with a new look and feel! I’ve still got a ton of minor improvements to make, so the look will to continue to evolve, but overall I’m sososo happy with it, and I hope you are, too!

The BEST part is that I did it all myself with the help of this class. If you see anything that looks wonky or out of place, drop me a line and let me know.

If you’re a subscriber, click through and check it out!

…here we go! I can’t believe it’s time for a new list already. I’m carrying over some of the unaccomplished goals from 2011. And reusing a couple because they’re just THAT legitimate.

1. Nurture social relationships.
2. Be Bold.
3. Make at least 2 items of clothing from scratch.
4. Take my camera everywhere – even if that means looking ridiculous. Or like a tourist {easy to do in SF}. All in name of getting better, more interesting pictures.
5. Get over 1,000 followers on Twitter. Just ’cause.
6. Update my Linkedin Profile because it hasn’t been updated in, like, 4 years. Note: Great article on words to avoid.
7. Buy less new, buy more used.
8. Find a way to be part of a solution to a problem. {right now, education is at the top of my list.}
9. Take regular work from home days.
10. Read at least 1 book/month.
11. Take care of myself. I know, I know, this is broad. It covers things like: stop eating so much shit. Workout so I have more energy to do the things I want to do. Take meds. Drink more water. It’s not THAT hard, really. C’mon, Kate.
12. Continue to work on that small talk thing.
13. Read current events, not just the ones that look interesting in my inbox or on twitter.
14. Meet up bi-monthly with someone from the blogging/social community that I haven’t hung out with before – coffee, drinks, whatever.
15. Spend more time with the people I love.
16. Learn more about my family history, especially on my dad’s side.
17. Ask the tough questions.
18. Get into cooking with cast iron.
19. Let my hair get long.
20. Pick up some more sweet dance moves.

The older I get, the faster time seems to go. What happened to 2011?! Trying to savor the last few moments, since it was a good year, after all. A peek at some of my favorite moments this year:

January

Jane Birkin style >> Domino nostalgia

February

Sweet nothings >> Me in 250 words >> Boys in Ties

March

Hand-knit bow tutorial >> Office Space >> Faux fur and maxi love

April

Secrets to curly hair >> My Bedroom Tour! >> Perfume Talking

May

The most beautiful version of Moon River >> Reflections on blogging >> Pretty florals >> I’ve got moves like Jagger

June

Ode to my brother

July

Foray into video blogging >> Homemade Maxi Dress

August

Monica and Andrew’s kick ass wedding dance >> How-to: Build an outfit layer by layer >> Rhinestone Cowgirl

September

Sweet elephant baby quilt

October

And the Poshmark addiction begins >> The Nest lookbook shots

November

The boyfriend reveal >> Just learn to relax, already!

December

Goodbye to a best friend

1. Make at least 2 articles of clothing from scratch {looking forward to using my xmas gift: Twinkle Sews}
2. Pay off credit card!Both of ‘em!
3. Take a trip abroad.
4. Get better at small talk. Vastly improved, if I do say so myself.
5. Solidify and begin new projects with my cuz. Artsy Holiday Gift Show, anyone?
6. Take care of myself. {Yes, this means working out. I’m not limiting it to the gym this year. Just being healthy in general. Hm, still some work to do here.
7. Read 1 book a month. Some months 4,  some months none. It all balances out.
8. Cook 1 new dish a month.
9. Drive more traffic and continue to add functionality to Undeniable Style. We all know this is a constant project. But I did do this, so I’m crossing it off so I can feel better about myself.
10. Respond to all personal emails within 48 hours {I would say 24, but I think that’s a stretch}
11. Consider Formspring {mixed feelings on this}. Considered it, tried it, hated it…or rather, found it extremely boring.
12. Learn to appreciate regular ol’ brewed coffee {coffeemate = a must}. The Starbucks at my new office is a little too far away some days. Done – for a few months, anyway. We’ve since moved offices again, and there’s a Starbucks across the street. I’m off caffeine though {6 months and counting!}
13. Buy a camera. Legit. Now onto learning about how to take better photos. Anyone else tired of the outfit posts in front of the kitchen door?
14. Find myself a nice midwestern or southern boy. Tried it and moved on.
15. Be bold.
16. Take a class for enrichment. WIP
17. Do another closet overhaul and donate more clothes {even after getting rid of 60+ items, my dressers are still full?!} Getting ready for round three.
18. Finalize the photo collage in my room AND hang the photos.
19. Write handwritten letters to the people I love.
20. Focus on upcycling and recycling instead of buying new things all the time.

Having already exchanged gifts with my man {a blurry combination of I’ll show you mine if you’ll show me yours + supreme eagerness + wanting to make sure that the recepient was pleased as pie}, and having submitted a wish list to both families {yes, that’s part of being a grown up}, I’ve compiled yet another list of things that I think are just lovely.

Eco Indian Throw in smoke >> All Saints Caledonian Jacket >> Long curly and voluminous locks >> Laura Mercier Hydratint in Crimson >> Noir Jewelry Pave Pyramid bracelet

A few snaps of this weekend’s festivities to start the week off right!

Some of Lila’s metal hand-stamped wine tags {man, they sold out fast!} She’s thinking about doing a set with swear words on them. How awesome would that be?

Pretties in the form of paintings.

My most recent favorite project. Herringbone quilted slate gray quilt with a mint and olive pieced back. Quilting is done in a variegated green thread that oscillates from a citron to a pine green and back again. Lovelove. {yes, it’s for sale! $275.}

Me and my cousin, Lila, after a hard day’s work!

…And of course the post wouldn’t be complete without the gratuitous outfit pic. Q says it’s “very mission” of me. Perfect weekend outfit, if you ask me! Moto boots, black patterned sweater tights, cutoffs, gray oversize v-neck, and citron grandpa sweater. Yes, please.

Thanks go to Amanda and Rob for hosting. By all counts the event was a success!

Happy Birthday, Trixie!

When I was home, Shelley and I found this book in the back of a closet. It’s a second edition of ONLY my favorite kids series of ALL TIME.

The series ran from 1948-1986 and has 39 books in its repertoire. Do I own every single one? You betcha. My mom and I made it a goal to scour used book stores until we had the entire collection. The gatehouse mystery, above, was published in 1951 {third in the series}, which makes it 60 years old this year.

Trixie Belden is a teenage sleuth with more angst, spunk, and relatability than Nancy Drew. I was never a big fan of her, anyway; lesser-known Trixie was always my girl…I wanted to be just like her! The books are being reproduced, but looking at the random house site kind of pains my heart…only because The new Trixie looks nothing like the old.

PS: I love it when you buy old books and they have signatures inside them. “This book belongs to ________.” Let’s bring that back!

…or come by and say hi!

If you’re in the SF area, and are out doing your holiday shopping and whatnot, come by Amanda and Rob’s for the artsy holiday gift party on December 3rd!

I haven’t blogged about it much here, but I actually make quilts of the cool modern variety…not the kind your grandma used to make {though I think those are pretty cool, too}. I’ll be selling my wares along with my cousin and several other folks:

• Fly Earrings by Amanda Padilla
• Vintage Jewelry by Katrina Monet Salas-Padilla
• Photography and Prints by Caroline Dahlberg
• Modern Quilts and Handmade Crafts by Kate Franco and Lila Smyth
• Unique Gifts, Art & Apparel by select artists including Robert Harris

So. This is BY FAR the busiest time of the year for a lot of peeps and that totally rings true for me. Working in retail, this time of year is completely nuts {and that’s a good thing}! Here’s a glimpse into what I’m doing this season to stay sane:

Arranged for the tread-climber I’ve been given to be “delivered”

{by delivered I mean enlisting folks to help pick up and unload the beast}. Perhaps a better chance of reducing stress if I actually work out?

Unsubscribed from a TON of unnecessary emails that I get every day

It was obscenely out of control. I’m not joking when I say it’s made me tense for months. Already feel better without the clutter.

Created a blog calendar to try and plan out my thoughts

Funny way to say it, since I usually write by the seat of my pants. I’ve never tried this before, so I’ll let you know how it goes!

Ordered some crafty/quilty supplies

Not that I anticipate having much time to craft, but just knowing that I’ve got an outlet rip-roaring-ready-to-go makes me feel a little bit better.

Investing in some moccasins to give my poor tired feet a break

The pains of fashion over function. Remember these darling ones that I started lusting over a year ago? I finally broke down and ordered them. I figure if you’ve been wanting something for THAT long, you should go ahead and pull the trigger.

What are the things you do to de-stress during the holidays?

Hunger Games is here! (Well, the trailer anyway.) Pretty much just on the edge of my seat…cannot wait. How fierce does Katniss look?