Hello 2012 and New Year’s Resolutions

{2012 Cupcake Topper via Etsy}

As we say good-bye to 2011 and hello to 2012, I often reflect on the accomplishments and short-falls of the past year. Over the next few days, I’ll be thinking about what things I’d like to achieve in 2012. Writing down my goals in detail is an important step in process. Studies have shown that the simple act of writing down goals greatly improves the odds of accomplishing them. Here are some more tips on goal setting.

My list is getting long, but here are a few goals I’d like to achieve in 2012: exercise five days a week, unplug on Sundays and keep my desk in better order.

What’s on your list of New Year’s resolutions?

Happy 2012!

Nautical Themed Boy’s Nursery Room

Today on Project Nursery I am sharing a darling boy’s nursery by new mom, designer and editor of Cottage Modern, Kristen. The result is a beautiful mix of traditional, contemporary and modern styles. Simply put, it’s clean and classic.

Kristen selected a calming color scheme of whites and blues with accents in bright orange and subtle nautical touches. My favorite is the simple drum shade light fixture embellished with a splash of whimsy by way of orange pom pom trim and blue paper whales—this is a great way to dress up a shade!

The map letters spell out the baby’s name, giving the room a personal touch. They also pull in just the right shades of blue and orange. Kristen made them herself, and to make them even more special, she used maps from regions in Canada and Minnesota where she and her husband are from. Love!

My absolute favorite part of the room, however, is how Kristen transformed this built-in shelving unit. Painting it white and adding the soft contrast of the light blue back revived the dated bookcase. The organizational specialist in me adores how she made the counter into a practical and well-organized changing station.

What do you love most about this beautiful nursery?

Peace on Earth

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Wishing you a very joyous holiday! I am taking some time off blogging to enjoy time with my family.

xo,

Tangerine Tango– Pantone’s Color of the Year 2012

{designed by Christian Leone via Lonny}

Recently, Pantone announced it’s 2012 color of the year – Tangerine Tango! It’s 17-1463 on the fandex. This reddish orange is bold, energetic and as the name suggests a bit exotic. It’s also quite a change from Pantone’s recent picks:  uplifting Honeysuckle in 2011 and tranquil turquoise in 2010.

“Sophisticated but at the same time dramatic and seductive, Tangerine Tango is an orange with a lot of depth to it,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “Reminiscent of the radiant shadings of a sunset, Tangerine Tango marries the vivaciousness and adrenaline rush of red with the friendliness and warmth of yellow, to form a high-visibility, magnetic hue that emanates heat and energy.” Visit the Pantone website for full the announcement.

Paint a whole room or add a throw pillow, a little Tangerine Tango can go a long way. For home it’s a terrific accent hue and you can’t go wrong pairing it with cooler blues and greens. A lamp, area rug or window treatments in this fiery orange color are perfects ways to accent this color and add warmth to the space. Or how about paint your front door this vibrant color? {Benjamin Moore’s Blazing Orange is a close match}

{image via Etsy}

{designed by Moises Esquenazi via House Beautiful}

{orange table lamp from Bungalow 5}

{Carmel Coastline in tangerine by Trina Turk via Schumacher}

{designed by Lulu Powers via Lonny}

{designed by Erika Ward via Houzz}

{sally orange linen pillow from Pieces}

{designed by Moises Esquenazi via House Beautiful}

Will Tangerine Tango be your color of the year for 2012?

Simple Winter Floral Arrangements from Ikea

There’s just a few days until Christmas and keeping last minute décor simple is key to reducing stress. The IKEA Livet Hemma team has some simple, yet elegant winter floral arrangement ideas that we all can do ourselves.

Amaryllis, parrot tulips and a lone crowfoot. The vase’s shape is key and highlights the beauty of these Christmas flowers.

Happy Friday & Happy Holidays!

* photo credit Nina Broberg and IKEA Livet Hemma

How To Organize Your Kid’s Books

Building a library of books for your child is a great way to encourage them to read and love books. However, keeping books organized takes some thought and time.

{Animal Index}

{image from ohdeedoh}

Today, I am blogging over at Project Nursery where I am sharing a variety of fun ways to organize your kids books. All with with style of course! Hope you’ll drop by!

Sneak Peek: West Elm Spring 2012

In the spirit of making things merry and bright, I wanted to share with you a sneak peek of what West Elm has in store for Spring 2012. The spring collection incorporates new home decor items from four fabulous collaborators {Shane Powers, Patch NYC, DBO Home and Stephen Antonson} that you will certainly adore.

It will all go on sale the first week of January. I am already making my shopping list! How about you?

Elfed at Christmas Printout and Hot Cocoa Recipe

Starting in December, my kids enjoy “elfing” our neighbors and friends. It works like this: Someone starts by secretly dropping treats with instructions at two houses. Don’t get caught!  Then those two families are asked to continue the fun by elfing two more houses. Once elfed you are supposed to post the image of an elf near the front door so they don’t get elfed again. We think it’s a fun way to pass along some Christmas cheer!

This year we decided to created baskets with hot cocoa jars, candy canes and other goodies.

In each basket, I included a recipe for hot cocoa to go along with the premade mix in the jar.  Above is the revised version of a recipe for creamy hot cocoa I found on allrecipes.com.

Here are the “elfed” printouts I used this year. So cute, don’t you think? I found the downloads for free at Anders Ruff via Pinterest.

I am linking up to a few fun holiday blog parties… Kate’s, Jen’s, Natasha's and  Wendy’s.

Have you been elfed?

Black and White New Year’s Eve Party

2012… can it be? If I were throwing a New Year’s Eve party this year, it would have a black and white color scheme with lots of candlelight and sparkle.

1. Citrus Soy Candle by CocoCozy 2. Quartz Piñata in Silver by Confetti System 3. Debut Dress by Kate Spade 4. Feathered New Year Tiara from Party Options 5. Black & White New Years Party Invite by Cocodot 6. Baccarat Dom Perignon Champagne Flutes from Neiman Marcus 7. The Hostess Bar Cart by Society Social

Although, I am happy to celebrate the New Year on the sofa in my PJs with my hubby watching the ball drop in NYC {yep, that would be 9pm PST}.

How will you be ringing in the New Year?

Nature Inspired Christmas Mantel

Pinecones and trees, vintage touches and an adorable Christmas village. This year’s holiday mantel was inspired by nature and trips to Lake Tahoe this past summer. I had a head start because the pinecone garland was handmade back in September for a mantel that was featured in Emily Henderson’s Holiday Guide.

I was hesitant , but my kids thought that the “village” needed Santa's sleigh soaring over it. So made a silhouette of Santa, his sleigh and those famous flying reindeer. I'm not crazy about how it turned out, but they love it and that’s what matters.

Resources: stockings by Thomas Paul, pinecone wreath from Target {vintage angel ornament added by me}, white lit houses from Red Envelope, bottle brush and wooden trees from West Elm, vintage glitter reindeer from Etsy {needed to be touched up with more glitter!} and lucite tray from Dabney Lee.

Rhoda, Beth and Michelle are hosting a great Christmas mantel parties, so hop on over for more inspiration!

Kids Hot Cocoa Stand

Summer months isn’t the only time kids can make a few dollars on their own. Take a look at this adorable hot cocoa stand by Giggles Galore I saw on Pinterest. What a fun way to bring friends and neighbors together on a chilly afternoon! Mariah simply provided hot cocoa and fun toppings {candy canes, marshmallows, chocolate chips and whip cream} and let customers create their own cup of hot chocolate. Love!

Have you joined Pinterest yet?

* Photos by Elayne Dunn Photography

Woodland Christmas Table Setting and Decor

The tree has been decorated, holiday cards sent and lights have been placed on the house – Christmas is in full swing at our house! I love decorating for the holidays.

Because there is so much focus on Christmas morning, I thought it be best to have a trial run of our breakfast table. This year it will be a “woodland” theme. Here’s a peek:

{Resources: plates, napkins, elves, birdhouse and candles from World Market, table runner from Pomegranate and the felt snow felt ball garland from Etsy.}

Head on over to Layla’s The Letter Cottage to see lots more beautiful tablescapes for Christmas!

Cheers!