January Obsessed List

Whew, we made it.  The holidays are officially behind us, and I’m serious when I say I’m thankful for that.  I knew that once I made it past the parties, shopping, gift wrapping and all the other craziness there were some exciting things waiting for me around the corner.  Like, designing this little boy’s nursery and a complete overhaul on our living room.  Which might sound like a ton of work for some, but for me I just happen to love designing new rooms in my house more than I love wrapping any toy that’s covered in 10lbs of plastic.  Besides, the month of January always feels fresh and full of promise for a new year, new beginnings and endless possibilities.

The month of January also brings new things to obsess over be inspired by.  So here we go!

Lifestyle – I think that everyone is feeling happy with the weight of the holidays lifted off their shoulders … or waistlines.  It seems that most are looking for that cure-all, miracle diet or exercise program that will whip them back into shape for bikini season.  For me, with a baby due at the beginning of March, my bikini season will hit sometime around fall!  We’ve been making changes to our eating habits here at home for quite some time.  We eat almost 100% organic, and strive to buy local fruits, vegetables and produce.  We’re at the point now of taking it one step further and go to entire clean eating.  I think the term “clean” eating is becoming somewhat trendy as now you see it everywhere.  But in reality it means filling your body with whole, unprocessed foods that are free of artificial ingredients and preservatives.  If it comes from the ground, you’re good.  If it comes from a pretty box, with an ingredient list longer than a roll of toilet paper and ingredients you can’t pronounce then it doesn’t make the cut.  So that’s what we’ve been working hard on these days in our house.  Hopefully, if we stay diligent, my bikini season will come sooner than later.

Inspire – I have always loved black and white photography, but lately I am completely obsessed with it. Something about it I’m drawn to, it’s intriguing to my eye, and I find it more emotional than any other poppy or colorful images out there.  I love this image of Jackie Kennedy playing in the water with one of her children.  Even though you can’t make out the color of the sky or even what colors she was wearing the day this was snapped, the emotion there is real, pure and joyous.  My daughter, Jillian has always loved black and whites.  When I’m editing, she always comments on my black and white conversions first, and sometimes I even hear a little sigh over my shoulder before she mumbles ” … I just love the black and whites”.

Read – Speaking of Jillian, her fascination with reading has really taken off over the past few months.  She can read or attempt to read just about anything she lays her little hazel eyes on these days.  So naturally, there were some of mommy’s favorite books waiting for her under the tree this year.  Yeah, I know.  I’m that mom.  Gives my kid books instead of toys for Christmas.  What a bah humbug!  But regardless, she loooooooves them.  One in particular, Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein.  I loved this book as a child, and even thought for a minute when I had first cracked open one of his magical books that I wanted to be a poet when I grew up.  It’s filled with quirky, silly poems that never fails to get Jillian giggling until she almost can’t stop.

Design – Truly, hopelessly obsessed with chevron.  Whoever started this trend has started a complete design frenzy with it’s jiggity jaggetiness and I don’t see it stopping anytime soon.  It’s got me hook, line and sinker. And whoever you are out there, thank you.  I adore it!  I recently bought this adorable little chevron blanket for my little one, and will somehow manage to squeeze it in somewhere in his nursery even though it doesn’t remotely go with his theme.  See?  Completely obsessed over it.

Love – the thought of having a son.  I’ve been dripping in pink, purple, princesses and fairies for 5 years now, and I’ll admit I’m looking forward to a little switch in gears.  Blue, green, dinosaurs and cars, this house welcomes you with open arms. So why the picture of a vintage car above and what does that have to do with him?  His nursery has a vintage car theme which suits him perfectly and there’s a tiny hint on what his name will be in that image too.  More on his name and how it came to be after his arrival.  But for now, that’s just a little hint.

Create – Oh, Etsy.  I have always loved you.  And gone to you when I can’t find exactly what I need at Target or otherwise.  But you are amazing. Everything and anything my little heart desires can be found on Etsy.  And the best part?  Made with hands.  Here in the U.S.  And not coated in plastic, smelling like dust or works for a day and then it’s junk.  I love that, and I love Etsy.