Decor therapy...

I always feel like my brain needs a little jump start this first week of January. After all the busy-ness from before Thanksgiving until New Year's, once January 2 hits, I tend to "coast" a little. Putting my house back together and doing some much needed cleaning has kept me busy. I had a Hoover bag full of glitter, half chewed faux berries, and cat hair...don't ask.

After looking at my Dining Room for this last week, I realized I needed a change. One day things look fine, the next day you want to totally start over. So first, down came the honkin' window box...now what? Whatever is on this table needs to be substantial, at least I feel like it does. So I grabbed the old basket from under the buffet, white poinsettias and all. OK, so maybe all the mental energy I had was directed at finding a new centerpiece.

I think I'll keep the grain sack runner here until after Valentine's Day.

It does have a red stripe, after all.

And I'm keeping the redwork tablecloth on the buffet, 

I just decluttered a little from this photo.

I looked at it closely and realized

 that there were little hearts woven into the design.

Why hadn't I noticed that before?

And the faux chalkboard above the sideboard in the Hall 

got it's new message, compliments of my sweet sis, 

Happy New Year!

Other than that, I just removed the white feather tree 

and replaced it with the iron urn of faux paperwhites.

OK, so that wasn't all that drastic.

A few simple changes were all that I needed...

this week.

How about you...

does your brain need a vacation?

Thank goodness I have all of you out there

that are on top of your game.

Now, I'll be moving on to the Living Room...

my mantel needs some h.e.l.p.

Great turnout for the first 

Be Inspired Friday!

thanks guys!

(I really needed it;

the inspiration that is.)

joining in with these parties:

The Dedicated House

Between Naps on the Porch

Coastal Charm

A Stroll Thru Life

Cozy Little House

Cedar Hill Ranch

Knick of Time 

Savvy Southern Style

DIY By Design

From My Front Porch to Yours

A Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson

Stone Gable

Shabby Art Boutique

The Charm of Home

French Country Cottage

Craftberry Bush

Jennifer Rizzo

My Romantic Home

xoxo,

me

New Year's Tree

I like to change things out after Christmas. I enjoy the Christmas decor while it's up, but then after Christmas, I like to put things away and return to a "winter" theme in my decor. I purposefully chose to limit my actual Christmas decorations this year and focused on just adding bits and pieces into my surroundings. One thing I really love is my New Year's Tree, that I put together a few years ago. I still wanted some sparkle and whimsy after putting away the Christmas things, and so my little tree was conceived. Stark pewter branches are bejeweled with glitter snowflakes, tiny bells, antique watch faces, blue miniature Shiny Brites, and little doves. It's become my way to usher in the New Year with prayers for peace, joy, and God's blessing.

This year I added two new ornaments found on sale after Christmas,

depicting old clocks.

(all other items thrifted from the fleas)

and a vintage clock face.

It's here in the Entry, 

where it's a reminder of a fresh new beginning.

I you'd like to see the original post from December 2009,

 with my thoughts on spending our Time,

 then just Click Here

joining in at these parties this week:

The Dedicated House
Between Naps on the Porch
Cozy Little House
Cedar Hill Ranch
Creative Cain Cabin
Savvy Southern Style
No Minimalist Here
Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson
The Shabby Creek Cottage
Stone Gable 
From My Front Porch To Yours
Rooted in Thyme
The Charm of Home
Craftberry Bush
My Romantic Home

Thank you all, for your sweet friendships.

What a blessing you are in my life.

xoxo,