Bright Shiny New Year's Intentions

In the flurry of activity leading up to the New Year, I didn't have much time to think about resolutions. But as I've sought to find my post-holiday routine this week, I've given some thought to the intentions I'd like to set for the coming months. And I've decided that as chock-a-block full as my life is already, I want the next 357 days to be packed even tighter; I'm determined to make 2010 the year of 'more'.

I want more order. More organization, more thought, more planning. More good habits to support this order--storing my keys and phone in the same spot all the time, putting my clothes away when I take them off, tidying the house for a few minutes every day so the chaos is kept at bay.

I want more art. More hanging art on my walls, more making art with my hands, more viewing art on display. It's time to get my print collection framed and mounted, pick up some blank canvases and get creative with them, make some calendar dates with the gallery and museum shows around town.

I want more pretties. And I don't mean buying more--I mean wearing the ones I already have. So many lovely pieces have been passed to me from my mother and grandmother, but because I race out of the house each morning they languish in my bureau. So I'll take more time to drape myself in jewels, dahling.

I want more meals at the table. I want them to involve the vast collection of tablewares that I've acquired but never used. In this I am inspired by my mother, who gets out her best china just to eat her yogurt in the morning. It's her way of transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary. And who couldn't use more extraordinary in her life?

I want more life in the house. More flowers, more greenery, more smells from the outdoors. This could be as simple as opening a window, or buying a big bouquet of peonies simply because it's Wednesday. I started this one right away by arranging some tall spires of snapdragon on New Year's Eve, and I was amazed at the quiet sense of satisfaction it brought me.

I want more fun with the huz. We both work so hard and are exhausted by the time evenings and weekends roll around. But towards the end of last year we made an effort to get out more, see some football games, socialize with other couples, and I'd like to keep that streak alive. Even if it means I have to---gasp!---play Settlers of Catan with him.

Finally, I want more of this blog. More of the content you love, more of the creativity and inspiration that I hope keep you coming to visit me every day. I'd love to hear what you'd like to see more of at The City Sage. What are your faves? What are your reasons for coming here? And for that matter, what do you want more of in your life this year?

Have a beautiful, awesome, jam-packed weekend everyone!

Image Credits: 1. Cote Maison 2. Urban Eco Chic 3-6. The Find 7. Perfect English

Comments

[Michelle]

I want more of all those things, too! Lovely post!

[C.]

I really like that- Year of 'more'. Its such a positive mindset that I really should aspire to! Starting with a long-postponed trip to the framers, my art absolutely shouldn't languish in a drawer any longer...

[Emily]

Wonderful resolutions, Anne! I like your philosophy of making more out of what you already have!

[Mussy]

Nice one Anne, very inspirational!
I also intend to practice more, especially concerning organization.
More of other things too:
More paying attention to what I look like before I leave the house,
more time in the library to improve my grades,
more quality time with my Aussie friends,
more exercising to keep the pounds at bay,
more keeping in touch with my friends and family in North America,
and most of all...
More falling in love with my amazing boyfriend!

Good Luck with your goals, and since you asked...
I would like "more" posts like these!

[Rachel]

Anne, your blog is one of my absolute favorites. I don't know that I'd want anything changed! Although I have to say I'm a sucker for all your clothes/fashion posts!

[Susan]

I want more art on my walls, too! I have already started collecting some amazing ones.
have a lovely weekend, xoxo

[Brandi]

This is an absolutely beautiful list. I want more time with my man too -- it's hard to get given that I'm in CA and he's in NJ. I love the way you've prioritized things.

[Shell Sherree]

You've inspired me, Anne. {Not that this is a new phenomenon!} My tendency is to want to reduce and simplify, but rather than thinking of having less of what I don't want, I'm going to focus on having more of what I do want. Thank you, petal! As for your blog, I'm always happy to go wherever you want to take me. But in the spirit of asking for More, I'd love more cats & chandeliers {not necessarily swinging off them}. Just because I love them.

[Kristina]

I love all the beautiful images you post. They completely inspire me to get out there and design!

[Talia]

Love your aspirations for the new year--I second them--as for your blog--more more of the same!! I am a transplanted New Yorker starving for the crumbs of images and adventures that you share from NY. Thanks for feeding my design spirit!!

[Cris Turek from Brazil]

Great choises fol all our lives. I agree with all, and I hope I'll do the same.
Success for you Anne.
Cris Turek

[Erin @ SYL: Slipcover Your Life]

Can't go wrong with any of these intentions! I am feeling strongly about this one right now: "I want more art. More hanging art on my walls, more making art with my hands, more viewing art on display."

[Kristin @ Contented Me]

I think we all could use a little more extraordinary. Well said, Anne.

[Sara Bradshaw]

Hi There,
Thought I would share with you photos of my wedding three years ago (today). We eloped!http://www.cricketwife.com/2010/01/my-wedding.html

[Jenny]

Great list! I did my own on my blog. It's good to write it down and make it happen! Wishing you a fantastic 2010! Keep up the great work.

[Adla]

I love this post! It is so true! I like the idea of taking more time to get ready, to wear the lovely jewels that you already have, as well as hanging art on the wall!

[Jenny]

Great post! Inspired me a lot :D

[Online tutoring]

I am completely blown away by these interior designs. It’s very beautiful.

[Wireless billing software]

This is simply unbelievable! I was amazed at the quality of interiors designs

[Melibu]

I like your resolutions, Anne ! I wish I could take the same... These are just so positive ! Good luck !

[LobotoME]

Lovely list Anne! Thanks for sharing!

We want more fitness & health in our lives this year - we've jokingly refer to this year as the {year of the pull up}! ;)

[Danette]

I want all of that and....more!! Thanks for the inspiration.

[R4i卡]

I love how clean this all looks. It make me feel oh-so-refined to live in any of these images... :)
I have also cleaned and decorated well on the Christmas days. Remembered those days. Thanks for it.

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[Melissa Allam]

I love your list here. I love that you want more of the extraordinary, pretty flowers and time to sit at the table. I visit every so often and like what you have here already. I'm reading a book right now about being extraordinary and that is what I want too.