Well, babes, it’s officially 2017, and I’m fully submerged in the shimmering newness of it all. I have high hopes for the next twelve months… But here’s one thing I’ve learned the hard way: without an action plan, hopes don’t evolve into results.

What about you? Aren’t you tired of hoarding dreams and ideas because you can’t figure out how to make them real? Aren’t you tired of procrastinating on passion projects and doing what you love?

Well, enough is enough.

I want you to have an amazing year, so I dug into my mental inventory of life lessons and 2016 epiphanies. The result was this post. It’s full of actionable, realistic tips for making 2017 a seriously stellar year.

Before you jump in, you should know something about me: I COMPLETELY embrace resolution making.

I think it’s ludicrous to discourage people from embracing a fresh start, even if failure to follow through is typical. Change can take a few times around the block to stick, and there are so many factors to achieving your goals.

But to not even try…?

You should never give up on reaching higher. Having hopes, dreams and goals not only gives life a lot more spice, it can even help you live longer. Not surprising, but kind of amazing.

So, seriously. Get on the bandwagon—and I’ll get off my soapbox, promise!

Here are 5 ways to make 2017 your best year yet… for real.

Confession time! Sometimes I shop for wine based on the label. I have my favorites, of course, but when I’m picking out something new, I definitely let my aesthetic inclinations get the better of me.

That’s how I’ve discovered some of my favorite rosés!

Anyway, because of this little wine-shopping quirk that would cause my wine-connoisseur friends to experience mild seizures of frustration, I usually have some pretty cute empty bottles perched on my windowsill.

I’ll drop in a single flower or just let the light catch them until I cycle them out for the next round (hellooo, Minibar).

Earlier this month when I was cleaning out my apartment, I decided to put some of my prettiest bottles to use. I’d been wanting to make a luminous holiday centerpiece using LED lights forever… and this seemed like the perfect chance.

I’m kind of in love with the results. Want one for your apartment? A step by step video is below, clocking in at a whopping 36 seconds! Click through and check it out.

New York is pretty amazing all year round, but there’s one time in particular that you have to experience at least once: the winter holiday season.

Whatever you celebrate, if you’re into spectacular lights, cinnamon cocktails and DIY decor, you’ll find something to do in this veritable smorgasbord of metropolitan festivity.

There’s a lot going on though, from champagne toasting at Brooklyn boutiques to getting lost in holiday windows and watching acrobats in Santa hats. It’s hard to decide which events to pencil into your soiree schedule. That’s why I’m here!

Click through below for an evolving list of my favorite holiday 2016 to-do’s.

You better not shout, you better not cry…

We all know the lyrics to this uber-famous Christmas song… but the reality of the holidays for SO many of us is indeed of the cry-and-shout variety.

Between family drama, the pressure of #giftinggoals and stuffed schedules peppered with awkward office parties, it’s enough to drive anyone (except Martha Stewart) insane. With December 24th just a few weeks away, you might be wondering if this’ll be another year of not-so-magical chaos.

But wait—what if this year could be different?

What if you could get ahead of the madness, avoid the ho-ho-hangovers and swear off the vapid cocktail party convos for long enough to enjoy a holiday that’s actually jolly?

Don’t you want to be jolly, woman?!

Of course you do. So keep reading for 5 solid tips you can put to work this season to avoid having a Hallmark movie-sized meltdown. Also, there’s a present for you…

Happy New Year! 

I’ve really dropped off the face of this blog in 2015, but it’s not because I’ve lost my love for blogging. In fact, it’s the exact opposite.

I’ve been working non-stop on Day Job Optional, my digital nomad resource and blog dedicated to traveling and lifestyle design. It has inspired me to change my entire life, and I recently quit my job and am making plans to spend the new year traveling.

First up? Costa Rica! I leave in 28 days for an eight day adventure in the jungle and on the beaches of Limón.

Since I’m narrowing down my focus for the new year, I won’t be around Hey Mishka much. That may change in the future, but for now I invite you to come over to the DJO facebook group and hang out, join the mailing list, and get inspired.

I truly wish you the best for 2016, and I’ll be back to let you know how everything is going. ;}

One last thought:

I’m putting my Etsy shop, Bombay Mermaid, on hiatus as well while as I move closer to going full digital.

As much as I adore that shop and everything I’ve worked toward with it, I’m trying not to hang onto physical inventory. You can use code MERMAID2016 for 50% off everything in the shop until January 28th. Thanks for everyone who has supported then mermaid mission for the past two years.

Until next time…

It’s Small Business Saturday! Spread the love and show some support by choosing your holiday gifts from these hardworking hustlers and small biz owners.

I’ve chosen to ignore the pessimistic articles I’ve seen pop up this month that suggest SBS is nothing but an idealistic pipe dream in terms of driving real sales.

The movement is real if we make it real. Let’s shop small!

To start, look no further than the 50 gifts I found on Etsy and curated for you below.

For Valentine’s Day this year, I treated myself to a few little pieces of magic from my favorite shop in Williamsburg, Fuego 718.

Primarily a kitschy Mexican folk art store, they carry inspired merchandise from South East Asia and South America too, as well as a books and jewelry by local designers. You’ll always find beautiful, one of a kind relics to add to your space whenever you walk in. I have a theory that if you wander around inside long enough, you’ll be drawn to something that’s perfect for you.

That’s how I felt yesterday after escaping the fluffy falling snow and taking refuge in the warm exterior of the shop. Beaded strands of tin hearts were dangling everywhere and the owner smiled from ear to ear while announcing that everything in the store was 25% off.

I spent about an hour scouring the colorful, eccentric merchandise before I found a gorgeous heart-shaped wall hanging made in Peru, a hand-painted shot glass from Mexico, and an amazing magnet with skeleton mermaids on it.

Everything together came to less than $20, and though I said it was just a “gift” for myself, the owner insisted on wrapping it up like a present. So sweet!

Visit them on 249 Grand Street, where you’ll find treasures from all over the world and handmade jewelry and gifts from local designers right here in Brooklyn.

Pink lace bras, mandala motifs, neon pink tassels… I’ve always found ways to work dreamy pink and red decor and attire into virtually any holiday, but Valentine’s Day is the one where I can go no-holds-barred GIRL-AY.

Whether you’re shopping for yourself, your best friend or someone you adore, look no further for something irresistible…

1. Love Driftwood Decor

2. Flower Power Pillow

3. Pink Drusy Square Stud Earrings

4. Free People Take Heart Jumper

5. Agent Provocateur Megan lace and stretch-tulle plunge bra

6. Free People Prayer Candle

7. Gem Tassel Necklace

8. Free People Heart Soap

Smooooch! 

Confession time: I’m a sucker for holidays. What, you knew that already?…

From mid-November to mid-February, I can’t walk into Duane Reade without being drawn to sparkly Christmas ornaments and frilly heart-shaped boxes full of candy. I stop myself though, because there’s something far more exciting than stocking up on cheaply made decor and festive junk food: homemade gifts!

Every year I promise myself I’ll forgo buying gifts and make them (or at least shop small—another great option). I’m starting off 2015 on a do-it-myself note. Here’s my first project!

This candy-and-tea jar is a super cute Valentine, or anytime-gift, which you can whip up with just a few ingredients and fill with whatever you want. See how I made it below.

The past year has been a complicated one, full of dramatic highs and lows, leaving many open ends and epic questions unanswered as I careen into 2015. But that’s alright.

I’m ready for a new calendar, a new chapter, a new to-do list. The sun may set at 4PM these days (uugh—the worst!), but I’m ready to infuse as much light into the next 365 as possible.

I mentioned I haven’t been blogging because life has been hectic, but I wanted to share some recent snaps from the past few months. It’s a bit of everything: holiday cocktails, sparkling jewels, mornings cups of coffee after a snowstorm, chipped nails and more.