Life is all about finding joy in unique places. Who doesn’t like a good rug? Rugs have personality and pizzazz. Rugs smartly accent hardwood floors, bringing a pleasant duality to a room. And, rugs are far superior to carpet. A shag carpet is creepy, but a shag rug is just plain comfy—ask our Boston Terrier, Odie. Yes, a good rug pleases us. We particularly like this Kasbah Wool Rug from west elm. Count Odie a fan too. source: westelm.com

5. Drink Your Way from Sea to Shining Sea We understand your dilemma. You want to see the United States but cannot swing a three-week road trip from Charleston, South Carolina to Portland, Oregon. Here’s our solution. Drink it. Plot your course, then sample a craft beer from every state on the route. Not in one sitting, mind you. Throughout the year. 4. Dress More Dapperly Few employers require business formal dress. Regardless, wear a tie—not always but sometimes. The right tie does a gentleman good. Ties get attention. They start conversation. They command respect. And, you can integrate them into your wardrobe without reinventing it. Add an outer layer, such as a sport coat, V-neck sweater or cardigan, because without it you risk looking like the teenager who stocks shelves at your local grocer. Outfitted right, though, 2014 might...