This post is brought to you by UNOde50.
I just think that it's high time I do some—if not all!—of everything I've been meaning to do. And I finally wrote them down (and published the list!) because I was browsing the website of an online Spanish brand I love for women necklaces and other jewelry and accessories, and thinking, "I don't need new jewelry even though I want new jewelry..." and then it just came to me—I'm going to reward myself with a piece of jewelry for every milestone achieved! Here is what I plan to do before my life begins again at 40:
Get flawless skin. As I keep mentioning for years on my blog now, I've always had bad skin. I accepted it as a part of being me. But last year, I decided that I can't subscribe to the "inner beauty matters most" excuse anymore. Honestly, I'm beautiful enough inside already!!! Time to take care of the outer beauty for once!
 |
| What better way to frame flawless skin than with big gold earrings? I love the shape of these! |
Get fit. Forty years old is old for many people. Like, they dread it. I never have, but now that it's on the horizon, I feel it. Creaking bones, aching back, sore muscles. I can't be unfit. I have three young children! I need to live at least 30 more years and those years need to see me in tip-top shape!
Eat healthy. At 39, my metabolism is still pretty fast. Yes, that's my excuse for being skinny because if you saw what I ate on a daily basis, you'd freak out. I eat lots of meat, carbs, fats and sugar. Veggies and fruits? On a rare day, they show up on my plate. I should eat better because my body deserves it. Plus, it's hard to teach my kids to eat healthy when their mama doesn't!
 |
| I don't own a leather-strap watch so let's mark the passing of time with this one! |
Get a physical check up. Well, because of what I said above! After years and years of abusing my body with stress, unhealthy food, and sleepless nights working, I really ought to check if everything's okay. I haven't had a physical since 2010!
Own a streamlined wardrobe that flatters my new body. I'm getting rid of most of my clothes and shopping for new ones—clothes, bags and shoes that fit my age, my work as a blogger and freelance writer/editor, and my life as a mom. But I'll shop for clothes when I have that new healthier body! Hopefully, in 6 months!
 |
| My busy life needs a simple wardrobe... which means statement accessories like this chunk of rock! |
Take my whole family on a trip abroad. Our last family trip abroad was to Hong Kong Disneyland in 2013. Back then, there was just Vince, me, Vito and Iñigo. No Piero yet. Actually, Piero was already in my tummy but we didn't know it yet! So I guess you can say that was our first family trip abroad! But I want an official trip abroad, hopefully before Piero turns 2 so his plane fare will be free.
Launch a new and improved Topaz Horizon. My blog turns 10 in May and I want it to be bigger, better and more beautiful! I'm working with a great team to make this happen but I have a LOT to do before we can launch. For one thing, I need to delete dozens of blog posts—those that used uncredited photos and those that were negative and nasty. Yep, I wasn't a responsible blogger when I started 10 years ago! So those have got to go. Deleting posts is hard, though. That's what's really slowing me down in the whole migration to Wordpress!
 |
I want an interesting bangle so I'll be inspired while I type! Love that silver pearl solitaire. |
Learn to play an instrument. One of my few regrets is abandoning my piano lessons. I come from a musical family. An extremely musical family. Everyone knows how to play an instrument or two, or sings and dances, or writes music. I'm the only one who stands out as being unmusical. I didn't care for the longest time but now that I have kids, I regret that I can't pass on that legacy. But it's not too late! I can still learn something! Maybe piano or guitar!
Reach my crazy financial goal for the year. I have a new business that I started with fellow moms, entrepreneurs and bloggers Martine de Luna and Ginger Arboleda. Beauty Biz Bliss has a ton of activities lined up for working women this year and I hope you can support us! If BBB becomes a smashing success on top of my blogging career, I won't need to go back to a 9-to-5 job ever again!
 |
| If my business takes off, I'm going to indulge in a chunky chain neck piece. |
Teach Creative Writing. I've always always always wanted to do this! I'll teach a writing class here at my home. My husband knows I've been dreaming of this for years but I just never got to doing it because I had a demanding job back then which was replaced by demanding children! But this year, two of my kids will be in school so maybe it's time!
Okay, that's a lot. Ten to be exact. I'm pretty sure I won't be able to do all in 10 months!
Still, when I was window shopping online at the fashion UNOde50 jewelry website this weekend, I was inspired to finally get off the couch and make my life better! If only for new accessories!!! You know that I reward myself with jewelry whenever I have a big milestone (if you don't, then click this link for a brief history: "About push presents"). But when Piero came along, I haven't really bought myself anything. So no push present for his birth yet! Must get a ruby ring for that big event, and for the other milestones mentioned above, fashion jewelry will do just as nicely!
How about you? What are your perpetual plans? And how do you reward yourself when you reach your goal? Do share!
*photos from UNOde50 website
*photos from UNOde50 website
