Discover simple home decor ideas, style tips, and seasonal inspiration through The Curated Life…your guide to living beautifully every day.
Welcome back to The Curated Life…a calm midweek pause filled with simple ideas, seasonal inspiration, and little ways to bring beauty and ease into everyday life. As we begin a new year, my hope is that this space feels like a steady place to land…offering gentle refreshes, thoughtful details, and quiet encouragement along the way. I’m so happy you’re here.
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1.) A Winter Well Kept
Winter has a way of asking us to slow down and pay attention to how we’re feeling, not just what we’re doing. So I’m sharing a post with simple attitude adjustment tips that are easy to come back to when the days feel long or heavy. These aren’t big changes or lofty goals, just small shifts in thinking that can gently change the tone of a day. Sometimes that is exactly what this season calls for. (This was a pretty long post, so I trimmed it down a bit, and updated the images and links.)
2.) WORDS WORTH SHARING
“Faith is a choice. It’s an act of will.” From We Were The Lucky Ones, Episode 7.
Faith can be hard to sort through, especially when it asks us to believe in things we cannot see yet. For me, faith is choosing to trust in what hasn’t happened yet. And those are often the very things I worry about most. Faith that the sun will rise again tomorrow. Faith that my family will be okay. Faith that following my instincts will eventually lead me somewhere good. I don’t think faith always arrives fully formed. I think it grows quietly, through small choices. Choosing hope over fear. Choosing trust instead of constant worry. Choosing to let go of what happened yesterday. I’m definitely a work in progress, but I’m slowly getting the hang of it. One day at a time, those choices are leading to steadier ground.
3.) Everyday Favorites
Below is a short list of things I use and enjoy in my home. These are items I already own and reach for often, and I’ll only share them here when they truly fit into everyday life. This won’t be a regular feature, but from time to time I’ll be passing along things that have proven useful to me.
- This set of pure linen kitchen towels in every color imaginable! (All designs are selling out fast.)
- This gorgeous and cozy Snuggle Sac.
- My all-time favorite box grater.
- A pair of feather and down bed pillows that we love.
- This beautiful bundt pan that will last forever.
- If you have a spare drawer, these jewelry organizers are wonderful.
4.) Gather + Savor
This week’s Gather + Savor is a round up of all my soup recipes, collected in one place. The recipes are simple, familiar, and varied. From creamy broths to heartier bowls that feel comforting on cold days. Soup is one of those things that fits naturally into winter cooking, and I hope you will find at least one recipe that feels just right for your family.
5.) THINGS WORTH MENTIONING
- What you might have missed: Last weekend, for This Time of Year, I shared how I feel about neutral decor, and how you can gently transition if you want to. For A Sunday Well Spent, it was all about lemon chicken, an easy recipe for two.
- Coming this weekend: on Saturday, I’ll be sharing a few of my all-time favorite muffin recipes. I’m still not sure about Sunday, but I promise I’ll come up with something!
- Since I just shared that I’m not quite sure what Sunday will bring, I thought I’d say a word about my mindset for 2026. I’ve been doing this for a long time. I started my blog in 2011, and this year marks fifteen years. I am slowing the pace a bit, but my goal hasn’t changed. I still want to share ideas that feel useful, thoughtful, and relevant for this season of life. That may mean there are times when I don’t have everything mapped out in advance. I’m giving myself permission to take things as they come, and to focus on what feels meaningful rather than sticking to a rigid plan. Thank you for being patient with me, and for walking alongside me as this next chapter takes shape. XO
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I love reading your blog and I appreciate all your helpful and encouraging thoughts and comments that you share. Blessings to you!
Thank you for all of the sweet encouragement. I appreciate you!
Fifteen years is such an incredible milestone! I’ve followed you from the start and have always adored your genuine spirit and your beautiful, restful style. Your blog feels like a visit with a good friend. Please take all the time and space you need—your loyal readers aren’t going anywhere. Can’t wait to see what this next chapter holds for you.
I appreciated your faith comments, I believe I have a strong faith because of actions in my life that only happened because God was walking with me…but I’ve never been able to put it in words. Your words were are what my thought process is and I could never state it like you did…thank you.
Hi Ann!
You’ve got me hooked on large dough bowl centerpieces! Could you please decorate one a season? I used your fall and holiday suggestions, but I need inspiration for the grey months of winter that can be adapted to Valentine’s day and spring. I pretty much just duplicate what you show. Your shops have good quality items, so it’s simply easier to just buy some of the faux floral you use.
Cheers,
Sue
I really enjoy what you are doing on the blog now! Keep being true to yourself and we will follow along.
I get excited when I see your blog each week. l know it will produce a feeling of calm to the start of my day! Thank you for sounding like you’d be a wonderful friend to have coffee with!!
I totally agree with Angie! Your blogs are like talking to a very good friend.
Keep it up!
Ann, I have been following your blog from the start, enjoying them all, but your latest have been some of my favorites. I enjoy your new format and look forward to all your posts. Please keep doing what you do so well. Thank you!
I think that you have a wonderful mindset for this blog and for this year. Thank you for the continuing delight of your blog!
Love your statement, I don’t think Faith arrives fully formed. It will take the pressure off of striving to believe and replacing that with rest and assurance. Thank you for that. Much needed and appreciated.
Love the ease and warmth of this blog None of us know what tomorrow will bring but each post brings hope, comfort and a good meal!
Love your blog, and especially your new format! I have tried many of your recipes with great success and made your egg nog bread over the holiday this year! Love the glimpses of your home, your quotes, your ideas, all of it. Very relatable blog! A few more photos of your dog would be lovely!
I have followed you since you started your blog, and I’ve loved it. I always am afraid you’ll post that you are finished! Your recipes are always so good. And there is such classiness in your crafts and decorating. I can see you spend a lot of time posting great content; and I’m glad it is so well received, that you keep continuing. God bless you richly!
You give inspiration!
Thanks for your honesty.
None of us are sure of what we will do.
I am along for the ride.