We're now squarely into January and all of the newness from the holidays has finally worn off. I'm still just as excited as ever to dig into my goals for 2017 but it's business as usual around here lately and that's okay too. As always, I'm feeling the moody vibes and scheming ways to feel creative this month. I've been nesting a little (no forthcoming babies just a desire to really settle into our space) and am making big progress getting things done around the house. It's a never-ending battle but the journey sure is fun! How are you feeling lately?

The weather has been all over the place this January (think snow and 70 degree mugginess in the same week) and my wardrobe is taking quite the beating because of it. I'd much rather be wearing a fun fur jacket and the perfect minimal mules this month.

zara faux fur coat & soft touch sweater, re/done seamed high rise denim, katerina makriyianni fan earrings,  jenni kayne black leather mules

p.s. I've been trying to heed my own call for depth and discovery but what's another outfit wishlist every once in a while?

Happy 2017! Even though I always know it's coming, it never ceases that I'm shocked when the new year arrives. The older I get, the more time it takes to adjust to the change of a new calendar year. Undoubtedly, I'll be recovering from an awesome holiday season and getting back into the swing of things for a few days still but I'm so excited to plug myself back in after a couple weeks of disconnected living. A break is always the right thing to get me excited to create again.

With the beginning of a new year always comes the desire to turn over a new leaf and resolutions have always been my favorite catalyst for imagining what the next twelve months will be like. I've recently made some really big changes and I feel as if 2016 was a true period of self discovery. I'm grateful for having been exposed to the industry I hope to call home, an unmitigated kick in the pants I didn't know I needed to shake things up and suss out my goals, a newfound sense of self and purpose spurred by the outcome of a crazy election year and so many things that were revealed to me throughout 2016. I'm lucky to have a healthy, beautiful, supportive family that was able to travel and learn a lot this year. Without dwelling too much on what's in the past, I'm looking to the upcoming seasons with excitement and fervor. I can't wait to dive into 2017 with a few new (and old) goals to guide my way. Here are my resolutions for the new year:

make big strides toward career independence // I'm keeping things pretty vague here but I'm headed back to school for a broad degree that will undoubtedly help me kick off something I've been pondering for quite some time. One of the most important things that the last couple of years has taught me is that I long to be my own boss. Separate from this space, I've worked both independently and in tandem/for other people in the past. This year made it abundantly clear to me that I want to create a viable business for and by myself. I'm hopeful that the steps I'm making now will help me navigate the opening of something I can call home for a while. I plan to share more as details firm up but for now, wish me all sorts of general luck and stay tuned!

reconfigure hazel + scout // You might have noticed a decline in content over the past year and it has come as a direct symptom of confusion. I've been unsure of this blog's direction for a while and am just starting to figure it all out. What began six years ago as an admittedly superficial creative outlet for a very young twenty-something is growing and changing (hopefully alongside me). I've lost the desire to trudge out and craft posed 'outfit of the day' posts or roundup a ton of products every week (although you may still see those things from time to time... just in a more organic way). As I have matured, the content I take pride in has shifted. I have no plans to let go of this space but I want to use this blog to chronicle creative undertakings, open up discussion about current events, empower women and cultivate beauty. I have been dreaming up (and teasing) a new series for a few months and I am finally making steps to its inception. What this all means is that Hazel + Scout will change in 2017. I hope you'll continue to follow along as things get a little more free-form and introspective. I hope we can deepen our connection but still share a love of beautiful things in the coming year.

p.s. I welcome your feedback! Is there anything you want to see here? Is there anything you could do without? If you love this space, why?

spend more time consuming culture // I have a sneaking feeling that if I really broke down and accounted for all of my hours in the last year I would have spent most of them doing things that do not feed my soul. Social media and trivial pursuits dominated my time in 2016 and I want to spend this year consuming more art, literature, fresh air and less Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Bravo TV.

self care // This is something that I didn't prioritize last year (even though it was on of my resolutions for 2106). I have always had a hard time putting myself first and it's no surprise to me that I haven't been taking care of myself as well as I should have. I spent a lot of 2016 stressed, busy, preoccupied and probably dehydrated. This year I hope to really reconcile that self care is not selfish and spend more time tending to my mind and body. Good old resolution standbys like making healthy choices and being more active definitely fall into this category as well as sorting out a beauty routine and stealing away some alone time to recharge.

While I definitely have a long list of smaller goals, these are four major themes of 2017. Hopefully I can navigate this coming year with grace and an open mind. I look forward to going deeper with you and continuing to share the things that inspire me and light a fire in my belly. I am so thankful that you've chosen to spend time here with me (no matter how much) and can't wait to create some wonderful things in 2017. Thank you for your support! What are your goals for the new year?

Curious about last year's resolutions? Head back to this post and see how I kept up.

The month is rushing by pretty quickly, isn't it!? December is always an exciting time and I'm happy to have celebrated my 26th birthday last week, be well into holiday festivity and spending a lot of time sitting with my thoughts and plans for 2017. Things have been changing a lot for me lately and everything is a little up in the air but in the best way possible. The biggest changes have come in the form of leaving my previous position in the bridal industry, re-enrolling in school and getting back to the root of what makes me creatively fulfilled and happy. Sometimes you have to shake it all up to find your footing again.

I've been able to spend a lot of time getting back into my old rhythm, gather a ton of inspiration and make some pretty big plans. While most of December is usually spent in preparation for the holidays, there are a few things I'd like to get done before the new year:

school // I'm through the toughest parts of the process (admissions, financial aid, etc.) but I'd like to figure out a plan for heading back to school in January. It's funny how your perspective on education changes as the years pass and I'm looking forward to approaching a degree with a different outlook on the system. You may know, if you've been reading this blog for a long time, that I started going to school for Linguistic Anthropology straight after high school but found myself a bit displaced by the concept, living in a new country without a support system to lean on. I stepped away from traditional education, landed squarely in family life and found a creative career. It wasn't until recently that I figured out what my biggest pursuit will likely be and decided a degree would help make that a reality. Back to class I go!

creative projects // I'm slowly getting back into creating things for myself and I'm loving it. I have editorials lined up and some ideas I'd love to execute soon. I want to use my time this month to actually schedule and plan these projects instead of just dreaming.

get grounded // Since stepping away from my job I've found myself wanting to spend a lot of time nesting and re-centering. I'm hoping to continue sprucing our place, continue spending a lot of time with my thoughts and dive into all of the things that make me feel grounded. I've rediscovered a love of music and quiet time, found the urge to start bullet journaling and developed a general desire to buck the system. In true introvert fashion, I've turned inward and want to continue doing that work in preparation for the new year.

What are your goals for December?