Holidays at Home?

This season, we all decided we're staying home. All of us, that means the kids who are on opposite coasts, my brother who's in Florida and me here in Los Angeles. The price of gas today is hitting $7.00. Airline ticket prices are crazy to all the places we long to go to - to see each other. So we agreed- short trips yes, easy trips yes. We will see each other soon.

The trip I want most is a day trip to a gorgeous botanical garden, or a local winery with a long farm table for a bespoke dinner with 50 guests out in the field.  My idea of a beautiful holiday day is hiking up into Malibu canyon to the top of the mountain and smelling the trees, the sea air and just breathing, away from the noise of this city Los Angeles.  Back home, after a delicious bath filled with scents of local Ventura County roses in a vase, I want to sit at my stitching table. with all my colorful French wool and silk needlepoint yarns around me, and get lost in my next colorful needlepoint canvas.  My day will end of my horse at dusk, saddling him up, brushing his soft coat , smelling all the barn smells, earthy smells that bring peace.

This is the holiday of quiet self discovery. Pleasing yourself, your family and guests with a beautiful sensory filled experience. A candle , a big comfy sofa piled high with softly textured pillows. Beautiful cozy blankets draped over chairs to provide an impromptu cover for the chilly, or a hiding place for the family dog.

Here is the holiday- not spent in frustrating airports, in taxis , numb from the sensory overload of the daily news. It's the season of nourishment for all your senses.

(photo courtesy of The Pink Door on Main )

Me- I live for my bed, sumptuous, too many pillows, too many covers, mismatched samples but deliciously cozy. 

I know many of you do too. When I'm done my work for the day, I open the door to the bedroom and I feel a huge sense of peace and joy. I know the happy feeling I get when I dive into my own comfy pile of plump pillows covered in my linens and velvets , surrounded by my beautiful prints. It is heaven.  And then there's a chunky dog or two in there.

So please yourself this season. Find a piece to update your bed with, a pillow , pillowcase or a bed cover.

 

t's such a quick way to transform your experience. Be creative , and create the spaces at home that you love, and that will be inviting for those that you want to bring home to join you. So  as we countdown to the upcoming crazy holiday season, slow down , and create the most meaningful holiday season that you will love , and surround yourself with creativity ( needlepoint a stocking , knit a sweater) , and discover yourself. That will be your best gift.

x

Andrea