If you’re a regular here, you know I love doing a recap of my favorite home projects at the end of each year—both big and small! It’s so fun for me to look back at my design wins. This year, I really leaned into making my home feel cozier and ensuring it worked better for my family’s daily life. I also added small rituals throughout my day to bring a bit more intention to my schedule. The good news? With how challenging 2025 turned out to be, home was definitely my refuge this year. Here are my favorite things that truly worked for me in 2025!
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My favorite things that worked in my home:
1. Cozy Mood Lighting-
Last January, I picked up a small lamp for my kitchen counter that changed everything. I eventually sprinkled a few more (love this one) throughout the house to help brighten up those gray Michigan winter days. By February, this evolved into a nightly ritual. I now take five minutes every evening to light my candles, turn on the lamps, and start this candle warmer. It’s a simple routine that instantly transforms our home into a warm, cozy refuge.
2. Fresh Flowers & Plants budget-
Last year, I actually added a line item to our budget for fresh flowers and plants. It’s not a huge amount, but it gives me ‘permission’ to pick up a bouquet or a new plant whenever I need a little pick-me-up. I don’t do it every single week—I try to find the freshest stems possible so they last well over seven days—but having them in the house has truly brightened my mood (and spaces) all year long.
3. I found a new wallpaper company obsession-
Rebel Walls (not sponsored) is SOOOOOO cool. I used them in 4 different applications in 2025 and placed sample orders. They should be here next week for 4 more patterns to place in the multi-unit project we are working on. I LOVE this company so much!
4. Putting my Christmas Decor up in October-
Don’t come for me on this one. I thought I would be so tired of it by December. But I was honestly so surprised at how much more I enjoyed the holidays this season. I felt like once the decor was up, I could slow down and really be present. A confession: I did end up adding decor in the weeks leading up to Christmas, but was very intentional with it. I know this one isn’t for everyone, but I am pretty sure I will do it again this year.
5. Making my bed every morning-
I have been team #bedmaking for years! But over the last few years, I gradually fell out of the habit. In 2025, I started again, and it’s made me so happy. The feeling of crawling into a freshly made bed is one of the best feelings in the world. After a few weeks, I ordered a set of new linen sheets to celebrate. Heavenly. A bonus is that, for some unknown reason, my dog stays off the bed more when it’s made.
6. The Sofa Life-Saver!
One thing that wasn’t even on my radar until recently is sofa cushion covers. They are also called Sofa toppers. I originally found these on Amazon and ordered them for my STRs (Short Term Rentals). All of my sofas there are slipcovered, but these covers have been a total game-changer for protecting the fabric from stains during every stay. I simply throw them in the wash, and voila—good as new!
I ended up loving them so much that I ordered one for our sofa at home to keep the pet hair at bay. Lily loves them too, mostly because I’m not constantly nudging her to get down anymore. It’s such a relief to have a cozy spot where we can both relax! Since finding the solid ones, I’ve also come across some really pretty prints, like this one and this one, that fit right in with the rest of my room decor.
7. Elevating the small everyday details in my home-
In early March, during one of my nightly candlelightings, I realized that my match cloche was both convenient and PRETTY. It hit me then: I should look for other ways to elevate the things I use every day without breaking the bank. I started small—I replaced my ratty dish towels, found some amazing-smelling hand soap, and ordered this woven cover for my Kleenex boxes. I even upgraded my salt and paper shakers and swapped out my plastic dish soap bottle for a glass dispenser. It’s amazing how these tiny upgrades made the most mundane tasks feel a little more special.
Small things brought BIG joy-
1. Small Wins: Prioritizing “Fun” In 2025
In 2025, I made a concentrated effort to attend a monthly event—something just for me. I’d fallen into a cycle of “work and grandkids,” and while I love both deeply, I felt like I wasn’t prioritizing myself. From Vintage markets, local community gatherings, and book signings (Nate Berkus!) to seeing a live recording of the Pivot podcast, these outings were the perfect reset and refresh for me. Whether it was a dressed-up event or a low-key, casual one, these moments brought so much light to my year. I’m definitely taking this “monthly fun” habit into 2026!
Self-Care Upgrades
This is all personal stuff, so feel free to skip ahead if it’s not your thing! But for me, 2025 was a major turning point in my health. I was able to significantly reduce the inflammation in my body (thanks to a GLP-1), and the difference in my arthritis back pain was nothing short of miraculous. I hadn’t realized how limiting that pain had been until it was gone. Once I started feeling better—seriously, within 10 days—I felt inspired to take better care of myself in other ways, too.
The biggest questions I got on Insta this fall weren’t about paint colors, but about my hair and a specific pair of jeans 🤷♀️. So, I’m not gatekeeping! Here are the products I fell in LOVE with in 2025 on this self-care journey.
1. Hair
I’ve dealt with some thinning in my crazy curly hair recently, which still freaks me out a bit, but this hair supplement has really helped. When the thinning was at its worst, I switched to “air dry only” and went on a deep dive to find something that could manage my curls without heat. After trying at least a dozen different things, I finally found the Air Dry Cream by JVN. I love it so much, I am gifting it to both my daughters.
2. Scent
They say 2026 is the year of “scent layering,” and I am here for it. Full disclosure: I was totally influenced by the viral TikTok videos for Phlur and their scrumptious vanilla scents. Since I’m wild about anything vanilla, I tried several. This set is my favorite. They are light and fresh, though since they are hair and body mists, they aren’t the longest-lasting—but they are very affordable!
3. Skin Care
My skin definitely needed some extra love this year, and it felt like wrinkles appeared out of nowhere. This body lotion has been a total game-changer for keeping everything hydrated and smooth.
4. Not usually a makeup girlie, but…
Jones Road Beauty, the latest makeup company by Bobbie Brown, had me swooning over this aptly named miracle balm. It feels amazing and gives off this fresh, moisturized glow.
3. I rediscovered my personal style groove! Better late than never.
I want to be very clear: I am not a clothing influencer. In fact, I still send “approval pics” to my daughter, Alyssa, before I leave the house for anything other than a grocery store run! My style is pretty simple: I love a pretty dress, I spend most of my winter in leggings, and jeans have historically never been my friend. I’m 5’4″, but I have very short legs, which means every pair of pants usually needs to be hemmed—and let’s be honest, I’m way too lazy for that.
But with that said, a few things really clicked for me in 2025:
1. Nuuly was my best friend–
Living in a rural area, I hate the “buy and return” cycle. Nuuly (a clothing rental service) allowed me to try things on and live in them before committing. It’s been a total game-changer for me.
2. The “Perfect” Sweater for the times-
I was gifted a sweater from Lingua Franca, and it is truly the nicest piece of clothing I have ever owned. It is hand-stitched and made in the US. Pricey, but it’s the perfect statement piece, and I find myself wearing it all the time.
The Barrel Jean Surprise–
The biggest question I got on Instagram this fall was about my barrel jeans. I am going to be honest here, I thought I would never ever EVER give up my skinny jeans (which is all I have owned forever), see note about short legs ☝🏻. To my surprise, the barrel cut’s curved shape and cropped length actually work for my shorter legs! They help me feel “pulled-together” without needing a trip to the tailor.
Bringing back my love of scarves-
I found this cute scarf on Amazon and scooped it up. Since then, I have purchased several, this pink one and this one get tons of wear, and they add that “pop” my wardrobe was missing. I am constantly checking out this IG for new ways to tie them. And this is one of my favorite IG fashion accounts to follow right now.
Looking Ahead to 2026
Sharing “my favorite things that worked for me in 2025” feels a bit trivial when the world feels so heavy. 2025 was an incredibly hard year for so many, and as we move into 2026—especially with the weight of this last week—it’s impossible to ignore the “dumpster fire” of our political climate. Please know that I am feeling it right along with you.
It’s exactly why I leaned so hard into these rituals and home projects in 2025; for me, when the world outside feels out of control, creating a peaceful refuge at home becomes less about “decor” and more about survival and sanity.
As we settle into the new year, I’m finding comfort in staying busy and staying close to what matters most. I’m officially starting work this week on our next renovation project: a duplex in St. Joseph. I am so looking forward to diving into this project and, even more so, spending the winter with my grandkids closer by. Having them within an easy drive is truly the best kind of medicine for a weary heart.
Until next time,
Hugs, Libbie
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