Style Resolutions 2009: Rachel from Heart of Light

I think you would struggle to find a blogger who doesn't love Rachel's blog Heart of Light. In fact, I've recently been researching food blogs and a secret source recommended Rachel's for recipes because "it's like getting a recipe tip from a good friend, and who doesn't love to get kitchen advice from someone whose taste you trust and admire?" All of her recipes look really easy - this cornbread is so basic - at just about my level of culinary skill.

I think Rachel might be the American Nigella, waiting patiently in the shadows for her chance to take over the domestic goddess title - who else goes around making homemade tool belt aprons, hosting gingerbread house parties, and doing all the catering for her sister's wedding? Need more evidence? See below for her idea for wrapping next year's Christmas presents...

Style Resolutions: Rachel from Heart of Light

Q. What was your favourite design find/achievement of 2008?

A. We made some pretty big modifications in our apartment this year. We found a Danish modern dining room table set on eBay that has made a huge difference and we painted our long wall bright blue. Previously, it had been bright orange, but I was ready for a serene change.

Q. What are your style resolutions for 2009?

A. Interior design: I want to continue to reorganize and prioritize. This involves putting some open shelving in my kitchen area to better display some of my flea market treasures and hopefully finding a way to make my sewing area more functional.

Gifts/Wrapping: I am trying to move away from wrapping paper, as much as I adore the patterns. This year I used recycled brown paper tied with bright string, and by next year I'm hoping to have some sweet reusable cloth bags sewn up in various sizes and festive colors.

Shopping/Fashion: I need to do a major overhaul on my wardrobe and clean out things I'll never wear again, revamp old pieces that need some work (my big goal this year), and invest sparingly in quality pieces. This resolution might break down because I have a hard time resisting cute, cheap tops and dresses.

Q. Which style/design blog(s) will you be reading in 2009?

A. Oh no. I have so many wonderful blogs that I love reading daily that it's almost impossible to choose from among them. Design Sponge, Hoping for Happy Accidents and Poetic Home are just a few of my current faves.