I hope you are doing well. Can’t believe Christmas is almost here! Here are some good things for the holidays and beyond on my radar right now…
Creative Cookies
Watch the video for these Stunning Cookies from the NY Times. I want to make them all like…
And…
Cookie Plate
You could bring cookies to your next gathering as a gift on these inexpensive melamine plates from Target (less than $3).
Birdies Loafers
If you buy these shoes (with quilted memory insoles), they may be all you want to wear. I bought the cheetah print and then bought these black calf hair loafers, which I see are sold out online but there are others, like the black velvet. I usually wear a 7 or 7.5 and in Birdies, I’m a 7.5. By the way, that is my client’s vintage wool rug that’s staying while we spruce up the rest of her living room.
Tissot Exhibit
Last week, my friend JoAnn and I went to the Legion of Honor museum here in San Francisco to visit the James Tissot exhibit “Fashion and Faith”. Here are some close-ups of a couple of paintings.
Can you believe the level of detail!? Tissot’s life story is interesting…we rented the headsets. The exhibit is open until Feb. 9.
Luxury Linens
Are you familiar with Frette, the Italian luxury linen line? I knew of them primarily from when I’ve gotten to stay in high end hotels (like when you see a Frette label, you know it’s five star). So when they asked me to visit their Palo Alto, California store and instagram about it for a set of sheets, I said sure. And guess what? It was a fun visit to the beautiful store, friendly staff and even free parking (we don’t get that in SF). I bought a gift and they wrapped it in that beautiful blue.
Self Awareness
At this time of year when everything seems so fast-paced, it’s good to center yourself. Here is what I am reminding myself (and sorry for being wordy here).
- Stop being judgmental. Don’t try to “elevate” yourself by putting someone else down. Sometimes I catch myself (I am ashamed to admit) with a critical thought. Then I have to remind myself that everyone has an amazing worth. God loves us all. And I can certainly improve.
- Have a positive outlook. Wake up, take a deep breath and appreciate your blessings. My husband always sees the glass half full. If there is a 50% chance of rain and he will say hey, it’s 50% sunny today. I know life is scary and hard. But if you are grateful…you will have a positive outlook.
- Choose joy. This is hard for me to remember. I can get down like everyone (especially in Bay Area traffic). But this is hand in hand with being grateful for what you have. And when all else fails, crank up some favorite music and smile. Or pray or meditate. Or hug someone. Or ask for a hug.
- Surround yourself with the people who love you. If they don’t love you at your most vulnerable, then reconsider. Try your best to be compassionate and kind but focus on the ones who love you.
- Be courageous. I watched this interesting show on Netflix. Brené Brown The Call To Courage. She talks about what it takes to choose courage over security and how positive outcomes are achieved. With her own personal stories, it makes me want to push out of my shell a little more each day.
- Find your volunteer mission. Where would you like to help? I’ve done some volunteering for the homeless over the years. Not as much as I should but I think that since creating a home is important to me, it’s something I want to see for others. We have a huge problem here in San Francisco (and in many areas in California). I will do what I can, especially in the new year.
The greenery is from Trader Joe’s. And those are good things for the holidays!
Take care!
Mary Ann
Thank you so much for this post today. How did you know how much I needed this? I need constant reminders to stay on track and not get caught up in some of the craziness of the holidays. Have a wonderful holiday and a good new decade!
Thanks, Donna! Merry Christmas and Happy New year!!
Thanks Mary Ann for reminding us to take stock and try to make positives change in ours and others lives and be grateful for all that is good❤️
Thanks for commenting, Linda. Merry Christmas!
Love this post. I have been fortunate enough to visit the Legion of Honor museum three different times on our visits to San Francisco, love it. I wish we were coming back before February to see the James Tissot exhibition. I purchased a pair of Rothy shoes on our last visit to San Francisco , I have been wearing them in our hot weather
here in Australia, so comfortable. I now look forward to buying a pair of Birdies on our next visit as I don’t think they are available in Australia. Less smoke here today, here’s hoping the fires are under control before Christmas
Yes, Dianne praying for the fires to get under control there!!
Mary Ann,
This was a wonderful and timely post. We all have our highs and lows and it’s nice to remember we choose happiness…and the part about “surrounding yourself with those that love you” hit home. We recently moved and there have been some friends that have seemed to drop out of the picture. If they are friends, we’ll weather the move.
I hope you have a very happy Christmas.
xo,
Karen
True, Karen. Good luck with your new place and merry Christmas.
Mary Ann, These are all good things to remember. I was listening to Dr. Laura the other day and she said something about seeing the glass half full with a hole in it!! :o)
I was looking online at the Birdies last week, are they supportive enough? My feet are good now so I want to keep them that way.
I went to Trader Joe’s on Wednesday and sadly they were all out of garland. I’ll probably have to go to the nursery or the wholesale flower store.
Hope you are having a great holiday season! We just welcomed grand baby #2 (a boy) a few weeks ago, this will be a special Christmas for sure!
Linda
I think they have good support, Linda. Merry Christmas!…and I know it will be with a new baby in the family!
Lots to be THANKFUL for in our daily lives!
MERRY CHRISTMAS and give THAT CHIEF A HUG FROM ME!
XX
Just gave Chief that hug. He’s right here beside me. 🙂
What a beautiful message ! I also would like to find an organization to serve. Like you , because a home is so important to me, I would love to find one that has that as its purpose !
I’m going to help out at St. Anthony’s in the Tenderloin butlast night I on the news I saw that a church was offering tiny homes to give people a leg up and charge them a small amount of rent that they give back to them when they are ready to get their own apartment.
I shouldn’t have watched this just before dinner. Oh, those cookies. I want one of each. Oh, and I’ll take one pair of shoes. Well, maybe more. You’re right about a new you. Good things to think about. All in all a lovely gift to your readers!
Thank you.
Thanks, Sandra! Hope we can get together soon!
Wow, your timing couldn’t be any better! I got up this morning a bit prickly and that is so unusual for me, I’m usually glass half full too;-) But you helped me turn my day around! Thank You~D
P.s. Chief looks super cute peeking over the table!
I think Chief likes posing! So glad you are back to being your optimistic self, Debbee!
Dear Mary Ann, love to read all the great things you do and say. So happy your are not all about clothes,for everyone you reach a point in life, when your closet is too full,and you should enjoy life and give back. Started to read your blog when we lived in San Diego north county and now in Newport Beach. Keep up your wonderful thoughts at this time of the year.
Mary Ann
Thanks, Mary Ann. Actually we are going to do a Project Design Collected Look using things already in your closet in January. Should be fun to look at things in a new way.
What a great post! I loved the positive message…a great reminder! Thank you!
Thanks Teresa!! Merry Christmas!
Thank you for the great message and reminder. Where did get the lovely little pointed-toe booties?
Thanks so much. I didn’t want to sound to preachy as I REALLY need to practice what I preach.
Check this out… https://classiccasualhome.com/classic-casual-holiday-outfits/
Wonderful post Mary Ann. You have reminded us how to be more grateful and joyful; thank you for your beautiful message. Many blessing to you and your lovely family this Christmas.
Thanks, Karen. When I don’t feel joyful (like before coffee…I try to smile anyway). Helps sometimes 🙂 Merry Christmas to you and yours!
I love this whole post so much – I’ve been thinking a lot about focused charitable and volunteer missions and have landed on food and water security. I am (a bit too) passionate about food (says my waistline), and it is unnerving to me that people in my own community go without decent food for any number of reasons, never mind clean water in many parts of the nation and the world. Our local food bank had a chemical leak in their largest facility just before Thanksgiving and they basically had to throw out their whole holiday stock. So many companies stepped up to make sure they had what was needed for the people who count on them, but it was really eye opening – even the safety net needs a safety net. It’s a fragile system.
With that – I’m making those peppermint striped cookies for my neighbors – too cute and no chasing sprinkles all over the kitchen! And I’m borrowing the rest of your list – especially the criticism/judgement part. I have no pedestal on which to stand in judgement of others. I’m also going to endeavor to not be envious that I don’t live in SF or have any Frette sheets.
Merry Christmas! Thanks for sharing your work with us, it is a gift. XOXO Rachael
This is just beautiful, Rachael!! You sound like you have a good and generous heart. YOU are a gift. Merry Christmas!
Loved your message today. You might enjoy King & Country’s song “Joy”. Prepare to dance.
Thanks! I will check it out.
I love this post Mary Ann! It’s a good reminder….I always need that! YOU are amazing and always the most thoughtful person I know!
xoxo
Annie
You are the most thoughtful, Annie. Thanks for all your support!