I am going to try the one-in, one-out rule for everything I can(shoes, clothes, handbags, magazines). If I succeed, this should help with clutter *and* budget. We'll see!!

I say "not," just because I prefer a yearly to-do list of big projects. My boyfriend, however, does a superb job of sticking to resolutions.

Not, because I just moved in to a new place, and hence, all of the to-do list is simply a do list. Not a resolution to change things, but simply settle in.

And my resolutions generally take place in June...around birthday time, for some reason I find it more motivating then. It's summer, I have lots of energy, and I can create habits more readily, even though I don't have the long summer break of a few years back in uni.

Bathroom needs updating. This is the year!

Final push on getting rid of stuff I inherited that I'll never use or put out - if I'm brutally honest with myself (sorry mom).

I say not because resolutions feel too much like work. Having something hanging over my head, whether I enjoy doing it or not, makes me anxious and causes me to avoid "the task" as much as I possibly can.

It feels better to just do stuff as it comes up. Getting an idea for a project spontaneously throughout the year is much more doable (for me) than trying to make up all of these "to-dos" at the beginning of the year and then have to find a way to spread them out across the next 12 months.

I say "not" because resolutions always seem set up for failure-- and, besides, I'm not here to perfect myself, which is what resolutions are designed to do.

Instead, I make (admittedly vague) goals like being healthier, spending more time on things that matter, and getting more organized. It doesn't feel like work and I don't get down on myself if I don't do things exactly as I've laid them out.

I plan on hanging up artwork, my walls are so bare

Hot, oh yes! For me, resolutions = goal setting and I can't move forward without a goal or proposed destination. Mike and I did a lot of decorating in 2007 so there's nothing urgent on that front. Our garage, however, is full of Craigslist missteps that need to go back where they came from. Trouble is they require a few tweaks and touch-ups before they're ready for resale. Be it resolved that the table and chairs will be gone by Valentine's Day. The orange vinyl barstools, too!

My brilliant husband (a talented DIY kind of guy) is almost done remodeling the kitchen with IKEA Nexus in birch with IKEA appliances. (They are the best value on Whirlpool too.) It looks so good I keep expecting some magazine photographer to stop by without an invitation! He is also doing the master bathroom, master bedroom (also new furniture), upper hall, and his "study". I did the design part.

I'm designing a new frame for our Tyso cushions. (Sorry IKEA. It really isn't a good experience.) I'm also going to chalk-paint a family calendar on a closet door that awkwardly faces the living room. Yep: took that idea right off this websight.

It's going to be a big "fix up" year at home for this family.

Cate - now that some time has passed - are you happy with all your Ikea choices?