A New Year's Resolution

Sigh. I'm not really a huge proponent of New Year's resolutions, but this year I'm making one that will hopefully be productive and not impossible--updating my blogs more regularly.

It's been since August that I've posted on this blog. I have plenty of things to write about, I just get carried away with regular life-- holidays, getting my business off the ground, catching up with friends and family, and traveling for the Mr.'s crazy work schedule.

My other blog (shameless plug: vividcity.blogspot.com) is painfully in need of some attention as well.

I'm not going to set a specific goal, like blogging 3 times a week, but instead, I'm just going to push myself to blog whenever I feel inspired.

What do you think about resolutions? Did you make any?

Small Business Saturday

Saturday, November 27th is Small Business Saturday. Amidst Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and general holiday fever, it's important to remember to shop at locally owned stores. (Yes, I realize this is sponsored by American Express, but regardless, they bring up a good point.

I am a big fan of shopping locally, especially when it comes to restaurants. I try to eat at local Seattle restaurants as much as I can, instead of big chain restaurants like Olive Garden, Cheesecake Factory, etc.

According to the Small Business Saturday website :

• For every $100 spent at local small businesses, $68 returns to the community.
• Small businesses employ half of all private sector employees.
• For every year over the last decade, 60%-80% of new jobs were generated by small businesses. 

Obviously, our current precarious economic problem is complex and not easily solved, but shopping at local small businesses has a direct impact on job growth and puts dollars back into your local community. 

As you shop for the holidays, try out a few new stores in your neighborhood where you've never shopped before.