My word for 2014

via PINTEREST

Happy New Year, Friends!

Like many of you at this time of year, I have been struggling with whether or not to set any New Year's Resolutions… struggling because, really… what's the point in setting them when they are the same handful of things every year and I accomplish none of them?  Hence - I typically choose not to set any so I have not failed on January 2nd and doomed myself for the rest of the year. Sound familiar?

But something about 2014 feels different.

via Pinterest

I have been noticing a lot of friends and bloggers have been selecting a word for the year.  While I did not really understand much about it, I was quite intrigued by this idea... so I set out to do a little research on the topic and I LOVE what I have discovered.

So - this whole notion of selecting a word for the year is to help you narrow down and focus on a goal, a desire, a life change…whatever happens to be speaking to you in your life yet you have not been able to fine tune and articulate.  It is a brilliant concept, really.

Following the advice of fellow blogger, Ali Edwards, I started with the LIST she published last year and my process was this… I wrote down any word on the list that grabbed me.  When I got to the end, I had 22 words written down. 

What I found was almost mind blowing... they really all connected to one another… a theme, of sorts, emerged that reflected some words actually acting as building blocks to others.  Next, I grouped the words that went together and crossed them off the list one by one.  What I discovered was a bright, clear path leading me to the last word on the list.  And you will never guess… It is EXACTLY the right word for me for 2014.

(Humor me with the biz school flow chart…)

So my word for 2014 is ACCOMPLISH!

I am so excited, I can hardly stand it.  Now that I have my WORD FOR THE YEAR, it seems ridiculously easy to set a few personal and professional goals.  This was an amazingly easy exercise for the amount of enlightenment it provided.  Bring on the new year!

What's your word of the year?  I would love to know!

                                                       xx,

Design Inspiration: My house at Christmas

All photos by tiffany jones interiors

I have had several readers email me and ask how I decorate for Christmas at my house.  Here you go…In my world, simple rules….  

All my best to you and yours for a magical Holiday season.

                                                       xx, 

The Love of Entertaining: Last Minute Holiday Hostess Gift Guide

BEAUTY AT HOME by AERIN LAUDER

LAFCO Pastille Soaps

LE PETIT COQUEREL Savingnon Blanc

EAU D'ITALIE BATH SALTS

SPHERE WINE STOPPER
from Aerin Lauder's new home collection

In need of a last minute hostess gift this holiday season?  These are 5 of my favorites!

And when you really need something special, in my book…. there is no better gift than the beautiful Bacarrat crystal butterfly.  It is something I love to give and receive and comes in a fabulous color selection... perfect any hostess.

BACARRAT LUCKY BUTTERFLY

xx,

Design Inspiration: The Collection, Part 2

2013 Grand Baroque Christmas Cross

my own Christmas tree

In September,  I did a post on organizing a collection of like items as a way of styling and creating a bigger design impact. Well - here comes Part 2 and it relates to decorating for the Holidays.  

This time of year, many people have special collections that become part of their decorating.  I have seen Santa Clauses, nutcrackers, Christmas villages and ornaments…. I have a collection of  Wallace Sterling Grande Baroque Christmas Crosses.  I mentioned in my earlier post that through the process of collecting, you are better able to tell the story about why these items are so special and this post is making that case exactly.  

In 1996, Wallace Silversmiths made their first ever Grande Baroque Cross.  In November of 1996, my husband and I were married and Grande Baroque was our sterling pattern.  We graciously received one as a gift and at the time did not realize it would become a collection.  We now have all 18.

As you can see above, they look beautiful on the Christmas Tree but it does not allow me to showcase the collection aspect.  Through the years I have looked for more creative ways of arranging smaller groupings. (18 pieces is a lot of pieces to "collect" in one place!)

For the past few years I have made a display in one of the kitchen windows.  I really like it.  It is simple but I think makes a nice statement.  

(FAB blue & white jar from THE PINK PAGODA!)

Do you have a special collection for the holidays?

                                                     xx,

DESIGN INSPIRATION: Pantone's 2014 COLOR OF THE YEAR!

RADIANT ORCHID

PANTONE Color of the year 2014

In the design world, whether it is Interior Design or Fashion or anywhere in between on the design spectrum where the use of color is a dominant element, the announcement of  PANTONE'S COLOR OF THE YEAR is always anxiously awaited.  It becomes the key trendsetter for everything from handbags...to fabrics...to paint… and so on.  

While I always find it exciting to hear the new color, I was especially thrilled with this year's selection as RADIANT ORCHID is one of my FAVORITE COLORS!!!   It has been the color of my dining room walls for the past 3 years and I do find it truly radiant.


Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute® describes the color in this way:

“An invitation to innovation, Radiant Orchid encourages expanded creativity and originality, which is increasingly valued in today’s society.”  “An enchanting harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones, Radiant Orchid inspires confidence and emanates great joy, love and health. It is a captivating purple, one that draws you in with its beguiling charm.” www.tiffanyjonesinteriors.com On my walls, I have used MANUEL CANOVAS' pattern called PALI. I agree completely that it inspires confidence and emanates great joy.  It is the happiest color I have ever used in any of my projects and because it is at my own house, I get to enjoy it every single day.  Truly a mood changer. ( and much to my dismay is no longer produced in this color!) I invite you to bring a little RADIANT ORCHID into your life somewhere in 2014. A flower, a small accessory, your office painted this fabulous new color.  I promise… you will be completely charmed by it!                                      xx,