The holidays are a time of magic, and mania, aren’t they? We are all so busy making merry, shopping for gifts for loved ones, baking and cooking, and entertaining, that we risk running ourselves ragged. Take a moment to stop and refuel yourself. Here are my top 5 refresh strategies:
Refresh 1: Pour Yourself a Cup of Cheer
When you’ve wrung the last ounce of energy from your hard-working holiday-making self, what is your favorite beverage to indulge in? Mine is hot cocoa: Steaming, creamy rich, liquid chocolate heaven in a cute-as-a-button mug. When I come home on a freezing cold winter night, chilled to the bone, all I want to do is soak in the tub while I drink a cup of cocoa. Perhaps this is why I will never be thin …
Filling yourself with your favorite beverage is only half the fun. The other is enjoying the indulgence of serving it up in a beautiful mug or glass, stirring things up with a sweet little spoon, perhaps balancing it all on a lovely plate. When you have the right dishes, even the simple things in life become luxurious.
Refresh 2: Get Your Beauty Sleep
We’ve always known it; science has proven it: A good night’s sleep does wonders for our physical and mental wellbeing. Unfortunately, too few of us get the shuteye we need every night, especially during the hurly burly holiday season.
I am convinced that a good night’s sleep starts with the sheets. I am kinda OCD about my sheets. I like high quality cotton sheets that are freshly ironed (yes, I literally iron my sheets, and yes, I can see you rolling your eyes right now!). There is something magical to me about slipping into those crisp, soft sheets. Next, I like to pile up my bed with layers of blankets. I sleep best when the room is chilly, buried under a stack of quilts and comforters. Maybe this is a result of living in a drafty old house!
Refresh 3: Indulge in Some Eye Candy
Those of us who love beautiful spaces need to indulge ourselves is books and magazines and Pinterest boards filled with decorating eye candy, don’t we? These beautiful tomes, filled with gorgeous photos of homes we’d love to live in (or at least visit!) restore our creativity and rekindle our passion to feather our own nests.
My prepare-myself-for-the-world morning ritual includes thirty minutes with a decorating book. Bundled up under a throw, cup of coffee in hand, I join homeowners and designers on their journeys to make their spaces beautiful. Right now, my decorating book faves are:
One Man’s Folly: The Exceptional Houses of Furlow Gatewood, by Julia Reed
Besides having a fabulous name, Furlow Gatewood has a singular ability to use antiques in his decor so they look fresh, not like your grandmother’s parlor. Furlow is an antique dealer in New York who refers to his homes as “laboratories.” One of the tips I gained from Furlow was to use light colors with my antiques so they don’t look stale and stuffy.
Veranda A Passion for Living: Houses of Style and Inspiration, by Carolyn Englefield
I will never live in a luxurious European home. But I can visit them every day through indulgent books like this one. Chock full of take-me-away photos, the book features 30 stunning homes in France, Italy, Switzerland and Sweden. Threaded throughout the photos are tips from top designers on how to create drool-worthy interiors.
Nell Hill’s: Rooms We Love, by Mary Carol Garrity
Do you have a copy of my latest book? It features the interiors of my home and a few of my dear friends. I hope you like it! We carry them in our stores, so give us a call if you’d like us to ship an autographed copy: 877-746-4320. You can also order the book from any online bookseller.
Another great escape is to lose yourself in Pinterest. Come check out our Nell Hill’s boards, and pin them to your own!
The Shoebox, by Lisa Fernandez
It’s also wonderful to hit the pause button on your chaotic schedule to enjoy a take-me-away read. Maybe your favorite is a romance novel or a mystery. Recently, my friend Lisa Fernandez sent me a copy of her novel, The Shoebox. It was so fun to read this story of love, loss and regret, especially since I know the author (the pic above is of Lisa and me during one of my open houses)!
Refresh 4: Treat Yourself to Luxurious Bath Products
When you’re tired and weary from holiday shopping, baking, wrapping and decorating, give yourself a mini spa break with some luxurious bath products. It may be as simple as some lovely scented hand cream in your purse to keep those dry winter hands happy. Or a favorite body butter to use after you shower to hydrate and heal your body and mind and spirit. There is something wonderful about the silky texture and alluring aroma that just does us good.
Since I end every day with a long, indulgent soak in the tub, I’m always on the lookout for fabulous bath products. Right now I’m hook-line-and-sinker in love with Lollia products.
I discovered them at market a few years ago and knew I had to start carrying them at Nell Hill’s. My favorite scents are the Relax foaming bath and the Calm hand cream.
Refresh 5: Nosh on Some Yummies
OK, all you health nuts out there, whose idea of an indulgent snack is an extra carrot stick or two, you might want to quit reading. Because when I’m bone-dead tired from the holiday crazies, I crave baked goods. Rich, gooey, flakey, sinfully high-calorie croissants and éclairs and cookies and cakes and pies and … oh my goodness, I got carried away there.
My friend Tracy, who owns the French Bee Bakery in Parkville, Mo., keeps me supplied with the best pastries in the world. It’s super easy for me to swing by her bakery in this adorable old river town on my way to work. I fill up a box with an assortment of bite-sized treats to share with the Nell Hill’s team or with guests when I entertain. Even though these appropriately portioned treats are just the right size for a little indulgence, I don’t just eat one. This is another reason I will never be thin.
Next Week … What decorating trends will be hot in 2015? I’ll share the predictions of one of my favorite designers …
Sheryl McGowan says
December 22, 2014 at 8:58 amMerry Christmas….and thank you for all the inspiration you share. I love all that you present….
Sheryl
Sherry says
December 22, 2014 at 3:13 pmGreat ideas. I also iron my sheets and pillowcases, there is nothing like that look or feeling you described.
MERRY CHRISTMAS! Thanks for all the joy you give every year and every Monday!
Gail LeMay says
December 22, 2014 at 3:42 pmThis posting was a bit of R&R all unto itself. Great read before tackling the second half of the today’s checklist!
Joan says
December 22, 2014 at 4:07 pmThanks for the ideas for decorating reads. It’s interesting that you regroup that way, as your books continue to be a favorite source of ideas when I need inspiration.
Joan Whelan says
December 22, 2014 at 4:57 pmI love your column every week.thank you so much for all your inspirations. Merry Christmas. Keep up the wonderful work.
Ella Koch says
December 22, 2014 at 6:35 pmPlan in advance be prepared to make a switch if required. Be sure to have fun at your own parties and your guests will have more fun as well ! I Too love your store and posts…
Nance Overman says
December 22, 2014 at 6:43 pmMy pet peeve is hanging my sheets outdoors. They smell wonderful.
Mary Carol says
December 22, 2014 at 7:32 pmThanks, all, for your comments!
Lisa Fernandez says
December 22, 2014 at 7:36 pmI am giddy from this post. So humbled and thrilled you picked my book. You are the best.
Thanks for all your support with it. And I love all your picks and ideas as well.
Much love and Merry Christmas to you and all the lovely Nell Hill ladies.
So excited to see my name on your post. I have read it five times already and sent it to everyone I know.
You made my Christmas.
Love you
Lisa
Sandy says
December 22, 2014 at 7:59 pmOMG!! I always knew you were my kindred spirit!!! I am in TOTAL agreement with everything you put in your post…… and yes…. I too iron my sheets and my guests feel so pampered when they turn in and find them. LOVE your Blog!! Merry Christmas – Sandy
Andrea says
December 22, 2014 at 10:34 pmDo you happen to carry those ADORABLE checked latte cups? Merry Christmas!
Maria says
December 22, 2014 at 11:39 pmCan’t wait to get your new book. Terrific advice during these hectic days
Ann Mingo says
December 23, 2014 at 4:48 amYour blog is a pleasure to read. Your Language is lively, Your attitude lovely and I adore your honesty!
franki says
December 23, 2014 at 9:14 amYes…but I’ll wager you are CLEAN!! Luv the bath and bon-bons (chocolate!) Oh, dear…I iron my sheets, pillow cases, too…it’s a “thing” and it “works for me!’ Now…off to have yet more hot chocolate (with Bailey’s!!) franki
Mary LaGuire says
December 23, 2014 at 10:55 amI read your comment about sheets and I’m in the market for some new ones. Where do you recommend I purchase them from? Do you sell sheets? I moved away a couple of years ago out of state and miss your store so much (my husband Greg LaGuired wired the Briarcliff Village store), do you sell online? I think I just need to make a trip there but its 12 hours!!!! I think its worth it. Merry Christmas!
Debbie Futhey says
December 23, 2014 at 2:11 pmThanks for keeping it real!!!! Everything except ironing your own sheets. 🙂 I love all your writings! You are adorable~!
Betsy Swartwood says
December 23, 2014 at 3:14 pmI am interested inn purchasing the red and white checked mug and saucer you show i your last update. I would like a set of 6. Please advise how to purchase some of your products when Louisville i so far away from Kansas City. Merry Christmas to you all!
Betsy Swartwood
BARBARA says
December 23, 2014 at 8:15 pmThank you Mary Carol , for all your comments, pictures, and great ideas , all this make me wish to meet you in person; and visit your stores ; you project your self as a beautiful and cheerful person , God bless you always and may all your days full of love an joy.
Feliz Navidad = Merry Christmas for you your family and friends. From Quito – Ecuador.
Barbara
Carol K. says
December 23, 2014 at 8:30 pmI am also “on the search” for some good cotton sheets if anyone can share their favorites. I also iron sheets and prefer the ones with some substance. Can’t wait to hear from you—-what a great gift in being able to anticipate a moment of pure joy!!! Thanks to anyone who is able to help.
Traci Bray says
December 23, 2014 at 10:57 pmSo-enjoyed this post, your humor, wit and candor shine through. You clearly are a woman who can (as a friend once told me), “…always have fun because you’re with You!”
Also, I prefer sheets made of Belgian linen – albeit expensive, they last for generations, are cozy in Winter, and cool in summer. Unless one is into ‘frumpy’ linens, they need to be ironed. Yesterday when I changed the sheets, I grimaced at the wrinkled fresh sheets, but admired the pillow cases with satisfaction as I’d ironed them – a compromise.
Merry Christmas!
Kay Murrell says
December 28, 2014 at 4:57 pmMary Carol,
Thanks for making every week special with your wonderful blogs. Wish I was closer so I could stop often to see your wonderful store!! Happy NewYear!!!
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