A New Year

I love this time of year. It feels so fresh and we can finally wind down after all the holiday planning. I'm also one of those people that *loves* New Years Resolutions. Not the huge resolutions that are out of your control and lead to disappointment. Those are more like wishes to me. I like the small tweaks to everyday life that streamline things, get rid of the chaos, and make you a little less stressed.
These are the changes we can stick with for the long haul.


We are all a work in progress, right? Looking back on how you have changed is amazing, and sometimes hilarious. {Like when I went to my 15 year high school reunion a few days ago. Why were people surprised that I got married and *still live here*? Ha ha ha, anyway...}

via Cuda Creations

via lil magoolie

This year my goal is simple: declutter my new house and figure out how to keep it organized.

I searched blogs and websites for ideas of how I am going to begin this decluttering process. Many of the websites just showed crafty ways to store things and how to cover containers in wallpaper to make them pretty. No thanks. I don't want all the *things*. The *things* are the problem. 

Then I landed on this blog, zen habits and I.can't.stop.reading.it.

My favorite zen habits posts so far:

barefoot philosophy

simple living manifesto: 72 ideas to simplify your life

20 things I wish I had known when starting out life

via Pinterest

Merry Christmas!

Hopefully you are just about done wrapping presents decorating the house inside and out. My hubby just made blackbird pie for lunch, which is kinda crazy since he will be cooking *all day* tomorrow. 

annnd... yes, tomorrow is my birthday. {I mean, my name is M-e-r-r-y not M-a-r-y) It's not a *milestone* one, so it can be a fun little day with friends and family. I won't have a *freak out milestone birthday* for another six years or so, haha.

I have plans to make these festive cranberry margaritas at some point.

Perfect for a Christmas birthday, right?

Merry Christmas!

Art crush

I came across an artist, Holton Rower from NYC and I *can't get enough* of his paintings. You've got to take a look at this video of his Pour series... in the making. A-mazing.  

Have a great weekend!

Pour Series:

Focus Series:

Kitchens of famous foodies

I've seen my fair share of cooking shows on the Food Network, ever since I met my foodie husband 11 years ago. {He is a chef now.} I'm was usually more focused on the set design than the food they are making... which would explain why I *still* need to follow a recipe when I cook. 

First up: Ina Garten/ The Barefoot Contessa

I love the open shelves and the simplicity of the design. I'll pass on the checkered floor though.

Paula Dean in her fabulous Kitchen in Savannah. 

So southern and comfy. Her butter stash may be hidden, but that beautiful deep-fryer is built right into her island! 

What's not to love about Guy Fieri's Kitchen? I like that all the condiments are within reach right when you need them. His and Hers refrigerators? Hilarious and totally over the top. It's a 900 sf kitchen, so he has a *little* extra space.

 Martha Stewart knows a thing or two about design.  I love the sleek metal cabinets in her galley kitchen. {Her house in the Hamptons on the left/ NYC apartment on the right}

More of Kitchen in the Hamptons...

Gordon Ramsey only shows bits and pieces of his Kitchen. He spent $800,000 remodeling *only* the Kitchen. {That budget includes $100,000 for the range by the way.} 

While on the foodie topic, I made dinner tonight after seeing a yummy recipe on Oh She Glows for Creamy Avocado Pasta. The lemon- avocado- basil combo is so fresh and delicious and it really only took 15 minutes to make. Give it a try!

Our tree is up... kinda.

Our tree is up... and half decorated. I guess I don't like to rush the process, haha. Do you prefer a real tree, fake tree, rented potted tree, or one of those cool, retro, hand-me-down tinsel ones?

My mini tree collection:



tree collection via Pinterest:

 My friend Claire over at Craftzine made these beautiful Reusable Wooden Placards. Don't you just love them? I couldn't resist taking some of the tree circles that were lying around while they were trimmed our tree. Upcycling, right?

Happy decorating!