Curated Comforts

Can anyone out there tell me where the year has gone? Anyone? Can it really be the end of November?!

Mid-October, I woke up and prepared to take the golden girls on their morning constitutional. They stood at the door looking outside and turned around to come back in, feeling the chill of the 40-something degrees on their faces. They jumped back into the bed, Fern scratching at the covers to make herself a little nest and Rue stealing my warm pillow.

I heated up the coffee my sweet husband had made me and threw on a sweater to sip it out on my porch. The steam rolled from my favorite mug, and the mist over the freshly fallen leaves started to burn off as the sun peeked over the ridge. I drew in a deep breath - thankful for the morning, for the beauty of an early fall day, and for the pure, blissful comfort that only home provides. 

About five weeks ago, I had abdominal surgery to remove some lesions/masses that didn't belong and have been cocooning in my home sanctuary surrounded by…

A chair for short people where the cushions hug and shape around me.

An inherited quilt frayed from our first family dog, a rambunctious black lab, chewing on the edges. 

The warm light from the perfect thrifted lamp.

The smell of coffee coming from my most-used mug and cinnamon from my simmer pot.

Kids laughing.

Golden retrievers insisting they need to go outside for the 5th time in the past hour because there's definitely something new to smell. 

There's no place like the home we create and nothing like those precious, curated comfort items. I love walking into others' homes to see their prized pieces, the things that make their hearts feel at home. I love when people find those pieces at Inspired Chaos — the cozy sweater they'll wear for family pictures and to walk their kiddo to the bus stop, or the quirky salt and pepper shakers that remind them of their favorite great aunt's collection. Carefully curated, sweetly comforting.

We weren't able to go over-the-top with a fall/winter theme for this year, so we channeled those warm thoughts of home - reflected in the jewelry display backed by quilt patches like our great grandmothers made - by adding some warmth in our textiles and displays to better showcase those curated comforts.

As the holiday craze begins (the countdown is on...), we want to thank you for your support and wish for you that precious feeling of home - peace, contentment, safety, and so much love.