A Cozy Afternoon At Home with Kindle + $500 Giveaway

I'm not usually one for setting resolutions, but as the year comes to a close, I have spent an unusual amount of time thinking through the past year - noting specifically the things that have gone well, and things I would have liked to accomplish, but didn't successfully in 2015.

This year has been a particularly busy year, both personally and professionally.  If I can be 100% open and honest, this year did not go as planned - not how I had planned out in my mind, anyways.  Don't get me wrong, there were a considerable number of things that went really well (such as moving in with Shawn - every day is better with him in it!), but I have really been struggling these last few months with the list of things I did not accomplish, or did accomplish, but not with the 150% I typically give things.  I've been putting a great deal of time and effort into reflecting and making a true list of goals I have for the new year.

__________ Shop the Post __________

Red Cashmere Scarf || Kindle Paperwhite Case || Eye Glasses 

Plaid Pajama Bottoms || Gingham Pajama Top || Striped Scarf 

See a full look at the gallery wall details with Minted.  

You know that saying 'you have as many hours in the day as Beyoncé," Well, I have been repeating that to myself daily, sometimes hourly, in hopes of making it true.  Side note, does anyone else ever respond to that statement with "Do Beyoncé's assistants feel the same way?"  I've have spent the last few months, staying up sometimes until the 4:00AM attempting to check even half of the items on my daily to-do list off. Nonetheless, there just never seems like there's enough time to get to the things I have to do, let alone the things I'd love to do. Anyone else with me?

But, with things slowing down at bit at the office these last few weeks, I have finally had a chance to get slightly caught up, I have worked to get my head on straight and managed to get a jump start on a few of my 2015 (now 2016!) goals.  Here's a run-down of my top three (of a list of about 103):

1). Get back to reading more frequently

2). Invest more time in growing the blog

3). Help those in need in the community

Thanks to Amazon, and the Kindle Paperwhite, I have been successful these last few weeks reading more AND learning to grow the blog at the same time. 

I challenged myself at the beginning of 2015 to learn more about SEO and how it can help impact the future success of the blog. I recently downloaded SEO 2016 and have really been loving the ease and usability of the Kindle Paperwhite.  I can highlight sections of the book I want to turn back to quickly.  I also love that the Kindle tells me which passages of the book have been highlighted by other readers, along with how many times.  It's such a great feature, if you ask me, especially when reading about a topic I know very little about at the moment. 

I also used to spend a good amount of my time staying on top of current events and business trends by reading three of my favorite publications: Inc., Forbes Magazine and Harvard Business Review.  When time got away from me, I let these subscriptions slip away, as well, losing touch with this former passion.  I have, however, rekindled (no pun intended :)) my love for reading these mags and have download my monthly subscriptions straight to my Kindle.  New monthly publications are conveniently pushed to me with each new refresh and I love that I have them all together in one place.

Since receiving the Kindle, I have been carrying it around with me to and from the office and many have asked why I didn't simply download the books and magazines directly to my iPad mini (which I used to use all the time for personal and professional use) instead of investing in the Kindle.  It's a great question, and one I asked myself, but quickly came to realize there is a huge difference between the two - for me anyways.  Here's why.

On my iPad, I have access to every online platform - email, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, etc. As much as I want to be disciplined, and disconnect from these social media outlets while enjoying some time to read, it's just never going to be the case when they are right at my finger tips.  I have even gone as far as turning off all notifications, but the simple fact with one swipe I can take a quick look at these social feeds is an immediate distraction. 

There is something really awesome about taking time out for yourself, in a quite corner of your home or local café, to dive into a great book or publication.  The Kindle allows me to do just that without the distractions of every day life.  I have been so pleased with this purchase and cannot wait to get more involved in this 2016 goal.

__________ Shop My Kindle Favorites __________

Do you all own a Kindle?  If so, how do you like it? 
What books are you looking forward to reading in 2016?  I's love to hear your thoughts and suggestions! 

Also, don't miss the two awesome holiday giveaway's we have running! The links to each are below:

Three winners will be chosen for either a $500 Target, Amazon & Nordstrom gift card giveaway!

$525 PayPal Cash giveaway!

XOXO,
Anna

Thank you very kindly to Amazon for sponsoring this post! And thank you to all readers for continuing to support the brands that help A Lily Love Affair bring you great content.  All opinions are genuine and my own. XO