2013 Roundup in Pictures

This holiday week has been incredibly fun and relaxing. Not only have we been able to host and attend a few parties and catch up with friends and family, we were also able to keep our annual TV show watchathon tradition. We don't have the time or patience to follow a TV show as it's aired, so what we typically do is to buy DVDs or Blue Rays when a series is over and watch all episodes in one shot. We also don't need to experience the disappointment of committing to a new show only to learn it's cancelled a few episodes in - that happened all the time. A couple months ago we finished "Breaking Bad", and we are now on its "Desperate Housewives"-version called "Weeds". Next week we are going to see the Guggenheim's "The Great Upheaval" collection at the AGO, and maybe pack some downtown shopping into the itinerary as well.

A week ago I did my 2013 recap in numbers, and this week is the picture version of my major décor projects this year.

Most of the 2013 projects were minor touch-up projects so it would appear that I was running out of things to change and improve at home. Or was I? The truth is that I am constantly looking for creative inspirations - I was born this way with endless curiosity and energy so rest assured things will continue to happen here at AM Dolce Vita.

Happy new year to your all! May 2014 bring you peace, joy and success!

2013 Roundup in Numbers

Sorry for the lack of blog actions lately. Who knew December would turn out to be such a busy month at work? As holidays are literally just around the corner, I thought it would be fun for me to do a quick rewind of my 2013 in numbers. Let's take the plunge, shall we?

• Number of cities travelled for leisure: 8 (Barcelona, Napoli, Pisa, Firenze, Rome, Marseille, Palma Majorca, and New York).
• Number of countries visited for leisure: 4 (Spain, Italy, France and US).
• Number of new TV series watched: 4 (Breaking Bad, Weeds, Suits, and the Blacklist).
• Number of new movies watched: at least 30.
• Number of major house reno projects: 0.
• Number of major decorating project: 2 (dining room and foyer painted staircase).
• Number of reno projects planned but yet to be carried out: 2 (basement office game room, 2nd floor guest bedroom).
• Number of pieces of custom furniture ordered: 2 (dining room hutch buffet, French Louis Pillippe gilt mirror).
• Number of upcycle projects: 3 (kitchen dining room shield-back chairs, rocker, and pair of Bergère chairs).
• Number of DIY project: 1 (abstract bw art in the foyer)
• Number of vintage artworks collected: 3 (Sydney Berne, William Carson and Wilh Neumayer).
• Number of antique bone chair teacup sets collected: 8.
• Cost of bone china dinnerware displayed in the dining room hutch >= Cost of the custom dining room hutch buffet.
• Number of new glass ornaments purchased for 2013 Christmas tree: 45.
• Number of courses for our Christmas eve dinner: 9.
• Number of sugar cookies baked and decorated: 0 - and I'd better get started on this right now.

More picture recaps will come in the next week or two. My best wishes to you and your family for a very happy holiday, and a happy new year filled with peace, joy and success!

I will leave you with a few cute ornament additions this year.

Looks like someone is having a bad hair day? :)

Glitter feather ornament from Indigo.

Sparrow glass bird ornament from Gluckstein Home via Hudson's Bay.