Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Relaxing........and civilized

I would like to think I could enjoy a lovely New Year's Eve dinner all bundled up on our covered veranda as it does look romantic, but after flying into the Oklahoma blizzard on Christmas Eve and cancelled flights on the return home to Canada via Detroit, I think we are really in the mood for a quiet fireside dinner. Something relaxing and civilized........ something air travel is not these days. It sets the mood for New Year's Day, my "reflection" day as my husband does his annual and uninterupted sportsfest on TV and I make lists for the year ahead. This year I am going to approach it in a more organized fashion with a flow chart of what I personally and professionally want to accomplish this year, blog included. Sounds daunting doesn't it? It's not as serious as it sounds, I will be wearing my pajamas all day long. I love that part.


Holiday clean-up is ahead for most of you and I hope you saved all of your gift ribbon because you have a bit of ironing to do. Ribbon, tissue paper, and most gift wrap can be ironed on low settings and re-used. For gift wrap cut out the gift wrap sections that aren't covered in tape (the center) and re-use for smaller gifts throughout the year. One of the reasons I believe in all season gift wrap. I was so taken with this holiday wreath from the blog My Notting Hill, I asked Michele if I could share her beautiful Beacon Hill photo with you as an idea for using a varied collection of leftover ribbon lengths. I love the simple but festive look of this fresh boxwood wreath, especially the bright ribbons adding colour and movement on a gray winter day.


Another idea for leftover ribbon? Save it for upcoming occasions where you can ribbon embellish the chair for the guest of honour. A bridal shower, a wedding or birthday party, any time you want someone to feel special. Lovely isn't it?
Have a safe and sound New Year's Eve and wishing each of you the most fabulous 2010.
May your next year be beautifully wrapped in love, happiness and good health.


A most special Thank You to all my readers, followers and fellow bloggers.
You are truly the most talented and inspiring group of women
and I am honoured to be heard and included in this
amazing community of support and creativity.


Meeting each and every one of you has made 2009 one of my best years yet.
I can't wait to meet more of you in 2010.
Top photo by Laurence Pasquier ~ Sarah Kaye/2nd photo by blog My Notting Hill/3rd photo by Mario Villa via blog A Room Somewhere/Bottom photo by Chris Everard ~ Sarah Kaye

32 comments:

  1. oh goody, permission to hoard more ribbon! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hello Sande,

    No-air-travel is very understandable in blustery wintery conditions. Being comfy and warm at home to me sounds like a perfect way to bring in the New Year.

    I love your ideas about ribbons, they do make things more special.

    One of my projects for this coming year is to do some ribbon embroidery; once you get the hang of it, it only takes a few stitches to turn something ho-humm into something quite unique and beautiful.

    Glad you are staying warm and safe, and I wish you all the best in the coming year 2010.

    ReplyDelete
  3. As usual, my soul is nourished when I come and visit your lovely site. Enjoyed your thoughts about saving ribbon, as I do that too. Never thought of embellishing a chair with them; I'll store that away for a future day, as a special nephew just got engaged and I'm sure we'll be doing festive celebrating down the road.

    Happiest of New Years.... enjoy your fireside evening. And your new lists for the upcoming months.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Great ideas for the wrapping, tissue paper and ribbon! I never would have thought of ironing them. New Years Day in pajamas and planning out 2010 sounds good to me. I may consider that!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Dear Sande~
    So that's where you've been! I'm glad your home safe & sound. I know traveling is brutal these days, especially during the biggest blizard ever. Stay warm & cozy with Mr.RR and Have a Quiet and Happy New Years~~ Yay to 2010!!
    XO's
    p.s. did you get your little boxes?

    ReplyDelete
  6. Sande-Happy New Year. Your flow chart does sound daunting.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Sande, Hope your New Year is relaxing...we live in Lawton, Oklahoma and were supposed to leave on Christmas Eve, too. We opted to stay put till Christmas Day. So glad we did. I couldn't wait to get back home either!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Wishing you the Lord's best this coming year! Martha

    ReplyDelete
  9. I spent yesterday afternoon watching soaps and flattening out/folding up all of the salvagable tissue paper so I can iron it as I need it! Great minds!

    Have a very happy new year and all the best for 2010!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Dear, dear Sande,

    Beautiful as always. Thank you again for your gorgeous contribution of holiday gifts chez moi.

    I hope you have a wonderful new year filled with hope and happiness.

    Warmest regards,
    Tishx

    ReplyDelete
  11. Happy New Year!!! Love you blog!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Beautiful post, as always, Sande! I hope that you have a warm and cozy NYE and a very blessed 2010. xoxox

    ReplyDelete
  13. Happy New Year Your Majesty,

    lovely article! I too save all of my ribbons and tissue and I have a tiny iron that gets all of those wrinkles out:)) I can not resist re-using good ribbon and tissue. I love the window box with the wreath! If we could always live with christmas decor all year round:)) working in PJ's sounds just fabulous right about now:) May you have a prosperous New Year my Queen! I look forward to reading many more of your fabulous articles:))
    hugs,
    Daisy

    ReplyDelete
  14. SANDE-


    I'm in California, so it's great to get your perspective on the new year, your plans, your adventures...and your wonderful style.
    Your blog is on my blog roll of favorites...and I am so pleased it is on THE STYLE SALONISTE...
    happy NEW YEAR, DIANE
    www.thestylesaloniste.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. Those steps are beautiful and boy what a good way to keep guest going somewhere they shouldn't! Just kidding but every year we have one of my husband's employees decide to take a self guided tour during the Christmas party, I wouldn't mind giving them one but I can't believe people don't ask first.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Dear Sande,
    What a wonderful idea. Those ribbons look great....on the wreath and on the chair.
    I have so enjoyed reading your posts and getting such wonderful ideas from you.... and thank you so much for all of your comments over at mine.
    Have a wonderful evening and I wish you many magical and happy times in 2010. With much love. XXXX

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hello Sande,

    Happy New Year!!

    Thank you so much for all of your kind comments on my blog this year. It has been a pleasure connecting with you. Your blog is just beautiful -- one of my very favorites :) I always look forward to visiting, and I can't wait to see what 2010 will bring...

    All the best,
    Sarah

    ReplyDelete
  18. Happy New Year Sande and enjoy your relaxing days ahead. xv

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hey there, just want to say you are the best, really love it that you're a pal..blog or otherwise.

    I send you my best for the New Year, you have that quite dinner you deserve it. Sounds like you had a hell of a time on the airlines!

    Happy 2010 honey,
    love D

    ReplyDelete
  20. Oh I have truly fallen in love with your blog and am now a follower (read that stalker) I am a visual merchandiser and my favourite class when i was at college was professional present wrapping.Thankyou for all your inspiration here.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I made the mistake of ironing some wrinkled ribbon on a setting that may have been a little too high - it made a melted mess!

    Happy 2010!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Happy New Year! So sorry you had stressful travels...I hope that's in the past and you are enjoying the first day of the year at home and chilling!
    I look forward to more of your inspiration in the coming year,
    Cheers!
    Nathalie

    ReplyDelete
  23. I adore your blog-thank you for sharing your wonderfulness. It is fabulous and lovely. Happy 2010! Joy

    ReplyDelete
  24. Hola,
    I love your blog, so pretty pictures and advices too. I love the idea of the stairs and the chair too. Happy new year from Spain.
    Feliz año 2010!

    www.caprichosdeana.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  25. Hi Sande,
    I'm so happy that you and your son had a good laugh and stroll down memory lane with regards to my Latte post. Now I'll always think of you as the Latte Queen!
    (I have a double shot Latte waiting for you today, I know it's not how you usually order it but I think you'll like it!
    Enjoy the 1st weekend of 2010!
    xo
    Terri

    ReplyDelete
  26. Happy new year Sande, it's been a pleasure following, you have given me so many wrapping idears thanks heaps all the best for 2010!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  27. Dreamy and beautiful just what one would expect when they come here.

    Love Renee xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  28. just delighted to find your blog. the ribbons here and there in your post are just lovely!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Dearest Sande,
    what a gorgeous divine site you have here! I am sitting here soaking it up and just in heaven! ;) I adore this post most from the pictures, but this entire page is graced with so much beauty, I can't stop smiling! Thank you for letting me visit and I look forward to many returns! I added you to my page ;) woo-hoo! so I don't lose you in the reader thingy, ;) xx soft blessings to you, Jenn
    p.s. I was born and raised in ON, Canada - another smile when I saw that! I'm in the US now ;) with my sweetie. Happy 2010 to you and yours!!

    ReplyDelete

Your comments are such a lovely addition to my day. Thank you.

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails