Dear Diary

It’s a little late in the game for a resolutions post, but I’m working hard to better my life in whatever little ways I possibly can, and I thought some of those improvements and goals might be worth sharing before the month is through!

Cook at least one new recipe per week

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I love to cook, but I always seem to fall into the habit of making the same dishes over and over again out of convenience. With a pin board full of recipe ideas and inspiration, and a fully stocked kitchen, I really have no excuse not to get a little more experimental with my culinary skills. First up: this yummy fall kale salad with butternut squash!

Go Exploring

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It’s been a long time since I took a trip somewhere new, and I’m feeling a fair bit of wanderlust to say the least. I’d love to go somewhere on my own, and for the first time ever I actually get vacation time at my job, so I’ve been going a bit insane imagining all the places I could go. Right now my top contenders are Australia, Thailand, and Hawaii!

Revamp your living space

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I’ve been feeling the need to change up my space (aka the Pastel Palace) for months now, and I’m finally starting to put aside time and money to do something about it. Over the next year I plan to paint, add art and furniture, and I’ve even started to turn my old home office into a walk-in closet! I think the end result is going to be pretty dreamy, and I hope you follow along using the hashtag #pastelpalaceproject

Keep it Peachy

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t’s easy to get sucked into a hole of negativity, especially during Toronto winters. Everywhere you turn people are complaining, gossiping, and scowling, and that sort of thing can become awfully contagious. This year I want to do my absolute best to skip out on all of that toxic downer behaviour, instead focusing on celebrating each day and respecting those around me. A little bit of kindness goes a long way, and I’m hoping my positive outlook will prove just as contagious as that of the downers.

Read more, watch less

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I’ve always been a huge reader, but lately I find myself turning toward the glowing light of my computer screen for old episodes of Sex and The City much more than I care to admit. In an effort to curb this bad habit, I’ve just joined a feminist book club, and who knows, I might even go pay my library fees and start taking out stacks of books again!

Mix it up

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Though it may seem like I’m always out and about exploring the city’s cutest restaurants, cafes and shops, I’m actually a total homebody at heart, and getting outside can be a serious struggle for me. This year, I want to mix it up: master new hobbies! Explore a new corner of the city! Try a new sport! So far rock climbing and knitting are major priorities, but I’m definitely open to suggestions…

All photos via. Pinterest