As soon as cold winter weather really starts to set in I go into nesting mode and take stock of the house. What do I need? What needs to be thrown out or donated or sold? What needs stored? Right now I’m looking to replace the arc lamp in my living room that I love dearly, but that guests keep hitting their heads on. It will be relocated to the guest room and I’ll find something more upright for the living room. What are you looking to do in your home for the new year?
Earlier this week I had a dream. I was hiking up a hillside path with a few friends when we saw a house that I said was my dream home, sort of a cabin-meets-tudor that was painted jet black and backed up to a forest with a big front lawn. No sooner did the event take place in my dream than my subconscious filed it away as 100% true. I’ve been in love with all black homes since seeing my first – a Victorian in San Francisco, I believe – but my location has never lent itself to making it a sensible reality. With the way black traps and collects heat it would have been a deathtrap in Oklahoma City, but here in Pennsylvania it makes a little more sense with the weather as well the style of house. In other words, I would happily paint the facade of my place obsidian if I could only get the nagging voice that keeps saying resell value! out of my head.
I’ve long admired the aesthetics of Himalayan salt lamps, and after doing some research last autumn I bought one. These artful light sources aren’t just a treat for the eyes, they also have a slew of benefits to accompany their warm glow.
Himalayan salt lamps are made out of just that, hollowed out blocks of pure Himalayan salt. We’re surrounded by air that’s full of positive and negative ions. Positive ions, AKA electronic air pollution, are created by electronic devices and can contribute to health problems such as allergies, stress, and insomnia. Salt lamps work by emitting negative ions that create a cleansing effect on the air.
10 Benefits of Himalayan Salt Lamps –
+ improves mood and concentration
+ purifies the air
+ reduces allergen and asthma symptoms
+ reduces stress
+ reduces insomnia
+ improves seasonal effective disorder
+ supports immune system
+ improves mood
+ boosts energy
+ reduces static electricity
Himalayan salt lamps do have a limited range, so you’ll want to place yours in the room in which you spend the most time. Check to make sure that your lamp is made from pure Himalayan salt rather than rock salt to experience actual benefits. And once purchased make sure to keep it away from humid spots like the bathroom, near the dishwasher, or by the washing machine.
While I don’t expect the world and all of its issues to change because we flipped a calendar page, I am hopeful for a fresh start. Last year was a huge rollercoaster for many, and even though much of that will carry over it feels like there’s a bit less baggage in acknowledging a new year.
I stopped doing resolutions several years ago and instead do intentions. The word itself is much less intimidating and I’ve found I’m more likely to last past January 2nd with this mindset. I managed to make headway with two out of three 2016 intentions, which isn’t half bad in my estimation.
This go around I’m only focusing on one – pushing out of my comfort zone. This could be taken any number of ways, but what I’m hoping for is growth in both my life and my business. Saying yes but not being afraid to say no. Turning my weaknesses into strengths. There is great growth in discomfort and I can’t wait to dig in and get dirty.
So here’s to a happy and healthy 2017. Let’s be our best selves.
This Sunday I hope you’ll wake up not too early in a warm, cozy bed with a few butterflies from childhood in your stomach. I hope you promptly have coffee before spending the day in either your pajamas or your holiday finery. I hope it’s 24-hours full of love and laughter and contentment. I hope there’s at least one unexpected surprise. I hope you eat a big, delicious meal and help out in the kitchen. I hope you take a few minutes standing in the woods, or on the porch without your coat, or before you close your eyes that night to reflect on how good most of us have it. And lastly, I hope you have a very Merry Christmas. xo, Kelly
Like I’ve mentioned, I’m way behind on just about everything this holiday. Between election madness, the state of the world, and 2016 as a whole I’m just not really feeling the holiday spirit quite like I normally do. I have yet to wrap any gifts other than the ones that have been sent off to faraway friends, zero cookies have been baked, and I still have no clue what to get my 92-year-old Grandma. If you’ve run out of some wrapping supplies or you just like free stuff, download these 24 holiday printables and remember that the season is all about love and togetherness, and it’s the thought that always counts most.
My Grandma’s nut roll, egg custard pie, Hershey Kiss cookies. All of these foods and more remind me of the holidays, including candy bark. What I love about this incredibly easy treat is that it can include everything but the kitchen sink or actually be borderline healthy for you depending on what you add. I’ve rounded up a selection of both, check ’em all out below!
Click on each image to go to the recipe. All photos copyright of their respective sites unless otherwise noted.
If you share your home with a cat (or three) they’re in the Christmas tree half of the time it seems. I took a cue from them and created this two-for-one DIY project inspired by their antics and Fancy Feast Feastivities‘ handmade gift guide for cat lovers.
Fancy Feast Feastivities is a celebration of the ultimate ways to delight cats and cat lovers during the holidays. This year’s theme is all about inspired holiday entertaining, so you’ll find the gift guide contains plenty of gifts for the cat-loving hostess in your life. The creativity of the makers involved pushed me to come up with something I knew my cats would love playing with, rather than buying something they’d probably bat around for five minutes and never look at again (like real kids!).
Your cat can play to their heart’s content with their mega glitter pom pom toy, while just the addition of ribbon turns it into a sparkly decoration that can bring a festive touch to a doorknob or tree branch in your home. I plan on making a few more of the smaller ones to add to the outside of gift boxes as well because they’re just so happy looking!
Supplies
• glue gun and glue sticks
• 2-inch styrofoam ball (for the cat toy)
• 3-inch styrofoam ball (for the decoration)
• various sizes of glitter pom poms
• ribbon
• catnip
After heating up your glue gun, start by distributing the largest of the pom poms evenly over the ball’s surface and gluing down. Work progressively through the other sizes (I used three different ones), using the smallest pom poms to fill in any leftover spaces. If you’re working on the larger decoration, make sure to leave a small space to attach a ribbon for hanging with the hot glue as well. Allow to cool for five minutes before placing in a closed ziploc bag with catnip for a few hours. Your own ornament should be ready to hang after those five minutes as well.
My cat, Peanut, especially loved this toy. He batted it around the room for at least ten minutes, picking it up in his mouth and giving a good shake before putting it back on the floor and running around the room like crazy again. I may need to make two more for the other cats! And if you have any of the larger pom poms leftover I guarantee your felines will go crazy for those on their own as well.
This post sponsored by Fancy Feast Feastivities. All words and opinions are my own, as always. Thank you for supporting the brands that help Design Crush create fresh content!
This time of year one tends to start thinking of what they could’ve done better, where they could’ve done more. The good news is that it’s never too late to challenge yourself to up the ante, and that means choosing fantastic gifts to give this holiday that do double-duty. Ones that give back and mean a little something extra to the giver, the receiver, and the company you’re buying from.
Thrive Market Membership. Great deals on organic and non-GMO foods, and for each year-long membership sold Thrive donates a membership to a low-income family.
The Bee Cause Project Honey. For every online purchase of BeeCause Honey, 100% of the proceeds will be donated to one of the school hive projects sponsored by The Bee Cause.
The Basket Room. This purchase directly supports the weavers to increase their livelihoods and become less dependent on self-sufficiency farming. Each basket comes with a thank you card from the cooperative who made your basket.
Enrou. Meaning en route – or on the way – to a better world. All of their home goods and gifts are selected for their beauty, quality, and ability to provide opportunity to artisans from around the world.
The Little Market. An online fair trade shop working through cooperatives and social enterprises, The Little Market’s artisan partners improve the quality of life in their communities in a number of ways, including literacy workshops, business training, and health programs.
31 Bits. This jewelry shop creates dignified work opportunities for artisans worldwide while providing customers with a place to purchase fairly made products. Fair pay, sustainable wages, safe working conditions, and a family-like atmosphere make all the difference.
The Giving Keys. It started with a hotel room key worn as a necklace and continues by helping those who have been affected by homelessness.
Causebox. A quarterly subscription box that features brands and items dedicated to doing good all over the world. Many featured brands donate a portion of proceeds to charities and/or may employ local artisans, use ethically-sourced goods, and more.
PupJoy. For your pups, PupJoy donates $2 from every box to BISSELL Pet Foundation, which assists animal welfare organizations providing resources to reduce the number of animals in shelters and rescues through pet adoption, spay/neuter programs, microchipping, and foster care. They also support small business manufacturers when sourcing their products, and all of their treats are made in the U.S.
Obakki. This shop creates classic and refined styles for the modern woman while The Obakki Foundation, Obakki’s philanthropic counterpart, focuses on providing clean water and education in Africa. Obakki absorbs all administrative fees for the charity, allowing 100% of the Obakki Foundation’s public donations to go directly to its charitable initiatives.
Especially Puglia. Adopt a hundreds-years-old Puglian olive tree for one year and support the farmers and producers who keep traditional harvest and production methods alive. Comes with a 3-liter can of extra-virgin olive oil plus a ceramic cruet to serve it from, an adoption certificate, and three additional bottles of oil, one every three months.
Vinfluence Wine Subscription. Choose 3 or 6 months, each box contains three wines from a boutique winery and for every bottle they ship $1 is donated to City Harvest, Sustainable Harvest International, or Fiver Children’s Foundation.
Other ideas:
Newspaper or magazine subscriptions – support free press!
Passes to local museums/attractions – keep it local!
Donations to food pantries or a homeless shelter
