According to my horoscope, 2017 is the year I should take centre stage. See? This is why I think horoscopes are a bit of a hoax. Haven’t I been taking centre stage since the day I was born? (Kidding.) Anyways, this is the year that everyone who ever doubted my Gemini abilities will be biting their tongues as I shine in the spotlight. I can live with that.

I love to experiment and try new things. My New Year Resolutions are all about that. What’s the fun in living your same old life every year? So boring.

If there’s a new challenge, I’m up for it. If there’s a new trend, I’ll try it. And if there’s a new item on my favourite restaurants menu, you can be sure that I’ll be giving it a taste. (As long as my fave sushi spot keeps their Spicy Tempura Roll because I don’t want to try anything new there. It’s too good.)

New Year Resolutions can seem like a great thing at the start of the year but often fade into your busy life a couple months in. This year I’m going to try my best to keep up with every single one. I mean, 10 is pretty ambitious though so we’ll see how it goes.

The Lady-like Leopard’s 2017 New Year Resolutions

1. Choose well, buy less

I used to be (almost) as bad as Becky Bloomwood in the shopping department, but now that I’ve had a cold, hard dose of reality—bills, rent, groceries—I just can’t shop the way I want to. And trust me, I want to. But, there comes a time in every fashionistas life when she realizes that she can’t buy that DKNY velvet slip dress. Until it goes on sale.

2. Learn to accept compliments w/o being embarrassed

I’m one of those women who gets super shy when receiving compliments about anything other than how incredibly smart or funny I am (lol, should also work on modesty). For example, if someone says I look beautiful, I’ll usually give them a look like they’re crazy and say thanks. This year I will accept the compliment gracefully and try not to blush. (Ps. did you know that paying someone a compliment actually has a lot of benefits for you?)

3. Travel more (and maybe get some free flights)

Okay well, maybe not totally free, but a girl can dream, right? I didn’t plan any of my trips in 2016—except for Sydney—and somehow I ended up in Paris, London, Annapolis and New York (twice). So maybe if I put it out in the universe that I want to go to Barcelona, Tokyo and L.A. it just might happen. No, it will happen.

4. Start wearing pants more often

It’s not what you think. I’m not running around without pants – at least not publicly. I just want to fully embrace the latest “pants on fire” trend, as reported in the January 2017 issue of Vogue.  I used to be completely opposed to wearing pants when I was a kid but as the years go by I’ve found myself drawn to the masculine staples. But they don’t always have to be considered masculine. David Koma of Mugler says “of course pants can be sexy” and the latest of the latest trend is wearing a minidress or tunic over top.

5. Start working out more—in a fun way

I love working out, but sometimes just going to the gym can get a little repetitive and boring. I’ve been dying to try a ballet bootcamp, hit up more boxing classes and get back into Bikram Hot Yoga. Who’s with me?

6. Stop wasting time reading articles I don’t care about

You know when you’re scrolling through twitter or something and you see something about Rob & Chyna and you’re immediately disgusted but somehow find yourself clicking on it and absorbing every drop of grimy gossip? Ugh. That has got to stop. I’m ashamed.

7. Stop wasting time on my phone, period

I’m on social media way more often that I would like to admit. Don’t even try to deny that you guys don’t look right at your phone when you wake up even though the screen is blinding your sleep-filled eyes. Sometimes I do my rounds of checking (instagram, twitter, facebook, etc.) and then I’ll start again even though I know there’s nothing new. It’s disturbing.

8. Be honest about how many drinks I’ve had this week

I’m thinking of doing a sober January. Oh, stop. I heard your *gasps* even through my computer screen. I can do it. Depending on what time of year it is, it can be so hard to limit alcohol because of events, media previews, parties and all that jazz. January seems like a safe month to cut back on the bubbly.

9. Fluently learn Spanish (Aprende español fluidamente)

Señorita, I feel for you. You deal with things that you don’t have to. He doesn’t love you, I can tell by his charm… See how easily I get distracted? That’s why last year I played DuoLingo for a month and completely forgot about learning Español.

10. Work every single day towards my goals

One of my friends recently told me that what they love most about me is that I’m “incredibly hardworking and driven” and that sets me apart from the crowd (of half-naked instagram models maybe?). Apparently “there aren’t many people like [me] anymore” and I love it. That’s one of the best compliments I’ve ever received. This year I plan to set aside specific times for writing, blogging, pitching, working, loving, spending time with friends and family – everything.

What are your New Year Resolutions? Tweet to me @ladylikeleopard and let me know!

All photos by Morgan Cross Photography (website, facebook) at Magnolia Hotel & Spa.