Viewpoints: Observations Looking In The 2023 Rearview Mirror & Looking Ahead: 2024 Perspectives For Home & Garden Style
Around this time of year, I like to take stock of the world around me ~ those things that in the past year, I dealt with, confronted and, looking ahead, embrace.
This isn’t a list of resolutions or “What’s In/What’s Out,” nor is it a "peeve poll"~ it's more a reflection on those cultural touchstones in my areas of expertise I’ve observed that I hope are fading in the rearview mirror and those that I hope we can all embrace in this monumental year ahead. Some are just fun.
I hope you enjoy perusing my list of what to “Let Go Of” and what I predict we'll “Welcome:"
Focusing in on my lines of work and spheres of interest: Gardens, Cocktails, Entertaining at Home, Tablescapes, social justice, the Arts, Books, Design and Style, I offer the following curated Perspectives for what’s out, or Letting Go of what’s so last year, and looking ahead to Welcome a fresh, new beginning and predictions for the year ahead in 2024:
Let Go Of
Fear
Book & Movie blurbs that don’t tell you what the story is about! Just quotes from, ahem, Influencers
Same for Artist Statements
Welcome
Courage ~ Be Fearless not Foolish
Succinct Story/Plot Overview (need to know if I’ll like it!)
Look too familiar?!
Let Go Of
Missed Dining Experiences
Welcome
Welcome + Entertaining at Home with Elegance & Hospitality for not just dinner: Think Desserts; Breakfast; Tea Time
Let Go Of
Dining in Front of TV or while working or…
Too-precious Cocktails
Too-Boozy Cocktails
Welcome
Set your Table with Style ~ Repurposing things you have as Tablescape Accessories
Cocktails with Prohibition Era Panache
Cocktails with Taste using NA, Low, No-Proof ABV & Fresh Ingredients
Let Go Of
High Tech/High Concept Drinks
High Cost of Going Out
Boring Garnish
Welcome
Sustainable Spirits; Savory, Spicy, Coffee, Tea, Chocolate-based Drinks
Affordable Happy Hours/At-Home Happy Hour
Art of the Garnish! Fresh Garden-To-Glass
Let Go Of
80’s Style Wine Bar
Welcome
Wine Bars Comeback! plus Charcuterie Boards
Let Go Of
Book Banning
Welcome
Embrace & Respect Others’ Stories
Using Your Public Libraries
Reading, Listening to Books; Lectures & more
Let Go Of
Soaps So Big I can’t hold the bar
Welcome
Right-sized & Flower Petal Soaps
Let Go Of
Fussy Gardens/Especially Thirsty Ones
Welcome
Regenerative Gardening & Using Natives
Gardening for All Seasons
Let Go Of
Mythologizing Deer
Welcome
Deer population management for many reasons, but just look at these conifers.
Let Go Of
Bad Plant Parenting
Welcome
Learn Plant Love! Mix faux with live plant design
Let Go Of
Throwaway Consumer Culture
Welcome
Artisanal & Sustainable Everything
Let Go Of
Super Expensive “Senior Living”
Large Brand Logos & “Throwaways”
Welcome
Aging in Place with Great Design & Technology
Animal Prints, Bows, Bold Belts, Florals, Clip Earrings & Clutches, Classic Designs
Let Go Of
Non-Apologies as in, “I’m sorry YOU feel badly” (Well, I wouldn't if you hadn't...)
Lack of Appreciation+Sincere Gratitude
Blaming Government or Politicians for everything you don’t like/have been influenced to diminish
Welcome
Succinct mea culpa & get on with it
Volunteering and honoring public service & public servants
“Ask Not What Your Country Can Do for You; Ask What You can Do for Your Country.”
If that doesn't motivate you yet again, you can research how volunteering helps "improve our mood and feel less stressed. Volunteering increases motivation and provides a sense of accomplishment."
Let Go Of
Selfishness+Altruism
Using social media to hide behind to tear up ideas & other people; spreading false rumors, hopefully, at least, unwittingly...
Welcome
Putting etiquette into your social platforms; respect others and their ideas. Civility is elegant manifestation.
Welcome
Purging & Editing home & office space
Let Go Of
Buying too much Stuff!
Let Go Of
Milk in Plastic from distant dairies
Welcome
Local, Glass-Bottled Milk (& eggs, yogurt) Delivery We Love our new-found, home delivery service 👍
* Getting an email or text survey the nanosecond you complete an interaction with a company or service ~ For doing their job!
Don't respond. Let them do their own employee evaluations.
Another surefire Welcome is to Subscribe & Follow me on Instagram 🤩 GardenGlamourbyDuchessDesigns
My videocast of inspiring women: Ladies Who Lunch Conversations and my YouTube channel.
Thank you for your support and allowing me to grow and to provide the content for you.
What are your personal Viewpoints and Perspectives?
Wishing you and your loved ones a year of good health, peace, love. I hope you will welcome your heart and mind to adventure and good experiences and give gratitude for all your blessings.
Welcome style and elegance.
Be inspired.
Be Glamorous!
Thank you.