12 Resolutions for New Year 2014

Some researchers claim it takes 21 days to form a new habit.  Why not put that theory to the test?  Instead of giving yourself a single abstract new years resolution, let's break the year down into monthly resolutions.  Just to keep things interesting.  Was your 2014 resolution to simply be a stronger, more confident individual?  Well, these 12 smaller goals will see you achieving that higher goal by 2015:

• JANUARY: Stop snacking.  Make eating a ritual, and savor your meals.
• FEBRUARY: Take inventory of your wardrobe and toiletries.  Throw out or donate what you don't ever use or need.  Only buy things you really need or want.
• MARCH: Drink more water on a daily basis.
• APRIL: Get in exercise daily, even if it's just for 10 minutes.  Even if it's simply stretching.
• MAY: Read a new book.  Read a classic.  Read something controversial.
• JUNE: Do something creative: paint, write, build, start a blog.
• JULY: Get outside.  Go for daily walks, and schedule hiking trips with friends.
• AUGUST: Gain a new skill.  Take a class in something.  Gain a certification.  
• SEPTEMBER: Travel.  Get out of the state, or even out of the country.
• OCTOBER: Reconnect with family and old friends.  Go through your phone and text people you haven't heard from in years.  Budget time to grab a coffee with them.
• NOVEMBER: Boost your financial savvy.  Learn about new investment opportunities or strategies, read the business section of the news, or just bring new vigor to managing your own finances wisely.
• DECEMBER: Reflect on your achievements and on your goals.  Not just concrete goals, but abstract goals.  Try to find what gives you meaning in your life, and decide what you want the meaning of your life to be from now on.

What we're listening to: Christmas music

'Tis the season!  We're officially into December, and personally I've started listening to a great deal of Christmas music.  I thought it'd be fun to put together a mix for you guys - a blend of classical, alternative, and pop tunes to get you in the holiday mood.

how to become a RUNNER when you REALLY HATE RUNNING

DAY ONE:  Make yourself a running playlist.

Awesome, you're done.  Nice job.  

DAY TWO:  Create your perfect running outfit.

Get dressed up to go running.  Socks (warm ones if it's cold out!), sneakers, leggings, layers... if it's cold, add a scarf, ear warmers, giant mittens... anything to make you completely adorable... slash unrecognizable to people you may walk/run past (for those of us who feel self-conscious when we go jogging).  Choose dark colors, then admire your reflection - see, already you look slimmer!  Put your running gear into a neat little pile, or even into a gym bag, and set it in plain sight for tomorrow...

DAY THREE:  Take a stroll!

You need to figure out your running path.  So today, get into your awesome running wardrobe, grab your keys and put in your headphones.  Go out after dark and take a walk - no running at all tonight.  Just mentally map out a track and walk the entire thing - no cutting corners!  Ideally it should be a sort of loop that begins and ends at your doorstep; perhaps a lap of the neighborhood?  Make sure you are able to stay on the sidewalk for the entire path.  Keep your playlist going from the moment you leave your house until the moment you come back in through the door - then see how many tracks you were out walking for.  Ideally you should have been walking for about 15-20 minutes (or approximately 4 songs).  When you get home, stretch and then hit the showers - you earned it! 

DAY FOUR:  Take the same stroll!

"Ugh... again?  But I just did that yesterday."  Can you remember the path you forged yesterday? Make sure you get all dressed up in your confidence-boosting jogging attire, get your playlist going, and do your lap again.  Maybe as you're going around that last bend, if nobody's around, try jogging for like ten seconds.  Walk the rest of the way home.  When you're back in your room, stretch and then hit the showers - you REALLY earned it today!  Spend the next hour looking at fitness- and running-themed Tumblrs.  Bask in the fact that you are now officially a member of that community.  Maybe start your own health-themed Tumblr.... 

DAYS FIVE & SIX:  Consider quitting; instead, pick up the pace.

Now that you jogged for a few seconds, you realize it's not actually that awful.  Especially since you can stop as soon as you get tired.  Today, set out on your walk with the intent of jogging at least a portion of it.  Start to realize that you get home much more quickly when you jog instead of walk.  Continue to go test this theory every day (try to keep the time of day you run consistent - personally I think the evening is better because you can end your day with the feeling of accomplishment that comes from a laid-back/low-intensity walk/jog).

DAY SEVEN:  Take a day off.

Do whatever you want.  Just make sure that the next day, you get back out there!  In the following weeks, as you realize that the workout ends more quickly when you run it instead of walking it, you might just find yourself running the whole thing.  At this point it's all you.  You may find yourself wanting to actually START your day with a jog.  And maybe doing two laps will eventually turn into three, then four laps...

EVENTUALLY:  Enjoy it.

Studies have shown that it takes 18 - 66 days to make something a habit.  It could take three weeks or more to see results physically, but you will start feeling them very quickly.  No matter what you do, every day you'll have the satisfaction that comes with getting into workout mode and walking out that door to exercise!  And believe it or not, that self-esteem boost is what will ultimately get you addicted to running.  You'll see.

The smell of coffee | how to savor your daily cup of Joe

I think Sweden has given me a coffee addiction.  I was certainly no stranger to the hastily-bought mocha on the way to class during my undergraduate years (and I will always have the fondest memories of afternoon coffee dates with friends at our little campus cafe, The Grind), but it wasn't a regular habit until I moved to Uppsala.  The typical collegiate American's coffee intake is laughable in comparison to that of the average Swede.  Only Finland natives drink more per capita.  Maybe it's to stay awake during all those long nights, I'm not sure, but the Nordic countries have institutionalized the daily cup o' Joe.

The untranslatable Swedish word fika describes the daily tradition of taking time for a coffee-and-pastry break (or two or three...) with friends or coworkers.  I just love this Kinfolk article about fika, as well as the cheeky Gevalia advertisement at the end of this article.  The idea of fika gets at the pause-button effect of drinking coffee.  It's a practice that embodies the temptation to siesta at any time of day.

But I also love waking up with coffee.  Personally, the smell of coffee will always be my favorite part of the experience.  It reminds me of Sunday mornings at home as a child.  My father always puts a huge spoonful of cinnamon in with the grounds, and that will always be my favorite smell/flavor.  Whether you're a morning person who starts the day with an automated coffeepot, or an afternoon cafe-frequenter like myself, here are my humble suggestions for savoring your daily cuppa.

1. Invest in a French press.  I recently got myself the classic Bodum Chambord, and there is no more aesthetically pleasing or simple way to make your own coffee than tossing the grounds in the bottom of a French press, filling it with boiled water, and then taking it to your cozy corner of the apartment and kicking back.
2. Clear your desk.  Coffee drinking is best suited for reading the news, checking your social media, and curling up with that book you've been letting gather dust on the windowsill.
3. Find your favorites.  Your favorite cafe, your favorite barista... or perhaps your favorite brewer (mine is the Swedish brand Arvid Nordquist).  Whatever atmosphere or taste makes the experience yours.
4. Have it your way.  The personalization doesn't end with the package.  Add a bit of cinnamon or even some cocoa powder when brewing your own coffee.  And after pouring, don't forget to add milk, cream, sugar, Stevia - whatever makes it particularly delicious to you!
5. Pair with the perfect treat.  Whether it's a morning croissant and egg, a Swedish cinnamon bun, or a slice of chocolate cake after dinner, coffee is lonely without something scrumptious to complement the flavor.
6. Read something.  Morning news?  Tumblr?  Your favorite food blog?  The newest issue of Elle or The Economist?  Or maybe a couple chapters of Game of Thrones if you're feeling ambitious... find the perfect read to go with that lazy weekend coffee.
7. Drink outside.  Whether it's a warm summer afternoon at a busy street cafe, a rainy morning on the porch of your house, or a day with snow falling past your apartment balcony, take at least a few moments to stand or sit outside and sip your cuppa while breathing fresh air and taking in the world around you.
8. Fika with a friend.  Having a cup of coffee can be a great retreat to clear your head, but obviously it's also a fantastic social lubricant.  Make a pot and invite a friend over, or meet an acquaintance you want to get to know better out at your favorite coffeehouse. 
9. Savor.  Take your time with that first sip.  Make sure you breathe in before you sip, inhaling the aroma.  Sip, savor, smile.  Repeat.

Winter is coming | a dozen ways to prepare

It's now 100% autumn, and I'm sure many of our readers have already started to feel the chill of winter creeping in - here in Sweden, the leaves are all pretty much gone, and the other morning I woke up to snow.  Snow.  In mid-October.  Winter is coming (I happen to be reading Game of Thrones right now, which only makes it more fun to talk about this), and to be honest I can't wait.  I love winter, it is by far my favorite season.  But the anticipation leading up to it - autumn - can be just as fun.  Here is my personal checklist of things to do to prepare yourself mentally and physically for the coming months of darkness and cold.

1. Start getting up earlier.  The days are already starting to get shorter (by December in Sweden the sun will be setting at 3pm!), and your body will start to drag as that sun vanishes earlier and earlier.  Beat the blues by conditioning yourself to get up an hour (or two!) earlier than normal.  Use that extra time to...
2. Exercise in the morning.  Best winter weight gain by starting this practice now, in the fall.  Because we spend so much time sleeping and sitting around and eating once it gets cold out, the best way to keep your metabolism revved is to start your day with some simple movement.  Yoga or some basic ballet conditioning are a great way to wake up your body, and they won't seem as daunting as a jog in the snow - although, if you're a morning person and feel compelled, definitely go do that instead!  Personally I like to take it slow in the morning, so setting the small goal of doing a couple Sun Salutations in the morning means that I'm much more likely to actually get up and do them.
3. Buy a gigantic sweater.  Nothing is comfier than a sweater 10 sizes too big.  They are one of the easiest things to find at second-hand stores, so do a little thrift shopping and invest in a giant frumpy knit sweater that covers your butt.  It will be your favorite thing to fall asleep in, or to curl up in with a book when the snow falls.
4. Let there be light.  Invest in a couple new scented candles or string lights to add a bit of cozy ambiance to your room.  You'll love it during those long nights and cloudy days.
5. Get re-acquainted with your bookshelf.  With the holiday season coming up, it might be wiser not to buy a bunch of new books.  Instead, go through the books you already have.  Look harder, and you will likely find a book or two that you never read.  Even better, you might find an old favorite to re-read, like a Jane Austen novel or The Golden Compass.  If nothing catches the eye, borrow a book from a friend.  A second-hand book, with its creased spine and folded corners, fits the autumn spirit better.
6. Take it easy on the pastries.  Your body is going to suddenly love fatty and sugary foods more than ever, because your polar bear instinct is kicking in for winter.  Just be aware of this and don't go too overboard with the holiday chocolates.  Instead...
7. Get some vitamin D!  Start eating salmon, milk, eggs, and ricotta cheese if you start feeling a bit of the winter blues.  These are some of the top sources of vitamin D!  Pretty much all fish will be a good option.
8. Go for walks.  That crisp autumn air is good for you, and don't you just love layering up and grabbing your favorite scarf?  Take your BFF or your dog for a stroll through the park and admire the orange and red leaves.
9. Kill some time.  Come up with a new pastime in advance, something to fill those idle hours of the coldest months of the year.  Do you want to master a dozen new breakfast dishes?  Write a novel?  Find something that can done in the comfort of your home, and get started now.
10. Revamp your wardrobe.  Evaluate your 2012 fall/winter wardrobe.  Are you boots falling apart?  Do you need a new coat?  The five core elements to a fall ensemble are: ankle boots, coat, scarf, sweater, and dark trousers.  Shop for a new one of any of these; you'll certainly be using it enough to make it worth the investment!
11. Get re-acquainted with friends.  Look up a couple buddies you haven't caught up with in a while.  Go out for coffee.  The end of the year should always be devoted to re-establishing the connections that you want to keep in the new year.
12. Find a snuggle buddy.  Dog or human.  Unpack a knit blanket that hasn't been seen since last winter and you're all set.

life tip #2: calling cards are timeless

Calling cards are the new business cards, which is funny considering calling cards have actually been around a lot longer.  As more and more entrepreneurs and self-employed individuals take their careers and self-publicity into their own hands, it seems that the globalized, Internet-based world seems more friendly towards the calling card than the business card.  As a fresh college graduate riding endless waves of short-term internships and part-time jobs, it's not exactly time for me to be investing in business cards.  Business cards imply stability, an individual within a fixed career path - certainly not a bad thing, but for many of us young wanderlusting 20-somethings, it's just not the time.  Which is why I set my sights on getting myself some stylish, unique calling cards.  They're way more versatile, because they can be offered in situations ranging from a formal business introduction to meeting someone at a bar.  Plus, there's something timeless about having a hard copy of your contact info, should you ever have the opportunity to leave it behind on a silver platter...

I wanted something simple but classy, so I started searching around for affordable, smaller-quantity sets of calling cards.  I stumbled upon Washington-based Hoban Press, which does old-school letterpressing by hand with early 1900s printing presses!  They're classy as hell and their Etsy shop offered the option of pre-designed templates in sets of 100.  At less than $1 a card for such a labor-intensive type of printing, these were quite the deal!  They arrived today and I could not be happier with how they turned out.  The best part?  Hoban saves your plates and gives you a 20% discount on future reprints!  Business cards come and go, but calling cards can last you for life!

One last thing - check out this video of Hoban Press's machines!  I think this is so cool, but it might just be because I'm a publishing nerd.  I'm currently interning at Yale University Press, and as I'm working in their Production department I literally spend my days dealing with printers, inks, dies, paper, foil stamping, &c., so seeing how these processes used to be done on machines in the early 1900s - and finding a company that maintains and puts to good use those same machines - well, that's pretty spiffy. :)

New School Hoban Press from DonVintage on Vimeo.

our march/april in gifs

When Zab gets sick and can't figure out how to blow her nose:

Zab is spending the summer in London and Eli got into grad school in Sweden!!!!

When only we get the joke:

When someone we knew in high school runs into us and wants to exchange full life updates:



When Zab comes home to her new puppy Hades:



When we go to Art Cafe 26 to study and can't decide what to order:



The response we usually get when we go to each other for advice on whether or not we should do the right thing:



When we're dancing together at a party:

> How we think we look:



> How we actually look:

life tip #1 | why you need to travel

“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.”

― Saint Augustine of Hippo

“Every dreamer knows that it is entirely possible to be homesick for a place you've never been to, perhaps more homesick than for familiar ground.”

― Judith Thurman

Travelling is an art. Since Ibn Battuta and Marco Polo, travelogues have been a window into other worlds. Tales and imagery too exotic to be true, places so unfamiliar that they seem more dreamlike than real... this is the stuff of adventure. Doesn't mean you have to buy a one-way ticket to Timbuktu to experience the same thing! Just venture a little bit out of your comfort zone to start reaping the rewards of travel. Simply uprooting yourself and testing the waters of an unfamiliar place is something very personal: every individual adapts (or doesn't adapt) differently, we all approach new places and people with our unique predispositions and expectations. To travel is to explore yourself.

The world is not as big as it seems, but it's big enough that you'll never see all of it, no matter how hard you try. This certainly doesn't mean you shouldn't bother to explore it at all! So much ignorance is the result of lack of exposure to different people, places, and ideas.

Make 2013 your year to be bold, to attempt a bit of travel, no matter how small. Go explore a new town, visit friends who live in another state (or better yet, country!). Take a road trip; get a passport. Go find yourself!