Holiday Recap: Use Your Fine China

These past two weeks of Winter Break were such a blur! I cannot believe it is the New Year already. I talked the other day about what my theme for the New Year is, but still thinking back to the fun we had over the holidays.

Two out of the three siblings-in-law (and my brother-in-law's girlfriend, who is awesome) came and we had a ski trip planned; since we planned on going up to the mountains for a ski trip on Christmas day, we had Christmas Eve dinner the night before and opened presents then.

I set the table earlier in the day, using the ginger jars for inspiration. Using my ginger jars as part of the holiday decor was so much fun this season, so I definitely wanted to continue that trend, and also use our fine china.

What's On My Nightstand: Astrophysics for People in a Hurry

Current "To Read" stack. I really like borrowing books from my local library.

This year as part of my New Year's theme of "Commitment," I want to commit to reading fifty books this year as part of the 2020 Goodreads challenge. It's also appropriate that I post today about what's on my nightstand since Day 3 of Emily Ley's 30 Day Simplicity challenge is "to put two things that make you happy on your nightstand."

Maria 2020: Commitment

Happy New Year everyone!

Everyone is posting about their intents and resolutions and non-resolutions on Instagram, but there is also another thing that people talk about in regards to the new year: themes. Pick a word, and use that as your theme for the year.

As a teacher I am all about S.M.A.R.T. goals, but that is because I only have a specific period of time - ten months - with my kids. Timelines and deadlines when it comes to my personal goals have always been my downfall and I never really accomplish my resolutions. Last year, I even tried to break it down month by month and make smaller goals, but that failed spectacularly.

This year, I am definitely going to try the word as theme tactic. This year, my word is:

Make it with Michaels: Holiday Home Tour Part 2

Stockings (Hamilton Plaid, similar) and Glass Trees (Large on left, Medium on right): Pottery Barn (yay rewards!) * Garland: DIY with materials from Michaels (see below for details) * Stocking Holders: Target

Welcome to part 2 of the Holiday Home Tour - the living room! Part 1 is here, in case you missed it.

I want to start with the mantel because I really really love it. I was inspired by the garland Gray Malin placed over his fireplace mantel, and decided to DIY that myself. This year we added a tv over the fireplace, so  a garland with our two glass trees provided the focal point that I wanted, considering the limited space I had on the sides with the garland in place and tv mounted. 

Make it With Michaels: Holiday Home Tour Part 1

Today I am really excited to share the first part of my holiday home tour, the dining room and kitchen!

Light Fixture & End Chairs: Restoration Hardware (we live right near the outlet) * Dining Table: World Market * Dining Chairs: vintage from my godmother's dining set * Ginger Jars: Pier 1 * Faux Floral: Michaels * Console Table: Handmade * Curtains: Pottery Barn, no longer on site, but would love to also get these * Canvas Photo Print: Meteora from our trip to Greece in 2014. 

I inherited the crafting bug from my mom, and always love trying to replicate high end looks on a DIY budget. I draw a lot of inspiration from Instagram, and the Pottery Barn and Williams Sonoma Home catalogs. 

Fancy Feet: Birdies Songbird Slippers

Every year since I was about 29, I have always treated myself to something special for my birthday. The first time I did it was when Kate Spade just came out with their collaboration with Keds, and I got myself some special gold glitter sneakers. Since then, they have come out with so many other colors! I have my eyes on the navy glitter ones in particular.

I love those shoes because they are fun but comfy; I do not wear them on a regular basis, but rather on special occasions: the first day of school (makes me stand out a bit amongst the other teachers since we all have to wear our school shirt), the holidays and when I go out. It's definitely a great alternative to heels, for sure!

 This year, I totally went extra and got myself a pair of the Birdies Songbird Slides in blush velvet with the pom-pom. My friend in the Netherlands gave me a referral code for $20 off and I had heard of them through her and because Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex wore them for a walk in the woods.

Parenting: Changed Thoughts About Elf on a Shelf

Image courtesy: Amazon

Hear me out. I'm going to be blunt and controversial here: I really do not Elf on a Shelf.

At least I used to.

The concept behind it is hard for me to grasp  - this Elf shows up all of a sudden in the house right around the Christmas season, only to report on children's naughty or nice behavior back to Santa?

Work in Progress Wednesday: Handknit Hats (and the Blog, Itself)

Even though it has been three years since I moved out to Colorado, I still am adjusting to life and there are days when my Imposter Syndrome is very real. And that to some extent affected what I love to do for fun, which is knitting.

Context: in the space of 6 months at the end of 2016, I moved cross country, got a new job, had Julian, my driver's license, and built a house in another part of the county. In that order. Some days I wonder how I did it.

Back in 2015, I was super blonde (because why not?). This was taken at the NYS Sheep and Wool Festival, aka Rhinebeck. I describe it  as "Knitter's Comic Con" to my students. 

Post-Thanksgiving Paninis

I go back to school today and I have to admit, I always have mixed feelings after a break. I love my job (my kids are AMAZING this year and World Geography is so much fun), I love my new school, but I also like being off. As I tell my students when they complain that they didn't get a snow day or delayed start, "Hey I feel you. I am human. I want the snow day, too."

One thing I do not have to worry so much about this week is dealing with dinner. While we had a small Thanksgiving for the three of us, there were still leftovers. The biggest leftover is the cranberry sauce we got at Costco because we actually forgot to put it on the table!

I've been making paninis with our Cuisinart Griddler that we got for our wedding, Starbucks style. Like their Holiday Turkey Panini, I filled my sandwich (using a baguette from Panera) with cranberry sauce, turkey, stuffing and gravy on top.

Thirty-Five: Year in Review

Today I turn 35 and so I am a little older, and maybe a little wiser? What I can definitely say is that there are a few more gray hairs at my temple that weren't there before, which I find interesting, to say the least.

I remember once a makeup artist told me at a makeup counter back in my 20s that I need to change my skincare routine when I turn 35; well here I am and I definitely added sunscreen to the list of unguents. In the new year, I definitely want to try out the new Olay retinol system I keep hearing about.