Our first New Year’s Eve in our new house, and I can definitely say it was one of the better ones in a long long time. We had considered going into the city or going out to dinner, but Huey got wind of it and was horrified that we might not spend New Year’s Eve together.
Indy was furious.
Truthfully, we just decided that a quiet meal and movie night at home sounded a lot safer and a lot more fun. With lots of holiday cheer and New Year’s ambiance…
And a Christmas tree that I threaten to take down every day, but then somehow ends up plugged in and twinkling at me every night.
The only request I made for New Year’s Eve was to NOT cook! Sometimes we all need a break. :) Enter the Whole Foods hot bar – and my almost 2 pound box of delicious healthy, vegetarian salad samples. You pop bubbly, I pop kombucha.
Asian slaw, marinated tofu, grilled plantains, biryani rice, Chinese black forbidden rice, mozzarella balls, and much much more.
I have spent a lot of previous New Year celebrations out battling crowds, playing beer pong, and eating overpriced prix fixe food. While all of those things were fun at the time, they just aren’t for me anymore. I wouldn’t take any of them back (okay, maybe NYE 2005…)
But last night, this spot sounded just perfect.
You have to recognize the irony that the majority of New Year’s resolutions are heavily health focused, and yet so many people start the new year feeling hungover and terrible. I certainly used to be one of them. It took a little growing up to realize that the only time I want to be glued to my couch is for reasons like this…
And the only hangovers I get these days are of the sugar variety. (So engrossed in the House Hunters marathon that I can’t even smile!)
Nothing says 2011 like a giant bowl of coconut milk ice cream, and that is a fact.
Happy New Year! I hope your celebrations were safe and happy. :)
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Your NYE looks and sounds perfect. I also had a glorious NYE at home…….with the added benefit of watching lots of fireworks from our windows without having to venture out in the cold!
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Sounds like a completely lovely NYE. :) I also spent the night in hanging out, watching movies, and eating vegan coconut milk ice cream! Great minds think alike, Emily!
Happy New Year to you and Casey!
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I hear ya with the health resolutions + starting hungover. Starting the year out fresh and feeling good makes much more sense!!
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We did go out for a delicious and moderately overpriced dinner, but we definitely spent the rest of the night on the couch with football. Both Tom and I remarked how nice it was to not be hungover this morning!
Happy New Year!
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Happy new year! Glad you spent NYE your way, doing your own thing :) I’m sure 2011 will treat you well!
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Ooh coconut milk ice cream sounds nice! :) And your dogs are SO so cute!
Happy New Year Emily!!
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My husband and I spent the evening in the exact same way – except we made dinner.
We watched the movie The Town and ate brownies – perfect way to ring in the new year!
Happy New Year!
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Emily Malone Reply:
January 1st, 2011 at 7:32 pm
I LOVED The Town – one of the best movies I’ve seen in a while. Hope you guys liked it too!
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It looks awesome, Emily. And you’re very right about the way many people start the new year – feeling awful! I took it easy on the drinking last night, but I did have a teensy over carbed and cheesed and sugared feeling!
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What a charm to begin 2011 this morning feeling strong, no alcool = no hangover and a lot of energy. Even if I enjoy good champagne and I’m not completely vegetarian, I find your lifestyle very inspiring, thank you for that ! Happy 2011 to you !
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Emily Malone Reply:
January 1st, 2011 at 7:31 pm
Thanks Anne – that means a lot! I try to make sure the content here can be relevant to everyone – the world is interesting because we are all so different. :)
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This may sound really weird, but I love how you covered your hand with you sweatshirt so it doesn’t get cold from the ice cream dish! I do the exact same thing!
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Emily Malone Reply:
January 1st, 2011 at 7:31 pm
Haha YES! And when things are too hot, I eat with an oven mitt on. :)
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I also spent the night in and am so happy, rested, and thankful this morning.
Unfortunately, I am also at work, but such is life…
Happy New Year and keep up your blogging!
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My husband and I had the same epiphany yesterday afternoon. We cancelled our dinner reservations at a vegan restaurant about an hour away and got busy taking down decorations. It’s our first year in our new home and we went through EVERY SINGLE decoration and dish and ornament, labeled and boxed accordingly, re-decorated with snowflakes and snowmen (since it is winter after all and I love to celebrate the seasons as well) and then cleaned the house. Feels amazing to wake up with out all the decorations to tackle. We declared it’s a new traditionf or us. We had some homemade pizza and then bubbly at midnight. Today we feel amazing and are starting our new year off with massages and veggie sushi. That’s the way to bring in a new year!!
All the best to you in 2011.
Namaste.
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Emily Malone Reply:
January 1st, 2011 at 7:30 pm
I love new traditions!
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Did you make said ice cream? My 5 yr. old asked Santa for an ice cream maker. I am now scouring your blog for recipes that don’t include “heavy whipping cream” and taste like cool whip.
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Emily Malone Reply:
January 1st, 2011 at 7:30 pm
No, I bought it at Whole Foods! It was the So Delicious brand – very delicious indeed.
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Very cute post! I am not one to go out and fight the madness on NYE. I would rather stay home with friends and family and enjoy ringing in the new year with those I care about.
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Happy New Year Emily! Congrats on the first NY in your new house. Can’t wait for your 2011 posts. :)
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Happy New Year Emily! I hope it is a great year for you and Casey!
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I would love some coconut milk ice cream! Happ new years!
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Glad your NYE was everything you wanted and that you had someone to share it with!
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I’m glad I’m not the only one who enjoyed a quiet night in with the hubby. I am much more of a homebody and never fancy battling the crowds on New Years Eve. I’m glad you had a good night and I wish you luck for the year ahead.
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I hadn’t really thought about it until right now, but I did not have one drink last night. Diet coke, water and coffee, but not even a glass of wine! And it was, by far, one of the best new year’s in awhile …
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You NYE was a lot like mine… just relaxing and not worrying about insane cover prices or crowds! :)
The perfect way to spend it in my opinion. ;)
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Your NYE sounds perfect – ours was almost identical, but we cooked at home. I love a big, extravagant feast at home on the last night of the year – sends the year out in style. :)
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My NYE was similar. We stayed in and made dinner and watched tv. It was really nice not to wake up feeling like crap for once!
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I stayed in with my husband and watched TV. Snuggling and ice cream was exactly my night. Perfection!
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Happy New Year, Emily! I’m glad you enjoyed your night in, it looked very relaxing. And that picture of Huey is priceless. He must have been very happy you decided to stay :)
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Sounds like a fabulous night. I hosted a party and of the 14 attendees, only 4 drank. So nice to be surrounded by friends that “get” we are no longer in college. I poured sparkling cider for the midnight toast. Good food, amazing friends, trivia, poker and Rock Band, my kind of night. Happy New Year Emily!
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Emily Malone Reply:
January 1st, 2011 at 7:27 pm
Sounds like you have a great group of friends!
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haha, I watched so many episodes of House Hunters yesterday too! Hope you have an amazing year!! :)
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I was out last night until 1, but nursed 2 beers over the course of a few hours and then switched to water. I watched the people around me get drunker and drunker (mostly people in their 60′s which was really disturbing.)
This morning I woke up feeling so good, then went to a “detox” yoga class – although my guess is that the people who needed the detox were at home with hangovers.
I started my weight loss resolution the week before Thanksgiving and am down 6 pounds! (Yay Weight Watchers!)
I don’t think anyone ever woke up the day after New Year’s Eve and said “I really regret not drinking more.”
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Emily Malone Reply:
January 1st, 2011 at 7:27 pm
There is nothing more awkward than drunk old people. :) Congrats on your early (and successful) resolution!
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I love the irony of starting the year healthfully… hungover? Weird, right?
Happy New Year Emily!
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We stayed in as well, it was glorious.
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I spent many NYE’s passed out, crazy drunk and partying until dawn…words can’t express how happy I am that part of my life is WAY behind me. I no longer drink or party till dawn and I couldn’t be happier.
Our night looked much like yours except we had 3 kids hanging out with us :)
Happy 2011!
Jen
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What a night! The only reason I went out is that Alex was working a graveyard shift and I wanted to hang out with people instead of sit at home alone! I thought of you last night when I ordered a Shirley Temple instead of a cocktail… the waitress looked less than amused! ;)
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Emily Malone Reply:
January 1st, 2011 at 7:26 pm
Haha that is awesome! We get lots of dirty looks for our club sodas. :)
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I see nothing wrong with staying home surrounded by the ones you love. Been my choice since I got married. Happy 2011!!!
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Sounds like an awesome night to me. My husband and I went out, but we live in a very small town so it wasn’t really a big affair. Still though, we were sitting at the bar, listening to a live band and all the crazy drunk people. He was having a drink, I was having a water, and after the first 10 minutes I was ready to come back home and sit on the couch together. Haha. I guess that’s getting old for you. :) We left right after we watched the ball drop. We don’t have cable and that was the only reason we went out in the first place. Haha.
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Love the pictures of your dogs! Sounds like a perfect night!! Happy New Year!! :-)
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My boyfriend and I said the same thing this morning….”It’s so nice not to wake up hungover.”
I still remember New Years Day 1998…. :P
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Emily Malone Reply:
January 1st, 2011 at 7:25 pm
hahahaha I had a few that stick out in my mind. :)
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I love cozy nights at home. I’m definitly a homebody!!
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I had a similar NYE. No big plans means no pressure and no disappointment. Had a great night!!
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Sounds like my kind of New Years Eve! Perfect! Happy new year!
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We stayed in and played Apples to Apples and made appetizers with Jess and Dudley. It was perfect and MUCH preferable to battling crowds and overpaying for mediocre food. ;-)
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Emily Malone Reply:
January 1st, 2011 at 7:24 pm
Awww fun – I wish we had been there! Hope you are enjoying cooking in your new beautiful kitchen. :)
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I had a pretty low-key night as well. The best thing about growing up is is that you feel less and less lame about staying in when you want to- I have to say that coconut milk ice cream sounds like a wonderful way to spend new year’s!! Happy 2011!!
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Emily Malone Reply:
January 1st, 2011 at 7:23 pm
Totally agree. You learned that at a much younger age than I did, which is awesome.
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Definitely sounds like a fun night. We were home by 11:30 and in bed by 12:30. I’m just proud we made it to midnight!
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Happy New Year!! Your night sounded wonderful!! I have like celebration New Years, never had a good night. Although last night I did get to enjoy some couch and TV time in between driving around my drunk friends :) Good times, haha
~Michelle
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this is the sweetest post! I love it and want to look at all the photos again; they are so cozy and full of happiness. Wow I feel like a sap right now… happy new year!
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Emily Malone Reply:
January 1st, 2011 at 7:23 pm
haha thanks – you too! :)
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Love you post. Last night we stayed in and enjoyed our time of peace. I guess it takes some growing up every now and again. Today I realized I am 280 days from being 30 years old. http://ashandlewplus2.com/2011/01/01/280-days-to-a-new-me-lew-that-is/
I have decided to lose 58lbs before I am 30.. I think I can do, I think I can I think I can..
have a Happy New year
Lew
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Emily Malone Reply:
January 1st, 2011 at 7:23 pm
I am 54 days away from 30! You can do it! :)
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Happy New Year Emily and Casey!
Looks like a perfect way to spend New Years :)
My goodness your couch looks divine, and soooo comfy!
Hope this year is wonderful to you, brings happiness, health and lots of smiles and hugs! xo
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Sounds amazing. The hubby and I took it easy this year too and had a few family members over. I DID make tons of food…mostly raw for the event and we popped a bottle of bubbly but no hangover, no party til the morning or anything crazy like that. It was nice.
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Awe, sounds like a great New Year’s!
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I woke up *less* hungover than other New Year’s. I consider that an achievement :)
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Emily Malone Reply:
January 1st, 2011 at 8:14 pm
I do too. :) Baby steps! Hope it was a fun time!
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The Whole Foods Box is a great idea!
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I just started reading your blog and I love it. I love your life style. It’s so much fun to read about. My husband and I don’t drink either and we find it is very difficult to make friends in new places without it. But we have each other so that’s what really matters :). Thank you for being an inspiration. I’m looking forward to following your blog more this year. Keep it up and happy new year!
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sounds wonderful. when and if you have children, you may discover something we have grown to love: the dinner/movie date riaght at home. it’s pretty much what you did last night, although i usually cook, light candles, and try to make it feel special and different from regular evenings. with your children tucked away in their beds, it makes for a nice evening without the expense of going out (and include the $15/hour for a sitter onto the meal and movie costs…) i will also add that what felt like a great start to the new year for me today was the seven mile run i did outside. although it’s in the 20s here in chicago, the running trail along lake michigan was clear of snow and ice, and it felt pretty glorious. nothing beats a run outside, even in the dead of winter, and i felt so happy to be in good shape, able to do 7+ miles without a problem. here’s to healthy food and fitness in 2011.
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Emily Malone Reply:
January 2nd, 2011 at 12:41 pm
That sounds wonderful! I love the Chicago Lakefront Trail!
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Sounds like a nice night :-) That old picture is really funny.
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Ever since they put Komboucha back on the shelves…have you noticed that they taste less…effervescent? I’m sitting next to a Cosmic Cranberry and a glass of chocolate wine right now and I must admit that I’m choosing the sips of the CC Komboucha more often! Happy New Year’s!
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Emily Malone Reply:
January 2nd, 2011 at 12:40 pm
Yeah I agree, they aren’t quite as good anymore. :/
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I also rang in the new year (long before midnight..) with a bowl of coconut milk ice cream. :)
What flavors of kombucha would you suggest to someone who tried one once & immediately referred to it as prison hooch? A less offensive flavor, perhaps?
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We stayed in last night and played Rock Band and then watched the ball drop. I woke up with a cold, but it wasn’t from anything I ate or drank last night – one of our cats was at the vet and I wanted our evening to be low-key and relaxing!
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We’re still enjoying our Christmas decorations (and tree), too. Your house looks like one cozy ‘ball of love’ – haha :)
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I love the pictures you post of your dogs… your narration is so funny! Glad you had a relaxing New Years Eve :)
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Definitely agree about the irony that comes with resolutions! I stayed home with a few glasses of red – next year I may go out buy it will be alcohol free.
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I hope my next New Year’s is the same! ;) Yours sounded perfect. Happy New Year Emily!
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I love a relaxing New Years Eve celebration as well. I went out for a run on Saturday to welcome the New Year, and felt so happy that I could be out running vs. being glued to a couch. ;)
Happy New Years! :D
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Happy New Year Emily! I love the fact that you and Casey spent NYE on the couch with your pets- my husband and I did the same and it’s always nice to know that other couples choose to not go out and party but instead spend a quiet evening at home- thanks for sharing!
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Funny what a little growing up can do!! We spent our night on the couch with indian food, a movie, two cats and a dog….perfect!
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I am totally with you on low key NYE celebrations. My husband and I stayed in this year and it was great. The best part was waking up in 2011 feeling refreshed after a great nights sleep. I didn’t even make it up to see the ball drop!
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I had a quiet new years with the family too. Sometimes thats the way to go! Is Huey a german shorthaired pointer? He looks so much like my GSP!
Happy New Year :)
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Emily Malone Reply:
January 2nd, 2011 at 12:40 pm
Yes totally! And Indy is half GSP, half yellow lab. They are such a great breed!
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Love your blog .. always so refreshing !!
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I agree with your “stay in” decision. Especially the Whole Foods food box thing. Definitely love that. And Mozarrella balls ARE great! Your couch looks so comfy!
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Loved your relaxing NYE! I love to have friends over, but to be alone with my hubby and puppy sounds perfect! You look happy as a clam! Happy New Year Emily!
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Oh, the Whole Foods hot bar, and salad bar – my weakness! And coconut milk ice cream – you are talking my language. Sounds like you had fun – I was glued to the “House Hunters” marathon too – love that show so very much. I looked just the same, except substitute two cats for the two dogs. ;)
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I just love your dogs!!! so love Christmas tree pics..always!!! Jealous of your Whole Foods and coconut ice cream! :)
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We spent our new years eve very similarly, nice relaxed dinner at home, movies and were in bed at midnight! It was awesome to be able to get up on new years morning and crank out my 23 mile long run and not have to worry about a hangover or crappy food the night before. Happy new year!
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It sounds like you had the perfect New Year’s Eve – I think this was the first year that I did not even make it to midnight – I was sound asleep and woken up by fireworks at midnight! I blame the 11 hours of driving that came before midnight that day, but 5 years ago I would have been fighting off sleep to at least see 12:01 am!
Happy New Year!
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We stayed in on NYE too. It was partly because we were packing for a road trip the next day, but also because it sounded a million times better than going anywhere to me too! Happy New Year Emily! Hopefully I’ll see you sometime this year!
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