HH Town House Living

Christmas is absolutely my favorite season (yes, in my world there are 5 seasons). When it ends, I struggle not to be bummed that “it’s over”. However, I’ve found over the years that I have the power to set the mood in my head and my home. New Years is a moment when we can envision more, and give ourselves permission to dream big and take courageous steps to move forward. If I set the stage in my physical surroundings that creates an atmosphere of possibilities, it sets me and my family up for success in all the new goals we are hoping to achieve in this new year. I’m using this holiday break to take the extra time away from school and schedules to get a vision for what the future holds for my environment and what will bring me and my family joy in the coming winter months. Just like back to school shopping takes the edge off summer ending, heres my home mood checklist that give us a boost for winter.

1. Set the mood with music. Music creates atmosphere and I listen to music seasonally. Of course everyone listens to Christmas music at Christmas time, but I also have certain music that I listen to during different seasons. Do you relate? Right after Christmas I always listen to Earth Wind and Fire. I got their greatest hits for Christmas in early high school (because I was a dork) so I always associate listening to them after Christmas in snowy winter and I love the feeling. I’m also listening to Jane Austen and Henri Mancini soundtracks, and other obscure treasures. Find music that you associate with a nostalgic joy during this time and turn this gloomy time into a winter magic wonderland. You can try my playlist “Winter Mood” by audreyslade on spotify through the link below. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2owsjQ81lHA2d9wil1ed6h?si=baa8bf60e48146f3
2. Set the mood with a clean slate. New Years for me and many others is always time to clear out the house. This is when I am going to clear out the physical junk I’ve been holding onto. Embrace change. Embrace winter minimalism. All the Christmas decorations are going back in the attic stat. The kids have their new toys they received for Christmas so we need to clear out the old. I watch youtube videos to body double while I do this. Body doubling is a strategy to have someone else with you to help accomplish a grueling task (check out dianeindenmark on youtube for this), and I love seeking advice from friends or youtubers for this often challenging though exciting conquest. One way to instantly elevate a space is to simplify it. Remove items. It doesn’t cost anything to declutter, and I’ve found that one of the most luxurious things you can have is clean and simplified living space.
3. Set the mood with establishing a new vision. Create a visual for your mood. Pretend you’re a designer with unlimited resources and create a pinterest board with the images, colors, items that would express your vision for your home and life these winter months. I’ve made a pinterest board “Winter Mood.” I’m going for all things sky blue, twilight light, cashmere winter white and all luxe ski vibes. I’m going to dress and decorate in line with this vision. Why? Though I might not be headed to Switzerland, or going on a designer shopping haul, I’m adding little touches to manifest my inner mood to my physical world. So by painting my nails with a luxe color, putting on a sky blue oversized scarf, and switching out the Christmas green throw pillows for faux fur or navy ones, I’m going to create that vibe in my house and my surroundings, through simple things that don’t cost much if anything, I will establish the atmosphere I’m seeking to create. Check out my pinterest board if you need ideas! https://pin.it/75U19Yhzl . Make use of the color board I created above!
4. Set the mood with cozy. Light a candle, find beautiful mug or teacup with a delicious drink. Cozy up by the fire or a candle with a classic book. One of the best things we discovered as a family was reading aloud at night. We light a fire, everyone gets a cup of tea and listens to Tyler reading. Choose to spend time praying and meditating. I don’t know why it’s so hard for me to get to do this, but when I do, I gain so much!

Hope this inspires and lifts you!

A clear bedside table displaying some favorite items give me “that feeling.”

Drinking from this beautiful heirloom teacup, I enjoy a moment of luxury.

My very talented Aunt Skye (of Skye Home) taught me years ago that the most impactful and cost-effective interior design change you can make is to update your throw pillows!