On this weekend’s post- thoughts on starting 2023, adding citrus tones to the home, stylish jeans and white shirts, inspiration from Sylvie of Emily in Paris, and more..
Well here we are 2023! I hope you had a good break. This is my favorite time of year-being done with all the holiday expectations and starting fresh. I love the idea of a new beginning and new ideas for the house, the year and myself! I’m ready for a palette cleanser about now, are you?
During the break, we were lucky to spend a few days in Hawaii. My husband’s friend has a place in Waikoloa and they kindly offered it to us to use over the new year. It was a treat to be in the sun for a bit after this particularly cold and dark winter! We loveThe Big Island and had not stayed at Waikoloa before and it was lovely. I will do another post about it and share the details for anyone wanting to plan a getaway there and the rental. You can find the exact unit here.
Most of all, I loved having the chance to spend quality time with my guys.
We made it to the Hawaii Tropical Bioreserve & Garden, which was amazing..
We flew back late on Jan 2nd, and the plane had some tech issues ( just what you want to hear before a late takeoff.) We didn’t get into San Jose until almost 2 a.m. and then we had problems getting an Uber. We finally all crammed into a Prius, suitcases on our laps and made it back at 3:30 a.m. I was never so happy to be in my bed. Oh the joys of travel!
The next morning we got up and took the Christmas things and house lights down as the big storm was about to hit California, or as they referred to it – Bomb Cyclone! They said California had never had such a powerful storm before.
Jackson had to get back to his job and Griffin needed to hit the road for U of Utah before the blizzards hit the Sierras. I was a nervous wreck about that and thankfully he made it back driving to Salt Lake City by Wednesday afternoon.
We have had internet off and on this week, so I wrote most of this post in a crammed coffee shop with others in the same predicament, but thankful not to have any flooding or damage like so many.
Brightening the House
Back to the palette cleanser.. Taking down all the holiday things can make the house feel a bit stark. In California, our citrus is going nuts right now which makes for great January decor! Our cold winter must have been to their liking.. I ran out between rains to cut a some lemons and scatter them them in bowls about the house. It smells fresh and feels happy for this darker time of year. Give it a try and bring out citrus tones to go with it, like this book I had…
I also got this cute cutting board from my pal Aimee for Christmas. It has a Hawaiian feel and green plants are another way to make things feel fresh now.
I love this kitchen towel at Anthro which also is sort of Hawaiian and has all the citrus tones..
Isn’t it interesting how citrus, which is loaded with vitamin C, naturally comes ripe in the winter when we need it most? I love following the guidance of nature! I saw a post by a native American who says his tribe takes cues from nature and animals who are hibernating during this dark time, to rest and strengthen for the coming year. So we don’t need to hurry ourselves into the new year. We should take the time to reflect on what we want for ourselves, enjoy now, and get extra rest and comfort. I love that!
White shirts and jeans
I used to do a January post on what to spend your holiday money on… This year I am all about refreshing my basics. That is where I am putting my gift money!
I did a mini purge of the closet when I got home and noticed there are a few things that I wear all the time- that are needing refreshing. I need jeans that are comfy and flattering and that I can wear all day without a stomachache! I have one high waisted pair that looks great with a fancy top and heels for an evening out. The rest are my daily go-tos are mostly mid-rise.
That begs the question, how may of you are wearing jeans day-to day or has everyone transitioned to leggings and sweats? I personally don’t find leggings to be comfy for all day. I have this pair of track pants from Tory Sport that looks good with sweaters. These are best sellers and mine are four years old and look brand new. If you want a pair of sporty pants that a flatter, these are fantastic. Love the ankle zips too. They don’t wrinkle and I get compliments on them all the time.
Otherwise, I’m into jeans most days. I still find them to look the most flattering and to me comfy. If you don’t feel that way, you may need some jeans that aren’t skinny. I love mid-rise and straight or boot crop leg.
I love this mid-rise pair from AGOLDE, and this straight leg version… also mid-rise by them. There is also this cute version of a mid-rise bootcut in a black denim.
I also just spotted these at The Rack and for $35 they are very nice. I plan to cut them myself.
I also want a few new basic white button-ups as mine are looking a bit worn and I love a fresh white shirt. I just ordered this by Alex Mill and this from Anthro.
I’m also loving this striped number and this same shirt also comes in a cool green, a pink stripe, and a tan.. All so good.
I also bought new underwear ( these are my faves), and bras and pitched the greying and ragged. ( I also got some new pjs and loungewear, which I will share coming up this Tuesday, for our first Signature Style of 2023.)
It’s so good to begin the year with quality basics you can build on. Treat yourself to some better pieces and you won’t regret it.
Sylvie from Emily in Paris
I’ve enjoyed Emily in Paris so much during this break. It is excellent this season, and I think it’s thanks to more focus on Sylvie, the stylish owner of the agency. She’s become a much more endearing character with each season, and it’s hard not to enjoy her storyline, being a successful and chic woman at 60. Sylvie is played by 59 year old French actress Philippine Leroy-Bealieu.
I adore how they dress her and am inspired by the olives, neutrals and monochromatic looks, often with cool cuffs and accessories and always elegantly on point. In real life, she’s a down to earth and lovely person and you can follow her on Instagram here. I love her style!
Other Shows and Books
Another fun escape is Derry Girls on Netflix. This comedy is about teens growing up in Ireland in the 90’s and it’s a blast. You may need closed captions for a bit of it, but honestly we can’t stop laughing and we are only on Season 1..
I also am finishing a book I’ve been meaning to read for a while. This Time Next Year We’ll Be Laughing, is a true story of writer Jacqueline Winspear’s childhood growing up in a post-war English countryside. Her parents and grandparents, scarred by two wars, share their stories and hardships. It has some dark parts, but the spirit of young Jackie, who dreams of being a writer made me keep reading this. Much of it reminded me of my grandmother’s life during the depression as her family worked packing fruit along the West Coast to make ends meet. My grandmother, like Jackie, never resented any of it and appreciated all she ever had..
That is my first post for 2023! Thank you so much for being here and I hope to have much more ideas and inspiration this year for you.
I’d love to hear what you want to read more of this year.. Do you like style and fashion, outfits, home ideas, travel- or a little of it all? Please share below!
If you missed the last weekend post….including a great outfit for Tahoe – read it here.
Happy New Year!
Kim
Please visit my pals Elizabeth and Juliet’s lovely blogs..
Make Mine a Spritzer
Pinecones and Acorns
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