25 Before 25- Update 3

Remember back in June when I created my 25 Before 25 list? Well, I didn't meat my original goal of completing all of my tasks before turning 25, but that doesn't meant that I've given up! I'm going to use the rest of my 25th year to complete my list and maybe even have a few more adventures along the way. Here's a little reminder of where I am with my list...

What's something on your "to-do" list this year? Have a wonderful weekend!

1. Become certified to scuba dive
I have a wedding to attend in Florida in October--Certification is must before then! 

2. Skydive

*Completed 8/26/12*

3. Create a budget...and stick to it!  
Coming VERY soon! I now I have job that I love and plan on staying at for quite a while, thus creating a "spending plan" is soon to come.

 

4. Stay on my grandparents' farm 

*Completed 6/18/12*

5. Watch the sunrise  

*Completed 7/6/12*

6. Travel to a new continent 

*Completed 11/22/12-12/12/12*
Doha, Qatar

7. Complete 1 DIY project a month

8. Learn to play the mandolin
I've got one tune down and hope to learn more soon!

9. Go gluten free for one week 

10. Attend a pro baseball game

*Completed 7/7/2012* 

 

11. Learn how to use Photoshop
I received the latest version for Christmas. My first couple of projects were a little iffy--Hopefully I'll have something to show off soon!

12. Start my own Etsy shop 

13. Learn how to change a tire

14. Watch all 8 Harry Potter movies in 1 weekend 

15. Visit a zoo 

*Completed 7/8/12*

16. Find a new organization to volunteer with 

17. Read 1 new book per month

18. Research my family history 

19. Attend an amazing live concert 

*Completed 7/29/2012*

  

20.  Host a giveaway on my blog

21. Write a letter to my 35-year-old self 

22. See a shooting star

*Completed 7/4/12*

23. Turn off my phone for 24 hours

24.  Move out of my parents’ home

25.   Create a bucket list!

Giveaway- Amanda Catherine Designs Print

I'm so excited to announce the first giveaway on All Things Charming! As many of you know I have a love for well placed words, and over the past few months have fallen in love with several prints by Amanda Catherine Designs, which is why I'm thrilled to share the opportunity for on lucky person to win this adorable Thanksgiving print! 

image via

To enter: 
1. Follow ATC (via gfc or bloglovin) and leave a comment below about your favorite holiday tradition! If you're already a follower just leave a comment!

For extra entries (indicate all forms of entry in your comment):
2. Follow ATC on Twitter
3. Follow ATC on Facebook ...I have a new page!
4. Follow Amanda Catherine Designs on Twitter
5. Follow Amanda Catherine Designs on Facebook
5. Tweet about the giveaway, mentioning @thingscharming and @AmandaCathDes

The giveaway will run through 10/31/12, with the winner being announced on 11/1/12!

Good luck! xo 



Open to residents of the continental U.S. only.

P.S. Hosting a giveaway makes for one more thing off my list!...look for a 25 Before 25 update soon! 

Exciting News!

Happy Friday, loves! Remember when I said that I had some exciting news coming? Well, I'm finally able to announce it today!

Since first launching All Things Charming in March I've shared little bits and pieces with you all about my life, but one thing I haven't shared is that in my spare time I have a passion for working on environmental and social justice issues. My passion has lead me all over the country through non-profit work, and as of three years ago internationally as well! I've been truly blessed and feel honored to have the opportunities that I've had to advocate for issues that I care so much about...which is why I'm so excited to announce that I've been selected for a journalism team going to Doha, Qatar for the annual United Nations environmental negotiations from November 22nd-December 12th!


I've had the opportunity to attend the same meeting in the past..

Here I am in Copenhagen, Denmark in 2009

And in Durban, South Africa in 2011

....however this time I'll be attending purely to write, interview, and share stories on the ground! So what does this mean? Well, it first means that life is about to get a little crazier (so excited!) and it also means that I'm looking for some amazing guest bloggers to lend me a hand while I'm out of the country. Interested? Email me here!


The second bit of exciting news is that I'll be hosting my very first giveaway this month! You may recall that hosting a giveaway is on my 25 Before 25 list, along with visiting a new continent (hello, Qatar!), so you can imagine how thrilled I am to have a couple of more things to check off my list very soon. Stay tuned for updates...

Finally, I'd like to send you off into the weekend with this oh-so-charming floral photo. Isn't it lovely? Have a wonderful  weekend!

image via

Weekend Review

How was my weekend you ask? Well, it just so happened to be the best.weekend.ever. Seriously!
Throughout the weekend I was able to spend time with M (a.k.a. the person with me in all of the photos below!), eat yummy food, drink delicious beer, AND accomplish two more things from my 25 Before 25 list! Here's a glimpse into why my weekend was so great...

I attended my first major league baseball game, which also happened to be number 10 on my list! Although it was an absolutely sweltering game with a temp of 105, M and I still had a great time!...and the Cardinals won!

After the game we went to BB's Jazz, Blues, and Soups where we had some delicious local brews, burgers, and listened to great blues!

On Sunday we knocked number 15 off of my list by visiting the St. Louis Zoo! It was once again a hot day, but we had such a fun time walking around looking at all of the adorable animals.

So tell me, how was your weekend? Did you find a way to escape the heat, or did you brave it like me? Have a wonderful Monday!

25 Before 25- Update 1

As you may recall, two weeks ago I posted a list of 25 things I'd like to do before I turn 25. Well, I'm excited to share that I'm able to officially check numbers four, five, and twenty-two off the list!

1. Become certified to scuba dive

2. Sky dive

3. Create a budget...and stick to it! 

4. Stay on my grandparents' farm 

 

*Completed 6/18/12*

I had a wonderful weekend on my grandparents' farm! I spent most of my time wandering around the farm, talking with my grandmother, and eating some amazing meals... AND to top it all off, I went almost 24 hours without internet and my phone--it felt so great!

Here are few photos I took while on my visit

5. Watch the sunrise  

*Completed 7/6/12*

This morning I woke up and found myself unable to fall back to sleep, so instead of watching re-runs of The Nanny, I decided to check one more thing off my list. I walked to the edge of my neighborhood and after waiting patiently for about 20 minutes I was rewarded with a beautiful sunrise! Seriously, these photos don't do it justice! 

 
 

6. Travel to a new continent 

7. Complete 1 DIY project a month

8. Learn to play the mandolin

9. Go gluten free for one week 

10. Attend a pro baseball game

11. Learn how to use Photoshop

12. Start my own Etsy shop 

13. Learn how to change a tire

14. Watch all 8 Harry Potter movies in 1 weekend 

15. Visit a zoo 

16. Find a new organization to volunteer with 

17. Read 1 new book per month

18. Research my family history 

19. Attend an amazing live concert 

20.  Host a giveaway on my blog

21. Write a letter to my 35-year-old self 

22. See a shooting star

*Completed 7/4/12*

While on a late night/early morning swim during an amazing 4th of July celebration I saw not just one, but TWO shooting stars! 

 

23. Turn off my phone for 24 hours

24.  Move out of my parents’ home

25.   Create a bucket list!

25 Before 25

--> Hi, friends! Sorry for being m.i.a yesterday. I was staying on my grandparents' farm (see list below!) where there's no internet to be found for miles...and I forgot my phone charger, so I almost went 24 hours without my cell phone and internet—gasp! 

As you all know, I've been taking it easy the last week and a half while between jobs which has left me with a little time to think. I started ATC as part New Year's Resolution/ part challenge to my self to try something new. In that spirit, I've developed a list of things that I’d like to accomplish before I turn 25...which coincidentally is 8 months away from today! 

1. Become certified to scuba dive

This has been on my to-do list for the past year. I was hoping to become certified before I went to South Africa, but unfortunately time got away from. I'm so excited to try this! 

2. Go skydiving

I promised a friend I would try this once in my life--Mom, I promise to let you know about this one after I land!

3. Create a budget...and stick to it! 

While living on my own I am able to do this pretty well, but while living with my parents over the past year I've unfortunately slipped into my pre-college habits. Time to fix that!

4. Stay on my grandparents' farm 

Have I told you all that I live in Iowa? (It's a great state--you should visit!). While growing up I would always stay on my grandparents' farm in rural Iowa for a few days in the summer. My days were spent eating baked goods and running around barefoot. *You'll hear about this one very soon!

5. Watch the sunrise  

I'm not sure I've ever seen a sunrise intentionally. What I mean is that I usually catch the sunrise because I'm up early to catch a flight. This sunrise will be seen for the sole purpose of welcoming the morning. I'm a night owl, so this could be tough! 

6. Travel to a new continent 

I checked off Africa during my 23rd year...which one should I tackle next?! 

7. Complete 1 DIY project a month

Any ideas for projects I should try?! 

8. Learn to play the mandolin

I received a mandolin as a gift in March. Now, it's time for me to actually learn how to play it! 

9. Go gluten free for one week 

10. Attend a pro baseball game

Can you believe I've never done this?! 

11. Learn how to use Photoshop

12. Start my own Etsy shop 

This is another that I'm really excited to accomplish! 

13. Learn how to change a tire

I've done this once out of pure desperation while stranded with a friend...and I'm pretty sure it wasn't safe to drive on. It's time for me to learn a thing or two about cars and changing a tire seems like a great place to start! 

14. Watch all 8 Harry Potter movies in 1 weekend 

Anyone want to join me?! 

15. Visit a zoo 

I've only been to one zoo in my life...crazy, right? 

16. Find a new organization to volunteer with 

Volunteering is a huge part of my life and I'm always on the lookout for a new organization for work with! 

17. Read 1 new book per month

Any suggestions? 

18. Research my family history 

I recently learned that one side of my family goes all the way back to the Mayflower! This has the history nerd in me pretty excited to research some more. 

19. Attend an amazing live concert 

This one is already in the works! 

20.  Host a giveaway on my blog

21. Write a letter to my 35-year-old self 

22.  See a shooting star

Why? Because it’s been too long! 

23. Turn off my phone for 24 hours

I was SO close to accomplishing this one on Sunday/Monday

24.  Move out of my parents’ home

Don’t get me wrong, I really appreciate that my mom and dad have let me live with them and have really enjoyed the new aspects to our relationship that we’ve formed, but I'm ready to have my own space again. I’m itching to decorate an apartment! 

25.   Create a bucket list!

I have a mini-bucket list started on Pinterest, but I want it written out and displayed for all to see. Life is short and I have a lot to get done! 

So, there you have it! Anything missing that you would add to your 25 before 25 (or 30, 35, 40...) list?  


I'll keep you all updated as I accomplish each task! 

25 Before 25- Update 1
25 Before 25- Update 2