Welcome to the first Sunday Post of 2023! I hope you all had a safe and happy New Year!
Truth be told, the new year is always difficult for me — I live for October through December, it’s by far my most favorite time of year so I get a bit down in the doldrums when January hits. I’ve found the key is to keep moving, make plans, and set goals. I’m not really a resolution person, which I’ll explain in an upcoming post. But I do try to view each new year as an opportunity to begin anew, start fresh, and move forward from any disappointments of the previous year.
At the same time, I’ve learned to resist the urge to jump too far ahead into anticipating spring. I’ve made that mistake for years, and it inevitably leaves me frustrated — we still have two solid months of winter! Additionally, it rips you from the present and plants you in the future. And while there’s nothing wrong with planning and dreaming of the future, staying present is incredibly beneficial for our physical and emotional wellbeing.
So, celebrate winter! You’ve most likely heard of hygge (pronounced “hoo-ga”), the Danish cultural phenomena so many American influencers have latched onto in recent years. It does not translate easily into a single word in English, but it’s loosely defined as the idea of cozy contentment and well-being, a feeling most often felt in colder months when we slow down, cozy up inside to escape the winter elements, celebrate time with friends and family, and enjoy slower paced activities like reading, games, or warm conversation. I urge you to embrace it … forgo the floral candles and opt for rich evergreen ones (they don’t need to go away as soon as the holidays are over). Sip warm tea, coffee, or hot chocolate and curl up with a good book. Host a small, intimate dinner with close family or friends and serve a classic comfort food, like warm soup and crusty French bread, or this wonderful Beef Bourguignonne recipe I found this past week.
And now that the holiday decorations have come down (presumably … no judgment if they haven’t, I think Jacob and I kept our Christmas tree up until about March one year … he was working 18 hour days and I was balancing work and law school, so …), be sure to fill your home with comfy blankets, throw pillows, warm lighting, candles, and any other cozy elements that make you want to curl up and cuddle. I’ve linked to a few of my favorites below.
I don’t know about you, but the house always seems so naked after Christmas decorations come down (even though my decorations are minimal). I freshened things up with a soft checkered throw pillow and a dramatic olive branch from our yard. We’re lucky to have several mature olive trees, but if you need to go faux, this and this are great options. It’s amazing what some simple greenery can do to transform your space.
If you’re looking to also freshen up your home with some new wall art, this beautiful wall tapestry is currently on sale, and it’s stunning!
I’m planning to spruce up a few corners of the house too with some painting and wallpapering projects … this gorgeous greyish green was Sherwin Williams 2022 Color of the Year … it’s moody, earthy, sophisticated, and beautiful. I decided against wallpapering our little linen cabinet nook and chose this gorgeous color instead! And this lovely toile wallpaper will make a small pop in our kitchen soon! So check back for a blog post in the coming weeks.
Finally, I wanted to share a few of my favorite new arrival items from my go-to shops:
Wishing you all a great week … cozy up and be in the moment!
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