I'm busy traveling back to New York today but I'm not leaving you without something to savor. I love the pretty plum color in all of these images regardless of whether it's a sofa, wall color, or just a little bouquet of flowers. Hope you enjoy them too!
Images: William Yeoward, Unknown, Steven Gambrel, Molly Sims, Unknown
Right now, it's snowing and blowing and very cold and I'm still wishing I was someplace sunny and warm! But since that's not an option, I wouldn't mind be wrapped up in a buffalo plaid blanket in a cozy cabin, preferably one designed by Ralph Lauren! He really does know how to do warm and inviting. Now all I need is a hot toddy!
Photos from Ralph Lauren
My second favorite time of the year is fast approaching Squeezies!! I’m so excited cause I get to harass you again soon about THROWING OUT YOUR CRAP!!
Hooty hoo!! If you just found this blog over the past few months, you probably don’t know my issues love of organizing and decluttering. I give myself a pass during the holidays. I have to admit, I’m starting to twitch ever so slightly over the past few days though.
I want all the Christmas decor packed up in bins, pronto. Usually I’m fine to wait till around January 1st, but I’m really feeling the need to start fresh sooner than later this year. The hubs wants me to wait for a few more days, but I showed him my hives and started hyperventilating just a little and he left me alone.
It will take about a week to get it all packed up, but with my “method,” putting it away takes way less time then getting it out. I decided to work on the dining room first since there wasn’t too much to take down.
I start by vacuuming out each bin as I pull them out, because I am a special kind of crazy and it makes me feel better. (It’s not crazy if I’m aware of my issues, right?) Then I pack everything away by room. Every bin is labeled with my BFF – the DYMO. Hello lovah…
You know all that stuff I put in my garland – ribbon, pics, crap, beady things? Well it all stays. I just take it all down and store it away as is. I’m going to refluff next year anyway, no need to waste my time taking it off. I even keep the cord covers and extension cords attached. Then I use zip lock bags and plastic bags for all the filler stuff:
I had the dining room packed up in about 30 minutes. Ahhhhh yes. I can breathe!
I even put the place settings away for now. I just need a clean slate for a bit. This is the first time the centerpiece has been completely empty since I made it back in September.
I’m already thinking up fun ideas for Valentine’s Day and spring though! ;)
So when do you start packing up the Christmas decor? I have had it up for more than five weeks, so I'm really ready to have everything back to normal earlier than usual. I have a feeling this is more of an emotional thing this year than anything. I need FRESH and simple right now. ;)
I have some GREAT bloggy events for the new year to tell you about soon. I won’t be doing another Decluttering and Organizing Party this year, but you can click to last year’s party to get some inspiration. Don’t worry, I’m still going to annoy the crap out of you to get. rid. of. your. stuff. (you don’t use).
P.S. If you are going to try the ornament wreath next year, look what happens if you don’t follow my warnings and then drop your wreath:
HALF of the ornaments popped off. Gah. I almost cried. May have cursed. Maybe. Thank God for shatterproof. ;)
The clock hasn't even struck 2010 yet and I'm already thinking about where I want to go in the new year. I just ran across photos of the Uxua Casa Hotel in Brazil that are quickly pushing it to the top of the list. The property was developed by Wilbert Das, the creative director of Diesel, who bought it from a group of "Swiss hippies who'd been there since the 1970's." I love the rustic simplicity of the casas but since I don't love actually roughing it, it's nice to know that it offers 5-star amenities. They also give back to the area by maintaining a school for the locals whom they train and employ. The design was influenced by many of the different settlers who ended up in Brazil including the Portuguese. Maybe that's why it remind me a little of Jacques Grange's chic getaway in Portugal that I wrote about a few months ago. Since I don't see Mr. Grange inviting me to join him on holiday, I am happy I found Uxua Casa Hotel! So what's at the top of your travel list for 2010?
If you are anything like me, you have grand expectations for certain holidays. My biggie used to be New Years Eve. When I was younger I had these images in my head of attending or throwing fabulous, swank parties. Hubs and I would clink our beautiful champagne glasses as midnight came, and share a perfect kiss as music played, everyone cheered and confetti rained down around us.
(Record scratches…)
Well, there were many years we didn’t do anything. Or we’d go out to dinner or just go hang with friends. There have been many, many fantastic parties. But the champagne is usually served in a plastic cups. ;) And in recent years, we’ll just get together with friends and (SHOCK!) head home before midnight!
And you know what? Now, as long as I’m with my husband, I love whatever we do. As I’ve grown up I’ve learned that’s what’s most important. Good friends and my family. If hubs and I just sat on the sofa next to each other and clinked Pepsi cans, I would be happy.
Well, before this year, nothing had come in the way of my expectations for Christmas Eve. Since the Bub has been born, (and before!) it’s always low key. It usually involves snacking, lounging, making some great food, finishing up wrapping and generally just spending time at home.
This year, I got a lesson in rolling with what comes, even during the holidays. You all know what we’ve dealt with in the past month. I guess that’s why -- more than ever -- I wanted, I expected, our regular routine for the night before Christmas.
Well, it wasn’t that. I will spare you details, but it involved shopping for last minute gifts, getting over sickness, cleaning the house, grocery shopping and other activities. Although we did spend some lovely time with my parents that night, the whole day just didn’t feel like Christmas. It ended with us getting in the door at 9:30 p.m., popping some cookies in the oven for Santa, and after the Bub was down for the night, wrapping gifts till about 1 a.m. (Did I mention we hadn’t wrapped ONE gift?)
Every. single. year. I plan to spend a few evenings in our living room, in front of the tree, just reflecting. Every single year, I lose track of time and don’t get to it. But that night, at 1:30 a.m., I was determined. I turned off all the lights except the tree and just stopped. And breathed. And thought. I was overwhelmed with our month and what we had been dealt.
I took the camera and shot some pictures of the tree with all of the gifts underneath, and then as I looked at the shots I came across pictures from our Fiesta earlier this week. And I cried. I did.
We are SO LUCKY.
For great friends who helped prepare and cook food for hours with my father-in-law:
For a chance to watch my father-in-law in action:
FANTASTIC food and drink:
And amazing family and friends, who throughout this month said, “Let me know what I can do.” And really, really meant it.
That group is TROUBLE right there. ;)
Only hubby’s closest friends and family attended this fiesta. We wanted to keep it small and “old school” – for those his father has cooked for over the past 20 years or so. It was their chance to get together and thank his Dad.
Sitting in front of our tree Christmas Eve, I was overwhelmed by the friendship and love we have felt from everyone we know over this past month, and always. (Including YOU!) We are so fortunate to be surrounded by these lovely people. So THANK YOU, from us:
I love to see my Hubby smile. :)
I do have to say…I am looking forward to the New Year. Whew.
I hope your holidays were all you expected and more!!
