Happy New Year to Recessionistas Around the Globe! I’m wishing all of our readers a very happy 2011!  Wow 2010 went quick don’t you think? Above is an image of the New Year’s celebrations in Times Square New York, NY. This image is from Richard Seamon’s excellent website of pictures from various cities around the US. Now that the New Year is here, and the champagne bubbles are fizzing out, the business of New Year’s Resolutions begins.

Below is the list I am filling out today: a cute little list of New Year’s Resolutions. Note: I do this exercise every New Year’s and its best done when not operating heavy machinery Sometimes it works, sometimes, not, but I remain addicted to the exercise of documenting my goals for the New Year.

So here are a few of my New Year’s Resolutions that are fit to print.

1) Get back on my diet.  How can you watch the Jennifer Hudson commercials for Weight Watchers and not feel inspired? She looks great and she looks healthy.  She is not scary skinny as are some celebs I see around LA.

In 2010 I fell off the diet wagon.  Not so much from overeating, but from eating the wrong things.  Sometimes I am rushing and I don’t take the time to shop for fresh vegetables or fruit.  It’s easier to just pick something up and run.  That was the whole theme of Jamie Oliver’s excellent Food Revolution TV show.  Now, I’m going to get back to the gym and back to eating fruits & veggies.   New Year’s is always a good time to start a new diet.  In the US. it’s practically a national tradition to start a diet the New Year.   If you’re reading from the US, you might want to check out Ideeli’s Total Well Being sale.  They are offering healthy lifestyle products including cookbooks, blenders, skincare products and even the dreaded…scale.  Isn’t the scale the worst?  I hate it, but it is a necessary evil.  If you are not an Ideeli member , click here to use my invitation to join. To check it out as The Recessionista’s Guest, click here.  (note, I am an an Ideeli affiliate and I do earn a fee when you buy on Ideeli.)

2) Pay off my credit cards.  This is the year I really want to pay down, and pay off my cards.  Paying interest rates is not my desired state.  I’m reading Natalie McNeal’s bookThe Fruglista Files to learn how she did it.  I’m re-evaluating my financial strategies including my 401k contributions and stock/bond portfolios. Its a good time to move some things around and re access my savings and monthly budgets.

3) Continue connecting with people via Social Media combined with face-to-face meetings.  In 2010, I met so many wonderful new friends via Social Media, particularly Twitter. I really enjoy sharing with people of similar interests.  It’s even more wonderful when I get the opportunity to connect with the real people behind the Twitter IDs, IRL (in real life.) A few weeks ago, I held a small Blogger Soiree with some LA Bloggers just for networking and drinks.  In 2011, I hope to do more of these networking events.  If you’re interested, let me know by leaving a comment on the blogger.  The power of community is great, as is the joy of stepping out from behind the blogger and meeting readers and fellow blogger.

4) Continue to collect vintage:  If you read here, you know I love to collect vintage classics.  I have a collection of vintage Chanel pieces, and recently I acquired my first Irene (legendary designer Irene Lentz.)
I like vintage for a couple reasons: the unique styles, quality fabrics used, recycling clothing rather than throwing it away or sending it to a landfill and distinctive touches.  One of my favorite eBay searches is for items from Bullocks-Wilshire.  I never cease to find amazing, quality vintage items on eBay.

5) Final resolution, this is the worst one…..clean my house, including the dreaded carpets!
It’s still pouring in California and the rest of the country is drowning in snow and sometime mud.  This makes it a good time to crank up my Beatles CD collection and start sweeping!

So that’s it. I’m only making 5 resolutions this year. As a Recessionista, I feel empowered to downsize my list of resolutions along with everything else And even more ambitious, I’ll be going on Weight Watcher’s to downsize myself and renew healthy habits.

If you’re looking for some more good information and resources for New Year’s Resolutions, you might want to check Amazon’s list. They’ve got a nice list of the Top 10 Resolutions plus resources on Amazon to help you implement them.

May 2011 be your be year ever readers! Keep watching the blogs for sale info, interviews with designers, and some amazing new giveaways coming up.