A L T E R M E H O M E A N E C D O T E S

welcome to the first blog of 2024 - and wishing you all a very happy new year!

January in my opinion is not a month of doom and gloom, nor is it a month to reinvent yourself or start a fresh; but a time to ‘reset’ yourself for the year ahead. Take advantage of the dark early mornings, the slower days and the colder evenings as soon enough this cosy season will be over, and I for one I will miss it.

Christmas magic is over but I encourage you to seek the magic in January, at this time of the year life is still in hibernation and so should you be too! I never put pressure on being a new me in the new year, but I do like to ‘reset’ myself and my life so that I feel refreshed and rested which in my opinion is the best way to ensure a successful and happy year ahead.

I have had a long think about the ways in which I reset over the years and have pulled together five of my top tips below - hopefully these may help you to reset too!

1. RESETTING YOUR HOME

One of the things I love most about January is that there is no pressure to do anything, to be anywhere or see anyone (I know what you are thinking but hear me out) whilst I encourage you to get outside in the fresh air, make time for daily movement, catch up with the friends you couldn’t squeeze in over Christmas I am also highlighting that because the pressure is off there is more time to finally sort out all those niggly home jobs!

Take each room, and then each drawer or area and every day tackle one or two THEN by the end of the month you should be feeling a sense of real achievement that your home is in order, de cluttered and ready for Spring! We have decided to continue our ‘Christmas sacks’ into this next season as they offer a perfect solution for tidying toys, storing pyjamas or hanging on the back of doors to keep things tidy!

2. WHOLESOME COOKING

With winter bugs a plenty and Christmas indulgence over, now is the perfect time to think a little more carefully about the food we consume. We do not do diets here, but we do do seasonal produce, reducing waste and reusing left-overs! With that in mind we have a few pieces that will help motivate you in the kitchen this January including our handmade aprons and fabric bowl covers.

See our blog post on left over cooking here

As well as our favourite Daylesford bone broth recipe here

PLUS a little more on eating for the seasons here

3. KEEPING WARM

Sometimes it is not January that we dislike, but more Januarys weather! With cold snaps, rain and freezing winds it can be hard to find the joy in these first 4 weeks of the year - however we think by wrapping up warm and ensuring you have a cosy home January isn’t all that bad!

Starting with the windows - where the dark, the rain and the cold all creep in and counter this with a beautiful pair of curtains or blinds! With lots of lovely fabrics to choose from and the option to add thermal or black out lining our made to order Curtains and blinds are the seasons must have! Not only do they (as above) keep the elements at bay but they also play a crucial role in dressing your windows and elevating your home. Learn more about out curtains and blinds here. Alternatively email; info@alterme.co.uk for more information.

Then there is the hallway, a cold place - often with little natural light or fabric textures - why not opt for a door curtain? Or perhaps a pretty bright draft excluder - both ways of keeping heat in and cold out, but also both offer a layer of pattern, colour and texture so that this area of your home will instantly feel more welcoming and warm!

The rest of your home will also benefit from some warming pieces such as throws or hot water bottles (we are big fans of the mighty hot water bottle - cuddle up in the cold with one, aches and pains be gone with one - in our opinion no home should be with out one!)

4. GET ORGANISED

There really is no need for ‘new year new me’ but whilst we are right at the start of 2024 now is the perfect time to RESET and RE ORGANISE or just get organised. (famous last words)

We are big fans of lists here (unfortunately ours never seem to end) but pinning notes, making a to do list, maybe even sitting and planning a few activities or trips to look forward to are not only a great way to beat the January blues but to us feel very cathartic. Writing things down helps clear the mind and let you focus on what is important and will also free up time for you to indulge in a new hobby, or activity as well as some time to enjoy this month, and the months ahead to the full.

Visualising tasks and writing them with pen and ink is still our preferred method which is why we created our linen pin board, which we like to mix images with tasks to break up the mundane feel these sometimes have.. click below to shop - available in all of our fabrics.

5. GET DRESSED UP AND GO OUT in the fresh January air

Now that party season is over you might miss the feeling of elevated dressing (or maybe you welcome your pyjama days with open arms..) either way January is a great time to assess your wardrobe, what you love and why and then get dressed in something that feels a little more put together and get outside for some fresh air!

We had this month in mind when we designed our Jacqueline dress - YES it was perfect for Christmas but we think it lends itself to the entire colder season, with soft brushed cotton (like your pyjamas..) and the option to cinch in the waist, this feminine timeless dress looks put together but also feels comfortable and warm. Don’t just save this for a special occasion, we want you to wear it whatever the weather! So pull on some wellies and get outside in your best dress and embrace the cold air and clarity that January offers!

Shop our Jacqueline dress before it sells out! Limited sizes remain.

I really hope you have enjoyed reading our January reset guide and it offers some comfort to those of you who aren’t on board with feeling so rosy in January just yet.

The most important out takes are remembering that you don’t need to be a new you, in fact you don’t need anything new - just make the most of decluttering your home, keeping warm, comforting and hearty food, adding some organisation and getting dressed in your favourite clothing and getting outside.

Take a look up at the sky, take a few deep breaths and remember to be kind to yourself and to January, for this is the foundation of 2024.

Happy New Year! Lots of Love & as always thank you for your support!

Jasmine xxx