Today's Outfit: NYE 2012, Plus Thoughts on 2013

Zara moto jacket (similar) and necklace | Anthropologie dress (on sale now) | J. Crew invitation clutch | Maison Martin Margiela booties (similar)

Happy New Year! Although it's been a couple of days since New Year's Eve, I wanted to share what I wore that evening--or at least, what I would've worn if I had gone out (most likely to a house party or a casual fete) to celebrate. In reality, I wore this outfit minus the moto jacket, clutch, and booties for a quiet night at home with the boy. We rang in 2013 with a homecooked meal: roast chicken and baby potatoes; a salad of arugula, pear, walnuts, and prosciutto; and leftover flan from Christmas for dessert. Lots of lit tealights and soft jazz music made the evening feel like a special occasion. I had only one glass of wine and switched to hot tea for the rest of the evening because I could feel a cold coming on. (Sure enough, I spent the next day with tissues, throat lozenges, and Netflix. I've since been sniffling and sneezing my way through the first few days of 2013.)

This dress (a serendipitous find on Anthropologie's sale racks) proved to be the perfect NYE-at-home frock with its relatively casual sleeveless knit top and dressier tulle skirt. I like the mismatched polka dots in this outfit (perhaps a subconscious nod to confetti?), and how the moto jacket and booties add a bit of edge to a girly look. What's more, pairing the dress with red lips, a sparkly necklace, and a headband and low ponytail made me feel festive without being overdressed.

People often ring in the new year singing Auld Lang Syne. But in reflecting on 2012, I'm reminded of these lines from another of Robert Burns's poems, "To a Mouse, on Turning Her Up in Her Nest with the Plough.": "The best-laid schemes o' mice an' men / Gang aft agley, / An' lea'e us nought but grief an' pain, / For promis'd joy!" My schemes were laid with the best of intentions last year, but the results were decidedly bittersweet.

2012 was a milestone year, full of accomplishments from advancing professionally to being published in FLARE and becoming a homeowner. But it was also one of the most stressful and overwhelming years in recent memory. I was sick more often. My pursuit of freelance opportunities, my exercise routine of yoga and salsa dancing, and my regular blogging schedule fell by the wayside as work became more demanding than ever. I learned some hard lessons, namely that I'm only human and I can't do it all.

To that end, the keywords guiding my 2013 goals will be BALANCE and SLOW BUT STEADY GROWTH:

• Professionally, focusing so much energy on my job this year has made me realize I've been neglecting career development while concentrating on blog, freelance, and fashion opportunities in the past few years. This year, I'm going to focus on my career more by taking on different challenges at work and/or looking into classes and courses. This may mean more quiet days on the blog, but I promise, when I do post I'll try my best to continue delivering high-quality content.
• Personally, taking better care of myself still tops the list. More sleep and more exercise are a must.
• Financially, I will try to watch my discretionary spending and save more money. With RRSPs, a mortgage, and potentially paying for a new car/a wedding/further education in the next 5 years, my funds would definitely be put to better use in the bank instead of acquiring a new handbag or pair of shoes. That doesn't mean I'm going to be a miserly penny-pincher and stop shopping cold turkey, but it does mean shopping more thoughtfully.
• Fashion-wise, I'm going to continue following the motto "buy less, but buy better." Sticking to this mantra has resulted in the addition of fewer, better quality, and more versatile pieces in my closet, and lowered the number of fast fashion regrets.

What are your resolutions for 2013?