..."Embracing the beauty in everyday living"

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

~Resolutions to Live Beautifully in 2013!~

Happy New Year, Everyone!! 

Hope you all had a wonderful holiday season!! We had a wonderful surprise on Christmas Day...SNOW!! We have not had a White Christmas in many, many years. While many of you get this on a regular basis, it is always a treat in this part of the South. How perfect to enjoy dinner, in the dining room, surrounded by a beautiful, wintry scene! It was picture perfect! 


I wish I had taken pictures of the house; but, I was busy with Christmas dinner. 
It really was a beautiful sight!

Well, the decorations have all been packed away; and I have been looking at things I'd like to tweak. We're still pretty happy with our home; so, we don't anticipate a lot of 'major' projects. However, we have made a couple of resolutions for ourselves.

Resolution One:
"Use Our Stuff"... in 2013!!

What does that mean??

Have you noticed that we tend to keep the "good stuff" put away for company or entertaining? We have decided that there will be no more "everyday dinnerware" and "formal dinnerware"! We are using it all...EVERYDAY! The silver is staying out...

Tiffany’s

the crystal is staying out...

We are using all of the "good" flatware sets... 


And china...


No more saving the "good stuff" for company!
In fact, we're already using it...we're enjoying it...and we're going to add more!! LOL!!

Resolution Two:
We Will Entertain More!!

Isn't it sad that we only see some of our friends, during the holiday season? Our lives get so busy that we only get together for holiday parties? Well, since we're going to be using the "good stuff" anyway, we might as well invite others over to enjoy it with us! So, you will probably be seeing more tablescapes here in 2013!



Aside from that, I will still be sharing my decor, thrift finds, and anything else that might be of interest to you. Also, feel free to join me on Pinterest! The link can be found on the top, right side of my blog. I spend quite a bit of time there, these days.

What about you? Have you made any resolutions for 2013?
I'd love to hear from you!

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47 comments:

  1. I'd say get healthy... but I say that every year. And then I have a cookie. I'd like to be a bit more organized with my schedule and step out a bit more and try new things. I did a bit last year, and I'd like to keep that going :) You had some great ideas. Use it and enjoy it!! They are all special days.

    Happy New Year!!!!

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  2. Lucky you! I wish we would get a snow day too. It's still early though so I still have hope. I know how magical it is to have an unexpected and uncharacteristic white Christmas. We had one the year before last. That's is VERY rare! It was my favorite Christmas because of it. It snowed in the afternoon and was thick enough to go sledding that evening. The whole neighborhood was out in it. It was like one big party while everyone's Christmas lights were on. I'll always remember it. I like the fact that you're planning on using your nice stuff everyday. I think you should! After all, you don't have little ones anymore. You should enjoy it! Hope you have a great new year too.

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  3. Shenita I am so with you!! Why not use the good stuff for everyday...who is more special than our own family. We had snow here as well and loving how pretty it all looks. So happy to get to know you too this year...a very special new friend. God bless you and wishing you and yours a very happy and healthy new year!! Cheers!!!!Xo Barbara

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  4. I think you have the right idea. USE IT, I mean seriously in the end, its just stuff:)

    I took care of that last year by giving all the GOOD STUFF away lol. I knew several gals who had started housekeeping only a few years ago and who loved to entertain so I split it all up among them and havent given it another thought or missed it a bit, but thats just Me..
    I hope you and all your family and guests enjoy every moment with all your beautiful things. use it till ya wear it out.

    Happy New Year

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  5. Shenita, Awesome resolutions! You are so right! Wishing you the best in 2013. Happy New Year!

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  6. Shenita, great resolutions! Sometimes I wonder, just what am I saving my "good stuff" for? LOL! I think I'll vow to use mine too! ...I look forward to seeing more great tablescapes from you this year! You set a beautiful table! :) And I'm sure your guests will be in awe as well! ~Happy New Year!

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  7. I'd like to get healthier this year. I agree--- use the good stuff! Thanks for being a great blog friend. Happy New Year, Shenita! xo

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  8. Happy New Year, Shenita! That's a wonderful resolution, especially since it's all so pretty.

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  9. Wasn't the snow just wonderful? We loved it. There were snowball fights in our backyard on Christmas Day.

    Your resolution is a really good one. We should do the same. We have so many beautiful things that never see the light of day.

    This year I want to read more, exercise, and get out!!

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  10. I think those are great resolutions!! You have inspired me. Wishing you the very best in 2013!!!

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  11. Oh, I so agree. Beautiful post, my friend.

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  12. Oh, wow! You had a white Christmas. What a treat! I usually don't make resolutions, but I like yours. May I use them?...especially the entertaining more, one. Hope you had a lovely Christmas and New Year.
    Babs

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  13. I totally agree. However I have so many sets of dishes I DO get to use alot of them, I enjoy doing tables. However, in this new house I am going to try to to different tables just for US and not rely every night on our "everyday" dishes. Thanks for that inspiration. We got a dusting of snow on Christmas eve, it was so pretty to be sitting at the table and watching it fall. The very best to you in 2013, Shenita!!!!! XO, pinky

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  14. Happy New Year. I agree make everyday beautiful.

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  15. I agree...we should use of "good stuff"...Resolutions....this year I am not making any!...I decided that I get frustrated in not accomplishing my "resolutions"...so my resolution is to "take it one day at a time"...to live in the moment...to celebrate life.....The snow looks beautiful...I love i when it snows here, but love it more when it is gone the next day!!!...
    Happy New Year Shenita!!

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  16. Happy New Year Shentia! So glad you got snow for Christmas, we did too and I was so excited! Can't wait to see what you come up with in 2013! :)

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  17. Happy New Year Shenita!! I look forward to seeing all your beautiful creativity this year!

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  18. Shenita,
    You go, girl!!!
    I agree that we, too, should entertain MORE often in our home!!!
    NOT all of our friends are retired so that makes getting together
    a "tad" bit more difficult. Everyone is busy with something, it seems!
    Love the silver, crystal, dishes and look forward to seeing more of
    your lovely tables and home decor in 2013!!!
    Happy New Year, Health & Prosperity to you,dear friend!!!
    Fondly,
    Pat

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  19. Happy New Year to you Shenita. I love your resolutions, what are we saving things for anyway?
    I just want to live more intentionally this year, and to not waste time!
    I will look forward to seeing more of your beautiful home this year.

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  20. That sounds like good resolutions! Have a blessed New Year Shenita!
    Sherry

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  21. Good for you for using the GOOD stuff! We did this a couple of years ago and it feels OH so GOOD! Happy New Year! :)
    Kristi

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  22. I hope you have a wonderful new year.....great idea, get the good stuff out!

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  23. I made that resolution about using the good china and silver for everyday about 7 years ago. Have enjoyed it so much

    Happy New Year

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  24. So funny that you should post this. We are also using our good stuff - well, good to us anyway :) because we never know when our time is over. Having cancer made that lesson hit me right over the head. Use the good stuff! Laugh more, hug more, love more, live every day so that it's your best day!

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  25. I LOVE that picture of the snow! Beautiful! You have wonderful resolutions! :)

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  26. How wonderful, snow! We never have snow here in the city, but only in the Andean mountains and yeah, I miss it this time of year! Great photo too! I love all your elegant images, specially thta fkatware one..lovely. Thank you for the sweet and kind comments lovely Shenita, you are such a special friend! Wish you and yours a terrific, happy and healthy new year 2013!
    FABBY

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  27. I love your resolutions, Shenita! Gorgeous post! I agree...always use the "good stuff".

    Happy New Year!

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  28. Happy New Year to you sweet, Shenita! Sorry I'm so late visiting. I'm so envious of your white Christmas. How wonderful! Looking forward to spending time with you this year.

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  29. I totally am in sync with your two resolutions. I couldn't agree more about using the "good" stuff everyday! What are we saving it for anyway? You were lucky to have a beautiful white Christmas.

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  30. So beautiful......
    Happy New Year!
    ~Des

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  31. Oh that image of snow is just gorgeous! Thank you for sharing it with the Arizona gal!

    I ADORE your resolution. Here! Here!

    May you have a lovely, peaceful and prosperous New Year!

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  32. What an amazing treat to have a white Christmas! It will never happen here in the Sacramento Valley. so it's just dreamy to me. I love the photo with the snow fall. I think you are so right...use everything and make lots of memories. Growing up my mom used all the pretty collectibles all the time. It's something I will always remember. I thought it was always pretty and special. Some of dishes have since broken, but the memories remain. :)
    Karen

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  33. Just stopped by to say hello and thank you for linking up to the Curb Alert! Friday Block Party! I am so jealous of your SNOW! The last snow we have seen here in Houston was in 2004. It was pretty special though since it was on Christmas eve! Wishing you a Happy 2013!!! Looking forward to seeing your beautiful ideas.
    Tami @ Curb Alert!
    http://tamicurbalert.blogspot.com/

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  34. I try and use my stuff too. Why keep it stored away. get it out and use it. love this post. Happy New Year wishes and thank you for sharing at the hop. I hope you will stop by again soon. I posted the new giveaway! xo

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  35. Good idea! I have often said "why are we preserving things- we need to use them". I have made no resolutions. The need to lose weight is always there so It's sort of a silent resolution that I always have! That's pretty cool that you had snow for Christmas!

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  36. So true! We should use our good stuff and have lots of get togethers with family and friends all throughout the year!!!
    Happy New Year Shenita!
    Blessings,
    Cindy

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  37. Wow! Snow was an awesome gift! We were in TX but didn't get any. On the way home, I pointed out all of the cars with snow on them to my kids. That's as close as we got! lol Love your new year's resolutions. Have a happy one!

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  38. Shenita, Happy New Year to you also!! I'm so glad you got a white Christmas. We did not although we got a little dusting before and after. I agree with you about using the good stuff! I rotate dinnerware throughout the year so I get to use something special for each season, etc. Thanks for always stopping by! You are always so uplifting and encouraging:-)

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  39. Shenita, I started using my good stuff last year, wow what a revelation...I use my white lenox plates for every day and they are always perfect and they don't chip...guess the good stuff is more then just pretty...lol...my friend Mary just started her very first blog and her first posting she is at mydogsmygardenandmary.blogspot.com she will be surprised and over the moon to get a comment or a follower....phyllis

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  40. Hi darling, better late than never huh? I think many of us have decided to use our things all year long, after all why have them if we can't enjoy them. Happy Happy New Year darling. hugs ~lynne ~

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  41. My goodness, now we are both traveling on the same gracious entertaining train. You're going to have so much fun! Cherry Kay

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  42. I think you have a great idea. use the good stuff. Why let it collect dust.
    I try to make it a point to use almost everything. Have a hotdog on your best china....LOL

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  43. Hey Shenita, I do the same thing and I couldn't agree more. I'm using everything from now on! silver, china, crystal, all of it! We should use it and enjoy it. You have so many beautiful things and you should enjoy them. Lucky you, you've had snow. We haven't even come close this year. Right now it's hot and I have the A/C on. We are expecting thunderstorms and rain so it will probably turn cool.
    Hope your new year is off to a great start, Happy New Year........

    ~Emily
    The French Hutch

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  44. Happy New Year, Shenita! Great resolutions, I agree. Life is too short to wait for special. We have to MAKE every day special! It's going to be a great year!
    Hugs,
    Patti

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  45. Happy New Year, sweet blog friend! The snow was wonderful, wasn't it?!! Yes, it is January 11th and I am just now leaving my New Years greetings :) Abby is still here until Sunday and we are making the most of every moment! I hope you enjoyed your holiday with your girlies (it sounds like you did!) and I could not agree with you more about living our lives with our treasures. It's a resolution of ours too, so expect an invitation in 2013, even though my house is not as perfect as I would like and my projects aren't as done as I would hope. But being together with friends is the best treasure ever. Thank you for all of your sweet comments and your encouragement this past year, and I look forward to a new year of friendship and comaraderie!!! Blessings to you all and we will meet up in 2013 :)))
    xoxoxo, Andrea

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  46. Happy New Year and how wonderful that you got snow for Christmas. I love your images and your resolutions too. I had a single aunt that used her silver everyday. I loved that. It makes everything feel special and every day should be special.

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  47. Happy New Year and I agree, keep your beautiful "stuff" out all the time. I so look forward to seeing all your wonderful posts for 2013.

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