Lists My Life

30 Before Thirty

I will turn thirty on September 22, 2010.

That gives me a little more than six months to do all of the things on this list…

  1. Visit the Modern Wing of The Art Institute of Chicago. (Done!)

  2. Dye my hair red. (Done!)

  3. Finish redesigning my Smart & Lovely portfolio.

  4. Launch my design service.

  5. Stop drinking soda. (Done!)

  6. Lose 20 pounds. (Not drinking soda should help.) (Done!)

  7. Repaint my office. (Done!)

  8. Sew a dress for Eleanor. (Done!)

  9. Clean out the basement. (It’s getting scary down there.) (Late, but done!)

  10. Donate some of our books to the library. (Done!)

  11. Cook Pad Thai from scratch.

  12. Organize the catch-all closet in my office. (Done!)

  13. Get good at applying liquid eyeliner. (Done!)

  14. Print the bajillion photos I have stored on my computer and put them in albums. (Done!)

  15. Alphabetize our CDs and finish putting them into sleeves. (Done!)

  16. Landscape the front of the house. (Done!)

  17. Make an origami paper crane. (Done!)

  18. Visit the Farnsworth House by Mies van der Rohe. (Done!)

  19. Learn how to use my camera in manual mode. (Done!)

  20. Find my perfect shade of lipstick. (Done!)

  21. Decide for good whether I want a tattoo or not. (Done!)

  22. Pay off my credit card. (Done!)

  23. Make a video montage of Eleanor’s first year. (Done!)

  24. Have a date night with Brandon at least twice a month. (Done!)

  25. Grow tomatoes. (Done!)

  26. Have an adorable family photo taken. (Done!)

  27. Sing along perfectly to “It’s The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)”. (Done!)

  28. Take Eleanor to the Shedd Aquarium. (Done!)

  29. Reduce (or eliminate) my reliance on paper towels. (Done!)

  30. Paint all of the trim in our house.

(I’m crossing them off the list as I complete them.)

Sources & Paint ColorsNeed design help? Let's work together.

You Might Also Like...

  • Amanda @ Our Humble A{Bowe}d
    July 30, 2010 at 10:13 am

    I recently learned how to make a paper crane. I started with a larger size and perfected the folding, so I started making 1 inch suqares of paper to make mini cranes. Too cute! I’ll show pictures on my blog soon. Make sure you use thin enough paper, too. Anything thicker than average printer paper won’t work… Good luck!

  • Elena @ Breakfast for Dinner
    July 30, 2010 at 10:47 am

    Great list! How did you come up with it all? I just turned 29 and would love to make my own! My #1 is to see Italy, and we’re booking that for the Spring, so I couldn’t be more thrilled!

  • Ann
    July 30, 2010 at 2:39 pm

    The easiest toddler dress is a reversible sleeveless one pattern piece dress from Simplicity. I made some for my daughter 28 years ago. It is Simplicity 8537. I found it again at vintageinterestnmore.ecrater.com. You can do it in about two hours or less. skip the matching pants. You don’t have to do All the work yourself on your list. You could trade something in your inventory for a person to help you clean out the basement. I’ll bet someone could show you how to make a crane at an Asian restaurant near you. It is not very hard. Start singing and video it for us so we can see you.
    I’ll be 65 (time does fly, I still remember the 60’s very well) in 16 months. I don’t think I could do 65 different things. Maybe 15? I’ve already done so many things, most of what I have left to do is clean up.

  • Rosalyn
    July 30, 2010 at 2:55 pm

    Here is an idea for #8: http://www.prudentbaby.com/2010/07/diy-pillowcase-dress-part-2-with-bias.html

    Super cute and super easy. Good luck with your list.

  • Heather Espana
    July 30, 2010 at 3:11 pm

    Such a great list!
    I might be able to help you with #19 :-). I always get people asking if I can help them learn to shoot in manual, and I did a little blog post on the subject a while back. You’re welcome to read and use it if it helps you. And you can always email me with questions! :)

    Here is the post: http://espanaphotography.com/blog/2009/08/21/beach-day-shooting-in-manual/

  • Liz
    July 30, 2010 at 8:45 pm

    I would suggest getting a blurb book instead of printing pictures into photo albums. I did it with our wedding and vacation photos and left the books on the coffee table and we (and our visitors) actually look at them.

  • kallie
    July 31, 2010 at 4:52 pm

    Wow!!! I just turned 29 and turning 30 was not making me very… excited!!! But with a list like that I might change my mind! Thanks for the idea!

  • bienvenidos « The Thing with Tomatoes
    August 1, 2010 at 6:16 pm

    […] goals, and cross them out as I get to them.  The idea was inspired by a host of things, among them this post from Nicole at Making It Lovely, one of my favorite home/design […]

  • Christina
    August 2, 2010 at 4:10 pm

    23. Make a video montage of Eleanor’s first year:

    use animoto (.com?) it’s very easy and makes wonderful video montages. made one for hubby for father’s day and he adores it.

    :O) Christina

  • Laurin
    August 2, 2010 at 9:43 pm

    I’ve been thinking about trim …. a lot…
    What color would you paint your trim? And does that go for crown moulding as well? In search of the perfect trim color.

  • Staci
    August 3, 2010 at 10:57 am

    Origami cranes are so easy! Good luck with them, I’ve seen them used in decorating in a cute way (hung on a string).
    My birthday is also 9/22! Best wishes with your goals birthday buddy :)

  • ajjah
    August 3, 2010 at 9:20 pm

    i’m thinking of having my own 30 before thirty list too..! yeay

  • Kerry G.
    August 4, 2010 at 12:13 am

    I started making Pad Thai about 2 years ago…here’s a recipe I adapted.

    http://tacosvegankitchen.blogspot.com/2008/03/terrestrail-vegan-takes-on-pad-thai.html

  • Making it Lovely | Transforming the so-so. » Blog Archive » Eleanor’s Pillowcase Dress
    August 4, 2010 at 12:33 pm

    […] checked another item off my 30 Before Thirty list last night! #8: Sew a dress for Eleanor. I made a pillowcase dress, following Jaime’s […]

  • 30 things before I turn 30 | Melography.net
    August 6, 2010 at 6:55 am

    […] reading Nicole at Making It Lovely‘s blog post about 30 things she wants to do before she turns 30, I was inspired to do it for […]

  • Making it Lovely | Transforming the so-so. » Blog Archive » Eleanor’s First Year (Video Montage)
    August 16, 2010 at 9:10 am

    […] finally finished the video I wanted to make, so that’s another item crossed off the 30 Before Thirty list. I’ve also had prints made of my many, many photographs to be put in albums, so that […]

  • Making it Lovely | Transforming the so-so. » Blog Archive » The Farnsworth House
    August 18, 2010 at 1:49 pm

    […] 18 on my 30 Before Thirty list: done. Visit The Farnsworth House by Mies van der […]

  • Making it Lovely | Transforming the so-so. » Blog Archive » Making Room for Baby
    August 19, 2010 at 11:07 am

    […] all of this puts greater urgency on #9 of my 30 Before Thirty list: Clean out the basement. All of this shuffling of space hinges on getting it ready, and I am […]

  • Making it Lovely | Transforming the so-so. » Blog Archive » Paper Crane
    August 24, 2010 at 11:37 am

    […] checked another one off my 30 Before Thirty list today; I made a paper crane while Eleanor took her morning […]

  • Stefi
    August 25, 2010 at 7:44 pm

    You have inspired yet another 30 before 30 list! Thank you!

    http://stefiweaver.com/blog/2010/08/25/30/

  • Tasha
    August 30, 2010 at 8:50 pm

    Thank you for your inspiration! Yours was the first 30 before 30 I’ve ever heard of – I’ve now created and published my own at http://diyingtobedomestic.wordpress.com/2010/08/30/30-before-30/. Thank you! Keep up the great work!

  • Making it Lovely | Transforming the so-so. » Blog Archive » Black Spindle Back Chairs
    August 31, 2010 at 8:50 am

    […] going to paint the wood trim white (it’s on my 30 Before Thirty list), and I’d like to paint the ceiling too. The wallpaper is staying (I’m going to […]

  • Sandra
    September 9, 2010 at 11:00 pm

    Today is my 29th birthday. You’ve inspired me to create a list, too! I hope you’re able to accomplish everything you set out to do in these last few weeks. :)

  • Merissa
    September 13, 2010 at 1:26 pm

    You have just over a week left! Great progress! I’m hoping my 2010 New Year’s Resolutions list looks as crossed-off as this!

  • 30 before 30: Rachel’s List » Starfish and Coffee
    September 14, 2010 at 11:27 pm

    […] inspired by a blog post I came across the other day, in which the author set out to do 30 things before she turned 30, so […]

  • Making it Lovely | Transforming the so-so. » Blog Archive » The Modern Wing of the Art Institute
    September 15, 2010 at 8:40 am

    […] checked another one off of my 30 Before Thirty list yesterday: Visit The Modern Wing of The Art Institute of Chicago. Inspired by the great works […]

  • 25 Before 25 | My Crafty Condition
    September 17, 2010 at 2:53 pm

    […] People have bucket lists of things they would like to do before they die, but that seems like such a long time away. So I’m doing something a little different, along the lines of Making It Lovely’s 30 before thirty. […]

  • Pamela
    September 19, 2010 at 1:43 pm

    What a great idea! You’ve inspired me to create a similar list. Thanks Nicole!

  • sarah
    September 21, 2010 at 7:26 am

    hi,im turning 30 tomorrow too..just like you..im from mauritius..happy birthday :)

  • Making it Lovely | Transforming the so-so. » Blog Archive » Pretty, but with Meaning
    September 21, 2010 at 10:09 am

    […] after having attended the Mighty Summit. We focused on our life lists, which is much like my 30 Before Thirty list but bigger. Grander. I have lofty goals and dreams, and I look forward to sharing them with […]

  • jodi
    September 21, 2010 at 11:49 am

    happy 30th birthday eve!

  • JacquiBee
    September 21, 2010 at 6:13 pm

    Happy Birthday (im a day ahead in NZ so it is really still your birthday)
    OMG you only have five left, One house project(the trim) the other four are all work related. Well done. I can imagine the basement as a great space thought I know you have limited funds. Maybe one approach is to think about the layout of the room where will you be looking at most while you work and make that really nice and finished. Refinish one wall at a time for example as you can afford it starting with the wall your desk or work space faced. I have carried a pair of enormous ( big enough to cover a wall) 1960’s heavy shot gold and tangerine curtins from house to house for many years and I have hung them to hide many and eye sore area. May be some inexpensive curtins on walls you can’t get to yet. Cant wait to see what you come up with.

  • Rebecca Mellor
    September 22, 2010 at 8:35 am

    Happy 30th Birthday Nicole! Isn’t it weird that I don’t even know you, but have been thinking about the fact that it’s your birthday all morning – have been following your blog for a couple of months now – it’s really inspiring! Well done for achieving so many of the things on your list! Hope you have a lovely day! Rebecca

  • Tessasaurus » 30 before Thirty
    September 22, 2010 at 1:10 pm

    […] first got the idea to do a “30 before Thirty” from Nicole Balch the author of one of my favorite blogs.  It’s sort of like a bucket list, but I have to […]

  • Circa1972
    September 22, 2010 at 2:22 pm

    Happy Birthday! If you start your “40 Before 40” list now, think of all the time you’ll have to complete it! :)

  • Mandy
    September 22, 2010 at 7:36 pm

    Happy Birthday!! : )

  • Making it Lovely | Transforming the so-so. » Blog Archive » Revisiting the 30 Before Thirty List
    September 23, 2010 at 11:47 am

    […] best years yet! So now that my birthday has come and gone, it’s time to see how I did with my 30 Before Thirty […]

  • The Line Diet or Steve Ward Diet or Easiest Diet Ever… | Fitch Family Fun
    September 24, 2010 at 11:47 am

    […] on September 24, 2010 by divaskychick The Line Diet Nicole at Make it Lovely has this great 30 Before 30 list that I’m way too old to join in on but I did crib a fantastic idea she cribbed from the […]

  • PriscilaPetersDecor
    October 31, 2010 at 4:28 pm

    This is wonderful! It made me smile! I’m 29, I should do something like this too. Inspiring…
    Congrats!

  • October: What You May Have Missed « Covet Living
    November 1, 2010 at 1:54 pm

    […] below (which I logged into my inspiration folder stat) – is also the genius author of the 30 Before 30 List…  a list of 30 goals she set for herself, and then worked diligently to hit in the […]

  • Goals list for 2011 | Creatively thinking
    November 2, 2010 at 7:30 am

    […] I’m babbling about that because Nicole Balch’s article “30 before thirthy ” , gave me an idea. I will put my goals list in the blog and cross them off as I achieved […]

  • » The Empty Basement Making it Lovely | Transforming the so-so.
    November 2, 2010 at 1:07 pm

    […] just over a month late, but we finished another item on my Thirty Before 30 list. #9: Clean out the basement. (It’s getting scary down […]

  • one year older, one year smarter « The Prettiest Teacup
    November 17, 2010 at 10:16 am

    […] by Nicole over at Making it Lovely, I wrote down some things I would like to accomplish this upcoming year before I turn thirty. Here […]

  • Fall 2010 « pleasant and home
    November 28, 2010 at 11:29 am

    […] Turned 29. Only relevant because I’m working on a 30 Before 30 list and really need to finish it or I’m never going to be able to get everything […]

  • Laura
    December 11, 2010 at 9:47 pm

    I love your list! I’m currently working on my 30 before 30 list (I turn 30 Jan. 4, 2012). I used one of your ideas – to organize all of the photos I have printed. So needs to be done!

  • 30 before 30 | theology&geometry
    December 22, 2010 at 11:45 am

    […] dinking around online a while back, I saw a 30-before-30 list at Making It Lovely?. It got me to thinkin’ about how I’ve got a smidge more than a year before I hit the […]

  • 21 before June 21st | UlvDesign
    January 7, 2011 at 1:33 am

    […] autumn I got inspired by Nicole at Making it Lovely and decided to make a list of challenges for myself, and I’m surprised at how well I did. It […]

  • The Steve Ward aka The Line Diet « Dear Johnny…
    January 11, 2011 at 8:54 pm

    […] through my bookmarks, I came across Nicole of Making it Lovely and her 30 Before Thirty list, which by the way she successfully completed! One of her goals, with probably the rest of the […]

  • On Persistence | Making it Lovely
    January 13, 2011 at 11:27 pm

    […] mentioned it a few times before (learning to use my camera in manual mode was on my 30 Before Thirty list), and it’s something that I’m going working on. I can take a decent photo, and […]

  • Jessica @ Jess and the Elm City
    January 14, 2011 at 7:34 pm

    I just made my own list and mentioned you on my site! Thanks, Nicole! Quite inspirational :)

  • Mary
    January 22, 2011 at 9:45 am

    I am only 19 but you inspire me!! <3

  • 20 Before Twenty | Love Cake Designs
    January 30, 2011 at 8:59 pm

    […] I turn twenty this May. It was inspired by a project on one of the blogs that I read frequently, Making it Lovely. For the girl on the blog, it was a list of 30 things that she wanted to before she turned 30. Mine […]

  • Erikka
    February 17, 2011 at 11:45 am

    I loved your list…and really most things about your site! The thirties are a WONDERFUL decade for us modern ladies, businesswomen, boundary-pushers and/or do-it-all mommies. I know this because I turned the page to a new decade on 09-22-2010. Enjoy!

    Bonne chance!
    ~Erikka

  • 30 Before 30 | This Grand Life
    March 14, 2011 at 1:17 am

    […] Bloggy inspiration for this project found here: https://makingitlovely.com/2010/03/01/30-before-thirty/ […]

  • 30 Before Thirty | Damsel Quest | Cheryl Estorgio| Filipina Blogger
    March 17, 2011 at 10:57 pm

    […] even before; I started my own list last year. Recently, while browsing one of my favorite blogs, Making It Lovely, wrote about thirty things she wanted to accomplish before she turns thirty. I was inspired to […]

  • Thirty Before 30: inspiring happiness | Hello Splendor
    March 25, 2011 at 2:09 am

    […] just haven’t gotten around to. An attainable list… Not meant to stress me out. This isn’t a new concept, but it’s new for me. I’ll commit to completing this list before I turn 30 (5 months from […]

  • Wenchy
    April 27, 2011 at 2:47 am

    Sjoe…. my list may be longer!

  • fuzzytop
    June 23, 2011 at 6:45 pm

    I love your list! It cought my eye because Sept 22 is my birthday also!

    Adrienne

  • Giallo Ink » Blog Archive » Thirty before 30
    June 28, 2011 at 7:08 pm

    […] I would like to do before I turn 30. (If you want to see Nicole’s list, check it out here: https://makingitlovely.com/2010/03/01/30-before-thirty/.) She gave herself six months to work on her list; I am giving myself a full year, as I am known […]

  • 30B430 « Melificent
    July 5, 2011 at 10:53 pm

    […] by one of my favorite blogs, Making It Lovely, I decided to compile a list of thirty things I’d like to do before I turn 30 next year. […]

  • I do enjoy a good list | sweet onion tart
    July 6, 2011 at 12:16 pm

    […] recently found Nicole Balch’s blog Making it Lovely (late to the party, anyone?) and her 30 before 30 project inspired me to write down all those sweet, simple things (plus a few more things to round […]

  • christina
    July 14, 2011 at 10:18 am

    Almost there, Nicole!

  • Thirty Before 30 | Salt & Nectar
    July 28, 2011 at 9:52 am

    […] little fun. There is nothing I like more than a good list (except completing it!). So, inspired by Nicole Balch over at Making It Lovely, I decided to make a list of thirty things I wanted to do before my 30th birthday. Despite a […]

  • Thirty before 30 | Giallo Ink
    August 13, 2011 at 8:22 pm

    […] I would like to do before I turn 30. (If you want to see Nicole’s list, check it out here: https://makingitlovely.com/2010/03/01/30-before-thirty/.) She gave herself six months to work on her list; I am giving myself a full year, as I am known […]

  • 30 Before Thirty «
    August 22, 2011 at 12:25 am

    […] was inspire by Making It Lovely’s 30 Before Thirty list and decided to make one for myself. It’s not about a bucket list or even a list of […]

  • A Lovely Life List | Making it Lovely
    November 7, 2011 at 10:31 am

    […] but my hope is that by sharing this publicly, I may hold myself more accountable and achieve more. I tend to do well with public lists.ExperiencesLive in another city for a yearSpend a week without electricityTake an extended […]

  • Sobre existir há trinta anos - maionese
    January 3, 2012 at 8:01 pm

    […] Sobre existir há trinta anos Post por Raquel às 23:01 em amor, conversas var addthis_product = 'wpp-262'; var addthis_config = {"data_track_clickback":true,"data_track_addressbar":false};if (typeof(addthis_share) == "undefined"){ addthis_share = [];}Não deu nem tempo de montar uma listinha ao estilo “30 Before Thirty“. […]

  • 30 is here. « Kate Schmate
    February 6, 2012 at 8:04 am

    […] finished by the deadline. But, that’s ok. (Even my original inspiration didn’t finish her list!) I do plan to finish it… hopefully before the end of the summer. But, I do owe you an update […]

  • 30 Before Thirty – the results! «
    February 22, 2012 at 1:22 am

    […] list of 30 realistic things I wanted to do, that just required a little motivation. (inspired by Making It Lovely’s 30 Before Thirty list)  While I didn’t accomplish all 30 items, I am happy with the progress I made and the […]

  • 30 before Thirty (and beyond) « Happier
    March 12, 2012 at 6:23 pm

    […] to help me with that, I’ve stolen an idea I’ve seen on two of my favoritest blogs (with the recognition that many others have done, are doing, or will do this or something similar): […]

  • Change Your Life—A Birthday List…and a Life List | Things Change
    March 28, 2012 at 2:56 pm

    […] Life List at Petit Elefant.-Nicole’s 30 Before Thirty at Making it Lovely-Laura’s 40 Before I’m 40 at Blog con Queso and an Update. Like it? Please share. Posted […]

  • Thirty Before Thirty « Home Sweet Apartment
    April 12, 2012 at 1:55 pm

    […] a big fan of lists, and an even bigger fan of life lists. Inspired by Nicole Balch of Making It Lovely, I decided to put together my own list of things to do before turning the big 3-0 next February. I […]

  • Thirty While 30 | The PosePrints Blog ~ Personalized Stationery, Invitations, Announcements and more!
    April 12, 2012 at 4:09 pm

    […] — however small! — so there’s some accountability.  I’ve been inspired by others‘ lists — so if you have started a similar list, or are starting one now, please share […]

  • 30 before 30 | dutchie♥love
    October 18, 2012 at 10:31 pm

    […] whirring around in my head, I’ve decided to make a list! I was inspired by Nicole Balch of Making it Lovely to write my own version of a 30 before 30 list in order to give myself some achievable goals to […]

  • Thirty
    December 31, 2012 at 1:24 pm

    […] 30 Before Thirty lists that have been going around the blogging world? After reading Nicole’s list a couple of years ago, I thought it would be fun to make my own list. So, here is my […]

  • 2013 | Bug Meets World
    January 19, 2013 at 9:46 am

    […] exactly one month, I will be turning thirty. I’ve seen a few bloggers, such as Nicole at Making it Lovely, write 30 Before Thirty lists and I loved the idea. I had every intent of doing it myself, and even […]

  • {30 before 30} | Tune my Heart
    February 21, 2013 at 2:41 pm

    […] we “go at our own pace.” Regardless, I got this idea from a cute blog that I follow Making it Lovely. She has a similar list, in fact there are few things on her list that I have on my list […]

  • 25 before 25 | diysarah
    March 8, 2013 at 2:07 pm

    […] Stefan turned 25 in February and I’ve been giving some thought to my own quarter-centennial.  I thought it might be fun to put a list of things I’d like to do before I turn 25.  I got this idea from Making It Lovely’s own list, 30 before Thirty. […]

  • 30 B E F O R E 30 L I S T | One Product
    April 6, 2013 at 7:52 pm

    […] my original list. Anyway, the idea behind my 30 Before 30 list was inspired originally by this post. Anyway this list is such a good idea, I’m not quite 29 yet (it’s a few months away), […]

  • Curls & Coffee : before this girl turns 30!
    July 22, 2013 at 2:14 am

    […] ‘things’ to do before my 30th birthday, inspired by other people’s lists such as Nicole’s completed list and Cassie’s inprogress list.  My experience of lists in the past is that I have a tendency […]

  • 30 While 30 | Oldest, Middle & Little
    October 26, 2013 at 8:12 pm

    […] in life so I figured I would create a bucket list of sorts for this year. A few of my favorite bloggers have made similar lists (but they were more on top of it and did 30 by 30) and it seemed like a fun […]

  • All About Me – 101 Things
    December 3, 2013 at 5:12 pm

    […] their own 101 list, do let me know, and very many thanks to Lou at Happy Serendipity and Nicole at MakingItLovely for their initial […]

  • Challenging | a glass of milk
    June 5, 2014 at 6:01 am

    […] thing?  The idea that one should have a life list on which to work over a set period of time?  A 30 before 30? or a 101 in 1001?  I have neither of those going right now, but both intrigue […]

  • 30 before 30 – Dutchie Love
    September 19, 2015 at 7:13 pm

    […] whirring around in my head, I’ve decided to make a list! I was inspired by Nicole Balch of Making it Lovely to write my own version of a 30 before 30 list in order to give myself some achievable goals to […]

  • Thirty Before 30: Update - Wife.Mother.Teacher.
    December 5, 2015 at 2:32 pm

    […] that the idea is tempting… LOL) Many of my friends, and lots of great bloggers such as Making It Lovely, have taken part in the 30 Before Thirty challenge, so this year I decided to join in. Last year […]

  • 30 Before Thirty - Wife.Mother.Teacher.
    December 26, 2015 at 6:51 pm

    […] of my friends, and lots of great bloggers such as Making It Lovely, have taken part in the 30 Before Thirty challenge, so I’ve decided to join in. Here’s […]

  • The List - Susanna Jane
    February 28, 2021 at 11:30 am

    […] the last year of my mid-thirties. If you get around blogland much, you’ve probably seen a few 30 before 30 (or similar) lists. I’m a fan of making lists and have decided to make one of my own, a few […]

  • 1 2 3