This past holiday's theme: give more, do more — with less. We gathered with family and stressed the importance of being present, of keeping things simple yet more meaningful. Definitely a mantra I'd like to live by all-year round. We kept presents at a minimum and donated to our favorite charities.
Entertaining Highlights:
- Styling my first cheese board — a huge hit (this guide came in handy)! I am not a gourmet cook, but I think I've found my place in the kitchen.
- Finally tackling a DIY project I've had lined up for over a year — I spray painted a cart I picked up on the side of the road. It served as our hot chocolate bar.
- Transforming our family room into a dining hall for our extended family.
- Using what I already have on hand. I've come to realize that I truly value pieces that have an inherent ease, handcrafted quality and timeless aesthetic — pieces that I can use daily and blend function with form. I didn't purchase a single new decorative item this holiday, instead I brought out our simple, everyday serveware and dinnerware and let them shine. Rearranging furniture and repurposing items (like using ornaments as table top decor) gave our home a fresh holiday look without spending a dime.
Most of our time off over the holidays was spent decluttering and organizing our home. It felt great to finally tackle a huge part of my to-do list. There's nothing like getting rid of all the excess, taking note of the things that add value to your life and starting fresh. I'm looking forward to a meaningful new year filled with the people and moments that matter most.
I hope you're having a great start to the year! Thanks for dropping by.
S H O P T H E L O O K
