For many, making New Year’s resolutions is a good way to start the year with renewed effort, focus and excitement. Click through the gallery above for a collection of Sonoma finds to help inspire your pursuit of a happy new year.
Resolution Road: 8 Sonoma Finds to Help You Stay on Track in 2018
Already struggling to keep those New Year's resolutions? We're here to help.
Move it for less: Get your fitness goals going this year without ever tying your shoes with these slip-on sneakers by On. The fact that they're discounted at beloved Sole Desire's outlet store in Santa Rosa is a bonus that double dips on your save money resolution. Sole Desire Rack, 145 3rd St, Santa Rosa, 707-508-1363, soledesire.com
Brown bag it: Of course we love and deserve the food truck lunch or the fare from the bistro down the street, but we can meet our "save money" goals for 2018 with a few more made-from-home lunches. This Furoshiki wrap is a washable and eco-friendly alternative to the brown bag or the indestructible lunch tote. $19.95, Kindred Fair Trade Handcrafts, 605 Fourth Street, Santa Rosa, 707-579-1459, kindredhandcrafts.com
Do-it-Yourself for Yourself: If you've been knitting miles of warm woolies for holiday presents, it might be time to self-gift. Or maybe you're looking to embark on a crafting addiction in 2018. In either case, there's a wonderful resource for yarn, patterns and skills at Cast Away Yarn Shop. Sit & Stitch Sundays and Thursday Help Nights plus a vast supply of beautiful products means something for every rank of knitter. Cast Away Yarn Shop, 100 4th St., Santa Rosa, 707-546-9276, castawayyarnshop.com
Shop second hand for a good cause: Quadruple dip in your resolution goals by thrifting. Save money, be uniquely stylish, shop greener and support a good cause. Railroad Square is a bit of a hub for consignment shops with unique finds. Three Monkey Thrift supports Face to Face Sonoma, the county's organization to help end HIV and support those living with HIV/AIDS. Three Monkeys Thrift, 116 4th St, Santa Rosa, 707-541-7227, 3monkeysthrift.com
Become a rock star: The ukulele is remarkably easy to learn, which is part of the reason the instrument's popularity has soared in recent years. With a little bit of instruction, even via YouTube, you can be strumming your resolution goals into musical submission. Stars Guitar Music Store, 109 3rd St, Santa Rosa, 707-978-4125, starguitarsmusicstore.com
Save money while shopping: Shopping sales in search of bargains we don't need just creates clutter and the need for more resolutions. But if you still need some winter pieces, you might find them on sale at the Petaluma Village Premium Outlets' winter clearance event. The sale with extra discounts on end-of-season famous maker items is happening January 12-15. Petaluma Village Premium Outlets, 2200 Petaluma Blvd N, Petaluma, 707-778-9300, premiumoutlets.com/outlet/petaluma-village
Out with the take-out: Busy lives need slow cooking, and Wendy from Sign of the Bear recommends slow cooker recipe books like "Super Food Slow Cooker." Wendy says these titles are popular with customers right now, calling this a time of year when we all aim to "take care of ourselves in small ways every day that make a difference." $19.99, Sign of the Bear Kitchenware, 435 1st St W, Sonoma, 707-996-3722, facebook.com
Planner's Playland: Great deeds often result from great planning. This notebook gives you lots of space for note-taking and idea swirling. With a flexible calendar in which you can circle dates, this book lasts until you fill it up, not when the calendar decides you're done. Bound in canvas with soft pages, this book is, unlike the organizer in your phone, blissfully separate from the very distracting internet. $17.99, Copperfield's Books, 138 N. Main Street, Sebastopol, 707-823-2618, 140 Kentucky Street, Petaluma, 707-762-0563, 106 Matheson Street, Healdsburg, 707-433-9270, 775 Village Court, Santa Rosa, 707-578-8938, copperfieldbooks.com
