New beginnings

charlotta eve lifestyle blog

It’s finally December and as always, it feels both wonderful and a bit stressful. I love waking up, switching on all the Christmas lights and opening my Christmas calendar (I get both chocolate and makeup). Then again, I know in just a blink of an eye it’s Christmas Eve already and I’m sad for the holidays (and this year) to end.

For the longest of time, I’ve wanted to come here and write. Something. And now, maybe also to share big news. But juggling it all has proved to be more difficult than I thought. I’m sad that I haven’t been as active on this blog as I would have liked. Then again, the baby year (well, 10 months, 2 still left) has been intense. My time and energy has gone to the family life, keeping our home clean and myself fit. I’ve also tried to make time for friends and for myself. I’ve prioritized doing nice things with Eva, exercising and resting. And trying to enjoy this special time, without worrying about work. Because once again, no ne else expects me to do it all, except myself.

And this has felt like the right decision. Pregnancy was so weird body-wise, that I really appreciate having the ability to move again and to feel like myself. And the baby time goes by so fast. Seriously. I shouldn’t be in a hurry.

I’ve tried to compensate the lack of posts by updating my Instagram, but it’s not quite the same. There have been ideas, feelings and thoughts I’ve wanted to share, but rarely had the time or energy. Luckily you can always write about stuff afterwards.

As prepared as I was, you can’t really prepare for motherhood. How wonderful, challenging and most of all – natural – it feels to be a mom. Getting to watch Eva smile, grow, sleep and become her own person is magical. She shines and it makes me shine. Sometimes I feel like my heart is gonna burst and I feel so lucky. Like if nothing else existed, but her, it would be enough. Like I don’t even want to blink watching her, in case I would miss a moment.

Yet another moment I would just like to be alone. Just Charlotta. I have grown and struggled a lot during this year. How many crisis I’ve had and some are probably still ongoing. How many times I’ve dreamed of having my own apartment, just containing one bed, where I would sleep from 9 till 9. But then came sleep training and now I’m sleeping fine. And I’m not moving.

But we are. And that’s the big news! I have pretty much lived my whole life in Helsinki, but now we are moving to Vantaa. We are moving into a new house, next to a forest. I’m gonna need a car a lot more than here, but hey, what better way to make me an awesome driver. I did say, in this interview I still can’t believe happened, that our plan was to move a bit farther away from the city. Eva gets her own room. We get more space. We get a sauna. And the house is beautiful.

We even get a fireplace, which I can’t wait to stare at, while holding a cup of coffee in my hand.

charlotta eve lifestyle blog

Changes are difficult to me. A fact, that Risto likes to remind me. Apparently I cried quite a bit before moving to this apartment. And it’s my dream apartment, one where I’ve really really loved living. So I’m reminding myself that moving is stressful, but it’s gonna be fine. There’s a picture on our wall that says “home is whenever I’m with you”. And that’s true. It’s gonna be different, but I will get used to it. And I’m excited too.

So this month will be a busy one, trying to go through our stuff, pack and plan. While obviously being with Eva, see some friends every once in a while and hopefully have time to just lay under a blanket and watch Christmas movies. That last one is super important.

Come to think of it, it actually sounds nice. I’m someone who likes being active and doing stuff. Even more so, now that I’m a mom. The productivity at home is really something. Maybe at some point I can try opening this laptop more often too.

For the next year, I’m planning to return to work part-time. I miss doing this.

New beginning are always good. I’m feeling hopeful.

charlotta eve lifestyle blog

How does your December look like?

 

 

Christmas in our home

Welcome to our home – during Christmas time! Spicing up our home in November (I start early) is a top priority to me and it’s the key thing in bringing me that Christmas spirit. I thought it would be fun to share some photos of our decorations. Maybe you can get into the spirit as well? Besides, I always love seeing other peoples’ homes.

This might just be the first time I actually share photos of our home. I always compare our home and my photos to all these amazing home bloggers with their impeccable interior design and decorations.  And I know – these are professionals and it’s their job. Still I find myself comparing and feeling like our style is not good enough. I guess you won’t find our home in a magazine, but it’s a really special place for us nevertheless. And I’ve promised to stop comparing myself to others, so this is me trying to do that. (Recently I’ve even shared some messy photos of our home on IG, just to remind everyone – myself included – that mess is normal. We do live here after all. Plus I’m seven months pregnant and yes it does affect my motivation to keep everything tip top.)

Christmas in our home

We have two trees: big and small. The small table tree was the first Christmas tree I bought for our home. It was back when we lived in a small one-room flat and it was the only thing that fit. It’s still important to me and I love to have it in our bedroom. It was also actually the last one in the store that I bought it from. I was lucky to snatch it. The little tree reminds me of the moment I started to build Christmas traditions with Risto. However or wherever I spend it, I get to share it with him.

When it comes to the big tree, I’m actually dreaming of a bigger one. I’m thinking that for our next, bigger apartment, I’m getting a bigger tree with snowy branches. As for the decorations, I went for gold, bronze and white tones. Funny how I used to love silver and now can’t stand it. (I’ve still saved all my silver baubles, because I have learned not to trust my own taste. It changes.)

Our small table Christmas tree and our advent calendar. I saved last year’s Rituals’ Advent Calendar and filled it with chocolate. No regrets there!

The most wonderful time of the year

As for the other decorations, I have added an elf or some light strips here and there. For our windows I have two small white stars hanging. (Also on my list is to buy a huge lighted star.)

In our bathroom I just have a wintery candle. It’s funny how the tables have turned in our relationship. I used to be the one all crazy about Christmas, but this year Risto asked about decorations in the bathroom. “Surely the Christmas decorations can’t stop at bathroom? Are you gonna add something there? Maybe an elf or two?”

The dried eucalyptus I have in the vase stays there all year round.

Photo from last year (when I could still fit into that pyjama). But the Christmas beddings are still relevant! I got them from my sister and every Christmas I make sure to wake up from them.

I always look forward to Christmas. It’s a time for me to stop, reflect the year and really relax. Take some time to myself – and my family. This year I feel an extra need for the relaxation. It feels lovely being able to enjoy this pregnancy in December. Quite many Christmases I dreamed about it, after all. It’s not long until I’ll step away from work to the baby bubble and things will be really different. But for now, I’ll enjoy the most wonderful time of the year.

P.S. How convenient, that after taking these photos we actually totally changed everything by switching the dining room and living room area vice versa? I actually love our home even more like that. Maybe, just maybe I’ll feel inspired to share photos of our normal home after Christmas. Maybe I could then share the bedroom/nursery as well.

Do you decorate your home for Christmas?

I also want to wish you a very Merry Christmas!

 

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