25 AT 25

In an effort to make the most of my 26th year, I made a list before my 25th birthday of 25 things I want to accomplish this year. The list is below, and I'll mark things off as I tackle them. It's a combination of looking ahead but enjoying the every day just a little bit more.

1. Start a personal blog. (07.28 >> Make the Most)
2. Travel to three new places. (08.30 >> Glen Arbor, Michigan // 10.05 >> Albany, Wisconsin // 10.18 >> Santa Rosa, California) BONUS: 04.11 >> Las Vegas, Nevada // 04.23 >> Nashville, Tennessee // 05.23-06.01 >> Positano and Rome, Italy
3. Learn how to fold fitted sheets. (done!)
4. Read 20 books. (Bird by Bird // Dad is Fat // The Fault in Our Stars // Paris Was Ours)
5. Go one month without eating out. (done!)
6. Run a race. (done!)
7. Freelance. (LATE: Chicago Sun-Times)
8. Go strawberry picking. (06.22)
9. Spend a day with each of my siblings doing whatever they want, paid for by me. (brother, sister)
10. Try 10 new foods. (07.29 >> trout // 08.18 >> ceviche // 10.27 >> goat // 11.23 >> mashed sweet potatoes // 02.02 >> bison // 02.08 >> Vegemite // 03.08 >> cauliflower // 04.26 >> chicken feet // 04.30 >> broccolini // 05.01 >> celery) BONUS: 05.10 >> kiwi
11. Find my signature cocktail.
12. Learn to French braid.
13. Try making 15 new recipes. (08.23 >> roasted shrimp and orzo // 08.29 >> almond-crisped peaches // 09. 09 >> mongolian tofu // 09.25 >> Cuban garbanzo bean salad // 10.07 >> pumpkin bread with orange cream cheese // 11.07 >> homemade lobster roll // 11.14 >> three-layer apple cake // 11.25 >> green bean and quinoa salad // 01.08 >> almond date truffles // 01.14 >> double-baked potatoes // 02.25 >> portobello mushroom lasagna // 03.01 >> Nutella pudding // 03.31 >> spinach, mushroom, pancetta and feta crustless quiche // 04.13 >> green pea hummus // 04.28 >> rosemary gin fizz) BONUS: 06.24 >> lemon poppy seed cake // 07.02 >> corn, feta and edamame salad // 07.14 >> sweet potato and lentil salad // 07.22 >> raw, vegan fudgesicles 
14. Go to a flea market. (Maxwell Street Market)
15. Go one week without hitting snooze. (10.21-10.28)
16. Attempt three DIY projects. (Gold animal jars // Papel picado coasters // Envelope surprise)
17. Volunteer. (Metro)
18. Learn how to use my camera manually, not on automatic. (trying)
19. Take a weekend trip to a new Chicago neighborhood. (LATE: 08.12-08.13 >> Bucktown)
20. Buy a lottery ticket. (12.17)
21. Go camping. (07.26-07.28 >> Utica, Illinois)
22. Go meatless for two weeks. (done!)
23. Go pumpkin picking. (10.26)
24. Go on a sister trip with Shabz. (Nashville, Tennessee)
25. Bike to work one day. (06.25)

I'm looking forward to accomplishing the big and the small. I'd love it if you joined me in some of the challenges, bestowed your wisdom on ones you've already accomplished or shared your own list of goals with me.

xx.