Hello, 2025!
Hello, dear reader, and hello 2025! Some amazing things happened in 2024 which I’ll highlight a bit of in this post, but if I’m honest I’m always looking ahead and I’m really, really excited for THIS year!
A Quick Look Back at 2024
Before, I share my goals, dreams, and plans for the year ahead. I want to highlight some of my absolute favorites from 2024. It was a year of firsts and big milestones.
An Amazing Trip to St. John
Probably my most favorite time from last year was this trip we took to St. John. We love the island and it was wonderful to finally share it’s magic with our sons. Read all about our trip to St. John here. You will also love this Painkiller recipe. It will put on you on island time!
John’s Graduation and New Beginnings at RISD
As you know we’re so very proud of John’s accomplishments and our hearts welled with pride at his graduation from high school and with all the amazing experiences he’s having in Providence at RISD.
The Kei Truck
Luke’s big dream was to own a Kei Truck like his dad did when he was younger. Well, his wish came true! Read more about his little truck here and we took it on a tour around the harbor at Christmas. Watch the reel here.
Lots and Lots of Cornishware
Guess what?!? My husband surprised me striped plates for my Christmas present. You guys already know I have a love for the blue and white pottery made in England. Well, a very sweet reader found some vintage Cornishware at an Estate Sale near her. Read all about Josette’s finds here. I treasure them and they certainly were a highlight for me!
Teaching In Person Watercolor Classes
In 2024 I began teaching in person classes at Noted. and have really enjoyed adding this aspect to my life. I truly love watercolor. I love how relaxed I feel when I paint and I’m excited for my students to experience that in a welcoming and inspiring environment. I even launched my own watercolor brushes and watercolor supplies!
Our Shop
This year we launched 12 collections, collaborated with several brands, took part in a bunch of pop ups, hosted an open studio, and live painting demos. It was our busiest year yet! So a huge thank you from the bottom of my heart! Your favorites included the lobster collection, the hydrangea collection, the Big Birthday collection, and the calendar.
Hello, 2025!
2024 was filled with so much that I was feeling very, very tired and burned out so I took an extend time off and I’m starting 2025 very slowly and intentionally.
I wish I could tell you I have all these big projects already wrapped up or that we did a huge renovation but we haven’t. Instead we spent the break reading loads of books and sipping tea by the fire. We had a wonderful stay-cation where we explored some really beautiful sites here in Massachusetts. I will be sharing all of our adventures in another post. We started the New Year off with our boys at Chopsticks and Forks for a lovely dinner in the harbor.
Plans for the Blog
One of the greatest pleasures I have is writing this blog. I enjoy sharing our little life here in New England with you. Can you believe the blog will be 14 this year?!? I sure can’t. It’s my goal to share more of the following with you:
- Easy home decor
- Antiques and Vintage Finds
- Healthy recipes
- Inspiring places both locally and further afield
I’d, of course, love to hear more about what you’d like to see on this blog, too. Please let me know what you’re eager to read more about.
Business Goals
Painting makes me happy so I will be doing lots more of that! I have many fun new product ideas percolating and I just sent some new things to my printers so stay tuned for that! A new spring product will be launching soon with hopefully other new lines right behind it!
A few more goals include:
- Expanding our wholesale reach. I am so grateful for the small shops who carry our products. We are in 80 shops currently across the US and I’d love to expand that so plan on reaching out to many more. If you have a small shop near you and love my work please let me know. I’ll reach out to the shops.
- More in person classes. I’ll be teaching more in person classes at Noted. The next one is February 1st at 1pm. Click here to learn more about the class.
- Teaching online. I know many of you aren’t local and have expressed an interest in learning from me. I’m working on some online classes.
- At the end of 2024, I was accepted in Illustrators for Hire so I’d love to illustrate books or other items for businesses.
- Original artwork – I’ve started selling originals at Noted and have started taking on some commissions.
Ideas for Our Home
You know, I’m really happy with our home just as it is. I love the colors we’ve painted rooms, especially the ones that highlight the dark wood trim (a favorite feature of our home).
I plan on doing more craft and smaller DIY projects. I’m always on the look out for unusual pieces for our home but I can only bring home things I really love. I’m currently on the look out for new chairs for the part of our living room by the fireplace.
I’d also love to add some David Austen roses to around our patio.
Our Family
My family is my everything. In this year ahead I’m looking forward to being more intentional with my time so I have more quality time with them. We haven’t planned many trips due to the cost of college BUT we are going camping and it will be my first ever time! So let me know if you have any camping tips.
I’d Love Your Input
As I close this blog post, I’d love your input. You are so integral to the success of this blog and my online shop. I greatly appreciate your thoughts and opinions. I’d love to hear what you look forward to reading about or what products you’re dying for me to create. I’ve created a little survey which will be open for the month of January. It will take 3 minutes of your time and as a thank you I’m giving you a code for 10% off in our online shop!
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