2012 Resolutions
Does anyone ever keep resolutions? This year I am not going to use the same old resolutions, eat healthier, exercise more, and be more positive. Nope. This year I am going to try some fun resolutions that I may actually keep.
1. Finish some projects around the house that make me feel happy.
This ribbon organization box is on my list. I love being organized and using this to wrap up some pretty gifts would definitely make me smile:
2. Make more handmade gifts. I think I have the ability, now I just need to believe in myself!
I think these candles would be so cute as gifts!
3. Cook more. Yes, read it again. I’m sure Jeremy needs to read it 3 times. But, I’m serious!
This steak and mushroom dinner and the rum balls look like two amazing recipes to try!
4. Host more gatherings at our new home! I mean go all out. Invitations, decorations, food…
I want to feel like Martha!
5. Make progress with the furniture business. I’m in no rush to jump into opening a full on shop yet. But, I would like to try some of my projects in a shop.
A bench like this made out of two old chair would be super neat!
What are you resolutions?? 🙂
Home Offices
I have been pining away at lots of beautiful home offices lately. There’s a reason… I finally got a job in Iowa! Not only am I completely stoked to be officially living in Iowa full-time, but also, this job allows me to do a lot of my work from home! 😀
This is the perfect set up for me. It will allow me more spare time to get projects done, and we also have the office space set up for me to do it! But, currently our bright red and semi-cramped office space is needing a major spruce. So, enter blogland inspiration.
Some photos of offices out there are gorgeous. However, social work doesn’t allow me to be glamorous or clutter my work space with pretties. That leaves me fewer options. I need a functional space that I also feel comfortable and like myself in. Plus, we are hoping to leave the futon on the other side of the room and use the space someday for a partial play-room as well. Oh, and did I mention that I can’t change much as far as items because I am working with a non-existent budged!? Let’s see if I can pull this off…
Here are some faves for you all!
I love the bookcases in this photo. It utilizes the space well, which is what I really need to do!
This office also has great shelving for storage, while also remaining a bit feminine and glam. I need an office that can work for me from everything from my personal business, to kids and family projects, to social work moments.
I also like having my desk in the middle of the room or at least facing outwards instead of towards a wall. It helps if I need to meet with clients. Here is another one like that.
I’m not a huge fan of green walls, but I love the black frames in this office.
This office has been my dream office for years now and was the inspiration for the office in my last house being light blue. This one might end up light blue as well, with the addition of the red items. Again with the black frames!
Another blue office. Reminds me of mine with the couch. Something so sweet about this one!
I adore this desk. Enough said.
This one is so sweet and has that touch of glam I’d love.
I love the outward facing desk in this one too.
Well? What do you all think? I’d love suggestions for my new home office!
Our Christmas Style
Yes, it’s a little late, but I thought that I would share our Christmas decor with you. Inspiration is good anytime, right?
So, here are a few of our first tree together! (we did eventually find the perfect green skirt! ) We went with a bit of a “camo” theme with colors this year. That was my nod to Jeremy. We used golds and greens and bronzes on the tree. My photos don’t seem to do it justice, but it was really pretty.
See the antler ornaments? Shimmery pinecones helped add sparkle too!
Our rustic bronze star was really pretty too.
Camo snowmen…
My “dance in the snow” pillow…
In the dining room we displayed my grandparents’ jewelry tree. Grandpa made this out of Grandma’s old jewelry.
Here is a close up of the sparkle, as this may be the last year for this tree. I might be using the jewelry for another very special project. Might, as in I have not made up my mind to tear down this beauty. Hmmm…
The two of us spent our night alone together quietly, so here’s a peak of our simple blue table.
It was basic but cute, and also easy.
And, although there was no snow on Christmas in Iowa, I took these a bit before hand of the first snow at our new house. Come to think of it, I don’t think I have shared a view of the outside of our home, so here is the front…
The side…
And a view towards our barns…
I hope you all had a wonderful holiday!
Dining Chair Love
Browsing some gorgeous photos today I came across two dining room photos that I just loved. The first is so bright and fun with its mismatched chairs. I wish I was bold enough to pull this off!
The next is something I’d absolutely love to try someday, with a bench being used on one side of the dining table. This bench is no regular bench, rather, a gorgeous antique bench!
I absolutely adore that bench! Enjoy!
Oh, and I want to share a peak at my Christmas holiday decor with you, but I’m running a bit behind. Still to come! Hope you all had a great holiday!
Living Room Brainstorming
I’ve said it before, we hate our living room couch. We have a small living room, but would like it to work better for us. So, what do we do when a friend is wanting to get rid of an almost new L shaped sectional in cream? Snatch it up!
It looks huge and things are in disarray right now, but it is so comfy, and much more what we were wanting for a more functional room. A sectional seems more modern than our house, but this one combines my love for tufting too! So, now I have been on the hunt for living room inspiration before making any decisions about ours. Enjoy my eclectic collection of musings…
I love the horse photo in this one. And, it’s a sectional.
This one is an L shaped couch and a smaller room like ours.
I love the gray of this couch. They are using a coffee table and the ottoman is separate for more seating. We are considering doing away with our coffee table and using a large tray on the ottoman. Hm?
Not a sectional, but I love a Chesterfield. Always inspiring. lol
http://angelaglancy.hubpages.com/hub/Creative-Ideas-that-Bring-Rustic-Cabin-Style-to-the-Living-Room
I loved the patterned pillows in this living room. I am also digging the idea of the wall mounted lamps. We lack floor space and this might do the trick!
http://angelaglancy.hubpages.com/hub/Creative-Ideas-that-Bring-Rustic-Cabin-Style-to-the-Living-Room
Another gray sectional, and I loved the mix of fun pillows!
Bright colors and a rustic coffee table.
Not exactly our style room, but I love the big coffee table and even the tweed on the couch!
Another room with no sectional, but how pretty!? I love everything about this one.
The next few rustic rooms are for Jeremy 😉
I love the mix in this room. The more subtle antlers, and especially the tufted chair!!
This one has the Chesterfield for me and the antler chandelier for Jeremy!
Any more ideas? Let us know! And soon I will show you progress on our room!
Rustic Chair, Blanket, Antler Love
It has been super busy around here, but I wanted to drop in and leave you with a cozy winter photo. Not only do I love the old shabby chair, but also the thick knit blanket and the antlers…
Photo by Jeroen van der Spek.
Hope to have more projects for you soon! 🙂
Make Mine Eclectic 
