Good morning, Loves. Is your week off to a good start? Yesterday we had a bit of snow. I love to watch the snow fall from my living room window, it creates the sense of living within the perfect idyllic snow globe. My daughter and I made Chicken, with Broccoli and Cheddar, wrapped in Phyllo Dough, and Chocolate Chip Cookies. It was the perfect comfort food for a cold January day.
This chilly weather makes my desire to nest stronger than ever. Being on a shoestring budget means redoing an entire room is out of the question. I have been considering how I can par down, rearrange to shake things up, and live with only the things I love - without sacrificing style or comfort.
What are your best tips for creating comfort in your home during the winter months?
Thank you to everyone who entered my Janelle McCulloch book giveaway. The winner chosen by Random.org is: Karen of Garden Home and Party. Enjoy, Karen!
Speaking of stylish, I just designed a custom blog, (see below), for a very stylish lady who lives in Paris. She was a complete joy to work with. If you are in need of some design help shoot me an email, I'm accepting design clients for February.








Hi Debby...I too become a nester in these cold months....lots of cooking, bring home fresh flowers weekly or every other, and tons of long hot baths make the winter blahs a little more bearable. All your comfort foods sound heavenly.....love the new blog design!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your day.
Good morning Debbie!
ReplyDeleteLike always, your photo choices are always a great segway into your prose, and I think that the topic of paring down is perfect for these cold days. I have come to the agreement in my head that I am only going to live with things that "Make my heart skip a beat" and I have had to DEFINE them. I love all things French and vintage, so in trying to clear up some space and rooms in the house, I am getting rid of certain things that just CLUTTER and do not give me the breathing room I seek. I want a peaceful environment, so certain colors, textures and "things" just don't do it for me....eliminating has been a huge concept and now practice in my life.
Shoestring budgets are NECESSARY to allow us to pare down and really think about what is necessary NOT JUST to make ends meet, but to decide on how we can live comfortably and with style. The creativity that issues out of that "problem-solving" moment is priceless.
YOUR DINNER SOUNDS FANTASTIC! Enjoy your Tuesday. Anita
Oh warmth and blankets and candles are my essentials but the heating has packed in so for the last week we have been freezing, I love winter I am such a homebird.
ReplyDeleteOh yum! Sounds delish!
ReplyDeleteWe just celebrated Australia Day over the weekend so there were plenty of bbq's, pavlovas and beers! (wine for moi)
C x
Hello Debby,
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures. Being 'on a budget' can make us think more creatively! Most people have far to much 'stuff' and their own true style is harder to come through, or for them to even find it! The run up to building our home, nearly all our belongings were in storage for almost two years, and when it came out, I had a ruthless purge and found that I didn't need half of it! Now I only surround myself with things that I absolutely love, and that inspire me in my surroundings. Less is most definitely more! I am a 'winter baby' and love to nest! All the obvious comforts like candles, a log fire, pampering baths and healthy comfort food help me through the dark, cold months and project planning is also my top tip - planning trips or places I want to visit, projects in our home and especially the continued landscaping of our garden, keeps me motivated and optimistic for what is to come.
Your blog designs are gorgeous.....
Sophia
Beautiful post which made me long for cold weather and snow. It is so humid and warm here...I know there are some who would want my weather...but I am a traditional cold weather nester. I love the smell of soup simmering, and candles glowing. Right now I do not have the furniture for my living room area to be a living room, so I have used one chair, a lamp from Goodwill, and an antique bedside table to convert it to a reading room that I actually like. My front dining room is completely empty and with the wall to wall mirrors it looks like a dance studio. So I need inexpensive creativity to happen there as well. But, I do agree that living on a budget takes us to new places. For winter months, I love candlelight!!
ReplyDeleteI like to think of myself as fabulously stylish - haha!! So you got snow, I sent some from the UK! Thankfully all ours is gone now - it's nice to see the green grass, I missed it!
ReplyDeleteHave a fab Tuesday Hun xoxo
http://www.intotheblonde.com/
Love that header!!!!
ReplyDeleteYum... chicken and broccoli.... and cheese!
Your weekend meal sounded delicious! You are definitely fabulously stylish. A touch of paint, pictures, and accents like a throw really liven a room for winter!
ReplyDeletexoxo,
Chic 'n Cheap Living
Debby,
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, thank you so much! I'm thrilled to have won. I've forwarded my contact information.
Second, I think that is the best thing about winter, it gives us an opportunity to slow down, "nest", eat a few comfort meals...yours sounded delicious.
I recently pared down my own cupboards, closets and drawers and found a few things I hadn't used for awhile and ended up re-styling a couple of living spaces, cost: $0. I'll be eager to see what you come up with, I've no doubt it will be fabulous.
xo,
Karen
A few warm blankets on the couch & lots of beautiful candles make our home nice & cozy for winter.
ReplyDeleteLove your images today, wonderful inspiration. When it comes down to it, the best way for me to spruce up a room, especially in the winter, is to fluff a soft blanket for cuddling on the couch and light a rich vanilla-based or amber candle. Happy Tuesday!
ReplyDeleteYummy! Your comfort food sounds perfect Debby and topping off with some warm CCC pushed me over the edge! Love them right out of the oven.. a little raw on the inside. The snow is the perfect backdrop for snuggling up and nesting a little. We have had some very cold, icy, rainy weather lately but I wish it would snow again. Love the snow days!
ReplyDeletexxL
A beautiful faux fur throw makes everything look and feel so luxuriously cozy, and they're on sale right now! Worth selling some things you don't love. :) Your dinner sounds delish, think I'll go bake some cookies, now!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see the snow for the first time! You've painted such a breathtaking picture, and it certainly is a welcome daydream while we are sweltering through a southern hemisphere summer!
ReplyDeleteThat does sound like the perfect cold weather comfort food! x
ReplyDelete