Tretorn, the simple Swedish canvas sneaker I knew first from the 1970’s tennis courts of summer camp are looking forward.

If I could only stop my own aging so I could actually find out if any of the skin care regimes I have been following throughout the years have been at all helpful in staving off wrinkles and/or gravity. The incessant movement into the future is preventing any perspective to judge the efficacy of my long term use of Tretinoin, microdermabrasion, serums and masks. What would my skin look like without all this crap– er, I mean, intervention? That being said, I welcome the Gua Sha to my tool box.

I am sensing an overalls trend– not your usual farmer kind but of elevated fabrics, understated or devoid of hardware.

Touring a designer show house is the best. So much to take in, so much from which to learn.

It can be overwhelming when other people are around you, commenting, or taking pics. If you go with a friend, you may feel rushed or judged. Agree to split up if need be. Take your time in each room. What may appear to not be your taste may offer a little unexpected gift of an idea you can use in your own home. Or, a quick meet with the designer can inform you of the inspiration or actual labor that went into the room.

Fascinating.

This year, I opted to work as a docent. It has given me more time in each room to simply be: to take in all the textures and details. It has also given me great people watching. Hearing what delights a visitor has given me new appreciation of something I dismissed.

Many bloggers have posted photos of this year’s house. Those photographs are a wonderful way to tour the home if you can’t make it in person. But if you can go in person, GO!!!

Kips Bay Decorator Show House, The Fountain House, 6215 Flagler Drive, West Palm Beach Saturday January 26th-February 20th, 2019. All proceeds from the show house benefit the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club and the Boys & Girls Club of Palm Beach County.

I am crazy for the smell and look of cut flowers. Freshening the vase water or managing the stamen pollen can be a hassle. An alternative to that effort is a dried boxwood, an orchid, a myrtle topiary or a large monstera leaf.

Netflix’s new series “You” roped me in with its premise of stalker love but what really grabbed me was the well designed glass cage in the basement of Mooney’s bookstore. While not a new concept to preserve light and privacy, the interior glass room is a great way to add a modern architectural detail to an otherwise plain space.

A little reflection is in order before moving on to 2019.  As always, there has been change–not even such unpleasant change, although that’s in there too.

2018 was learning how to let go of things I didn’t know needed to be let go.

Becoming an empty nester  was not so much a loss as it was a realization that life goes faster than you think it will and all the time and opportunity you think you will have once “fill-in-the-blank” happens doesn’t necessarily materialize.

Cooking for two is not as satisfying as cooking for more. Yet, I have spent more time than I would have imagined on the phone with my children–because when they call I will always answer and put everything aside to hear what they want to say. They are so damn interesting.

A long term friendship ended in 2018. And that’s both sad and freeing.

A college boyfriend died too young. While he didn’t factor into my life for almost 30 years, his loss feels painfully current. It is now only I who will hold the memory of that time.

A treasured mentor is no longer available. His progression of Alzheimer’s makes him unreachable.

Not all holidays will each family member be in attendance and not all flights with loved ones aboard will land safely with a text message to me.

I have let expectations go in some of my relationships and upped them in others.

In 2008 I read Nora Ephron’s book, I Feel Bad About My Neck and Other Thoughts About Being A Woman  and I now know a bit better what she meant. I recommend it.

I look forward to 2019, to learn to be a better me without some of the distractions I have had in the past. And to prioritize new ones that bring me joy.

Time for my annual list of words or phrases that need a little space before employing them in our speech. Cheers to 2019.

Up level

Level Up

Skill set

Codify

Optics

Mike drop

Disruptor

Vertical

Tribe

#too, (not, #metoo, that one can stay)