LETTERS TO WINTER, VOL. 1

Dear Winter,

I'm so over you. I don't send hate mail, and generally, I enjoy your beauty - but a Wind Chill Advisory for -40 temps just makes you ugly. For my friends who don't believe its about to get that cold in the lower 48, this little paragraph can demonstrate just how unfriendly you're about to be: 

I probably won't leave my house, for fear that between my front door and the car, my eyeballs might freeze. No matter how warm it is inside, its just cold when its -40 out.

We should be all "Omgsh, I NEED that for Spring, its the perfect pink - and those wedge sandals are too good to pass up!" But, no. We're simply not going to get that excited because you're forcing me to show these sweet people who read my blog how to look their least sexy. Here are my suggestions for trying to keep a humans body temperature near the 98 degree mark when you don't actually posses clothing fit for an eskimo.

Also, in closing, In 150 days, that is, on the 21st of June - there better be nary a day under 60 degrees in sight.

sweater, fleece-lined leggings, socks, boots, snood, jacket

Oh yea, and, for those of you who think moon boots or uggs are the ugliest things ever. Please, visit the polar north today, and then reevaluate your thoughts on said "ugly' footwear. I just might wear my uggs, inside of my moonboots today.  

GET ORGANIZED IN 2013

Constantly evaluating what works and doesn't is something I would like to say I'm a little better at - but with a crazy holiday season, some things found themselves being "January 1" activities. Which I guess works out because its nice to start the new year feeling organized. Here are a few things on my desktop right now, and a few things I would love that provide for a pretty and clutter free workspace [not to mention functional]!

Here are my tips for getting organized in 2013!

1. This pretty pool 2013 planner is every planner's dream come true - it comes complete with stickers for birthdays, hair and dr's appointment, dinner dates.. you get the idea- its awesome! 

2.  I print 3 months of iCal pages in advance and fill them out with posts, plans for my blog, etc - its really helpful to draw and organize inspiration.

3. I fly through these jotters, using them as to-do lists, grocery lists, note-taking material, personalize them to say your name, company, or a phrase you like!

4. I like stuff that just works - all the time. Poppin makes these great staplers and tape dispensers in every color of the rainbow

5. Le Pens are a great, reliable writing tool, and good for color coding you plans. Organize them into these little cups that are just $0.95!

6. This huge clothespin takes up very little space and is the perfect place for clipping pictures, notes, inspiration.. and it keeps it off your desktop!

7. A tray helps to corral all the items on your desk, and add a punch of color and/or pattern. Love this tray by Parker and Rain!

8. You never know when you are going to need to write a note of encouragement or a letter of Thanks. Keeping some personalized stationery on hand makes it convenient!

9. Some upbeat tunes makes the day a little happier, right? I'm loving Ellie Goulding's new release, Halcyon. 

10. Add a few fun pieces to your desk that make your work day more fun! I love these stamps from Typo for only $2.95. A candle burning is relaxing, just make sure its not overpowering if you work in a corporate setting - try this "earl grey" candle. Business Card holder, Pop Plug-In Phone.

DECIDEDLY GREEN

I don't know about you, but I am pretty excited that this year is decidedly Emerald. It's one of my faves. I love the small return to those rich, yet radiant jewel tones. While I've been collecting Emerald colored clothing for a while, I just don't know if I'm ready to smear any walls, or a room in my house with the color. Next year, it might look "so last year".  So, I think in favor of the revival of classic interiors in the year 2013 - Chartreuse might be a little closer to where its at over here. In an archive issue of Lonny Magazine, Ruthie Sommers perfectly pairs Chartreuse with Classic Style...

via

OFFICE OF THE HOUR

This first week in January probably has most of us clearing off our desks and doing some rearranging. Between working on an editorial calendar [finally!], filing paperwork, and settling into my new attic studio space, it looks a little like the photo above around here. Wouldn't it be great to have all of that drawer space to put things away to? What re-organizing tools do you find most helpful in your workspace?

HAPPY 2013!

   2012, I think I liked you .. A LOT. Not really for any of the same reasons I like any of the years past either. You handed me a lot of curveballs, an enormous amount of blessings, and some new experiences. More than anything - this year I grew as a person. I didn't spend a lot of time here, and I missed that, but I needed that. I needed each of those moments to spend the time with my family, close friends, and out enjoying the world. So, Thank You for making me a softer person and realizing the importance in each of those times. When Thanksgiving came a long and my mom had a health scare - I couldn't have appreciated it more.

   2012, you brought us a new home - and maybe the biggest project of our lives to date. I laughed, I cried, and learned to love this old house we call home. Yep - the walls are still half painted in places, and we're still hanging "the perfect" light fixture [a year later] but, I've learned that in time I'll get around to it, and in the meantime quality over quantity.

  In July, you brought us to Idaho for a family wedding and woooow! It was such a great trip in a way that I don't think any of us had ever experienced. The cabin had pretty gross old carpet, the nearest attraction were some hot springs, and there was no cell service or internet  but I would venture out there to say it was one of the better trips we have every taken as a family. Waking up every morning and looking out across the plain which backed up to those gorgeous mountains and seeing two people who love each other so much get married you had all of us appreciating the beauty in the world, and feeling overwhelmingly grateful to see it.

  In the second half of the year, you kept me working hard on two new businesses. kollection launched in June, and Pure + Good launched in October. I think most people find the combination of personalized stationery and all natural pet shampoo's comical - but I think it's all part of the plan. 2012, you've taught me a lot about being a business lady and figuring out how to "make it work". I'm passionate about both. I feel soooo excited about business in 2013, and incredibly blessed to wake up and do something I can 100% get behind every day.

  Marc and I celebrated 1 year of marriage, and are filled with more happiness each day. You brought so many wonderful new friends into our lives, and started things to look forward to like Dinner Club, Bible Studies, and weekends away.

  These are just to name a few. As I cleared out the Christmas decor this weekend and did some rearranging- it brought a renewed sense of clarity, one that I always like this time of year. 2013 is going to be an amazing year, I'm sure of it. I'm not going to make any grand scheme resolutions [ maybe a few for my business ], but in life - I just want this year to be richer, to make me a better person, full of more personal growth. Resolving to do more charity work, attend some community events I have always wanted to, and showing this world as much Grace as I possible can... Oh yea - and returning back to my blog, because I really do love it.

Happy 2013. My wish is that you might be healthy, happy, and at peace this New Year :)

You can always keep up with me on instagram too! @luxeandlillies or here: http://instagram.com/luxeandlillies