2017-2019 #101in1001 Report

Another 2.75 years later, I'm here to report I only completed 50 of the 101 things in the 1001 days. Buuuut we did do all the things like have a baby, move across the country and build a house.

So as I prepare to embark on putting together a new 101 in 1001 list for 2020, here are a few highlights from the last adventure...

Making an annual pilgrimage to Palm Springs. I love that this old Hollywood desert town has become our place. There's something about returning to familiarity but also being able to still

discover new gems like Sunnyland Garden (I mean, look at those cacti!) We also just can't wait to eat another panko-crusted chicken stuffed rice ball from Rooster and the Pig - it's that dank.

Eating all the things. Setting an eating goal helped inspire dates with my Hubs and motivated us to discover new neighborhoods in DC. We don't have as many opportunities to stretch our food pallets in Bozeman but we'll get creative and make a point to travel to eat (at places like Han Oak in Portland).

More reading. Although the next list needs to include more books because I read through 50 too quickly, I loved sharing my reading list and tracking my reads because it sparked me to read even more.

Closet cleanse. One closet cleanse has led to a habit and now I'm regularly cleaning out my closet, donating and selling clothes via POSHMARK. It feels good on all fronts and... Hey, the extra side hustle sure doesn't hurt either!

There were many goals I didn't accomplish that you're sure to see again on my new list like hosting another Friendsgiving, taking a girls trip with just my mom and sister and finally getting to Marfa, Texas.

But now it's time for real talk. You don't want to miss these Black Friday sales:
Vince [For basics like this, it's a sale not to miss] // Gray Malin [30% off everything means it's time to treat yo self to our prized Marfa prints, right?] // La Ligne [Ummm... This sweater has been on my wish list for YEARS and now it's close to affordable. It's also available at Nordstrom if you want to collect da points!]

2019 Holiday Gift Guide: Part Two

Animal Print Shop American Bison Print [We had this as a small print in DC and plan to for the big one in our kitchen to go full Montana!] // Milk Street Tuesday Nights by Christopher Kimball [This crowd pleasing cookbook is sure to be a winner for all members of your family. How do I know? Our 19 month old has already been charmed by multiple recipes!] // Create Your Own Reel Viewer [Check out this fun way to share family snapshots. Made in Oregon, it's sure to keep everyone smiling.] // Plane Tickets [Whether you use your passport or stay in the US - a trip may be the perfect gift for every person on your list. We're heading to Los Angeles as a family to celebrate New Years and it's sure to be a treat for all!] // Amazon Echo Dot [We love having our dot in the kitchen and are looking to add an additional music maker to our family room because music is Henry's cure all!] // Staub Matte Black Cast Iron Tea Kettle [With a new induction cooktop, our old kettle won't work but I've been eyeing this pretty.]

AND don't think I've forgotten you...

J.Crew Perfect Rain Jacket [I mean who doesn't need snappy camo?!] // Kule Lars Scarf [This faux fur has rave reviews and comes in many color ways.] // Parks by Brian Kelley [To inspire your next adventure!] // Appointed 2020 Task Planner [No one makes a better planner than Appointed and this layout is solid for both work and play.] // Lunya Washable Silk Set [Weekends are for pajamas all day and this set is calling my name.] // Rothy's Chelsea Boot [Recycled and machine washable, these "Wildcats" are a mama's dream.] // Domino Magazine Subscription [This magazine has inspired our indoor habitat for years. Although I recently went digital to save on clutter, it's still my top sunshine generator!] 

P.S. Don't forget your pooch... Snag this Wufer's Advent Calendar (20% off during Black Friday).

2019 Holiday Gift Guide: Part One

No matter what holiday you celebrate, there's always room for a good gift guide. So drumroll please and hold onto your hats because this is only round one... Round two goes live next week!

Walls by Brad Holdgrafer [With all the border wall talk these days, perhaps this playful book will help frame the conversation and give us language to talk to our mini once he's a little bigger.] // Ferm Living Play Kitchen [Our boy has been obsessed with play kitchens ever since he first laid eyes on one at only six months. I've hesitated because - gasp! - there are some real ugly kitchenettes out there but this modern and minimalist cooking station may be the answer.] // Baghera Twister Children's Ride-on [Maybe you've already seen our mini scooting around on the 'Grams but let me tell you, this ride along toy has been worth every penny - especially on our below zero days! Plus the small buffer around the wheels is soft enough to not leave a mark on our freshly coated walls #WINNING.] // Fjallraven Mini Backpack [As soon as our little became a reality, I put this bright and sunny bag on "his" wish list - insert eyebrow raising emoji.]  // Wee Hee Hee by Wee Society [A kid joke book? Yes, please!] // Hape Kid's Chef Cooking Set [If the lil' dude is going to have a kitchen, he's going to need some cookware and utensils right?!]

Filson Cover Cloth Mile Marker Coat [This jacket is a favorite of the Hubs because it works hard maintaining both function and fashion with a rugged edge - plus you can buy a wool liner which extends the jacket's wear through the year.] // Kevin Murphy Free Hold [Every man needs a little product and this one is easy to use and a little goes a long way.] // Ostroy Let's Ride Bike Socks [If your guy loves to ride bikes, these socks are a must.] // Gantri Maskor Table Light By Muko [Y'all this light is made from corn - CORN! Get sustainable and add this sculptural beauty to your man's desk.] // Salt by Mark Kurlansky [Any cook will love this history book about our most beloved seasoning.] // Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream Pint Club [When I asked the Hubs for his favorite gift ever, he did not hesitate. The Jeni's Pint Club subscription is simply tops!] 

Alright folks, that's a wrap on gift guide number one. Don't forget to check back for more holiday gift ideas next week!

It's been 6 plus months...

It's been six plus months... since my last confession and I've eaten no less than my weight in Halloween candy and Ina Garten's rigatoni with sausage and fennel.

But you guys! The Bozeman move finally happened and we couldn't be happier. Literally we wake up grinning ear to ear... and we're obnoxiously happy. Yes, we're those people (face palm) but it's funny

what a place can do to you, especially a place you built.

So let's get right into it, shall we?!

EATING // We made a dank snack this past Sunday. Believe it or not, I'd never roasted a whole head of garlic. So while I peered into our new oven with fear at a softly tinfoil'd ball, I realized what a revolution for me as a cook. Without new oven stress, roasting garlic is dang easy and DAMN delicious! Don't believe me? Take the time for Food52's Crispy Brussels Sprouts and Roasted Garlic Lemon Aioli.

HOME*WORK // The garage is still Mount Vesuvius partially because of the height of the

remaining boxes but also because each box was packed with no care by our movers and may destroy

my heart with its messy hot lava contents. JK, but what's real is that it's been a journey and I'm quickly tiring of opening boxes of random things just thrown together.

We also have a ton of settling in to do... But we can't wait to share our home with you. For a few sneak peeks, follow me on Instagram and via #ProjectBoylan... I simply can't help myself.

CRUSHING ON // Tata Harper's Illuminating Eye Creme. I recently purchased Tata's moisturizing body oil (winter is coming/already here) and selected the eye creme as a free sample on a whim. I don't know how Tata does it but I swear this magic in a bottle gives this tired mama a dewy glow that could only be achieved by lots of diamond dust. Literally diamond dust is an ingredient! Each use makes me feel closer to Gwyneth, which is an obvious added benefit.

READING // I recently sped through Ruth Ware's The Turn of the Key - which was the perfect read for getting spooky around Halloween. Not amazing writing but entertaining nonetheless. Now I'm a few short pages away from finishing A Spark of Light by Jodi Picoult, which should be required reading. Oprah calls this book "a nail biting thriller" but it's much more than that as it tackles a fictional shooting at an abortion clinic. Piccolo's skill in writing about this emotional hot-button issue while simultaneously putting a human face on it is startling.

THANKFUL FOR // The power of google docs. For the past year, I've been tracking and planning our furniture needs of our new house in a google spreadsheet. This spreadsheet automatically updated its budget while also tracking our current on-hand furniture, new selections, sales, prices, the quantity needed and final purchases! Dare I say this nifty tool was the secret weapon to keeping our happy marriage as I was able to design our space while also keeping our finances in check? 100% yes. And now we're almost fully furnished, there's a little bit of me that misses it.

THINKING ABOUT // DC. We're heading back to our former hometown for Thanksgiving and excited to see family, friends and revisit some of our favorite haunts. We'll lunch at Le Diplomate, snag coffee and treats from Little Pearl (now a Michelin star restaurant - eep!), take a spin around our favorite museums and of course stop by Salt & Sundry for a few necessities (mainly candles and hand towels).  DC folk, what's new that we can't miss?

WATCHING // Whelp, Silicon Valley is back on and I'll just leave it HERE...

WEARING // These Jeffrey Campbell Culvert Sherpa Combat Boots. They're incredibly comfortable  and responsible for keeping me warm and stylish on some of the most frightfully cold days. I snagged them early during Shopbop's site-wide sale. Who would have predicted me in combat boots? I sure didn't see it coming but I have no regrets.

Well... that about does it...  I'm excited to reconnect! Now take on the day like Bey, okay?! And come back Friday because I'm doing a snappy roundup of my favorite gifts this holiday season.

P.S. Dope Iris Apfel portrait by Victoria Villasana.