But, I have a question: Why is it that though nothing physically has changed, when I drive down my street and look at the houses it FEELS so different on Jan. 1st? Seriously, nothing has physically changed: the wreaths, decorative lights, the odd lawn ornament (big Frosty or Heralding Angel) all look just a little... well, done.
Don't tell me the doldrums kick in that quickly after the glee and glimmer of the holidays. I have a little book of Christmas with about 350 suggestions to make your holiday all the brighter. I've had it for about twenty years. I put a little check by the suggestions fulfilled by my little family foursome. Here's one: Don't count calories from Dec. 16th to Jan. 2nd... check. Shoot. Ok, so the pounds are up; the families have been visited (please tell me I'm not the only one who sometimes struggles with this seemingly Norman Rockwellian scene); the gifts have been opened and added to the rest of my home goods... or returned; and the sounds of Christmas are no more. Every year it's the same thing. Am I alone here? SO, I have some things that I do to help keep the spirit of the season for a little while longer. Please add your thoughts and together we'll move through the winter with a little more lightness and joy.
- I keep my greens and lights up. No kidding. People enter my home and chuckle now because I've done it for so many years. I leave the mantles green, the pots outside, the wreaths, even my TREE (yes, it's real and I'm not recommending it, but I really do it). I LOVE the lights on all those greens.
- I love to light candles. I have different scents for different seasons. I now have pulled out my winter scents - evergreens like balsam and fir, etc.
- I switch my car jars from 'Christmas' to winter. (similar scents to the home candles). I want even my car to smell uplifting!
- I declutter and clean. I don't stress out about it, I just do it as the drawer/closet opens and I see it. Inch by inch...
- I wear happy clothes. Add some color and/or continue with the sparkle somewhere on your self - glossy lips, shimmering eyes, embellished clothing, dangling earrings, giant cocktail (statement) ring, happy shoes, audacious handbag, the most FABULOUS sweaters and coats you can find!
I figure I can whine about the winter doldrums or I can embrace them! What about you? Do you have some yearly traditions or cool ideas you've heard about or tried that you can share with the rest of us?
Hang with me for a one hour Effortless Style show on January the 12th at... 4 AM ET.
You were created to be lovely. Be lovely.
~Nancy
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