Winter 2025/26 Goals

Wow!  Can you believe today is the last day of 2025!  I have to say that 2025 was a fantastic year for our family with so many good things including:

• Halie graduated high school and had a successful first term of university.  
• Anya turned 16 and got her license the very next day!
•  We enjoyed a trip of a lifetime to Venice and Paris, and we were jointed by my mom and dad. 
• We had a lovely celebration with our family and friends in the beginning of summer to celebrate Halie's graduation.
•  Mr. and I celebrated our 22nd wedding anniversary.  
• We spent time at the lake and have both continued to enjoy our jobs and our personal lives. 
• I accomplished my first sprint duatholon in the spring and a half-marathon in the fall.  And I will complete another December Running challenge with over a 100 km, strength training once a week and pretty regular stretching.
• My photography side-gig, A&H Snapshots, had a fantastic year and I hope to maintain the same level of clients as last year.  

Now let's look forward!

Last year I made a switch from long-term goals to quarterly ones, and I really like this system for myself.  It feels more intuitive and responsive to the things I am leaning into in the moment and where my family is at.  So here are some things that I am loving and want to keep doing:

• Reading daily (I aim for 20 min./day)
• Exercising vigorously 4-5x/week (running, spinning, strength training)
• Walking with my husband & dogs (3-5x/week)
• Blogging 1/week
• Book Club with the Ladies 1/month

Specific goals I have for the winter this year:

• Iron Slug Challenge in January (3.8 km swim, 180 km bike & 42.2 km run/walk)
• Do the "Up For Anything: A year of creative living challenge"
• Planned family time/activity 1/month
• Skating 
• Cross-Country Ski - specifically go to ski Eb's Ski trails
• Snowboarding/Skiing - mountain trip or local hill
• Winter Wonderland Mini Photoshoot with A&H Snapshots
• Get away to the cabin
• Host a friends gathering 
• Take myself on a Blogging Coffee Date
• Host neighbours for a visit
• Visit my in-laws 
• Do some AI photo training course
• Begin booking some things for our Montreal trip for Summer 2026
• Make photobook of Europe trip from 2025
• Pre-plan & pre-book to have cleaners 1/month
• Plan some races for the year and summer dates
• Volunteer Gigs: Social Media manager for 100 Women Who Care & Golf Tournament for Literacy in June 

Long-Term goal:

• Update our wills
• Meet with a financial planner

Now it's your turn.  

Do you set goals?  

How do you do them?  

How do you track?  

What are some of your goals?

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Ageless Style: Oldie but a Goodie & a Tear Jerker

What's the oldest piece in your closet?  I have a couple of things that come to mind.  My moms vintage fur coat, my grandmas necklace and this dress!  Today's prompt was the oldest thing in your closet and as soon as I read it, I knew what I was going to showcase.  

This classic, dark navy, fitted dress, is 28 years old and it's still in my closet and gets worn once or twice a year.  I got this dress for my grade 8 farewell! Yep, I wore this as a grade 8, 14 year old student.  Here in Saskatoon we have elementary schools, K-Gr.8, and high school, Gr. 9-12.  When we end our elementary school career we have a farewell that students dress up for, there is a ceremony, a party, and speeches, like a practice graduation.  Well, I bought this dress at Suzy Shier for the occasion and I just never let it go. LOL.  I usually wear it for funerals now, or for this post I decided to throw on my sparkly, rose gold, duster cardigan to make it more festive.  I actually love this outfit and would wear it to a school event such as one of our holiday concerts, or dinner out.  It's really a timeless and classic piece and it's why I've kept it all these years.  Sometimes, I throw over a sweater and wear it as a pencil skirt.  

WARNING: TEAR JERKER AHEAD

You'll notice that in both of these photos, I am also wearing a necklace.  This is the most precious thing I own.  Ready to get teary?!?  

When I was little, I used to always tug at this necklace around my baka's (grandmother) neck and say, "when you die, can I have this?" I was young and mesmerized by it.  When I was 10 years old, in the early hours of a morning, my family fled our city during the Bosnian war.  We didn't say goodbye to friends or neighbors, because it was dangerous, but my grandparents were there to hug us one last time and send us off.  That morning my baka took off her necklace and put it around my neck before we got in the car.  OH GOSH, now I am crying.  Years later, my baka and dida, arrived in Canada and we were reunited, I was 14 years old by then.  I asked my baka if she wanted the necklace back but she told me to keep it.  My baka is 94 years old and a force to be reckon with.  I have endless love and respect for her and feel so lucky to have her living just a couple of blocks away from our home.  This necklace is the most valuable thing I own because it represents love, strength, resilience, history and family.

So with that I leave you with a message of love, peace and joy as you enter this holiday season.  

Thank you for being a part of my little world here on this blog, I appreciate you more than I could ever say.  I hope to be back on Monday, Dec. 22nd with a Winter Bucket List and then a 2 week break.  

Jodie ~ Jodie’s Touch of Style

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Bo ~ Bo's Bodacious Blog

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Marsha~ Marsha in the Middle
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Mireille ~ Chez Mireille Fashion Travel Mom

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Jennifer - Overflowing with Thankfulness

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Amy ~ Amy’s Creative Pursuits
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Joanna ~ My Slice of Life

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Lace, Texture, and Autumn Elegance

Just a few weeks ago fall was still visible but if you were to take picture of my front entrance today    a) you would see all the holiday decor and b) white fluffy snow everywhere.  Regardless, this chocolate brown, lacey dress is a beautiful addition to my closet this fall season and I plan to style it right into winter with some booties, or maybe even some fall suede boots.  Mixing textures like lace, leather, and suede is a great way to keep things fresh.  I immediately fell in love with this dress when I purchased it this summer, knowing that I would wear it tons through fall and winter.  The color is on trend, the lacey detail makes it feminine, the key hole neckline a little flirty and the bell sleeves add a romantic touch.  I love the length because it's modest and easy to wear to work for events where I need to be dressed up such as our upcoming many evening concerts and events.  I plan to wear it for our evening band concert where we will be greeting and hosting many families.  

Shop This Post:

Somedays Lovin Dress (small)

Plum Crossbody Bag (old; similar at Amazon or  Aldo)

How is everyone enjoying December so far?  

Do you find December overwhelming or festive or somewhere in between?  

We had a great first week of December!  We celebrated my moms 67th birthday and my MIL birthday by taking everyone to the  local theater to watch A Christmas Story.  It was soooooo good and we all enjoyed many belly laughs.  This weekend Logan and I were invited to DipMas, everyone brings a dip to share, and we got to enjoy company of some friends as well as meet new people.  I was able to get going on my Christmas baking and we ended the weekend off gathering with my family for my moms birthday supper.  Overall, I feel excited for the week to come and also know it's going to be absolutely go-go-go!  Where ever you are on the holiday rollercoaster, I hope you have moments of peace, joy and quite, amongst the chaos.  Thanks for stopping by. 

XOXO Bo

My Real Life Christmas Wish List

 

Hello friends and welcome to the first day of December!!!!!  

The count-down is on to Christmas for the people who celebrate.  Did you do a lot of your shopping already?  Did you get the Black Friday deals?  If you are like me, you are worried about everyone else and how to ensure they get whatever is on their wish lists.  I am the one that kind of keeps the magic alive not only for my own children but also for our extended families.  Anyway, it's a job that I have willingly taken on but it means that I often do not focus on what I want but my sweet husband, and also my now teen girls, really want to make it a special morning for me as well so they have been bugging me about what's on my list.  So here is my real-life wish list.  It has everything from cozy, to a little bit of luxury (those satin VS pjs), to running gear,  stocking stuffers and a book I am hoping to dive into over the holidays.  I try to keep things to $100 and most of these items are now on sale and very much still in stock.  

Old Navy Zip-Up

Old Navy Cargo Sweats 

2026 Planner

Victoria Secret Slippers

Victoria Secret Satin PJ Set

Bath & Body Works Merry Cookie Candle

Water bottle running belt 

The Favorites by Layne Fargo

What's on your wish list?

Ageless Style: Falling for Vests

Welcome to our second last installment of Ageless Style for the 2025 year.  We gather here every third Thursday of the month and showcase our interpretation of whatever the prompt is.  We invite you to blog hop, comment, pin and of course join along with the prompt of link-up your own blog post so we can get to know you.  We hope this space if safe, encouraging and inclusive of whatever your stage of life is.  

Today's prompt was VESTS.  I've been all about vests this fall season see here and here, so when we first got this prompt I was unsure what I was going to share that I hadn't already done so.  way back in August when I was looking at predictions of fall/winter fashion trends, I knew that faux fur was going to be big again (it's always there because it's fun), but this year I decided I was going to hunt for a faux fur vest.  I used to have one way back in the day, see a throwback here, but it's been long gone from my closet.  I found this one second hand for $15 and thought why not!  

A few weeks ago we met up with some friends for coffee on a crisp Sunday morning and I decided to wear it styled with jeans, and then again with trousers for work.  I got SO many compliments on it.  Simply keeping all the other pieces very plain and simple, the vest became the main character and everyone was loving it.  So overall, I say it was a steal of a deal.  

What do you think?  

Are you going in on the faux fur look this year?

Next month our Ageless Style prompt is "the oldest thing in your closet"!

Jodie ~ Jodie’s Touch of Style

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Bo ~ Bo's Bodacious Blog

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Marsha~ Marsha in the Middle
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Mireille ~ Chez Mireille Fashion Travel Mom

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Jennifer - Overflowing with Thankfulness

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Amy ~ Amy’s Creative Pursuits
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Joanna ~ My Slice of Life

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Quarter 3: Falling for Goals Reflection

Back in September I released my goals for the fall season and today I am back to update you all on how it's been going.  Let's jump right in!

* are the goals I've set out, and in RED is my reflection.  My categories are personal, family/relationships, physical, professional and financial.

 PERSONAL

*Give up fake eyelashes for 8-12 weeks.  

10/10 Success & update!!!!  And although they were non-existent when I took them off, they are coming back nicely with the use of this SERUM and I am happy using the ELF tubing mascara which is way nicer to take off at the end of the day and does not leave racoon eyes. I am looking to try clusters or if you have tubing mascara that you love, please send me the recommendations.

*Create and send out Halie's thank you cards, our family holiday card, and make family calendars as Christmas gifts! 10/10 written and ready to be mailed over the next week!

*Continue to get house cleanings once a month to help with maintenance. 7/10 Need to book a cleaning for December.  I need to find someone new which is why it hasn't happened.

*Decorate for fall because it makes me happy. 10/10 and added the cutest pumpkin pillow cases this year, see here.

*Morning Routine: I want to balance my early mornings with a few early morning workouts but also 3 days of enjoying a slow morning of coffee and reading.  This means that I would have to workout right after work and plan to leave work in good time.  5/10 Reading lots but... Some of the books I've read this fall are:

Too Late by Colleen Hover ⭐⭐⭐1/2

The Frozen River by ariel Lawhon ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Lost and Found Girl by Maisey Yates  ⭐⭐1/2

The Things We Leave Unfinished by Rebecca Yarrows ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (audiobook)

The Last Letter from Your Lover by Jojo Moyes  ⭐⭐⭐⭐(audiobook)

*Routine for blogging/photography:  I would really like to try a once a month coffee shop work date for myself.  I'd like to carve out 2-3 hours to enjoy a coffee, and maybe a treat, while giving dedicated time to blogging and/or planning content for my photography side hustle.  I also want to try different coffee shops in the city to see where I like to go and what works as a space for me.  0/10 FAIL but I still want to plan towards this goal.  I really like this idea.

PHYSICAL

*Run the Step Up for Mental Health half marathon. 

10/10 and I was so happy with my results!!!!  I did way better than I anticipated with coming in at 2:02:58.  My husband did the 10 km and PB.  A great weekend for us and for a great cause.  

*Fall Workout routine:

       Monday: 5km speed/hill 

      Tuesday: Weights

      Wednesday: Rest

      Thursday: 5-7km run

      Friday: Spin

      Saturday: 10-12 km run

      Sunday: Rest

*Stretch 5/7 days in the evenings for 5-10 minutes.

4/10 My routine is a mess and I am really hoping to reestablish it.  I am trying to have grace with myself but that this is the most inconsistent routine I've been in years.

FAMILY/RELATIONSHIPS

This whole area has really suffered this fall.  Work has taken a significant amount of time and energy this fall, along with training for running and all the fall photoshoots, that I was left with very little time.  That being said, I still connected with four sets of different friends through coffee dates, drinks or dinner dates, continue to run with my besties at least 2x week, went to book club, had two dates with Logan, and had a one-on-one date with Anya for the Taylor Swift  album release party, as well as spent Thanksgiving weekend with both families and supported Halie at her last riding event of the year.  So although I didn't do many of the items below, when I had time, I spent it with the people I love. 

*Drive with Anya once a week taking her to different parts of the city.  7/10 on the driving & Taylor Swift Release Movie together

*Plan a trip to Regina to see Ashley.  0/10 FAIL

*Host our neighbors for a bevvie.  0/10 FAIL

*I want to have a couple of important one on one experiences with my dad, my mom and my grandma. 0/10 FAIL

*Find a "FALL-ish" activity to do locally with the family, as a date or with girlfriends. 0/10 FAIL

*Do an experience date with Logan or get away to the cabin just the two of us. 5/10 We had two dates in the last 3 weeks!

PROFFESSIONAL 

*Plan an early November Christmas mini session and take December off to just focus on family.   I did so many photos in September, October and a wedding in November, that I decided I needed to take time off this year.  So no planned mini-sessions but am happy to do photos if asked.

FINANCIAL

*No spend Sept. 15- Oct.30th for clothing.  10/10 

*Follow one month of spending and look at our current state of earnings vs. spending and assess them as a couple.  0/10 FAIL

*Begin Christmas shopping at the start of November as to not get overwhelmed. 

8/10 Started shopping, have Xmas cards, wrapped a few items and have a game plan for 80% of the gifts.

What I've Been Wearing in This Season.....

Come back this Thursday for our Ageless Style Link-Up and see how we are styling vests this fall and into winter.