Sunday, January 17, 2010

Winter White & a Fresh Start

Why, in January, do we have the confidence that we can improve and attain a better life?

Why do we all practice this cycle every year, ambitiously seeking change, and steadfastly declaring our resolutions?

Most of us do this because, deep within, we want a chance to start over, to get a second chance.

We each truly want the best out of life and each of us has unique talent to offer this spinning world.

We all mess up constantly and are painfully aware of our highlighted mistakes.

We want a chance to BE AGAIN:
a new chance to be that gentle parent,
a new chance to be the exciting lover,
a new chance to try for that job promotion,
a new chance to win a race,
a new chance to make good grades,
a new chance to be the best we believe we are.

If we STOP trying again each January, we STOP believing in ourselves. As long as we boldly make an ambitious resolution then we still believe that WE CAN DO IT... we still believe that we can be the us we always wanted.

So if you make goals this year, if you're eager to strive for improvement, then you are alive, ready for 2010.

Because we all long for a "do over", a 2nd chance....or even a 10th chance. And January seems to offer us that.



Now, about that winter white...


This gorgeous photo shows the stunning talent of Tracey at French Larkspur. Every time I visit I feel motivated and peaceful...all at the same time! She has decorating talent that energizes me! I would love to imitate this photo in my own home sometime in 2010. I can't get enough of this picture!! It is PERFECT! Yes, it makes me giddy.


Since white represents new, clean, and fresh, I wanted to share some of the WHITE that is in my home sweet cozy home this season.


*Jack*Frost* visited our backyard

Dakotah (my middle son) and I gathered nature outside
and we spray-painted it all WHITE
for this winter centerpiece.

I actually used a winter SCARF for the table runner,
flannel and all.

Because cable knit sweaters can be worn by candles too!
White SWEATER candles (!!!!)

from the always inspiring Anthropologie.
...also one of my FAVORITE Christmas gifts this year!

Absolutely in love with these candles!
And in love STILL with these worn ruffles found on
etsy at the Shabby Chic Cottage.




Personally, I'm a big pen-to paper goal girl! Since our first year of marriage, my husband and I have a tradition of making a categorized WRITTEN LIST of goals for us with several different categories. We still have our lists from previous years. It's incredible how much making these lists have helped us reach our dreams!

We set aside a set time to meet together and discuss the goals of the New Year.
This year I have a white little **table for two** set
for a special dinner
and a "Goals Meeting" to follow.


Antiqued ice skates and
the trendy faux mercury
are used for the January centerpiece.

I started collecting a set of fine china when I got married.
It's rarely used but I pulled out 2 settings **just for fun**
for us to use with this dinner!

Having a meal from fine china is one of life's little delights....

My china is Noritake White Scapes Whitecliff Platinum
for all the tablescape buffs! ;)
The napkins are vintage whites
given to my by my extra kind neighbor.


And that's about all the white I have in my home right now!

Enjoy the white season and the newness of January
and press on to reach YOUR full potential.


This post is linked to DIY Day, Works for Me Wednesday, Show and Tell, Tablescape Thursday, Inspired Room


63 comments:

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

Love your winter themed tablescape! I too am so excited by the possibilities that January brings!

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

and I meant bring. boy I hate typos. ah ha ha

Beth@The Stories of A to Z said...

It's always nice to start fresh and to have gorgeous whites surrounding us as reminders!

Tanya said...

Love all the white...so fresh and crisp looking!

Darla said...

Your decorations are so pretty, and light looking.

Unknown said...

How beautiful! Thank you for such sweet words about my shabby little ruffled towels and table runner. You make them look SO pretty!

mama hall said...

LOVE all the white! And your goal-setting...very inspiring! Beautiful post, friend!

Connie said...

Great post! I love your take on starting new in January. I alway feel like it is definitly get a new start each new year. Love the white...everything is beautiful.

Jane said...

I love the freshness of whites...from the first snow and ice on the trees (things I haven't seen in 16 years!) to crisp white shirts and linens.

January always reminds me of new opportunities. I need to stop long enough to write my dreams and goals down...this helps me stay on track and reminds me to persevere toward my goals.

Smiles,
Jane

laterg8r said...

gorgeous, i esp love the clock faces in the frame :D

Anonymous said...

A very inspiring post all the way around! All of the white decorating is so fresh and pretty too.

Rebecca said...

Love the theme! Those pics of the trees are gorgeous and i love the white candles!

sarah said...

well I lurve white, so versatile and so calm

love your tablescape

sarahx

jaquelyn {mama thoughts} said...

All of this white is just loovely, Lisa! I like the idea of getting a new start. I could use some motivation today! ;)

Unknown said...

Lisa, you are too kind to say such generous things about my blog! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for such sweetness...you truly made me feel good...thank you, thank you!!!

You are so very talented yourself!! You always have fresh and exciting ideas and you can set a table unlike anyone I know!!! Keep those wonderful ideas coming...and the beautiful pics of your home too!!!

:) T

Michelle said...

I love the first photo with the clock faces in the frame, beautiful!

I love the idea of collecting china. I made a decision when registering for our wedding to not register for china and registered for dinnerware instead. I thought the china was too expensive and too impractical. Now I should start collecting it just to have for special occasions.

Carmen @ Life with Sprinkles on Top said...

I adore all the white...so fresh and clean. What a nice inspiring message in this post too. Thanks! :)

ellen said...

Love all of your ideas -- especially about how you incorporated the white scarf into the decor!! Brilliant!

I also have a white sprayed "tree" in my dining room...you can see it here:
http://shimmerandtulle.blogspot.com/2010/01/crafters-confession-mclinky-party.html

will be keeping an eye on your blog for such great ideas!

Lynn said...

Love all the winter white!

Kendall@ Finesse Your Nest said...

Love all your white things, beautiful! I just did a white makeover too! Loving how crisp everything looks!

Anonymous said...

love those ice sates...
also.. love to start FRESH this year! great post!!! pretty and encouraging! xo. -brandi

Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com said...

So pretty! I love the white theme!

XOXO
Jen

Angie Holden said...

I love your winter white!

Judy@cutest-little-things.blogspot.com said...

Lisa I'm so happy to read this beautiful post! I needed some encouragement!

Everything in this post makes my heart sing with JOY! But most especially I love the idea of making goal lists with one's spouse (and your elegant dinner to go over the lists!)

You constantly inspire me! Sending hugs from the east coast!

Judy@cutest-little-things

Fifi Flowers said...

LOVE the frames clock faces!

Together We Save said...

Love the white table... Love the china, very pretty.

Linda@Coastal Charm said...

I just love all your WHITE...it looks soooo crisp! Hope you have a FUN Wednesay!

Blessings,
Linda

Ranelle said...

Great idea for a nice dinner with your sweetie. I remember making a list of goals on our 3rd anniversary and we haven't done it since. This was a great reminder to the beauty and importance of setting those goals as a couple. Thanks!

Kathleen Grace said...

I think after all the "noise" of Christmas, the hurried schedule, the color and clutter and things we "have" to do, the silence and lack of pressure of January gives us a welcome breather to sit with a cup of tea and reflect and plan and inventory our lives. I love that aspect of the new year. I love color, but this time of year all I crave is white. I could paint the house and slipcover all the furniture white and I would love it in January! But the color would slowly seep back into the house as Spring approached:>)

Tiffany said...

LOVE all the white and your use of scarves! Great idea! It all looks beautiful! Those little skates are too cute!

Anonymous said...

Loved all your beautiful winter whites. And I hope you will join White Wednesdays. Come for a visit. xo

Faded Plains said...

Those little ice skates are adorable.

Laurel @ Ducks in a Row said...

I love all the white!

Dana @ Cooking At Cafe D said...

Very pretty. Love the little ice skates.

Megan @ Megity's Handmade said...

I too love a good winter white room. It's all very pretty and why not embrace it's serenity after a season full of color.

Faded Charm said...

Thanks for your interest in my WW theme. If you'd like to join I can add your name to the list of participants on my sidebar and then you just post 'whites' on Wednesdays. Please let me know.

Enjoyed all your veautiful whites today.

Kathleen

Roeshel said...

Hi Lisa! I love white too. I love all of your white touches!

:)
Roeshel

Tammy @ tinselshop.com said...

LOVE the white inspiration! I am so into the "white-look" right now but am completely intimidated by it! I dream of a room right out of a magazine filled with 20 shades of white, lots of texture and everything aged to perfection...someday...

Best wishes,
Tammy

Debbiedoos said...

It all looks so lovely!!~ You have three beautiful boys!!~ I am a mother of two boys, I just am smitten with them:)Please stop by my blog sometime!!~

Yvonne @ StoneGable said...

So many beautiful things to see onn this post. Really love the spray painted branches and pinecones! I love January for the "clean slate" feeling after all the Christmas things are put away.
Lovely blog!
Yvonne

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

Love your white setting! Perfect for a goal making dinner. It makes me think of that clean, fresh sheet of white paper waiting for someone to write their list.

CAKE Creative Co. said...

This was a great post- I love the winter white and your inspirational thoughts on the new year. All the best for yours!

Diann @ The Thrifty Groove said...

Very simple and clean. pretty table.

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Maddycakes Muse said...

Love the winter white. I have used scarves as well in tablescapes! I just found your blog through TT will visit again.

Michelle
Maddycakes Muse

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

Oh your winter whites are so pretty! I've used some scarves this month as well on a tablescape. So fun to repurpose. Those candles are so pretty -- I can see why you're in love with them.

Cynthia said...

Love your china! Have a great day!

black eyed susans kitchen said...

The whites are so easy on the eyes and light in an otherwise stressful time. I love your pictures, especially the snowy trees. The ice skates are just adorable.
Susan

The Style Sisters said...

You have inspired me to do some sort of winter white tablescape sometime soon. Everything looks so beautiful! The skates are perfect! Love the white dishes!!

Stop and say Hi,

Karin :)

Katie@LeBeauPaonVictorien said...

I love your winter white-themed table! So pretty and crisp looking. It makes me think of fresh laundry for some reason!!! Love the napkins and your idea of using a scarf as a table runner!

The Charm of Home said...

You table is beautiful and I love, love your china! Nice job.

Marigene said...

The older I get, the more I like white dishes...yours are lovely. Your centerpiece is adorable with the little one's ice skates...faux mercury may be trendy but I still love it.

honeysuckle said...

Lovely white tablescape! Good luck with your goals that you and hubby are doing together. That's fantastic!

Lori @ Dining Delight said...

Very inspiring post! Its so true, January makes us feel "new" again with a fresh start. Love your winter white items and the tablescape where you set your goals for the year. My brother and his wife always do that too - we should give it a try!

DD

Kristen Andrews said...

such a pretty post, I always enjoy visiting!

Stacie@HobbitDoor said...

I love decorating with white! It's gorgeous on its own and is so easy to change with just a few accessories!

Teresa said...

Loved your thoughts on starting anew =)
Beautiful white.
Thanks for sharing

Kim @ Starshine Chic said...

Love, love, love your winter decor. And all the white. Did I say I was in love?

Nanna said...

it's amazing what all you can spray paint LOL, I spray paint limbs & make my own trees for different things, love the white setting, so refreshing & crisp looking

Helen

Ruth said...

I love it all. The candles and all the white. Elegant and gorgeous.

Ruth

Anonymous said...

Everything are magical. Your home is cozy ad full of love, I can see from here.

Nice collections.

Happy week-end.

Marianne said...

White really does seem to be January's color! Love all of your white touches and your cute tablesetting.

Gayle from Southern Thresholds said...

Stunning! and I loved your association of january white with pureness/newness, etc...very thought-provoking!