Happy New Year
A big fat happy new year my friends! How was your night?
I do have to say I’m ready for detox that’s for sure! Food and alcohol gluttony. The short break went by way too fast and I didn’t get any of the stuff done that I wanted to, I even still have my Christmas decor up. Drives me nuts.
And on another note we are broke. Did I mention that our heat broke right before Christmas? I think I did. And that was right after we had just replaced our dryer. Well, last Saturday our hot water heater died too and it turns out we had to get one of the more expensive ones since we have natural gas. This is so frustrating when stuff like that happens right around Christmas. Ain’t nobody have time (or money) for that, right?
And then my shoulder/arm problems haven’t really gotten taken care of either because I have a $400 deductible, which makes me feel like a car. So I’m done venting and welcoming the new year with a lot of enthusiasm.
Besides all the complaining up there, I had a really good Christmas with our little family. We always have fondue on Christmas eve and then unwrap our gifts. That’s just how you do it in Germany.
I got lots of things that I really wanted. Yay! Hubby bought them before stuff started breaking 😉
Should I share with you? Well some of you have seen the treasures already on Instagram but I’ll share here again.
I got the fox (or I think it’s a wolf) door knocker that I wanted so badly. And my hubby drove to Philly to buy it for me on Craigslist. The guy who sold it told him that it was from the home of the artist Andrew Wyeth. Sounds like a great story but there is no documentation to back up that story and I think that he was fibbing. It is definitely a unique large and heavy piece of brass though. I have no clue how to hang it on my door. My current door knocker is messing up my plans. Darn screw holes that don’t line up and are exposed.
I also got a brass swan and tiger. Love the tiger especially.
I wanted this nuLOOM shag so badly too and guess what, I got it! I’m a huge fan of the original Morrocan rugs but they are made out of wool and that is so hard to clean with my cats and kids. And of course way more expensive. Did you know that the natural fibers stain much more? That’s why I use natural cotton fabrics for when I paint fabric. Synthetic fibers are great on rugs for cleaning at least in my book.
I’m so excited to tell you that I got a large disco ball too. My hubby drove all the way to NYC to pick one up for me. How sweet is that?
And I received my lip print that I wanted so badly. I’m totally loving it. I did feel awful though because Jen from “Made by Girl” commented on my one Instagram photo asking if my brush stroke art was her Coco&Hearts artwork and I had to tell her that I’m a darn copy cat. So embarrassing! I hope she is a little flattered though. I mean a lot of people have copied the black and white brush stroke art too that is also being sold at West Elm for example. And I never lied about who the art idea came from in my post. I know…I’m trying to talk myself out of this situation. She’ll probably hate me forever! Ugh!
I had fun photographing my things. Don’t know if I will keep the lip print where it is right now though and in case you are wondering, the black and white pillows are from H&M home but not available anymore.
I’m so so happy with all my presents and the kiddos are way too spoiled too. They had the best Christmas ever.
How was your holiday? I know it’s not all about the presents. This post totally sounded superficial. I did enjoy our family time on Christmas Eve, just the four of us together the most 😉
Come back on Friday because I have planned a very silly post.
Tschüß
Frohes Neues Jahr, Julia!
I hope all your wishes for 2014 came true;)
Love the tiger, just a little jealous about him;)
Love and hugs
Lydia
Love your presents! Those lips…I haven’t ever seen them. Love it! Sorry about all the extra expenses, I hate when we have to spend money on that kind of stuff.
Happy new year Julia! Sorry for all the end of the year suprises. Reminds me of our just before the holidays vet bill! We went in and told them we thought he had a strained muscle and $700 of testing later, he had a strained muscle:) love your flipgram:) enjoy the rest of your break!! My kids don’t go back till Monday!
Julia,
Let me say, the room photographed is just lovely. 🙂 May I ask where your coffee table is from? No kidding, I have a disco ball in my shopping cart but would buy a smaller one if I could replicate your coffee table look.
Be well,
Kenna
Hi Kenna, sorry to tell you that my coffee table is from the thrift store. I got lucky
Happy New Year Julia. I love your new shag rug. So awesome!!!! The tiger is really pretty too!!!
Happy New Year Julia! I love your fox door knocker. What did the fox say? Keep that positive attitude my friend.
I’m sorry about all those expenses! Hope you’re checking account is on the mend soon :p Happy New Year!
Happy new year! love that you guys do fondue as well. Meat or cheese? We do the hard core meat fondue. Love all your gifts. Santa finally listened this yr and got Mama lots of power tools. giddy up!!!
You make me laugh, Julia! So sorry about your unexpected expenses, I have no doubt you could make a pretty post out of your new furnace, dryer and hot water heater! 🙂 Your living room is one of my favorites, and I always love your beautiful photos! Happy New Year, friend!
Happy New Year! You did great! Lucky all the shopping happened before all the break downs!!
Alles Gute fürs Neue Jahr, Julia!
Herzliche Grüße,
moni
I love that overstock rug! I tried to buy it but I need a bigger size than they make 🙁 Sorry to hear about your repairs. Why do things always seems to break after you just spent loads of money on something??! Well if I can figure out how to grow a money tree, I’ll be sure to send you one 😉
looks like you had an amazing christmas and your hubby treated you well! i love your rug! love all your new things- SO fun!! i am about to upload a few pics from my party before and try to get a post together. maybe. no promises.
Happy New Year Julia! I’m sorry to hear of all the mechanical expenses, but am glad you got some great gifts this Christmas. 🙂
Love your photography! I’m always so impressed at how versatile your living room area is. Best of luck in the year to come, Julia!
Thanks Jennifer! Happy New Year to you too!
Happy New Year Julia! I’m so sorry for all the unexpected expenses, seriously no sugar coating it, that totally sucks!!! Your house looks amazing with all your new Christmas gifts! Can’t wait to see everything you accomplish in 2014!!! xo
Oh Julia…can I just come and give you a hug!?! Girl…that is a whole lotta stuff! Whoever said “when it rains, it pours”…they need to be shot. 😉 I will be thinking good thoughts and crossing my fingers for you that nothing else breaks in your home. And I think Jen would be completely flattered by it…do not worry about that one bit. Happy New Year and I am loving all your great Christmas gifts! Lucky girl!
Happy New Year Julia!! Looks like you had a fabulous holiday! Here is to an even more fab 2014 🙂
looks like you had a great Christmas Julia, love all the new additions!
Hi Julia, wish you and yours a beautiful new Year 2014! 🙂
I’m sorry to hear about you needing to purchase a new hot water heater, that’s not an expense anyone wants or needs at this time of the year, I hope this new year will bring you only happy and beautiful things to your family 🙂 & oh! I like everything I see in your pictures, the disco ball; I love it very much & the tiger is gorgeous too; you lucky girl! I’m very happy to hear you had a wonderful Christmas, I saw some of your pictures on Facebook these last days.
Also, sorry I haven’t been visiting your blog lately, I haven’t been in front of a computer for a while and I did miss all the December blogging-fun, today is my first day in front of my computer reading blogs and I must admit that I have missed reading your posts and other bloggers post as well! 🙂 wish you again a very Happy New Year !!!! 🙂
btw, don’t you worry about Jen (Made by Girl), I really don’t think she is upset about it, on the opposite, it shows you read her blog and that you love her style too & I remember when you posted about it, you did mention where your inspiration came from! 🙂
So sorry about the unexpected repairs. Do you have a home warranty. We have one and save a ton of money on repairs. Last month our furnace had issues and they came out and repaired it with only a $50 deductible. On a happier note, your home always looks so lovely. I love your Christmas gifts. Hubby was so good to you!!
Happy new year, friend!! You got some AMAZING presents this year!! And I’m so sorry to hear about the darn house expenses popping up! And in terms of your painting…imitation is the sincerest form of flattery! Don’t worry about it! 🙂
Best post I’ve seen today! I am so glad to hear the pop-up shop was a success – even though I knew it would be. I love those sweet barrel chairs in front of the French doors. Did you move something out to make room for them? And finally, congrats to your beautiful talented daughter! Merry Christmas, Living room with Christmas decoration
ugh–sorry about all the unexpected expenses! We had to buy a new hot water heater a few weeks ago, too; it’s such a non-fun thing to spend a bunch of money on. Looks like you made out pretty well with the presents, though 🙂
I totally feel you on the broke-ness. Ugh. This barn is costing more than building a new house. 😉
Love all your beautiful things. Especially that disco ball.
Ugh sorry for the string of bad luck. I hate when expenses pile up especially when they are on unfun things. Blah. Looks like you had a great Christmas though! Love that rug!