For those of you who started the year off great with your resolution to be more active, but your resolve is waning, treat yourself with new workout gear. New clothes and accessories always make an activity more exciting.

Speaking of being more healthy in 2015, I really want to try this 3-day juice cleanse to start off right. I love that on top of the three smoothies per day to drink, you can eat as many raw fruits and veggies as you like, plus black coffee to avoid those pesky caffeine headaches.

How did I miss these colorful streets in Paris? Guess I'll just have to go back. 

But in the meantime, I will settle for a return trip to Savannah for a dose of pure Southern charm.

I've mentioned it before, but Casey's blog gives me so many ideas about my upcoming trip to Germany and Austria! Other than the Sound of Music tour, I had very little idea of what else Salzburg had to offer. Now I do and I'm even more excited.

In case I ever decide to save the $15,000 required for a cruise to Antarctica, I'm glad I know Natalie would be up for the adventure as well. Being able to see penguins and icebergs up close (hopefully without having a Titanic experience) would be an experience to last a lifetime. Plus, at that price I wouldn't be able to do it more than once anyways.

Posts from this week:
30 before 30 list recap
My favorite Instagram accounts for a daily dose of Paris
Book Review: The Tea Rose

It's been almost three years since this city stole my heart. This time of year, and especially in light of all the tragedy that has taken place, I always enjoy reminiscing. And thanks to Instagram, I can pretend for just a little while that I am once again strolling down the boulevards, baguette in hand. My bank account is most thankful for this; without it, who knows how many transatlantic flights I would have booked by now just for a quick visit?

Here are a few of my favorite accounts to follow for my daily dose of all things parisienne: beautiful buildings, cafe, ornate doors, flowers, pastries, the breathtaking skylines...I could go on for days.

@lepetitparis

@elizavitainparis

@fattireparis

@parisinfourmonths

@ rebeccaplotnick

Last year I made a 30 before 30 list. Although some of the items may be lofty goals, I still have seven years to complete them all. Some are realistic, like completing a 30-day challenge of some sorts, while others may depend on outside circumstances, such as Coldplay still touring. Over the past year, I've settled on a beauty routine, purchased furniture with no assembly required and took a cooking class.

Many are in the works, such as visiting a city I've never been to, learning another language, getting more comfortable with my DSLR and hosting a dinner party (I have a fondue pot which is not worth breaking out for just a couple of people.)

And still others are simple tasks to save for a rainy day. Here's to another year of crossing still more items off of my mini-bucket list of sorts! 

Looking back at the list makes me laugh a little at what I thought were going to be priorities in my life in the upcoming years. I went to zero concerts this past year so there was no potential to get front row tickets, hang out at a festival or see Coldplay. It's just not something that I wish to put a lot of my money towards. Plus, Tallahassee is not much of a tour destination for many of the bands I listen to.

What items would be on your 30 before 30 list?

1. Host a dinner party.

2. Buy a home.

3. Send 100 handwritten notes.

4. Visit a city I've never been to.

5. Find (and stick to) an actual beauty routine.

6. Purchase furniture with no assembly required. (aka not from Ikea or Target)

7. Watch all of AFI's 100 Greatest Movies

8. Compile all of my favorite recipes into a cookbook.

9. Invest in a quality handbag.

10. Visit another continent besides North America and Europe.

11. Pay off my student loans.

12. Learn how to use chopsticks.

13. Experience Christmas in New York.

14. Learn another language. 

15. Get front row tickets to a concert. 

16. Adopt a pet. 

17. Own something from Tiffany & Co.

18. Take cooking classes.

19. Take a trip on the next flight out of town.

20. Start a journal and finish it. 

21. Practice photography. 

22. Open an online business.

23. Participate (and complete) a 30-day challenge.

24. Plant a vegetable garden. And not let it die.

25. Be on a first name basis with a barista. (bonus if they memorize my order)

26. Attend a Coldplay concert.

27. Participate in a 365 photo project.

28. Pay it forward.

29. Attend a music festival.
30. Create my own font.

The Tea Rose by Jennifer Donnelly is a story of how there is no way to go but up once you have lost everything in your life. The heroine, Fiona Finnegan, grew up in London's East End at the end of the 1800s during the heyday of the Ripper. Try as hard as they might, her family barely made ends meet. The only thing that keeps her going is the plan to one day open her own shop with her best friend/sweetheart, Joe.

Tragedy upon tragedy pile up on top of Fiona and she finds herself completely alone. With nothing tying her to her old life in the East End, she travels to America with some cash she "stumbles upon" to start afresh working for her uncle.

The tides do begin to turn for Fiona and her determination and perseverance begin to pay off. After her father's suspicious death at the hand of his employer, Burton Tea, Fiona is bound and determined to seek her own form of justice to avenge his death.

Tea is all Fiona has ever known. Packing tea, drinking tea and constantly smelling tea as it came in by the docks. She puts her knowledge to good use and becomes the most influential tea merchant in America.

I won't give the rest of the story away, but it was such a wonderful read and was a page turner. The twists and turns will have you on the edge of your seat and once you are about three-quarters of the way through, be sure you have enough time to finish it in one sitting. 

It's the first in a trilogy; the other two books are told from other character's perspectives. In all but one circumstance, The Tea Rose leaves you with a feeling of closure.

Sarah of Sky Envy

Tell us a little bit about yourself/blog. 

My name is Sarah and I blog over at Sky Envy. Having lived in 10 zip codes and been to 18 countries in the last 4 years, I consider myself as a traveler and a nomad. My blog is a collection of photos and stories of my travels and nomadic life. 

Do you make New Year's resolutions or goals? If so, what are yours for 2015?

I don't believe in New Year's resolutions as it has been hard to keep them. I do believe in making goals for yourself. Mine are very easy - drink more water, sleep more, explore more of my own backyard and travel as much as I can.

What is the favorite book you've been reading? 

I haven't started reading it yet but I just got a copy of How To Be a Parisian Wherever You Are. I think I should add Reading more as one of my goals. :)

If you could have lunch with anyone, who would it be? 

First person that comes to mind right now is to have lunch with Jessica Stein of Tulla Vintage. She is a fashion blogger yes, but she is more of a traveler and a great photographer in my own opinion. I would like to just chat with her about her experiences with past travels. Her photos and travels are continuously inspiring me to get myself out there.

Follow along: Bloglovin | Instagram | Facebook

What you should be reading: Sail Away | Cusco | Eze

Christina of Route Bliss

Tell us a little bit about yourself/blog. 

I'm Christina, the girl behind the scenes at Route Bliss. I'm a 30-something single wannabe vagabond whose practicality and realist side keeps her planted in East Texas. By weekday I write lots of reports at my job as well as daydream frequently where I want to travel to next, ways to motivate myself to getting fit for health and happiness's sake, and experimenting in the kitchen to make my favorite not so healthy foods healthier. I also like to take lots of photos of pretty things, furry critters (aka canines and felines), and beautiful destinations.

Do you make New Year's resolutions or goals? If so, what are yours for 2015?

Intentions and plans yes, resolutions, nope. I have a lot of intentions and plans for 2015 that all tie into my one little word for 2015, cultivate.

What is the favorite book you've been reading? 

At the moment I'm between books, everything's been just an 'okay' read lately, nothing that stands out as a favorite!

If you could have lunch with anyone, who would it be? 

Right now, John Muir and Ansel Adams ... in doing trip research and planning for this summer, these two men keep popping up + I love Ansel's photography.

Follow along: Twitter | Instagram | Instagram (Route Bliss)

What you should be reading: 

Cultivating in 2015

2015 Desktop Download

Photoshop How-To: Create a Watermark Brush

In 2013, I was a little over zealous with the Christmas exchanges, so much so that I became on a first name basis with the postal workers. This year, I decided to pick one and go all in. I can't thank Elizabeth and Samantha enough for all of the work they put into organizing The Great Christmas Exchange.

I drew Kindle who blogs over at Willow White, who is way more crafty than I could ever be (seriously, I have the scar from a run-in with a hot glue gun to prove it). As I was scrolling through her wishlist, I came across a quote print from one of my favorite hymns, Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing and knew that one of us had to have it. What better way than to start the new year off right than with motivation and comfort? And also, who doesn't need a Sugar Paper for Target planner? 

My secret santa is still a secret. If you are reading this post, thank you so much for the Starbucks tumbler! I literally take it with me everywhere  and it keeps the ice in my drink cold from morning until lunch and then again until I go home. You summed me up in a nutshell in your sweet note: "Harness your inner Loreli Gilmore and soak up as much coffee this Christmas as you can!"

I love blogging secret santas because I not only get to shop for Christmas gifts, but I get to know fellow bloggers so well (and put my sleuthing skills to good use finding the perfect gifts.)

Before my love for Netflix, I had a love for books. I was that kid always reading for the spare 10 minutes in class, the one checking out more books than they could carry from the library and the one who fell asleep with book on chest.

One of my goals for 2015 is to read at least 24 books. That's two a month, which I would like to think is very doable. The best part is that I have a list of 24 ready to go so there is no excuse of "I don't have anything to read" which leads to aimless browsing on Amazon.

I've always enjoyed Amy Poheler's strong, indepent female characters in her comedies and as a reflection of her life, so I cannot wait to dive into her storytelling. 

True story, up until the past few years I had read every single John Grisham novel and was always thankful that my life did not play out like one of his Southern courtroom dramas. As an author who typically publishes a book every year, I might have some more catching up to do. 

I began reading The Tea Rose this weekend and I'm already hooked. Any novel that starts off with a murder in 17th century East London is bound to catch my attention. Also it's the first in a series, and as a person who is always a little sad when I turn the last page of a book, I love knowing that the story continues.

Several years ago I read The Namesake by Lahiri, and The Lowland has been on my "To Read" list since it was published in 2013. It is the tale of two very different brothers growing up in a neighborhood of Calcutta during the 1960s, a time of political rebellion. 

Have any of you read these books? Any comments? I can't wait to continue to share my list with you throughout the year :)

Cheers to a new year, everyone! Some say that the way you spend Jan. 1 is a reflection of what you will be doing all year. In that case, I'll be sleeping in, working out, doing laundry and watching FSU lose all year (three out of four wouldn't be too bad.) What about you? 

Bree shares some great tips to start the year off right from organizing your digital files to purging your closet and more.

I took a trip down memory lane at the Louvre. There is little chance that you will be able to appreciate every artwork in the museum, but if you are planning a visit there, make a list of all the works you want to see so you don't get overwhelmed by the size (or end up walking in circles through the medieval Virgin Mary portraits.)

Dress up your entryway with this personalized welcome mat.

My trip to Germany and Austria is getting closer and closer! I'm combing through all of Casey's posts from her trips though the area, especially her visit to Munich.

Thank you Buzzfeed for proving that the NYE miracle from The O.C. when Ryan makes it from Newport Beach to L.A. before midnight to meet Marissa is impossible.

This Taylor Swift mashup is amazing and even garnered T-Swift's approval.