Polar Vortex: 5 Cold Weather Essentials

This polar vortex has made me rethink the wardrobe for my upcoming trip back East scheduled for this Wednesday.  Keeping in consideration all the flight cancellations due to extreme conditions, I'm not even sure the trip will materialize, but I sure hope it does.  Here's a brief take on what I would love to be bringing along to look really stylish during this vortex.

1./ Sorel's Winter Fancy Boots, 2./ Pendleton fringed scarf 3./ Hooded Thickened Fleece Lined Coat , 4./ paw mittens, 5./ Need Supply Fragment Leggings.

The Way We Work: Cocoon Home Design

With the help of these images and this room inspiration, our home office has taken on the look and feel I was hoping for.   Now, the workspace that Alex and I share is both functional and comfortable.  Here are some more shots and, also, tips on creating or renovating your very own home office.

9 tips for creating an organized home office space with a personal touch: 

1.  Layer your lighting between task lamps and ceiling fixtures.

2.  Find the right chair/s for both comfort and style.

3.  Thread computer wires through drilled holes in your desk tops.

4.  Use trays, folders and/or clipboards to store mail and organize paperwork.

5.  Always have a plant, big or small, in the space.

6.  Surround yourself with images and/or objects that inspire you, but strive to keep the area uncluttered.

7.  Place a candle nearby with your favorite scent for a relaxing effect.

8.  Do have extra seating for a visiting friend, client or coworker.  This could even be a stool that doubles as an additional surface for magazines or books.

9.  Ensure your desk is at the ready with pens, pencils, paper, chargers and a glass [or two] of water.

A Tribute To 2013

I was somewhat in denial of the New Year upon us, until I started looking through past blog posts and realized just how much transpired during the last 12 months.  What began as an extension of my work, the Cocoon Home Blog has become more of a personal dairy replete with  fleeting moments,  spontaneous visits,  favorite places,  culinary awakenings,  a little matchmaking,  brand new endeavors,  familiar settings  and  furry best friends.

Thanks so much for taking the journey through 2013 with me.  I wish for all to have a safe, healthy, joyful and prosperous 2014.

Happy New Year!!!

Yes, Mommy And Daddy, There IS A Santa...

For the past 3 weeks, Alex and I desperately tried to convince our son Benjamin that Santa existed after he learned otherwise from a friend.  We put all our efforts into proving him wrong in order to protect his brother and sister's beliefs [which were still intact].  While doing so we found ourselves overreacting at times, and at others, losing a little sight of what the holiday should be all about.  In the end, however, everything flowed smoothly:  decorating the tree, gift buying and wrapping, menu planning and delighting our children on early Christmas morning.

We're not quite sure if Ben still believes in Santa, but we know that he still relished the magic of it all in his young heart.  I hope everyone had a beautiful holiday, one overflowing with a spirit of peace, kindness and gratitude.  Santa lives in all of us.

Gifts For The Coffee Enthusiasts

Yesterday, while enjoying a late afternoon cup of joe prepared by our new coffee maker (more on that later), I came up with a few gift ideas for the coffee lovers in your life.  Take a look:

1.  Bodum's Chambord gold press

2.  A classic:  the Chemex Glass Drip Coffee maker

3.  Delonghi's drip coffee comes in an array of colors

4. A Tonx coffee membership:  fresh beans delivered weekly or monthly to your loved ones' home

5.  A homemade dark chocolate coffee ice box cake!!

6. Tom Dixon's form milk jug

7.  Heath Ceramic's 1940s design Studio Mug.