resolve: to deal with successfully : in no particular order… my 2008 resolutions

Photo from Flickr.

1) RELAX. I really, really, really struggle with relaxing.  I live 2 miles from the beach and went twice, maybe three times last summer.  I am a going-going-going girl.  And… I do not like to say "no".  This is going to be the year of simply saying "no"". I feel certain it’s more honorable to be honest than to be guilted into doing something I really don’t want to do. My accountant tells me that I train people to treat me the way they treat me.  She says "you answer a business call at 9pm at night, they are going to think it is okay to call at 9pm at night".  She’s right.  So, look out ’08 Erika is going to relax a little, and train people a little differently!

Photo from Country Living magazine.

2) WORK SMARTER. This is my loving husband’s resolution for me.  He wants me to quit taking on work that isn’t profitable (you think that’d be a "duh"… but you’d be surprised by some of the things I commit to).  He sees that it’s that piddly work that eats up all my time and is consequently not profitable.  I’ve chosen to add "delegate" to this category.  Something else I struggle with but am learning as business is growing, that I simply cannot do it all.  It’s okay to delegate, in fact it’s not just "okay" it is BETTER.

3) LEARN TO SEW.  Specifically, learn how to make a roman shade.  I have my grandmother’s Singer Touch & Sew (circa 1960) and I’m thinking I should just invest in a new machine.  As a kid I sewed "scrunchies" and "little bags"… so I think it’s in me (and if you have seen all the outfits my sister sews you’d think for sure I was crazy to doubt whether or not it was in me)… it’s just finding the time (which if I stick to Resolution 1, this could be possible).  I think if I follow these girls direction (from this site) that I can do it!  My seamstress is pricey when it comes to Roman Shades, for example a shade that size above will cost you about $150 in labor only.  While they are labor intensive, it’s not rocket science.

4) GET ORGANIZED. I know that’s such a cliche resolution, but it is sincere.  In December I found this blog called the Lazy Organizer, and it has inspired me.  I think she has great ideas!  Would you believe that those containers can be found at Dollar Tree!

5) HAVE A QUIET TIME EVERY MORNING.  Started this in November and still going!   

6) CUT BACK ON THE DCs. I really have almost cut them out… it’s  just when I am tired (stressed), or when I eat out, or get fast food that I’m so tempted… nothing goes better with fries than a fountain Diet Coke.

7) FINISH PROJECTS AROUND THE HOUSE. This image above is one from my "idea files"… unfortunately I spend more time in my client idea files, so there is rarely time for my own.  Anne & Whit, this is the lady who designed (and I believe lived in) your parents house.  Roth (not sure on her first name) was featured in House Beautiful a few years back and I always loved this house!  She said the brown and white stripes were inspired by Henri Bendel’s colors. I love it, especially the painting over the bed.

I finally find rest at home… when the office was in the house, I never (ever) felt like it was a place of rest for me.  It was always work.  Work everywhere.  I seriously can hardly go into the room that housed the old office which is now almost empty.  I have big ideas for that space, but it’s very hard to even set foot in that room without feeling anxious.  It’s such a blessing to drive to work everyday (and even better to leave it every night).

HOUSE PROJECTS TO BE COMPLETED THIS YEAR:

- project 1: turn current laundry room into walk-in pantry (this excites me!)

- project 2: turn old office into new laundry / craft room (paint, refinish floors, cabinets, countertop…)

- project 3: fence in backyard

Photo from Flickr.

8) SAVE SOME DOUGH. I’d like to think that we are frugal, but I do think that we could do more to plan for the future.  New ideas for ’08: eat out less… which equals cooking more & taking advantage of the new deep freeze that’s in the shed, only buy things you "need" and "love", quit buying jeans (I can’t believe I wrote that, I’ll for sure break that one), travel less (ahhh this kills me too, but traveling adds up!), use those credit card points for splurges, and just stay away from Target as much as possible!

Check out this place.

9) REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE. So the "reuse" is not a struggle for me. I’d rather have something old (other than food) over something new any day, and I’m pretty good about reusing ziplocs, etc.  Reduce… I could stand to reduce a little more.  We do have a dual-flush potty, tankless H20 heater, energy efficient windows and doors and so forth. When I read Domino Mag’s Deal Hunter – Nick Olsen’s blog (which is fabulous by the way) a while back he mentioned this about the abuse and overuse of plastic grocery sacks…

For instance did you know that there’s a FLOATING ISLAND OF PLASTIC TWICE THE SIZE OF TEXAS in the middle of the Pacific?!?   

Every single time I get my groceries bagged at Publix I start to think of that.  So, this is the year… I’m gonna buy a few Publix Green Bags ($1.49 each!) to keep in the car (or if your grocery store isn’t offering them… do like Nick Olsen and get a more designerly option from LLBean or Lands End).

10) EAT MORE VEGETABLES. AAAAAAHHHHHH! Those do look pretty good though.

This morning in the shower {which coincidentally is where my A.D.D. subsides a little and I think straight}, I realized that I am drawn to all things "little"… I like little collections of things, little art, little trinkets… sometimes it’s the little things that really make the biggest impact.  It’s also that stage in the design process that is SO hard to get to with a client, but is soooo important… the little things in a home – can totally wreck it – or – totally make it.   

Wren Handmade is one of my favorite artists.  Laura Normandin is the artist behind Wren… her blog is so inspiring… one of my favorites!  She recently posted that 1st image originally posted by the folks Purl Soho – if you are like me (I know Arre is because I just pawned a ton of my excess fabric off on her!) you have scraps of fabric laying around that you love and just can’t part with… those "hoop portraits" above featuring Liberty Fabrics – just do my heart good.  Laura’s painted bottles… I want a collection for my window sill in the kitchen.  And the green elephant, I wish he was on my desk.

On the same topic of – thoughts in the  shower – this was another one: the beloved Christmas stocking.  I’ve decided this year that I’m going to make new stockings- stay tuned – I’ll feature photos when I finish.  I have a couple that I’ve used for awhile and every year I think "I hate these why do I still have them?".  They have sequins on them (they are rather atrocious)… I could vomit thinking about them really… ANYWAY, I’m thinking this is the year to make the stockings I’ve always wanted.  My thought process then went from that to… what’s inside the stocking.  Again, affirmation that I do love small things.  I’d really be happy if Christmas gift giving was just about the stocking… and what’s inside (and to be completely honest in addition to the stocking a few good books off my amazon wishlist wouldn’t be bad either).  I’ve got a few practical gift ideas I think are fun stocking stuffers (I’d be glad if they were in my stocking anyway)… in addition to the the precious Wren elephant above.

For your bod’:

Essie "Real Simple" 566.  Great color on everyone!

eyebobs – your eyes will love these!

For your home:

toast tongs – your fingers will love these. {also great gift with a jar of jam & homemade bread}

pot clip spoon rest (clips to side of the pot- spoon cantilevers over pot) – your countertops will love these.  also at lnt.

who knows how many cups in quart?  you will.

Restoration Hardware’s Vacuum BBs.  I am in love.  Take your pick, all of their scents are fabulous!  They make vacuuming enjoyable.  Also great to slip a handful into a little sachet and tie a pretty little bow.

every home has a lamp that’s not 3-way… these are the best.  dim on!

For your office &/or daily routine:

Everyone loves a zipper pouch by Drika B… lipstick, change, coupons, pen case… whatever!  If you have never bought handmade, I encourage you to do so this Christmas.  Take the pledge.

I hope you don’t have one of those Office Depot desk blotter style calendars.  If you do, there is still hope.  I LOVE this calendar by ilee. Oh so fabulous.  I won’t go into my obsession with letterpress.

I love good office and art supplies… it’s another ‘take after my father’ thing.  He always had 4 or 5 cups slam full of pens (and I mean good pens) on his desk.  These are must for any designerly type. Thank you Deal Hunter.

The people behind these pads are genius!  I don’t have this one yet, but I have the grocery list and packing list ones, love them!  Buy it here.

Would love to hear about your favorite stocking stuffers!