The January Edit: Let's (Slowly) Reset

January always feels like it’s supposed to be a fresh start. New goals, new routines, a calm and confident beginning to the year. And that’s exactly how this month started for us. We sat down, made plans, talked through what we wanted the year to look like, and I felt genuinely excited and motivated for the year.

And then real life happened!!! Between weeks of sickness (both of us and the kids), Jeff traveling for work, and trying to keep everything moving at home, January quickly became overwhelming. Some days felt like I was just holding it all together — doing what needed to be done and pushing everything else to “later.” The plans we made at the beginning of the month didn’t feel wrong, they just started to feel heavy. Not because they weren’t good goals, but because we hadn’t figured out how to make them realistic in this season of life.

So instead of forcing a fresh start that didn’t feel attainable, we decided to reset in February. Not giving up, not scrapping our plans — just pausing, adjusting expectations, and starting again with a little more grace and a lot less pressure! That mindset is exactly what inspired this dinner and this table.

This January tablescape was never meant to be fancy or overdone. It was about creating something calm, comforting, and familiar — the kind of table you gather around when life feels busy but you still want to slow down and mark the moment. I leaned into a classic blue and white color palette because it always feels timeless and grounding. For me, ginger jars and the color blue always work!

The base of the table starts with this blue and white table runner, which immediately sets the tone and it SO versatile. I just love this stuff - it's paper and everything this brand makes is on point. It comes in a roll and I'm excited to use this print again for a patriotic theme later this summer. I layered blue scalloped placemats with these stunning Spode blue and white charger plates and tied it together with Royal Check dinner plates. The different blues all play together so beautifully. Simple linen napkins with subtle navy trim (HomeGoods find) and my usual gold flatware add warmth and balance to all of the blue. I kept it simple with my every day red wine glasses (they are a favorite) and Royal Check glasses that match the dinner plates.

For the center of the table, I kept things classic and collected with blue and white ginger jars (similar) mixed with my extra large white ginger jar. These are the kinds of items I love using again and again because they work for so many seasons and instantly elevate the table without feeling fussy. Navy taper candles in vintage brass candle holders (eBay find) add just enough contrast and warmth. It's super uncommon for me to have a flower-less table! I may interchange greenery for flowers, but really rare that I have no florals at all but for some reason, this just felt right!

The menu followed that same mindset — nothing new, nothing complicated, just good comfort food that I know works. January is not the month I want to experiment in the kitchen. I want recipes that are tried and true, food that feels familiar, and meals that let me actually enjoy the evening instead of stressing about how everything will turn out. This dinner was exactly that. Simple, comforting, and perfect for a winter night at home. I made my no-vodka sauce and quickly boiled some water for gnocchi and tossed a caprese & arugula salad while Jeff grilled a steak and poured some red wine!

As we sat around this table, it felt like a quiet reminder that even when the year doesn’t start the way you imagined, there is still so much ahead. This wasn’t a grand reset or a big moment — it was just a beautiful table, a comforting meal, and a pause to reflect on everything we still have to look forward to in 2026.

If your January felt overwhelming, messy, or heavier than expected, you’re not alone. And if your goals feel a little out of reach right now, that doesn’t mean they won’t happen. Sometimes the best thing you can do is slow down, simplify, set a beautiful table, and give yourself permission to begin again — in February!