How are you all? I don’t know why, but this year December seemed long to me and even so I didn’t get all I meant to done. November was busy and I blinked and people were posting their Christmas trees on Instagram. it gave me anxiety and then I stopped to think- wait, it isn’t even December. Why the race?
Again I am trying to remind myself to slow the rush through life, beginning with this new year. Sitting by the fire, making soups and taking rainy day walks and reassessing the house and life is what I’ve been doing. Also picking our loads of lemons we are getting just now..
The massive amount of rain here and snow at the cabin (125 inches in one week!) has kept us indoors except for a daily rainy day neighborhood hikes. Tennis has been rained out for almost 4 weeks for me. We did venture to dinner with friends at a restaurant, but with the new spike of Covid, we feel like it’s a good time to lay low and haven’t done much socially.
We went from no snow a week a half before…
to this…Crazy right?
Since we couldn’t get up to the cabin and roads were closed, my college son informed me during the break he wanted to sell his queen bed and get a smaller twin to have more space for a larger desk. He wants a more dedicated study space for when he comes home and the big bed sucked up a lot of his small bedroom.
He ordered a new twin XL bed and mattress and got in within 3 days. This is the beginning of what we have for his room with the new bed and a fun side table found at Homegoods. I’m hoping to share the whole room when his desk and rug gets chosen. The checked duvet is from IKEA.
His quick decisions inspired me to finally pull the trigger and order a daybed and wallpaper for Max’s office/guest room. I’ve been thinking about doing this since our oldest son moved out last spring. I’ll admit making decisions isn’t my strong suit, but I did it!
The daybed is from Wayfair and so is the mattress. I love the clean lines and linen of the daybed and it’s small profile fit perfect in the room that also has to hold a large desk.
The room still needs art. I’m going to do a group of bird pictures in here for my bird loving husband. I have not figured out the pillows and things yet, but threw these on there and a grey cotton coverlet. The bed is surprisingly comfy! I also added this rug to warm up the space I found at Home by Ling Interiors, a new shop in Los Gatos. If you can’t get to Ling’s wonderful collection, a similar one is here.
I was so excited to get that room together that I also ordered a real desk for myself and a proper chair.. They will go in the media room which will be my office. It’s taken almost 3 years of living in this new space to realize that the size of that room is perfect for an office and it’s not really much use for anything else.
This is the desk and the chair.. I plan to place them in front of my Serena & Lily bookcase.
Moving into the new year, I’ve been reminded by my husband I need to start putting myself first for my health and happiness. How many of you can relate? The Christmas season made that even more apparent when I skipped my morning yoga practices and walks a few weeks in a row trying to knock things off my to do list.
My husband has figured out how to work full time and also make time into his schedule every day for stretching, workout and reading his books. He says I can do that too, and I plan to try harder. Friends of mine are blowing through novels and I barely made it through half of my stack. Home things will just have to wait- dishes, laundry and errands while I prioritize myself and do things I usually consider leisure. When do we stop worrying about everyone else and start thinking about ourselves- putting us on the priority list? We need more moments of joy.
There’s a life balance many of us are missing and pleasing others is part of the problem. I saw this new journal that goes along with Glennon Doyle’s great book and it may be a good way for some of us to start this in the new year..
Get Untamed: The Journal (How to Quit Pleasing and Start Living)
I ordered one for myself.
Another way to change habits is to look at someone who is doing what you would like to. Do you know a friend who takes time for herself? Treats herself well? Often you can ask yourself, would X do this? Would X … I know I have done the same and instead of envying such people, take a page out of their book and start treating yourself as well as they do.
Get a new planner for 2022 and pencil in weekends, trips and daily walks and time for just you. We need this more than ever in the pandemic life.
On another note, I’ve been noticing all the very chic choices now in long puffer coats. With the wet and cold weather, there is nothing better than one of these cozy long jackets for a walk or a winter day out. I hate being cold and in these you can’t! Some of the best ones below..
I’m loving this box quilt look, this lovely iridescent blue look, and this modern water resistant one at Nordys.
Athleta has this Boulevard Coat, marked $100 off now, now, in black and red..
I also noticed this Puffer Wrap Coat from J. Crew in black and a light grey..
I am working on my annual post, ‘What to spend your Christmas dollars on’. It’s a post with things that have long term pay back. I have always tried to pool my Christmas or birthday money and buy one nice thing that I will enjoy for a long time. That post will be such things… so stay tuned.
Have a great weekend and stay cozy!
Kim
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Thanks for this! I really enjoy posts like this – various “subjects”, thoughts, ideas, links. As a person who also struggles to make decisions, I understand where you’re coming from – for me, it comes with not being an impulsive type and being one who likes to consider all options resulting in inertia sometimes! Happy New Year!
HI Jeannine, Thank you I’m glad people are okay with these meandering posts of mine. I am with you, I think wanting to make the ‘right’ decision so badly leaves me unable to pull the trigger so to speak. It can prevent us from getting anything done. In the new year, I am going to try harder to make more decisions based on my first gut feelings.. and not to try to exhaust the entire internet and overthink on each decision! As someone said. perfect is the enemy of good enough. Happy New Year!
Hi Kim, I’ve been waiting for your first post of the year to tell you how much I’enjoy reading you. You, Cindy and Mary Ann are the northern Cal gals who are my favs with relatable subject matter. Living just down the road from you 3 makes it seem less nebulous because I can picture your towns and surroundings.
I love your new nubby desk chair; I think I’ve seen that used by another blogger. Have fun doing the new room and show us how it’s going. I’m curious about what wallpaper you’ll chose. So interesting that wall coverings are coming back! Everything old is new again, as they say. Happy New Year and be kind to yourself.
You are so great, Wren!
Hi Wren! Happy New Year. Thank you for being here! You always bring joy! We all couldn’t do this without readers and supportive notes like yours. You are one of us Northern Cal girls! I hope the chair is as comfy as it is cute. I will report back. I have been seeing a lot of boucle lately.. I am going to share the wallpaper as soon as it comes. I decided to try the peel and stick for the guest room as they have some lovely choices now and if it doesn’t come out right I can change it! I have some regular kind chosen for other spots too..Stay tuned. xo
Love your puffer coat choices, Kim…especially after see all that snow!
Great daybed!
Mary Ann
Thanks so much Mary Ann. I was surprised how well the daybed came out. You can use a long puffer for the SF foggy days! xx
I have ALWAYS ADMIRED YOU as you seem to be ON TOP of the NEWS and Fashion and current trends and all people in particular!You must NOT SLEEP MUCH!
Cute daybed and chair……….I recall in THIRD GRADE my YOUNGEST the one with long long hair wanted a desk for his room!He complained he had NO WHERE TO STUDY!SO we bought a desk and I cannot part with it NOW!It has secret compartments!
I have FOUND YOU A NEW FRIEND IN TAHOE………her name is LAURIE!!Hopefully she will comment here today!
I think you TWO are pretty close house wise up there…………..maybe NOT as I do not have a good sense of SOUTH and NORTH shore!
GLAD MAX has his EYE ON YOU!
XXX
Thanks Elizabeth.. That is so nice of you to say. Not sure about that! Wow that desk you got your youngest must be very cool. I’m sure he loved it as a boy. That’s the wonderful thing that happens when your mom sells antiques..Where is your friend Laurie from in Tahoe? How fun. I know Max is good and you need to not do too much also. xo
Love all your new home changes and rearranges, Kim. You’ll love having a dedicated office space … and what you’ve chosen is so clean and chic. I love the desk chair … is it boucle? I never know how to pronounce it. We’re using the host chairs from our dining table in our office and I notice Jim’s scratching the floor … apparently I have a more delicate touch. Trying to figure out if we can get a rug in here … but rolling chairs would be great. Not only for the floors but ergonomics. Anyhoo … I hear you about being able to get things accomplished and letting the things you love go in favor or other priorities. Somehow others manage to keep to their healthful routines and take on other stuff … or say no without the anxiety and guilt that afflicts me. These are great puffer coat choices … I hate being cold too. I adore your fashion finds, you’re so up on everything. Happy New Year, my friend! xo
Hi Juliet! Yes the desk chair is boucle and I will show more as soon as it arrives. I hope it feels as good as it looks. I am with you on the swivel chairs, they just help you get more movement in when you are sitting all day. I choose this rug for the office as it is very thin and flat…Good for an office and rolling chairs! I am excited to have a real chair as I was using a dining chair too. You and I must be the same person. I feel the same about putting myself first. Guilt is my first thought.Gotta change that. Thanks Juliet..and stay warm.xx
Loving all these puffer coats Kim! All I want is to be warm! Thank you!!! 💙❄️💙
Hi Danielle! You have a good excuse there in Wisconsin! I think I would be living in them if I was there. xo
Very thoughtful post Kim. I enjoyed reading it. I will think of you slowing to be mindful as I do the same 🙏🏻 and yes! As they say, Pop on that oxygen mask before everyone else, they will only benefit from a happier you.
Sarah xx
Thank you Sarah! That is a wonderful analogy and I am going to keep that one in my pocket. xo
Hi Kim,
Well this post was jam packed with all sorts of goodies! You’ve already accomplished so much for it only being the first week of January! I really like the choices you made for the daybed, chair, desk and rug. I usually don’t have any trouble making the decisions, it’s harder to get everyone else’s buy-in however! Lately I’ve just been plunging in and doing whatever needs doing, without discussion. Usually whatever it is goes unnoticed anyway.
You’re on the right track putting yourself first and practicing self-care. Good for Max for watching out for you, too!
For me, every morning except Sunday starts with yoga and meditation, Sunday’s are my beach walks. Those things help set the tone for the rest of the day. They are rituals that I love! You’ll find a way to get back into the groove. Holidays are hard and I know you always do so much for everyone. Now it’s time for YOU!
Wow that snow was awesome, and those icicles! Crazy. I’d need two of those puffer coats to keep warm!
XO Heidi
Hi Heidi, You are so kind. Thanks I guess it’s been a while coming and I am excited a few things are actually happening. I am very inspired by you and your daily yoga dedication. Getting to the beach is so good for the soul too.. xoxo
Belated Happy New Year Kim! That’s some weather you’ve been having – I hope you manage to get up to the cabin soon to enjoy all that snow. Looking forward to learning what you’re going to buy with your Christmas money – I’m sure your purchases will be stylish, as ever!
I always enjoy your blog posts, Kim. You seem to push me in a direction I know I need to go!! More time for taking care of myself for starters. Also, loving the house changes, daybed. xo
So much great advice here Kim and some wonderful ideas.
I find I research, ponder, plan etc for too long when I should just do! Lol
So important to consider ourselves as much as we do others.
I find whenever I plan “me time”, someone’s asks me to do something and I can never say no, especially if it’s family!
My youngest son is great at reminding me to put myself first occasionally and says people always ask me as they know I’ll say yes!
Your new office space is so stylish as well as practical… I love your desk. I think you’ll be super productive there as it’s such an open and clear space .
I think puffa coats have become more stylish recently, I certainly love wearing mine now and I got a lovely dark khaki green one at Christmas that I feel great in ( so much so, that when the off white version went into the sale I decided to order it! )
Thanks again for all the research you do Kim … I enjoy your posts so much!
Rosemary xxx
I forgot to say, really great day bed!
Also your cabin all cosy in the snow!! ❄️ I just love that picture xxx