I just treated myself to this arrangement of spring flowers, to add some cheerful spring colors to my porch

Happy St. Brigid’s Day!

LOVELY HOLIDAYS, FESTIVALS AND FUN:

Imbolc – February 1 and 2

Candlemas – February 2

Superbowl Sunday – February 6

Chinese New Year – February 3

Valentine’s Day – February 14

President’s Day – February 21

Mardi Gras – March 8

Easter – April 24

Which holidays and celebrations are you looking forward to taking part in? Are you hosting any parties or events?

QUICK THINGS TO DO TODAY:

• Need to buy any stamps? Many of us are paying bills online now, but you still need interesting paper stamps to mail attractive handwritten letters and personalized notecards.
• Review January in your mind. How did you do on your New Year’s resolutions (if you made any?) Have you been eating well, exercising, making time for friends and family, spending quality time with partner, kids and pets? Made time for charity, stuck to your budget, read a book or two you enjoyed, kept up with the news? What will you do differently in February?
• Look over upcoming birthdays in this new month of February. Write cards, arrange to have gifts or flowers sent.
• Pay bills, mortgage/rent, etc.
• Make upcoming dentist, doctor, veterinarian, and salon appointments for the month for yourself and family members.
• Make menu plans for the week, and create grocery list.
• Laundry done so you’re going into the workweek with clean clothes, empty laundry baskets and a clean, tidy laundry room? Sleeping on fresh clean sheets tonight?

TODAY’S PROJECT: Fireplace

Victorian Fireplace Screen, on Amazon

This winter, as always, I’m using my fireplace quite often – probably every night. Not to heat my home, but to make it cozy and cheerful. Especially when my hard-working roommate rides his bike home 10 miles late at night in the cold. I like to have a warm fire lit and candles burning when he arrives home in the dark. Plus it’s a nice way for me to wind down my evening – a cup of chamomile tea in front of a cheerful fire, pets clustered around me snoozing!

So today my project is to make sure my fireplace and surrounding area are in great condition for my next fire this evening. I’ll clean out the ashes, vacuum the carpet around the fireplace, and wash the glass fireplace windows. Next I’ll dust off (but not take time to polish) the fireplace tools, and straighten my fire logs as they rest in the holder. I keep a basket of small firestarters and kindling wood next to the fireplace as well, and that will need tidying and vacuuming underneath too.

Cleaning the fireplace windows is the most time consuming part, as they get quite smoky. When I’m done washing them, I’ll load wood into the fire ready to light later tonight. Next I’ll replenish the wood, kindling and matches I keep next to the fireplace. I’ll take inventory and probably buy some more Duraflames and firewood at Home Depot today.

I will replace the burned out candle on the mantel with a fresh new one (a bright cheery red, for the upcoming Valentine’s Day) waiting to light when it gets dark tonight.

Do you have a decorative fireplace screen that needs to be cleaned off as well? I use fireplace screens in the summer or when guests bring their small children over.

LOVELY ART: Pulp Fashion Exhibit

I so hope this turns into a traveling exhibition and comes to Seattle! Isabella de Borchgrave recreates historical costumes from rag paper. This exhibit features dresses based on gowns worn by Elizabeth I and Marie-Antoinette, as well as more modern fashions designed by Frederick Worth, Paul Poiret, Christian Dior, and Coco Chanel. If you have a bit of spare cash laying around and you love fashion, you might want to grab a cheap flight to San Francisco for a weekend this spring. The show runs from
February 5, 2011 through June 5, 2011.

http://legionofhonor.famsf.org/

LOVELY BLOGS: The Simply Luxurious Life

“Ideas for a lovely, stylish, fulfilling and decadent life.” Besides enjoying her blog, don’t miss her latest newsletter, Creating a Simply Luxurious Year.” I think you’ll really enjoy and benefit from her month-by-month tips. Lately she’s posted about the coffee table as center of attention in your home; achieving grand things little by little; and taking control of your spending. This is rapidly becoming one of my favorite blogs!

http://www.thesimplyluxuriouslife.com/

LOVELY HOME: Fleur de Sel

New at Williams-Sonoma: Fleur de Sel hand wash, lotion, and dish soap. They also make an all-purpose cleaner and a counter spray. It’s scented with verbena and juniper, along with lily and rose. I’m looking forward to freshening my guest bathroom with the hand soap and lotion. Plus, my guest bathroom is done in chocolate brown and light blue, so the colors will go nicely together too!

LOVELY WEBSITES: High Gloss Magazine

Another fancy, slick web style/decor magazine premiered this morning. You can flip through the pages of the magazine online, ads and all. This issue includes Must Have Wardrobe Staples, Embracing Color in One’s Wardrobe and Home, tips on serving breakfast in bed, some home makeovers, an article on pillows, links they love, and other stylish topics. I like to read it set to fullscreen so I don’t have to squint at the fonts. What do you think of this magazine?

http://www.highglossmagazine.com/

LOVELY LINKS FOR TODAY:

The Blizzard Cocktail (Martha Stewart)

Cast Iron Apple Cobbler (Worth the Whisk)

Homemade Chocolate Indulgences (Victoria Magazine)

Faberge Opens Pop-Up Shop (PSFK)

Harry Potter’s Butterbeer (Gourmet Mom on the Go)

Maximize Your Day (Woman’s Day)