Wish List 184 | Cozy Decor, Winter Fashion on Sale, Lifestyle Hacks + More

In this post: Wednesday Weekly Wish List is the place to find recommendations and ideas, personal favorites and little pleasures that will add a bit of joy to your life.⇒

Welcome to another week of the Wednesday Weekly Wishlist, a place for a little midweek inspiration! We invite you to click the links and explore what’s enchanting us right now. Enjoy!

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1. TOP POST THIS WEEK: I absolutely love fresh starts, so I look at the year end as a real opportunity. Once the holiday glam comes down, it’s the perfect time to take a fresh look at your home and indulge in Winter Decor Ideas for a Cozy Home.

2. ALSO POPULAR: Ready to make life easier this year? These 25 Lifestyle Hacks include tips to help you streamline your home, stay organized, and create a stress-free environment you’ll love living in.

3. AMAZON PICKS: here are this week’s WINTER favorites from Amazon.

4. Every year at this time I share this deeply personal story, that several people have told me they’ve found very helpful: What I’ve Learned as My Aging Parents’ Caregiver.

5. THIS WEEK ON THE BLOG I also shared:

• These Easy Steps to a Fabulous New Year’s Eve Table
• If you love to mix vintage with modern, add a note of complexity to your casual home with French Style Decorative Mirrors.
• If you have a basement space or lower level, why not turn it into A Lovely Alternate Space for Casual Entertaining? Start now and have it ready for Superbowl Sunday!

6. CURRENT WINTER DECOR CRUSHES:

• This beautiful faux lit white berry wreath
• This soft and charming fair isle pillow cover
• This snuggly braided sweater knit throw blanket (I love the tan option!)
• These wonderful sugared bark flameless wax pillar candles
• This lovely pair of winter woodland canvas wall art pieces

7. TOP FASHION PICKS: Take advantage of seasonal sales on Winter Wear.(Make sure you use the code for the extra 60% off!)

• This super soft roll neck cable knit sweater
• This cuddly faux fur pea coat
• This drapey blackwatch tartan button down shirt
• This cable knit cardigan lady jacket sweater
• This sailor slim wide-leg chino pant

8. CURRENT FURNITURE DEALS: I’m currently working on host chairs for the ends of my breakfast table. I’m looking at these well-priced options:

• This tufted high back chair with modified wing
• Another tall tufted back with modern curves
• This linen fully upholstered option looks super comfy
• Here’s an updated wing shape with no tufting
• This is my fave but it’s a bit pricier than the others (but I only need 2!)

9. WHAT I’M READING: The Giver of Stars, by Jojo Moyes, is based on a true story set in Depression-era America about packhorse librarians in a remote area of Kentucky. The story is centered on five extraordinary women and is an unforgettable drama of loyalty, justice, humanity and passion.

10. UP NEXT: January organization ideas.

Wishing you all the happiest of holidays and a happy, healthy New Year!

1). Looking Ahead: This is the year to become a better home decorator! Decorating School is a category on the blog with tons and tons of easy to understand, tried-and-true interior design concepts that WILL make you a better decorator! Check them all out!

2. AMAZON FINDS: See all my favorite new picks in my Amazon Shop.

3. GET ORGANIZED: Winter is perfect for tackling smart home organizing! Download our free 22-page Organize Your Home Magazine, packed with savvy ideas and the 5 essential rules to help you create a tidy, clutter-free space.

4. FABULOUS FINDS: What items in your home need updating? I love these…

• This beautiful botanical print I’m considering for our living room- on sale.
• Add this striking plant to your winter decor.
• This perfect winter scape painting is so reasonable you can enjoy it now and take it down when spring comes. 
• This iron drink table is stunning and a steal!

• This classic gold metal footed tray. Fabulous price!
• This white buffet has been in our homes for over a decade, and I still love it!
• This apothecary cabinet is my favorite new find. I like it in black.
• I’m a little obsessed with chairs; this metal and upholstered chair is a fresh take on classic design. LOVE!

5. BEAUTIFUL HOMES AND MORE: When you want to learn about “good decorating bones,” start by studying Traditional style homes like these these four homes. Have you met Alidad? Oh, he can teach you and me a lot about living in a beautiful home! Nina Campbell (LOVE) is another interior decorator you will learn so much from. And this kitchen is a must-see!

6. CURATED CLOSET: Comfortable Upscale Cozy Clothes

• These pants look so smart no one will ever know they are sweatpants!
• This classic long-sleeved, crew neck cotton tee– lots of colors.
• These comfortable, wide-leg pull-on jeans.
• This wear with everything, including a mock neck jacquard tunic. LOVE!

Classic investment items that will last for years and years…

• I always wear these sneakers– so comfortable, smart-looking, and worth the price! 
• This crossover handbag I just got to replace one that is over 25 years old-on sale.
• Classic gold huggie hoop earrings.
• This cashmere wrap I wear all the time (in heather camel)- on sale.

7. FUN AND INTERESTING FACTS: How many sides does a snowflake have? What color is a snowflake?

8. THIS AND THAT: Paint is a home decor game-changer! This article has the best paint colors for your home that you will never tire of! I was told never to show up at someone’s home empty-handed. And I religiously follow that rule! How about you? I love this article about gracious manners. Do you make New Year’s resolutions? Here’s some really good advice for making them and keeping them all year.

9. CULINARY CORNER: Hungarian Mushroom Soup: This soup takes me back to my roots. It is complex and delicious! And easy! Melt 4 TBS of butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add 2 cups chopped onions. Cook and stir until softened, about 7 minutes. Add 1 pound of mushrooms (I use a little more) and sauté for 5 more minutes. Add 2 cups of broth, 1 TBS soy sauce, 1 TBS paprika, and 1 tsp dill. Stir and reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Whisk together 1 cup of milk ( or half and half) and 3 TBS flour in a separate bowl and whisk into the soup. Simmer, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes, and thin with more chicken stock if needed. Stir in 1/2 cup sour cream, 2 TBS chopped fresh parsley, 2 tsp lemon juice, and salt and pepper to taste. Warm up and serve with crusty rye bread.

10. FOLLOW ME: I’d love you to follow me on Facebook and Instagram as I’ll be making more videos in the New Year! Also, follow me on Pinterest for decorating ideas and inspiration!

ANSWER TO #7: Every snowflake has six sides because ice has a natural 6-sided crystal structure. Although we see snow as white, a snowflake is actually clear. When light hits snow, all the “color” frequencies bounce around the snow crystal, producing what we see as white. Now you know.

Wishing everyone the Merriest Christmas and Happiest Hannukah! Many blessings on this holy and beautiful day!