Today I’ll tidy up the bathrooms, do a load of laundry, empty the dishwasher, then that’s it for tonight. Plenty of time to clean in the upcoming festive holiday months. Now it’s time to spend some energy on me.
QUICK THINGS TO DO TODAY:
- Need to tidy bathrooms or do laundry?
- Have everything you need from the grocery store? Milk, butter, eggs, bread, lettuce, tomatoes?
- Thanksgiving is a little over a month away. Do you know where you’re going, if you’re hosting, if you’re traveling? Need to make any plans? If you’re traveling or going to someone else’s house, do you have a hostess gift?
- Any old friends you wish you could catch up with? Treat yourself to a nice long distance phone call tonight, if your friend has time
TODAY’S PROJECT: One More Day of Pampering
After I’m done working today, I am going to lie around in bed with tea, magazines and a couple books I’m eager to finish reading. I have a pileup of Cooking Light, Martha Stewart, Rachael Ray and Oprah magazines, and the last three or four chapters of “Mini Shopaholic” to finish. I might write a couple letters, but only the fun kind, not “chore” letters like birthdays and holiday cards.
Tomorrow I will go to Target to begin my Christmas shopping. Every year, I try to have all my Christmas shopping (and the bulk of the wrapping) done by December 1st. Because I spread my shopping out over several months, beginning in August, I have more “fun money” left in December than I would if my entire December spending money budget had to go towards gifts.
That way in December I can still afford to go out to dinner, buy myself a holiday party dress, and treat myself to the occasional book, magazine, candle, or new lipstick.
And every year when many of my friends and family members are braving snow, wind, cold, rain, and crowds at the mall the third week in December, I’m sitting in my cozy home, with a cup of rum-infused hot cocoa in front of my fireplace, watching TV and reading books and relaxing; all the while staring at the lovely wrapped pile of presents ready to be given out to my loved ones. I’ll admit to feeling quite smug every time!
LOVELY DECOR: Alsace Tablecloths
These lovely new tablecloths at Williams-Sonoma were based on an antique French fabric. I’m having a hard time controlling myself from buying one – I already own more than enough seasonal fall tablecloths. I just love the colors and flowery design on this one so much!
Alsace Tablecloths, at Williams-Sonoma
LOVELY LINKS FOR TODAY:
Bewitching Black Rooms (House Beautiful)
Coastal Colors: Citrus (Coastal Living)
Halloween Decor That Isn’t Tacky (House Beautiful)
Halloween Parties Both Scary & Scrumptious (Dallas Morning News)
17 Frightfully Good Halloween Cupcakes (Better Homes & Gardens)
16 Seasonal Squash Recipes (Babble)
Spooky Glam Halloween Decor (AZ Central)
Jennifer Lamont Leo
Just wanted to say how much I appreciate your blog. It encourages me to pay attention to the little things that can make such a difference in our quality of life. Thank you for writing it.
Carrie
Thank you very much Jennifer!