Resolutions

I've never been very good at making or keeping New Year's resolutions. But I love the idea of the new year -- a fresh start, big plans, new projects. So I actually look forward to writing the business' goals for the year. Yes, I am that geeky. But I find that having a list of things to accomplish really helps keep me focused and moving forward -- otherwise I want to do and try EVERYTHING! This year, it's a given that we'll look forward to working with our awesome customers, such as Katie Palmer of SoBo Style in Columbus, Ohio:

Katie's a great fit for us because her look includes both cozy cottage-style furniture, like this pretty 5-drawer dresser with unusual built-in jewelry boxes,:

and items artfully crafted by artisans near and far, like these awesome lamps by Ohio's Claudia Curry, rebuilt from vintage elements and industrial finds:

They make my heart sing! I'm also excited about continuing to explore unusual combinations of found objects, mixed media and industrial finds. The new issue of Marie Claires Idees is chock full of all three:

I can sometimes find this magazine at Barnes and Noble, but it tends to be a little elusive. Amazon has made subscribing to foreign magazines so much easier, so I took the plunge last year and signed up. I've enjoyed each issue that has arrived in my mailbox -- straight from Paris to small-town Indiana. You gotta love it!

I'm also thinking we'll try to incorporate more natural wood and original paint into the mix:

Plus lots more graphics:

I also want to get our Facebook page up and running and pursue another magazine submission. Whew! I'll need to focus. So what's on your to-do list? Do tell! xo