A Little Celebration, Some Reflection, and I want to Hear From You

ByCindy Hattersley Hours Posted on Hours Updated on
Comments 49 Comments

As we welcome a brand-new year, there’s a sense of renewal in the air—a chance to embrace fresh beginnings and set meaningful intentions. This year, I’m excited to kick off with a little celebration, some reflection, and a fun way to hear from all of you. I’ll be sharing some special birthday moments, a glimpse into my plans for the year ahead, and a quick survey to better understand what you’d love to see here on the blog. Let’s toast to a year of inspiration, connection, and endless possibilities!

Today’s post is more like a Sunday favorites post, but let’s give it a go! I have taken a bit of time off Instagram and the blog, but I am energized to begin 2025. I am dying to hear about what you would love to hear more about here on the blog. I shared my recap on Tuesday here if you missed your favorite posts of the year.

A Little Celebration, Some Reflection, and I want to Hear From You

Survey

Every year I do a quick survey. It is so helpful for me in planning my posts for the coming year. I know surveys can be a pain. This one takes less that five minutes and it is anonymous (you can vent). If you don’t want to fill it out, just share your thoughts in the comment section. Here is the link to my 2025 CHD Survey. Your voice is important!

Birthday Photos

As you know my family hosted a 70th birthday party for me. My niece travelled from Florida, my good friend since Kindergarten (Phil) came from Chicago, and so many old and new friends.

Steve did our signaure sausages on the grill with two dips.

Grilled Chicken Sausages and two dips

Lauren did an amazing charcuterie tray.

Lauren's charcuterie tray

and we were so lucky to have the talented team (Julie & Justin Fischer) from the Wine Merchant who worked their magic with some amazing appetizers.

70th birthday appetizers Wine Merchant

What I wore? I I am all about comfort. I thought about wearing a tulle skirt. I sought the advice of my fashion advisor (Summer) who I thought would pick the tulle skirt. She picked my outfit “this looks more like you Gabi”. How could I resist her advice? She was right. It wasn’t glamorous…it was just me. I wore my velvet CP Shades Lily skirt, monogrammed birdies, and a favorite sweater from COS. I was comfortable and enjoyed the party.

Jenna hired photographer Kyla Rudd to capture photos of the event.

cindy hattersley with her neighbors David and Kelly


I want to thank you for being such an important part of this journey. Your thoughts, ideas, and feedback mean the world to me, and they help shape the heart of this blog. Over 13 years ago, I began this blog sharing design projects, entertaining and gardening tips with the hope of inspiring and connecting with others who shared my interests. Now, more than thirteen years later, this blog has grown into something far beyond what I could have imagined—a wonderful community of inspiring women over 50 and beyond. You are a gift and I don’t take any of you for granted.

Here is the link to the survey. Feel free to just share your thoughts in the comment section as well. Thank you for being here. You guys inspire me every day with your enthusiasm, insight, and style!

EDITORS NOTE: WHEN YOU COME TO THE RANKING PART OF THE SURVEY USE THE SLIDER BAR TO SLIDE TO #7. OTHERWISE YOU WILL ONLY SEE SIX OPTIONS. I MADE THE SAME MISTAKE. My trusty assistant Leslie straightened me out!

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49 Comments

  1. Happy belated birthday Cindy! I am relatively new to the blog but really enjoy it. You always look beautiful, fit and fresh! It inspires me to still (try) to look together in a relaxed way!
    Have a wonderful 2025 and thanks for all your hard work offering this fun filled blog !

  2. Cindy, Happy, Happy Birthday! Your pictures of your family and friends are wonderful. We so remember our fun times with you and Steve in Monticello and elsewhere! We would love to see you both. Love, Bill and Judy

    1. Hi Judy & Bill

      We think of you guys so often!! You guys need to come visit. We would have so much fun!!

  3. Cindy, Happy, Happy Birthday! The pictures of your family and friends are wonderful! We so remember all the fun times we had with you and Steve in Monticello and elsewhere. We would love to see you both! Much love, Bill and Judy

    1. Happy Birthday, Cindy! You look lovely. Spending your birthday with friends and family couldn’t get any better. I can see that you are loved much.
      I am turning 70 in February. I feel so blessed to still be healthy and alive. I hope we both have many great years ahead.
      Claudia

      1. Hi Claudia

        Thank you so much. Happy Upcoming Birthday to you. We are so lucky to be entering our 7th decade, aren’t we?

  4. Could not submit the survey but one important thing I would like you to provide a post on is ways to environmentally recycle clothing and shoes when we are finished wearing them. For instance, Eileen Fisher Take Back program. Are there others that we should be aware of ?

    1. Hi Kay

      I am working on a post of resale options and just that! Yes many retailers have similar programs now.

  5. Cindy, I’m so late to this celebration of you. What a wonderful party & you are so clearly loved. Seventy never looked so ‘not intimidating’!! You looked happy, gorgeous & oh so chic. So, here’s to you, seventy & keeping life interesting, fun & filled with love. I’m excited to read what the months ahead bring for you & your loved ones.xo

  6. I enjoy your blog and wanted to respond to your survey. But your survey isn’t working. When I push submit, I get this message: “Please don’t select more than one response per column.” I’ve checked several times and I have not checked more than one response per column.

    1. Hi Ann

      Please note there is a slider at the bottom of the question per my illustration. You have to slide it to see all the options. I made the same mistake my assistant straightened me out!

    2. Hi Ann

      Hopefully today’s graphic may have helped. If not please email me with your thoughts…

  7. Happy Happy Birthday again, pal. You look mahvelous! 💋
    Took the survey – worked fine.
    Cheers to 2025!

  9. Happy New Year Cindy & A Very Happy 70th Birthday 🥳🥳🥳
    Thank you for another truly amazing year of your wonderful inspiration, home decorating & fashion ideas, effort, photos and delicious recipes I am certainly looking forward to continuing receiving and reading your blog posts this year, here’s to a fabulous 2025 🍾🥂🍾
    Simone 🇨🇰🥳💕
    Regards Simone

  10. Happy Birthday Cindy and thank you for so generously sharing the details and photographs of your party. I had to laugh at the phrase on your table napkins “ I thought growing old would take longer”. I will use that in my own 70th birthday party speech this year! I do enjoy your blogs which are an example to us all of your attitude of positive aging.

  13. Hi Cindy,
    Happy healthy everything to you, and your entire family. The pic of the family is great to see, a good looking family.
    Summer suggested the perfect thing to wear. Comfort is everything, you looked comfortable, relaxed, and happy. Red is such a great color on you, the black velvet maxi skirt just perfect. The food served looked artistically presented and very appetizing. So much love went into everything. A total “dream team.”
    How wonderful your niece came and your friend Phil since kindergarten (that is truly incredible and all your friends.
    A BIG congratulations for over thirteen years of blogging. I can tell you put your heart and soul into it. I think it takes so much behind the scenes you do, research, and brain storm, and keeping up to date on so much. Not enough hours in the day.
    Thank you over and over again, YOU are appreciated.
    I did complete the survey, but I do not think it was delivered. Shucks!
    Question for you. Your hair looks beautiful and so healthy. My scalp is extremely dry. What brand and type of shampoo do you use? Suggestions please.
    I’ve been using Moroccanoil-Smoothing Shampoo that I love, my hair gets frizzy. The company suggested I purchase the Moroccanoil- Hydrating Shampoo. My hair is temperamental and does not like it so far, leaves no shine behind, just very dull and dry looking.

  14. Happy 70th Cindy!
    I turn 70 on Tuesday- friends have asked how I feel about it. My answer? Well, I can’t go backwards!
    I embrace the fact that I got to 70 and am grateful for every day I wake up!
    Thanks for inspiring us in so many ways. Have a great spin around the sun!

    1. Happy Birthday on Tuesday Lindsey!! I couldn’t agree more with your sentiments!!

  15. Happy birthday!
    Sorry, Summer and her dance partner stole the party.
    Love that little girl. Tell me about her dance.partner.
    I know it isn’t your pup.
    Keep sharing on your post. Enjoy everyone.

    1. Hi Nan!!

      Summer’s dance partner is Copper, my son’s dog. We are actually babysitting him this week!

  16. Dear Cindy,
    I love your decorating style and use some of your ideas to cheer up my home! Thank you for the time and effort you put into your blog. I would love to learn more about flower arranging with a unique twist. I like a wild look and strive to create that, however, my flowers look a little too organized and “set” in a more traditional way as much as I try to be creative! If you have books to recommend I would truly appreciate it!
    Happy Birthday and as my friend used to say “on to 100”!
    Susan (age 73)

  17. Hi Cindy,
    I enjoy your blog so much. Many thanks.
    There’s no slider on my survey. Should I use a different browser?

    1. Hi Nancy

      It is the gray bar under the answers on that particular question. I could not find it either until Leslie pointed it out to me!!

  18. I turned 60 in November. I was subscribed to many bloggers and I did enjoy reading about their home remodels and designs something was missing….our life interests maybe? So I now only read yours as it has helped me in so many ways. It’s interesting, insightful, touches on my aging concerns and hits the decor and clothes shopping spot on!
    Your honesty with the clothes sizes and quality are so appreciated.
    If you had to choose a place to live/retire..would it be where you are?
    Any helpful tips for those who have those concerns?
    Happy belated birthday! Happy New Year!

    1. Also had trouble with the survey. I could not submit probably because of one of the questions.

  19. Just a heads-up that the section that requires seven different rankings only has six columns, thus when I press “Submit”, my error in not having seven different responses prevents me from submitting the form.
    Love. your blog!

    1. Hi Debbie

      I had the same problem but my trusty assistant Leslie informed me that you need to use the slider to get to 7. I will add that in the notes on the blog.

  21. I’d like the recipe for the dips served with the sausages, please.

    I didn’t fill out the survey because I like everything you do, so no need, no new suggestions.

    1. Yes, please!!!! The recipes for the sausage dips would be greatly appreciated! Happy Belated Birthday & Happy New Year!

  22. Happy New Year Cindy! Happy 70th Birthday and congratulations on over 13 years of creating a blog that has remained on my top 5 list of favorite blogs for as long as I’ve been following you! Your style in all things from fashion to home decor to sharing the lives of very influential people has been such an inspiration to all who follow Cindy Hattersley Design. I look forward to see what’s to come for 2025!

    On another note, do you have any recommendations for accommodations in Paso? We have a family wedding in September and are looking for either a vacation rental or a wonderful hotel.

    Thank you for so many years of dedication and hard work to make a blog that is not only very informative but extremely beautiful!

  23. Hi Cindy
    Really enjoy your posts, pictures and style. I took the survey but it wouldn’t let me submit.
    Reader from Canada

  24. Cindy. . .your party looks like a wonderful celebration for which you are so deserving from your loving family and friends. You are such an inspiration and always look so festive and fun loving as well.

    Please share your husband’s sausage dip recipes.
    Happy New Year, 2025
    Walla Walla subscriber to your incredible blog

  26. Dear Cindy! Wonderful celebration – you look fabulous and happy. Cheers to another year of inspiration! – living our best lives, Anna in Arizona

  27. Happy birthday, Cindy, and thank YOU for all you give, all you do! I’ve truly enjoyed your wonderful posts this year and so glad I found this blog! Happy New Year to you too.

  28. I hate that we missed your party. Looks fun and delicious!! Happy birthday all over again!

  29. Good morning Cindy, looks like you had a fantastic birthday party! Can’t believe how Summer has grown! Just an FYI, I have been happily following you for many years and wanted to take your survey. However, the link provided says I will receive an email once access approved? No email yet…It just seems strange that a reader has to wait to respond, this was not the case for your previous surveys, is it a glitch? Just thought you should know. Have a great day!

    1. Same here. Maybe the permissions just need to adjusted. Love the blog and ideas and folks that are interviewed. Always something beautiful and informative!

      1. Hi Martha

        It is fixed now! I thought I set it to anyone who responds but apparently I didn’t!! It should work now!

    2. Hi Cheryl

      My mistake I thought I had it set to anyone who responds but it works now hopefully!!

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