become a more passive/calm driver."
-"Keep better track of where my money is going."

INGREDIENTS TO SET OUT:
 -Vodka {or gin} 
-Dry vermouth
-Dirty water {a.k.a. olive juice}
-Stuffed blue cheese olives
-Olives with pimentos
-Lemon twists
-Lemon candies
-Simple syrup
-Superfine sugar
-Ice

TOOLS TO SET OUT:
-Martini glasses {preferably straight out of the freezer}
-Toothpicks
-Measuring cups
-Cocktail shaker with jigger and strainer
-Plate for dipping martini glass into sugar for rim 

Paired perfectly with a charcutterie platter or brie with figs and honey.

More recipes for your DIY Holiday Martini Bar:
-Frosted Gingerbread Martini
-Partridge in a Pear Tree Holiday Cocktail
-Sugar Cookie Martini
-Rosemary Grapefruit Martini
-S'Moretini
-White Chocolate Peppermint Bark Martini

Happy Saturday, everyone! Can you believe it? This morning's edition of Weekend Links is the last one we'll have time for before Christmas day and the last day of Hanukkah. I have to admit that I've been pretty under the weather this week and it's been rough having to interrupt my diligent study sessions in the library for finals with quick breaks to up-heave everything I had just eaten. Not to mention embarrassing, right? It figures that I would get sick when I have all of these holiday activities planned for this weekend and the following week. At least Sam has been home with me for the most part and has been able to fix me up fabulous wellness cocktails and make me breakfast {lunch and dinner} in bed. Now, that's a silver lining if I ever saw one. Seeing that our tree is up, our gifts have been wrapped, and our finals aced, we can finally kick back and enjoy a good book in our pajamas with one of these Spiced Orange Mocha Hot Chocolates {see below} by our side tomorrow. Today, however, will be filled to the rim with cookie swaps, holiday photos, and our chaotic Christmas family reunion. 

And, since we're officially in the homestretch here, I've tried my best today to round up a little bit of everything you will need for the coming week including: a festive tablescape, a specialty hot chocolate, a guide to the absolute best of the Christmas cookie recipes from around the web, a twist on a classic martini, a minimalist curl technique for a quick holiday do', and more. Check it all out below:

Phew! Can you believe we already have less than 2 weeks until Christmas? I feel like Thanksgiving was just yesterday. Things have been so hectic this week that when I finally sat down to begin my gift wrapping last night, I realized that I haven't even fully completed my Christmas shopping for everyone. Not to mention that our tree isn't up yet, I haven't made this beautiful DIY Moroccan Wedding Blanket Tree Skirt {see below}, and no crispy gingerbread men have set off our smoke alarm. Am I losing it? I'd like to think not. Today is the day. I've made my list, checked it twice {ha, ha}, and I'm ready to get into the manic holiday spirit. Aside from my company party, our Christmas parties actually start next weekend, so this is truly the time to get my s**t together before it's too late.

If I had to guess, I'd say that what makes holiday parties entertaining and memorable is when someone brings out a classic board game that everyone can really get into. We proved this to be true during our hosting-gigs over the Thanksgiving holiday when we were consistently drawn to the Scrabble and Jenga sets. However, Sam and I were discussing last night while looking at some new game purchases online about what we used to do as kids with our friends to keep ourselves entertained versus what our future kids will do. At first, it was a pretty depressing comparison just thinking about how our kids will rather play games on their smartphones than sit down and play Pictionary with us. About how our kids will never know the horror of calling your crush's home phone {because there were no cell phones at the time} and having their Dad or their Mom grudgingly answer. About how we used to spend hours upon hours with our friends prank calling people we knew and even random numbers to tell them in a foreign accent that they "stepped on our dog" or that they better catch their refrigerator that was running. Sam and I were so delusional laughing on the floor with Oliver at one point that we even considered for a half-second trying to prank call someone just to relive those memories. Do you guys have any classic board games that you go back to year after year during the holiday season? What kind of things did you do to entertain yourself when you were a kid? After looking through my favorite links from around the web this week, leave us a comment in the section below!