A Little Country in the City

Do you have a definite viewpoint when it comes to decor?  I'm a little embarassed to admit that I am too easily swayed.  I see the beautiful minimalist interiors of Scandinavian homes and think, "Oh I must be more tidy, streamlined, minimalist, I need more...more...more white!"  Then I see the rustic charm of a farmhouse and think, "Oh I need roosters and rust and chipped furniture!"  So I was out and about and saw a gigantic harvest basket sitting upside down on a pile of junk by the side of the road.  In a blink of an eye, I picked it up and quick marched it to the car.  Never mind that I live in the middle of a large, metropolitan city, I knew I wanted it.  Back home, I realized that it was the perfect storage for extra quilts and cushions.

Even better, it's the perfect repository for fluffy white towels.

 

It doesn't matter that I'm miles away from the nearest fruit orchard or farmhouse. Or that I'm surrounded by suave downtown hipsters.

I'm very happy to have a little country in the city.

I'm linking up with French Country Cottage, A Stroll Thru Life, Type A Decorating, My Romantic Home, Apron Thrift Girl, The Thrifty Groove, Coastal Charm, Cozy Home Scenes.

New Year, New Favourites

I adore making discoveries that become new favourites, don't you?  It's like stumbling upon a treasure when you were just ambling along without any thought of being on a treasure hunt.  I've been an appreciative fan of Duchy Originals food products for some time but it's only available here during the holiday season at a high end store in town.  I saw this jar of Damson Preserve whilst out Christmas shopping and decided to try it with only a vague idea of what a damson was.  All I knew was that it had a marvellously Victorian ring to it, so much more romantic than prosaic fruit jam.

Apparently, damsons are a type of plum.  And how wonderfully plummy it is.  Fruity with that right hint of tartness and without that cloying sweetness which is the pitfall of many a jam.  On a snowy day with an icy windy blowing, there is something deeply comforting about toasting up a slice of good bread and topping it off with your favourite whatever.



Did you treat yourself to any Boxing Day goodies?  I picked up this tea cozy at Chapters.  Just perfect for a pot of tea.

I adore the thick wool felt and cheerful simple red stitched stars.  Although, perhaps I just like saying "tea cozy."

What kitchen would be complete without a good knife set?  I was so very fortunate to receive a knife set for Christmas.  I had no idea how having really sharp knives would make such a difference with food preparation.  And, I am fascinated with how they are neatly displayed and organized.  As someone who was not born with the "neat and tidy" gene, something that comes to me inherently organized is a wondrous thing.

And, of course, I must mention my new wooden chopping board which is exceptionally large and exceptionally heavy.  It was a gift and an absolute delight.  Again I had no idea what a difference having a large work surface for food preparation would make in the kitchen.

New favourites, new discoveries.  I think I'm off to a good start.

I'm linking up with A Beach Cottage, A Stroll Thru Life, My Romantic Home, French Country Cottage, Type A Decorating.

New Year Intentions

Do you make New Year Resolutions?  I haven't done so in years as I find making them, let alone following through with them for 365 days, to be rather daunting.  Recently, I heard of substituting the word "Resolution" with "Intention" which is supposed to be a bit more approachable.  So this year, for the first time in many a long year, I came up with a few intentions.  The first is to take pleasure in the little things, to be more present in the moment.  It's a knack I once had but somehow lost along the way.  What could be more pleasurable than a cheerful bunch of gerbera daisies given to me by my nearest and dearest?

Next, is working on that ever fleeting sense of gratitude.  I started a gratitude journal and, like a long disused muscle, it's getting easier and easier to write in the pages.

 
I am embarrassed to admit that I'm not very crafty.  I'm embarrassed to admit as well that I'm not a naturally tidy and organized person.  Books, especially, are tricky to display with the myriad colours of their covers.  Then I discovered the wonderful idea of creating book bundles, tying them with ribbon and adding a handmade charm. 

What a perfect way to display books.  And, I get to exercise my smallish craft skills by indulging in my fascination for pretty beads and vintage buttons.



May your New Year be filled with wondrous possibilities!



I'm linking up with:
A Stroll Thru Life, French Country Cottage, My Romantic Home,  A Beach Cottage, Type A Decorating, Serenity Now.