I’m undergoing some personal changes these days. A lot of it was inspired by Mariel Hemingway’s book (see post below). I’m just slowing down, eating healthier, being more introspective, exercising, and overall cultivating greater happiness and joy in my day-to-day life. One side effect of these changes is a greater urge to nest. Toward the end of last year, we stopped working on our house–no more home improvement projects, no new furniture, no new art…we just wanted to take a break. But a new year has dawned (along with a new, happier me) and I’m feeling the urge to start decorating again. Here are some of the things I want, mostly from West Elm and Gaiam:

I just discovered the coolest website: fredflare. It’s full of awesome, kitschy things, such as lamps, light switch covers and jewelry. I particularly adore these plant decorations. Lawn art for the urbanite, these little guys are made to stick inside potted plants, so not having a lawn is no problem. I also saw a cuckoo clock that I like, not to mention an owl necklace, which could further my obsession with the little hooters.

Well, apparently, the Bronze Age collection extends beyond dinnerware. I love this lamp, and I need this little owl for my collection.

I really like this Bronze Age collection of dinnerware from Target. I have absolutely zero need for more dishes, so I can’t justify getting the whole set, although I did pick up a couple of pieces. There was a really neat capiz platter that I didn’t get (it was $24.99), but the salad plates and small tumblers were so affordable I just had to snag a few. I’m sure I’ll add to the collection each time I go back (which is pretty much weekly!).

When I first moved to Atlanta two years ago, I was stoked to find out that the nearby mall had a Crate and Barrel store. While I still love these canisters, it turns out that most of the stuff there isn’t really my style. Plus, I find that most of the items are overpriced (at lease compared to what you get).

So I was pleased to discover cb2, a sleek, modern offshoot of the original Crate and Barrel. They have affordable furnishings that are also cool looking. I love the Audrey wall clock, and I really dig the day-glo Buddhas. They also have dining sets, bedding, personal accessories, and a large range of decorative accents.