1.03.2011

A New Year

I hope you all had a wonderful New Year. On New Years eve eve we stayed in Atlanta. Out of all the activities the hotel was the biggest hit for the kiddos. We intentionally stayed high, but we seemed to have misjudged Ellie's fear of heights. She prayed hard that the building would not fall down, ha!  KJ on the other hand would have hung out the window if we let him.


One of my favorite New Year beginnings is starting the year out with a new budget book. Sounds ridiculous, but something about jotting down the numbers and expenses gets me giddy and keeps us debt free. Every year I get my books from bubbo's etsy shop. Love her penmanship.



The fabric in the background I got from Shannon of the Designers Attic. I could not be anymore giddy about it and can't wait to have it made into a pretty pillow for the master. Yes! I am branching out and adding a dose of color to my neutral haven. It's a new year so new things can happen, right?

45 comments:

Helena - A Diary of Lovely said...

I love the budget notebook idea! Happy New Year Paula! I look forward to reading your 2011 stories

Unknown said...

Happy New Year and I think the budget book is a fabulous idea- I wish my family was better at that sort of thing and envy people who take charge like you do in money matters...so good for you my dear! Also, the la Fiorentina is gorgeous- I just bought a 4 yard bolt from Ebay and am trying to figure out where I want to use it- I have two cushions in it aleady- can not get enough!

Cassie said...

I am a devil for any notebook but those are gorgeous and I had a little glance and isn't it just a brilliant little shop - I love the binders!

Glad to see you started the year on a high! (Sorry couldn't resist ;))

Wishing you all the very best for 2011.
xx

daninotes said...

Love the pic looking out over the city. Sound like you all had a wonderful start to the new year.

p.s. love the budge book too. need that.

Melissa Marie Head said...

I wish I could be a great budgeter. Turns out I am not. Sad she was so afraid of hieghts!

Alex {Things That Sparkle} said...

I just bought two pillows in that fabric and I absolutely adore it. Gorgeous. Can't wait to see what you do with it.

Melissa @ Veranda Interiors said...

Happy New Yer Paula! I hope you and your family have a wonderful 2011 filled with joy and adventure! xo

Staley Mc said...

I just love Atlanta. It looks like yall had fun! A budget book sounds like a good idea and it's so cute!

Unknown said...

Adore the fabric, and the notebooks! I love new notebooks, and darn I wish I could sew :)

Marianne said...

Happy New Year, Paula! Love your notebooks and of course, the fabric! I kicked off the new year with a giveaway, so come visit if you have time! xo

simply seleta said...

I bet you all had a great time in Atlanta! Love your pop of pattern and color. It's going to be a great year for you!

Tash said...

Happy new year Paula! I love a new notebook and budget plan for the year. Love the fabric too, that will make for a pretty pillow :)

Meagan said...

Happy New Year Lady!! Looks like you guys had a great trip and what a view!! Love ya and God Bless!

karen brown said...

Paula~ Would you mind sharing what you write in your budget notebooks? I love the idea of a pretty book! (Dave Ramsey's just aren't nearly as chic!)
Thanks & Happy New Year~

pve design said...

I have a binder that bubbo made for pve design.
I love it and wishing you a happy and colorful new year.
pve

coolkids said...

Happy New Year Paula! I think I need a budget book.;)

Nuha said...

Being more budget friendly is a New Years resolution of mine as well...do you have any tips on sticking to it? And stationary always makes me giddy. Hope you have a wonderful 2011!

Tanya (a Taste of T) said...

I love it! A budget book :)

Tanya (a Taste of T) said...

I love it! A budget book :)

Amanda said...

Happy New Year!

Hope the budgeting goes swimmingly!

Haven and Home said...

Glad you had a good time! I love that fabric, can't wait to see the pillows!

wishful nals said...

that top photo is so cute. happy 2011. xo

Aimee@ the Functional Space said...

Happy New Year Paula! I'm with Ellie about the heights!! If it's any consolation I've gotten better about it with age.
Love those books! It makes me want to make lists too.

pixelimpress said...

a budget book.... what a great idea!

i used to work in that tall building in your photo. on the 36th floor. the building would sway slightly on stormy/windy days. unnerving.

happy new year! pam

Pink Wallpaper said...

i was wondering why i was receiving emails about this fabric :) thanks paula!

vanessa said...

Happy New Year, hope you have a great 2011!

Allison {Live Love Small} said...

i love a good notebook. going to check out the shop.

Julie said...

LOVE. LOVE. LOVE the fabric. One of my favorites.

this little preppy goes west said...

I love both of the notebooks! They are so cute, and I really love the type style!

Brooke @ Blueprint Bliss said...

Can't wait to see the pillow. And I think I may need a budget book!

Anna said...

I'm so intrigued by this zesty dash of color!

Tiffany @ Savor Home said...

Happy New Year! I'm a CPA, so I'm loving the budget books! Stylish! I hope you had a great time in ATL!

Jackie said...

I just refreshed my supplies for the new year and it always feels so good! New agenda, tabs & page flags, my fave Sharpie pens {fine tip} and index cards for quick jots and lists. Hooray! Happy New Year Paula!

iheartkiwi said...

I LOVE the budget books! What a great idea. It speaks directly to my type A, list loving heart.

Here's to 2011!

bron @ baby space said...

I am a notebook addict (evidence of this starting to come up on my new blog: http://theloftspace.blogspot.com/) and I love your idea of keeping yourselves debt-free that way. Stationery + thrift? Love!

Happy New Year to you all and hope Ellie has recovered!

paula said...

Karen we use a similar approach to Dave Ramsey. I list out each continual expense we have. I then do a cash system for food, kellen, me, home, entertainment, gas, and cleaning lady. I then have a spot to write down extras expenses for the month. We an emergency savings fund then a separate savings that can be used for future wants or needs. Like our car died this year and we were able to pay cash for another. we are quite diligent, but I never feel bogged down by it. then again it may be habit since we have been doing it for years.

Nuha debt scares me so it makes sticking to the budget easier. granted there are days that there is a good deal on something I have been wanting so that's when the savings comes into handy and I go over my own personal monthly budget.

Having every dollar written down helps me greatly.

If you want more in depth answers email me. I love to share.

Julie Holloway said...

Happy New Year, Paula...I love those budget books. I think we need one, too.

Can't believe that red you're doing? Love it.

Wahzat Gayle said...

I keep wanting to do something like this but it never happens maybe this year I could start. those books are sweet had to check out the store :)

Wishing you a love filled year.

rachel@urbannest said...

love the fabric! happy new year :).

megan @ a life's design said...

Happy New Year! Love the fabric and I may have to include a budget book in our budget.

SHERRY HART said...

Love the notebooks...but what is a "budget"???

angela hardison said...

i should probably get myself one of those budget books :)

happy new year!

annie@mostlovelythings said...

Love the little notebooks and that fabric reminds me of a painting I have had my eye on...Like you, I think I need to branch and add a dose of color.

Unknown said...

What an adorable budget book! I love that fabric too. Can't wait to see what 2011 brings. Happy New Year Paula.

Amina said...

what a view....