Hello darlings! Just wanted to pop in and wish you all a happy New Year. I have a feeling 2010 is going to be grand. Below, some of my resolutions (accompanied by beautiful photos by Danske):
- Launch _________! It’s a little hush hush project I’ve been working on over the past six months. The big unveiling will occur in the next week or two as I tie up loose ends. I’m so eager and anxious to finally share it with all of you. Keep checking in!
- Make time for fine artistic endeavors. It’s about time I break out my paints, new camera, needlepoint… I feel happiest when I’m creating art and yet, I rarely seem to have the time.
- Brush up on my Français. My dream of becoming fluent in French have fallen wayside in recent years. I fear I’ll soon forget all of it. Now I’m wondering how to pick up where I left off in college? Perhaps I should invest in Rosetta Stone—has anyone tried it?
- Dine in. John and I eat out far too often. We need to start cooking at home and I would love to make more of an effort to use fresh, local ingredients.
- Read more books. I have hundreds of handsome, untouched books on my shelves. Sure, they look lovely, but I need to stop treating them as accessories and actually crack them open. First up, Zelda, Nancy Mitford’s biography of the fascinating Zelda Fitzgerald.
- Travel—-Buenos Aires, Cairo and Marrakech are at the top of my list, but I’d be satisfied with just about anywhere. Living in Switzerland I took for granted jetting off to a new country every weekend and instantly being immersed in a different culture—the smells, the architecture, the languages, the food! Now that I’m back in the States I often find myself longing for a change of scenery.
- Keep in better touch. Write more letters. Send more birthday cards. Growing up my Aunt Yvonne and my Grandmother Rita were the two people that never forgot anyone’s birthday. They are two of the most beautiful, thoughtful women I know and I’ve always admired them for it. This year I will strive to be more like them and less like my forgetful self! Time to put all my pretty stationary to use…
- Plan a simple, intimate, stress-free wedding. My wedding plans have gone from a grand affair in California to secret elopement in Italy. I can’t make up my mind and am constantly feeling overwhelmed by the pressure. I just want something small, in a garden, with John, our parents, siblings and grandmothers. Simplicity is bliss.
- Last but not least, buy more fresh flowers. After all, it’s the little things that count.
This was a wonderful post! I love all the resolutions and the pictures are divine. I wish you luck with all your goals and hope you can achieve them! Can’t wait to hear about the new project! I will be eagerly waiting!
What a great post:) Happy New Year to you too, so happy to have met/found you! Cannot wait to hear what your new launch is about!!! So exciting …
Thank you ladies! I’m so pleased to have met both of you this year. I can’t thank you enough for your support and ongoing inspiration. Happy New Year Stevi and Haydee!!!
XXXX Kate
Happy New Year, Kate! Nancy Mitford wrote a biography of Zelda Fitzgerald?? AAAGH!! That is so many kinds of wonderful, I’m off to add it to my Amazon wishlist (or maybe my shopping basket…hmm… ). Your resolutions sound just perfect and I can’t wait to see this exciting new project.
I’ve never tried Rosetta Stone but I find a good and enjoyable (and easy!) way to improve my languages is to watch a movie with the subtitles on in the original language rather than English. So much easier to read what they’re saying than try and keep up with the speaking, but it makes it a whole lot easier. So many wonderful French movies to watch – I love anything with Charlotte Gainsbourg or Audrey Tatou!
Here’s to a wonderful, flower-filled 2010.
Happy New Year to you Jane! How did you celebrate across the pond?? Oh and do read Zelda—we can compare notes! Brilliant thinking on the foreign films! I love any excuse to rent French movies. I adore all the silly ones with that French Moroccan actor Gad Elmaleh. Have you seen Hors de Prix (with Audrey Tatou) and La Doublure? They make me laugh. Have a wonderful 2010!!
XXX Kate
A very happy New Year! I love your list — you just reminded me I really need to make time to work on my Italian. Sigh. And I can’t WAIT to hear more about this secret project of yours!! I also need to add travel and write more letters to my list of to-dos. Travel is a bit hard on a grad student stipend, but the letters are quite do-able. I hope all of your resolutions and projects go well this year. I look forward to updates!
Zelda is one of my favorite books ever! I’ve tried to get Anna interested in it- maybe you’ll be successful! You’ll love it, it really captures the magic of the ’20s, and Scott & Zelda’s love was unique in every way.
I can’t wait to hear about your new project! And I’ve also been thinking about re-learning French for a trip to Paris next fall. A French pen pal would be a fun way to use your pretty stationary! I love all of your resolutions! Hope 2010 brings all of these things for you! xo
Brandi — I feel your travel cost woes! Someday we’ll be wonderfully successful, creative women and jet around the globe…until then, we can brush up on our languages and prepare ourselves : ) Thanks for stopping in and leaving your usual sweet comments—Happy New Year lovely girl!
XX Kate
Mary — So glad you are a Zelda fan. My dear friend Jane in Manhattan has an American Cocker Spaniel named Zelda which I always thought was too cute. I can’t wait to read more about her! Hope you’re having a happy new year in Maine!
Amanda — A fall trip to Paris?! You lucky girl! You must report back so we can all live vicariously through you. John’s never been to Paris and I’m just dying to take him—every time I visit I fall in love with the city all over again. Oh and a French pen pal is an excellent idea. I’m still in touch with my darling French “sisters” from when I studied abroad in high school, perfect! What would I do without you girls and your sweet encouragement?! Happy new year!!
XXXX Kate
I love all those resolutions! It’s too bad we don’t live closer so we could practice our French together. That one is on my list too! Happy New Year! I think it’s going to be a great one and I can’t wait to see your secret project! I’m sure it will be very chic!
Thank you Heather! Happy New Year too you as well! Thank you for being so supportive of the Neo-Trad over the past six months! If we move back to New York come June we’ll certainly have to schedule some French-practicing dates. I think that requires a good champagne and some delicious macaroons, non?
XX Kate
I absolutely LOVED Hors de Prix – that was such a funny film. And Audrey looked amazing in it. The guy in it was so hilarious as well – I’ll have to check out his other films, thanks for the tip!
I had a lovely New Year’s Eve night in with a friend, we ate and drank and watched fireworks over the Thames, it was just perfect. Hope yours was wonderful too.
Well you can’t go wrong with those resolutions. I am breaking out my French curriculum for the third year in a row…literally. Perhaps I can make myself accountable to you;)
Au revoir,
Jaime
excuse me.. a new project..i am very intrigued..
great list..brave of you to put it out there..alfie will hold you accountable!
very intrigued by your “new project”!! cannot wait to hear what it is!
i, too, am going to try and dine in more. i actually like cooking but have just been quite lazy this past year! thanks for the inspiration on that one.
xoxo
VERY curious about your new project! I remember discussing your ambitions over Thanksgiving, I’m sure you have come up with something WONDERFUL! If you want to go simple, You could always have your wedding in Monticello, SC at the Lake House that we love to rent (lots of room, birds, beautiful views), then go to CA for your reception! Life is full of possibilities, MANY of them good! FYI, Anna thinks Rosetta Stone is not all it’s billed as-M
i love your beautiful blog! thanks so much for stopping by mine and for all of your great nyc suggestions!
What wonderfully inspirational resolutions! Happy New Year, darling. It’s been great getting to know you through this marvelous blog of yours. I just adore it.
Cheers.
P.S. Let us know what you think of Zelda.
Jane — Fireworks over the Thames! Why must you tease me so?! If only we all lived in London…XX Kate
Jaime— Love that you study French too! I’m such a procrastinator, you have no idea. It’s an illness. Perhaps it’s YOU that will be needing to hold ME accountable! Happy New Year and thanks again for making our trip to DC a hit!
Rikshaw —I wish I only had Alfie holding me accountable. All the chubster does is sleep! Hope you had a happy new year and are enjoying the new ride!
Anita — At least you LIKE to cook, that’s certainly a start! If only I could say the same…sigh. So glad we found one another this year! Hope your 2010 is fantastic. I still regularly drool over items in your online shop. Keep living the dream!
Mary — Thanks for your encouragement on my little project—I can’t wait to share it! South Carolina would certainly be fun. I want to get down there soon to see Emily regardless—and you and Anna this summer of course!
XX Kate
Style + Inspiration — Thank you for your sweet comments! So glad you like my little blog here : ) Hope you had a wonderful time in NYC!
Lola — To your ever so kind comment, likewise! I just adore everything you share with us! Keep it coming in 2010!!! I will certainly report back on Zelda.
XXXXX Kate
Happy new year Kate! I want some hints about the new project, I’m very excited for you!
Best,
Jaclyn
Hi Jaclyn! Happy New Year to you too! Hints? Yikes, I shouldn’t have spoken so soon—talk about pressure! I don’t want to get anyone’s hopes up, but I do think (hope!) it’s something everyone will appreciate. It’s loosely related to decorating. That’s all I’ll say for now : )
XXX Kate
First time reading your blog, Kate, and I love it. What nice resolutions. I have similar ones (read more books I actually own, try a new recipe a week, use my passport, etc.) I can only strive to be as thoughtful as your aunt and grandmother. Will add that to my list as well :)
Okay that smiley face looks a bit devilish. Would like to replace it with this one. : )
This is a delayed response. But I just had to tell you – of all the New Years resolutions I’ve been hearing and reading – yours has most definitely been my favorite. I feel inspired and excited to try to do much of the same. Thanks for sharing your delightful self with all of us!