Each year, as I look back and prepare to turn the page, I choose a word which I believe will define the next.  In 2013, my word was “connect,” 2014 was “go,” and 2015 was “intentional.”  These words were intentions that powerfully became a complete representation of the year.  It’s amazing the power words have.  Now in my fourth year, choosing a word of the year is one of my favorite ways to begin again.

This year, I had my word well before the clock struck midnight.  I thought for sure 2016 was going to be the year of “endurance” or “fortitude.”  But when I began the process of going through “The List” (an exercise I never skip when selecting my word of the year), a different word caught my attention: “structure.”

By definition, “structure” means: “the arrangement of and relations between the parts or elements of something complex.”  As a verb, it means “to arrange according to a plan; give a pattern or organization to.”  So when I look at 2016 plans, “structure” could not be more perfect.  As WOM has grown, putting structure, policies, and all of the (boring) back-end procedures in place has completely been ignored.  But I recognize that it’s the foundation—boring or not—that will make WOM successful for years to come.  It will be structure that allows the business to continue to grow, and “to give a pattern or organization to.”  

Also, WOM has added many new team members recently, and will continue to do so in 2016.  While it’s exciting to have a growing team, it’s also very tricky, and it takes a skill set to manage and lead that I’m still honing.  But I’ve learned that it’s the people—the ones making up the blueprint of your organization—who will ultimately make you sink or soar.  So focusing on “the arrangement of and relations between the parts or elements of something as complex” as people will be my number one focus this year. 

So there you have it friends; 2016 is looking a lot more structured.  And like last year, we’ve partnered with Jenn Gietzen of Write On! Design to hand-paint your chosen word (or words) in either watercolor or metallic ink and offer them for sale in the Shop for a limited time only.  I’m collecting my words, framing each one, and hanging them in my office.  I can’t wait until the day I have a wall of words…how powerful will that be?!  Truly, MKR

Every year, amidst all of the holiday craziness, my girlfriends and I take an afternoon to step away from it all and toast to another year’s past.  Though we all juggle hectic schedules, the holiday fever has usually set in by now, and our little Christmas lunch always comes at the perfect time.  We always meet at one of our favorite hotels or restaurants for a decadent lunch, and I know by now that I should always clear my calendar on this afternoon, as it always turns into hours of catching up, noshing on great food, and ordering several bottles of our favorite rosé.

When we first started our girlfriend holiday tradition, I brought a box of GODIVA chocolates—you know, that quintessential gold box with the big red bow—for the girls. Just something simple and sweet.  My mom always considered GODIVA to be the holy grail of chocolates when I grew up, so I learned to turn to the gold box for special occasions.  And our lunch of course was a special occasion.  

The chocolates were such a hit then (a lot of fighting over our favorites in the tray), and the gold box is still the perfect touch to our Christmas lunch every year. Our little holiday tradition is always a lot sweeter with chocolate, just as long as nobody takes my favorite…the dark ganache!  Truly, MKR

P.S. Get 25% off when you buy three or more gold boxes (our fave) or holiday sets!  xo

With all of the gifting that comes with the holiday season, I’d be lying if I said it’s always easy crossing everyone off my list.  But instead of resorting to generic, last-minute-I’m-starting-to-panic finds, I turn to holiday gift baskets.  With each basket, I can tailor a theme to each specific person, filling it with thoughtful and creative goodies. I’ve found that these gift baskets are always more appreciated plus with the right filler and ribbon they can be truly show stopping!

Holiday gift basket ideas are virtually endless, and fortunately you can find so many goodies that are reasonably priced.  World Market has quickly become my go-to because I never have time to be running around town finding each addition to the holiday gift baskets. World Market literally a one-stop-shop for everything I need: baskets, gifts, food, sweet treats and even wine!  

Here, I’ve pulled together two creative holiday gift basket ideas: one for the baker and one for the tea-lover.  I had such fun choosing items specifically tailored to each theme, and it was SO easy; a basket, filler, gifts all tied together with a bow.  These can make great gifting solutions for a foodie, the newlyweds, your child’s teacher, a boss, a next door neighbor, a wine lover..seriously anyone.  Happy gift basket gifting this year!  Truly, MKR