A Note on Style: A Fresh Start to the New Year

Hello LDV readers. It’s Karima from A Note on Style wishing you all a happy new year! I love all of the references associated with the new year – a fresh start, cleaning up, paring back, getting organized, setting intentions, and planning for what’s ahead. These practices energize me both mentally and physically. It’s not an overnight process though. I prefer to take the first two weeks of the month to get situated and prioritize.

At the top of my to-do list is repeat a round of ProLon. The Five-Day Fasting Mimicking Diet (FMD) was a gamechanger for my health in 2019. Little did I know when I tried the ProLon fast last January the profound effects it would have on me that lasted throughout the year, including the loss and maintenance of 20 pounds. I mentioned in December my plan to kick start 2020 with another round which I’ve just begun. If you’re interested in learning more about my ProLon experience, please read my previous posts here, here and here. If you’d like to give it a try, my discount code HUNTER10 is active until January 15, 2020.

After completing the FMD, I discovered a new found love for soup. Packed with dense nutrients and incredibly filling, I started incorporating freshly made soup into my diet last year often replacing a meal. My favorite is a simple vegetable puree which I doctor up with whatever other ingredients I have on hand. A blender has become an indispensable item in the kitchen along with a couple of recipe books for inspiration. Washing and prepping vegetables beforehand makes the whole process very easy. I like to store everything in clear glass storage as a reminder of what I have available and what needs replenishing.

As part of the overall theme of cleaning up in January, I’m streamlining my beauty routine by wearing less makeup, minimizing the use of hair products (air drying when possible) and adding nourishing skin and body treatments. This usually spikes the urge to purge products I don’t use regularly or whose shelf life has dated. There’s nothing better than having completely organized bathroom cabinets and drawers pared back to the absolute essentials.

With holiday decor put away, I feel like I have a fresh vision of my home. Things that were stored for the month make their appearance back to little vignettes. I look at this process as a way to re-merchandise what I have, be it arranging books or combining pieces in a new way. Fresh flowers replace holiday greenery and new candles set the tone with scents that are clean and crisp.

While entertaining the last few months, I kept a checklist of things that needed updating or replacing. As much as I love an all-white table, I was craving color this past season. I plan on adding tinted glassware to my dishes from Crate and Barrel. Along with new textured linens in a muted dusty palette, they’ll add an element of interest to my traditional table setting.

Fashion is not high on my radar this month but I’m still paying attention to the images that draw me in. All white never fails to inspire. My spring shopping list will undoubtedly be sprinkled with a bag, shoes, and a dress or two in fresh, crisp white. Specifically, I’ll be on the hunt for a chic heeled white loafer like these.