I consider myself lucky as I don’t seem to suffer from the January blues (so far) – I actually find it one of the most inspiring months. Chilly enough that I don’t feel bad for staying indoors, but a magical time that highlights what ‘could be’ in the eleven months to follow. Ideas bubbling and plans being imagined. Part of my version of planning is always visual, and this month I am sharing it to celebrate the start of a new year with Katy and Charlotte – ‘Styling the Seasons‘. 
After a medium scale house tidy, (things are about to get more crazy than usual around here – I hear whispers of floors coming up and walls coming down), I started to put together a small collage to inspire things I want to get done this year, places I would like to visit and a few other favourite images to make me smile.
I am embracing a slow and thoughtful start to the year, as I know it’s going to get hectic pretty soon. Today I took a short but bracing walk out on the cliff edge and spotted a plump little Robin in the hedgerow, had fun cracking the frozen streams that run down from the country park under foot – and brewed a cup of chai to warm up when I get back home.
Meanwhile, indoors I have really enjoyed adding a little winter colour for Styling the Seasons, with some early tulips and a few sprigs of another favourite – pussy willow. I think it’s more like bunny tail willow though don’t you? I absolutely adore their pompoms of silver fluff – I have a whole jar of them that I’ve saved over the years, and this lot should keep it topped up.
I hope you are keeping your own spirits up in small but magical ways. Appreciating the details that not everyone may stop and notice. The light each day is getting a few minutes longer, but the smell of wood fires still surrounds us by four o’clock in the afternoon here, like a soothing smokey cloak – it wraps our village up in the crisp winter air. One day I hope one of those crackling fires will belong to us. I have longed for flickering flames ever since we moved out here. For now, I just revel in the scent and wisps of smoke as we walk or drive home.
Have a wonderful weekend – Ireland pictures soon I promise. x
Bunny tail willow – love that idea! Glad you enjoy January, I quite like it, too. It feels slow and purposeful and no pressure to be busy and manic like at other times of the year. Beautiful moodboard and those tulips are perfect xx
Thank you lovely Katy – these STS post are great encouragement to take a couple of creative hours and make something easy on the eye each month!
This was such a beautiful post to read – so nice to read such a positive take on the month of January and all about all of the little things that are making you feel happy and content.
And i love the idea of your moodboard! I’ve got a scrapbook full that I’ve made over the years but it’s been a long while before i lay on my tummy on the rug and fiddled about with real life images and texture instead of Pinterest.
Have a lovey rest of week xxxx
This was such a beautiful post to read – so nice to read such a positive take on the month of January and all about all of the little things that are making you feel happy and content.
And i love the idea of your moodboard! I’ve got a scrapbook full that I’ve made over the years but it’s been a long while before i lay on my tummy on the rug and fiddled about with real life images and texture instead of Pinterest.
Have a lovey rest of week xxxx
Thank you Sally, I am a little obsessed with collaging. This was my old blog, I think you might like it ;) – http://recordtheday.lobsterandswan.com/ Happy Thursday!
oooh! i’ve got a special little section on my blog dedicated to all of my mood-boards. Must get back on it, such a lovely way to wind down and gather inspiration too. I’m off for a peep now xxxxx