I really wanted to do a true “Style” board for January, but it turned into a “Smorgasbord of Things I Can’t Live Without Right Now” board. Starting from the top left corner going clockwise:

1.) My new accordion organizer that Carissa gave me for Christmas. I do not know what I did before I had this ingenious little notepad that helps me keep my grocery lists and coupons sorted so that I’ll actually use them. I especially enjoy that it is PRETTY!!

2.) My day planner, another new addition to my routine that I’m finding I don’t want to live with out. It is like a 365 day journal of to-do lists and boy is it keeping me busy. Hopefully that is busy with my work, not writing lists.

3.) My Bath and Body Works Wallflower in Fresh Balsam. “Crisp, clean balsam fir blends delightfully with fresh eucalyptus and sweet pine layered with notes of bright apple, cedarwood and musk.” For me, it’s an emphasis on the CRISP and FRESH and makes my tiny office smell like an invigorating walk in the mountains of NC. Let’s just say, I’m not thinking about palm trees when I smell this.

4.) My Max 365 Perpetual Calendar has been giving my office a much needed graphic punch for a while now but I’m still enjoying the bold statement it’s making day in and day out. It even looks good when I forget to change the date every day (woops). Extra points to me for finding a thumbnail image with today’s actual date on it.

5.) These two gorgeous fabrics are just a couple of many that I’m currently drooling over at the moment. But one way or another, I have to have these two in particular. There really isn’t anything I can’t think of a reason to use fabric for, from curtains to aprons to potholders to quilts to bags or to artwork and this adorable “Bird Swing” fabric by Michael Miller is no exception. The combination of yellow and gray continues to enthrall me even after many months and I don’t see myself tiring of cute bird silhouettes any time soon. The graphic but subdued floral print “Lorenza” by Alexander Henry is just what I’ve been looking for and I can’t wait to pick it up as soon as I can and make curtains for my office.

6.) Is that what I think it is? No it’s not, but it’s oh so close. If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then Orla Kiely must be feeling mighty fine about herself. Either that, or she, like the rest of us, are balking at the many blatant rip-offs of her ubiquitous “Stem Print” design. As much as I shake my head in disbelief at how eerily similar this Tea Time mug from Pier 1 is to Kiely’s design, I must admit that I broke down and bought two of them on clearance. Orla, I promise it’s you I’m thinking of whenever I sip my Constant Comment.

7.) A cup of tea would not be quite perfect without a matching porcelain stirrer from CB2. You cannot go wrong with these $.99 utilitarian beauties. I have a dozen of them and they are without a doubt some of the most used items in my kitchen.

8.) Green tea. I have determined to drink more of the stuff this year and right now I am enjoying a new-to-me variety. Jasmine Tea has such a delightful flavor that I’m only now beginning to appreciate. Be careful not to over-steep it as it can be much too strong otherwise.

9.) To my surprise, Baggu Bags were having a sale last week of 50% off a set of 3 bags. I now own a total of 7 Baggus and that should be plenty to go plastic-free at my next grocery outing. Now I just need to remember to keep them with me so that I’ll actually use them! Pretty easy to do since the sets of 3 each came with their own zippered holding bag.

Well there you have it, my style board “Smorgasbord of Things I Can’t Live Without Right Now” board. I suppose I ought to still make a January Style board. Perhaps I can call this something else?

(Yes, I just decided that’s what I’ll do! At the beginning of every month I’ll post a style board and in the middle of the month I’ll post a “Can’t Live Without It”-type board. )