101 Things in 1001 Days – Day Zero Project

~ Mackenzie ~ 2 Comments

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First, I want to thank my amazing pen pal, Christina, for inspiring me to make this list! This is called the Day Zero Project, where you make a list of 101 things to do in 1001 days. When Christina told me about this, it made me so excited and I knew that I wanted to make a list of my own.  Although this is quite a feat, I am excited for this 2.75 ish year journey that will encourage me to do things that I have always wanted to do, things I should do, and things that push my comfort zone. I’m also excited to share my progress on here, as periodic “check-in” blog posts is one of the “things” on my list.  I hope you enjoy coming on this journey with me!  Once I complete an item, I will try to cross it off here and link to a more in-depth post about it.

Here we go!

April 10, 2015-January 4, 2018

Project-Long Tasks
1. Picture of myself on the first day of this project
2. Picture of myself on the last day of this project
3. In a journal, write 5 important things that happen each month
4. Photograph goals as I complete them
5. Periodically blog goal progress
Coupely Things
6. Couples massage
7. Take a dance class with Pouya
8. Meet a giraffe with Pouya
9. Take Pouya on a picnic
10. Recreate our first date
11. Compile all photos we have taken throughout relationship (check computer, phones, etc.)
12. Make and scrapbook of some kind
Comfort Zone Pushers
13. Skinny Dip
14. Sing karaoke
15. Initiate an individual hang out with someone who I only hang out with in a group
16. Hang out with Yelp friends outside of Yelp Events
Fun Things
17. Ride on a hot air balloon
18. Hike to a body of water, then jump in!
19. Fly a kite
20. Go sledding or innertubing
21. Camp on the beach
22. Hike to a difficult Geocache
23. Try tennis
24. Take a dance class
25. Take a fun/free undergrad class at TUW
26. Attempt nail art
27. Bury a time capsule
28. Seed bomb
29. See theatre
30. Go to a concert
31. Attend a trivia night
32. Watch the sunrise and sunset on the same day
33. Have a romantic candlelit dinner at home in pajamas
34. See a drive in movie
35. Read “The Bell Jar”
36. Swim in the ocean
37. Try a product from Shark Tank
Language
38. Take a sign language class
39. Have a decent conversation in Farsi
40. Make flashcards of important Farsi words
41. Spend time studying them all
42. Learn to count to 10 in Icelandic
Art
43. Open an Etsy store
44. Upcycle a piece of clothing
45. Knit Pouya and I matching Christmas sweaters
46. Make something with jumbo yarn
47. Learn how to edit on Premiere Pro
48. Learn the ins and outs of a DSLR
49. Learn how to use my vintage sewing machine
50. Knit a blanket with scrap yarn
For Others
51. Build community among friends
52. Donate blood
53. Make someone breakfast in bed
54. Send 3 care packages to friends who live far away
55. Plan a surprise vacation
56. Send someone flowers, just because
Travel
57. Visit my sister in her grad school destination
58. Travel out of the country
59. Visit a new state – 1
60. Visit a new state – 2
61. Visit a new state – 3
62. Visit a new state – 4
63. Visit a new state – 5
64. Visit SLO/Morro Bay
65. Visit Carlsbad Flower Fields
66. Go on a cruise
67. Attempt to see Northern Lights
68. Go no a road trip
69. See the Atlantic Ocean for the first time
Adult Stuff
70. Move out
71. Start saving for retirement
72. Reach my savings goal
73. Budget my money
74. Start building credit
Food
75. Learn to make 1 Persian dish
76. Make a batch of cheese that I’m proud of
77. Buy 1 of each flavor macaroon from fav bakery (DoLy’s)
78. Learn to make an amazing pumpkin dessert
Career/Education
79. Make the step towards grad school
80. Progress in my career
81. Decorate my cubicle
82. Get up at 6:30AM for a whole work week and see how it effects me
For Me
83. Have a birthday party, at least once!
84. Do Ancestry DNA
85. Go to a day spa
86. Buy high end mascara
87. Find sunglasses that fit my face
88. Write a letter to myself to open in 10 years
89. Write a letter to myself to open on day 1001
90. Buy myself something that I have wanted for awhile
Practical Things
91. Back up/organize computer
92. Declutter entire room
93. Sell the clutter in garage sale
94. Learn to drive stick good enough for an emergency
Health/Fitness
95. Run 3 miles without stopping
96. Take a self defense class
97. Sunrise yoga under our orange tree
98. Do a handstand
Writing
99. Write on my blog
100. Start journaling
Last day
101. On January 4, 2018, pop a bottle of champagne and celebrate!

So what do you think? Too ambitious? Too safe? Knowing myself, it’s just enough to push myself without making it impossible. I’m so excited to start!

My new (thrifted) coffee table!

~ Mackenzie ~ 2 Comments

Hey there, and happy Monday!

I wanted to share with you my more recent find at a thrift store. I LOVE spending time on the little couch in my room, whether I’m just on the computer, knitting, or even watching a show. However, it has always felt a little empty without a coffee table in front of it – something that I can use to place my cup of tea, or even just to put my feet up. Granted, my room (and couch) are a bit on the smaller side, so it too would need to be small.  Also, it needed to be cheap enough for my unemployed self to afford.  Much to my surprise, just as I was taking a casual stroll through a Goodwill, and I found THIS little number for $14!
SAM_1255Ok, now I KNOW what you are thinking: Mackenzie – that isn’t a coffee table, that’s a chest. I know, I know! But it totally works, right? And in my opinion, it works better than a table would have. Since this is a chest, it can serve as a coffee table AND as storage! It is the perfect size, and I feel so lucky to have found it.

SAM_1242 SAM_1241

I have had my “new” coffee table for about a week now, and I can’t image life on my couch without it. I keep a few candles on there (one of them has a wood wick, so it crackles while it burns like bonfire!) and it is the perfect place to set my mug of coffee or tea while I chill on my couch.

SAM_1271 SAM_1269

Success! It is always the best feeling when you actually find what you are looking for at a thrift store.  I hope this encourages you to try to find something new for where you live. Of course, it’s mostly luck, but you just have to keep looking! What cool things have you found lately that were second hand? What are you trying to find?

SAM_1284

Instagram: @mackedy
Email: mackenzieammirato@gmail.com

Welcome to Mackedy!

~ Mackenzie ~ 5 Comments

Hey there!

My name is Mackenzie and I’m a 21 year old living in sunny Southern California. I’m currently in a weird transitional period in my life – a college graduate, but still quite unsure of what I want to do as a career. Since I have more time to spend on myself, I’m starting this blog as a outlet to foster my love of writing, and to share my interests and experiences. I hope that this blog will be a source of inspiration for me as well as anyone else who is reading! And even when I eventually do find a job, I want to continue writing here to encourage persistence in my hobbies and creative outlets.

There are many things that I hope you write about! Here are a few:

  • My travel adventures
  • Thrifted finds
  • Sewing and knitting projects
  • Product reviews
  • Anything food related

I can’t wait to start this blog. I’m not quite sure what direction it will go, but I have quite an array of interests, and I can’t wait to share them all with you!

Nice to meet you!

K59A8719ed

Instagram: @mackedy
Email: mackenzieammirato@gmail.com