Search Results for: are house

Warmth in The Winter

January 25, 2011

I don’t know about your, but every year when the Christmas tree comes down (mine is finally down), the twinkling lights get boxed up and the holiday Cd’s go back in their storage place, my house always feels like it’s lacking a bit of warmth and coziness.

In order to get that cozy, comfy mojo back into my house during the bleak winter months, I purposely make a few changes to my décor….

I surround my self with colors the comfort me.

During the winter months, I love to add spice tone accents to my decor. Brown, orange or red pillows, an amber-colored throw or even a bouquet of red flowers will instantly warm up a room.

I pull out my favorite books and use them as a decorative focal point.

There’s nothing more that I love during the cold winter months, than to curl up in a chair with one of my favorite design books and a cup of tea. An afternoon spent reading and dozing is an afternoon well spent in my book. Try adding a stack of books next to your favorite chair, or placed a few in the center of your coffee table for a decorative and cozy feeling.

So long cotton sheets…hello flannel sheets.

I am one of those people who tends to be cold all the time. I hate climbing into a cold bed, so during the winter I pull out a classic set of flannel sheets. If you haven’t tried flannel sheets yet, the month of January is a great time to buy them. All the major stores run their White Sales during January, and you can get a great set on sale. I love the sheets offered by Eddie Bauer.

My “blankie” takes center stage.

Several years ago, my sweet husband bought me this exact throw (below) for Christmas. This plush faux fur throw brings me lots of comfort and warmth, as well as adding a lot of style to my decor! Layering your sofa or side chairs with a decorative throw is a stylish way to get through the winter.

Candles become my light source.

If you were to walk into my house right now, you’d see candles on just about every surface area that exist. I love decorating with candles not only because they add ambience during the dreary winter season, but candlelight has been proven to reduce tension and relax the mind. My favorite candles are those housed in beautiful mercury glass containers. Check out one of my favorites from Anthorpologie here.

My bathroom becomes a sanctuary.

Taking a bath anytime of the year is a joy, but nothing beats a warm soak during the dead of winter. To really make my bath feel luxurious, I take the time to add a few special touches to my tub surround:

* Flowers

* Candles

* Luxurious Bubble Bath (Lollia’s Wish is my fave!)

My “reality” bath

My “dream” bath

If you’re feeling the winter blahs like me, try adding a few of your favorite things to make your home feel warm and cozy this season!

Images via: Lennox, ComfortandLuxury, Williams Sonoma, Flickr, Remodelthislife

The Pot At The End Of My Rainbow

December 31, 2010

With 2010 coming to an end, I can’t help but think about all the triumphs, challenges, lessons and blessings that came my way during the year. For many reasons, 2010 was a year tremendous growth and development for me.

As 2011 nears, I am filling the pot at the end of my rainbow with new hopes and wishes…

Be The Best That I Can Be !

When all is said and done, all roads lead to the same end. It’s not so much which road you take, as how you take it.

Seize Every Opportunity

The successful man is one who had the chance and took it.

Because Nice Matter!

Never Forget To Say I Love You.

Be Inspired !

Follow My Dreams

Only as high as I reach can I grow, only as far as I seek can I go, only as deep as I look can I see, only as much as I dream can I be.

Listen To My Inner Voice

Your mind knows only some things. Your inner voice, your instinct, knows everything. If you listen to what you know instinctively, it will always lead you down the right path.

Believe

Believe you can and you’re halfway there!

Let Go & Let GOD!

There are things that we never want to let go of, people we never want to leave behind. But keep in ming that letting go isn’t the end of the world, it’s the beginning of a new life.

Create New Memories

Memory is a way of holding on to the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose.

Abundant Blessing to Each of You in the New Year.

Cheers!

Christmas In The Kitchen

December 23, 2010

I know many of you are in the kitchen, baking and getting things ready for Christmas dinner.

Despite the fact that I don’t cook a lot myself, I do have an awesome collection of cookbooks and many favorite recipes, many of which I like to share with family and friends over the holidays.

As a unique way of sharing some of my treasured breakfast dishes this holiday, I created this Paper Bag Recipe book, inspired by a project my friend Robyne did. Yes, it’s made from brown paper lunch bags.

For complete how-to instructions, check out my post on the May Arts Ribbon blog here. I used May Arts Christmas ribbons to create my recipe book, but with so many wonderful ribbon choices available from May Arts, you can customize your recipe book to fit any theme or design.

Eat, Drink & Be Merry!

images via: 1) House Beautiful 2) Knitterinthekitchen.com 3 & 4) Shelly Dozier-Mckee

Don’t check your mailbox just yet!

December 20, 2010

I know many people, (maybe even you) who are scrambling to get their Christmas Cards in the mail. Well, not me. I decided several years ago to take a little off my plate during the Christmas season and start a new tradition of sending New Year’s cards.

Not only do I like to have a little more time to get me cards and New Years letter together, I also enjoy the fact that my card will be viewed by my friends and family when they too have a little less on their plates.

If I’m not hand-making my New Year’s cards, my favorite type of card to send is a photo card. One of my favorite on-line sites for unique photo cards is tinyprints.com. This boutique paper company offers a range of products, from Greeting Cards and Stationery, to Invitations and Custom Calendars. Here are a few of my favorite New Year’s photo cards.

So, if you haven’t put your Christmas cards in the mail yet, don’t fret. Maybe this is the year to start a new tradition of sending New Years cards and celebrating all the goodness that lies ahead!

2011 COLOR OF THE YEAR

December 14, 2010

Pantone has spoken, and the 2011 Color of the year is HONEYSUCKLE!

I was thrilled when I read about the Color of The Year, not only because of how bold and dynamic Honeysuckle is, but because of how this color can make a room come to life and energize whatever it adorns. Here are a few inspiring spaces that have been touched with a bit of Honeysuckle.