Happy New Year!

I'm sending warm wishes to all of you a wonderful and safe start to the New Year.

2013 was a challenging year for my family, but I am grateful for every experience and tiny bump, or giant mountain in the road.  I keep pushing forward and tell my sons (always) to do the same, no matter what blessings or setbacks we encounter.

Usually, I'm dancing in the New Year, but his year, I opted for a quite evening at home; changing some things in my home, beautifying my home and preparing anew for the New Year.

There is no fancy NYE dress and bling for me this year.  I did a little shopping, and if I keep my resolution, I will be doing very little shopping in this New Year. **Since I get to dress up often throughout the year, I don't miss this one night of not dressing up**

I am actually imposing a spending moratorium on myself for 2013; I'd like to see how little spending I can do, and how much mileage I can get from my wardrobe without putting out any of the green stuff.  

Yesterday's mini shopping excursion is meant to precede a year of making due with the clothing that I have  and making the most of my wardrobe.  

Hopefully....YOU, my dear readers will agree to help keep me accountable.  

:)

I know this is my responsibility, but would not be at all offended if someone gave me a gentle nudge when I talk about purchasing new-to- me (ask Sheila calls them) clothing.

DANCE doesn't count!  The spending moratorium doesn't apply to dance and dance comps or dresses, shoes and accessories if needed. Dance is the REASON for scaling back!

 One of the primary reasons for scaling back the spending is so that hubby and I can indulge in our hobbies (his is golf) more.  I enjoy EXPERIENCES far more than I do acquiring things.  I love pretty clothes, but I have a closet full of beautiful thrifted clothing and I'm going to make them go to work for me.
I still plan to thrift, because I really enjoy it and its an activity that I can share with my cousin-twin, Rhonda, but I intend to buy only items on my 'hit list' of missing wardrobe items.  At this point, its a pretty short list.
My intention this year is to dance in MORE competitions and take more lessons.  I'm working on moving up the ranks...and will be dancing in a higher category at my next competition!

Here's Barbara Lesser coat I've posted about recently.  It was a lot colder more windy outside than I thought it was.....so I wasn't wearing it well enough to show you how pretty and the cut and silhouette is.  BRRRRR......

I paired gold and turquoise Lia Sophia jewelry...

.....with this pale yellow fine gauge turtleneck sweater. Turquoise and hello look great together, don't they?

These earrings are so much fun.  I  the  love the tiny little hoops on the larger hoop.  I really enjoy wearing my LS jewelry and always feel a littler prettier when I wear it.

This  pic was taken at the dance studio after my lesson last Friday....the boys photo bombed me!  I love Jayme's expression and although he wouldn't want to hear this...his "dance line" is fabulous!  Can you see Peyton's head and arm in the foreground?  Photobombers!

Instead of dancing and dressing up for NYE.....I decide to tweak my house, personalize a bit more, give it the character it was lacking.  Mostly, I used things I had and moved them around to make more sense.  I was looking for warmth, romance, character and charm.  

The larger clock was already on the wall, the black faced clock was on another wall and the other two I purchased on clearance at a little shop in my hometown.  This wall is at the top of the stairs of our bi-level and it was begging for some fun....so I make a "clock wall".  

I've had these caricature drawings of the boys and I for awhile and finally decided to put them in the black frames that the boys generic school photos were in.  

This chest was hiding in Peyton's closet, but was begging to come out.  I put Target closet cubes that I had in my closet into his to replace the chest of drawers and put this beauty front and center in the living room. 

The stoneware vase that I placed on the chest is filled with these glitter twigs will bells on them.  The delicate twigs add just a touch of dimension and texture.

Since the first day of 2013 is the start of the spending moratorium, I purchased this mirror yesterday as a last hurrah.  I had admired it a few times in the Antique store, but it wasn't really on my radar.  On this trip, it jumped out at me!  I think its perfect on top of this dresser (which was thrifted this past summer and was being used in my 'mom cave to store office supplies).  I put the dresser in my bedroom, topped it with the mirror and the floral arch from another spot in the house and now its a perfect place to display my LS jewelry collection.

Isn't this art deco style girlie (jewelry tree) pretty?  I've had a thing for the glamor of the art deco era for a very long time.  She's so pretty!

In my kitchen I added a 'fake' ladder as a bridge between cabinets.  Yeah...its a dated style...but I like the way it looks...

It still needed a little something, so I our white bell and branch Christmas garland on it.  Its staying year 'round.

So that's how I spent my New Year.....making my house pretty.  Dance can wait one night.

WISHING YOU ALL THE VERY BEST IN THIS NEW YEAR.

Hugs and Kisses my friends.