December at a glance...

Goodbye December. Goodbye 2024…

First and foremost, Happy New Year! I hope you rang into 2025 safely and determined to harness it, no matter what comes your way...

I sincerely wish you receive everything you deserve, and more in 2025!

Now on to regular programming…

WHAT I/WE DID

The holiday season felt short this year and it went by too fast.

Because I didn’t act quick enough, we missed a few events I wanted to attend, so we were left figuring out ways to fill our calendar with other festive and non-festive things. Nonetheless, the holidays were lovely here, and we had a good time.

DECEMBER BLOG POSTS ROUNDUP

I dropped the ball in December (pun intended). I had more content planned but not enough time to prepare it, so here is what I did manage to publish…

5 things that bring me joy this week. I published two posts from this series in December, not because there weren’t things that brought me joy, but because of… time (or lack thereof).

Things to do to get yourself into the holiday spirit. Simple ideas for a more festive season.

Little Black Dress styling. This past month, I went through my closet and rediscovered forgotten items, including this long-time favorite, the Little Black Dress, for which I found a new love.

November at a glance... The monthly recap, as we know it.

What I bought

This list does not include items I bought “offline” or that are now sold out. From what’s still available, I bought…

This linen-blend dress (in “snow day”, aka cream and black, on major sale!). They’re so chic. I sized up as the retailer says they run small and they fit me perfectly.

This pleated taffeta dress in red. I bought this dress in teal and red and have zero regrets about it. I sized up since it’s tight in the chest; if you’re small-chested, consider taking it in your normal size.

MY MOST WORN ITEM(s) IN DECEMBER

These Ralph Lauren flats (in deep saddle tan). I find they run true to size and are comfortable.

Runner up: this linen blend dress I bought the previous month and I mean it when I say I love it! Runs TTS.

WHAT I READ

1) Between the Sound and Sea by Amanda Cox.

“Josephina "Joey" Harris wouldn't mind if her family still had a few of their own after a lawsuit tarnishes their name. When an opportunity opens to become a temporary keeper of a decommissioned lighthouse on a North Carolina island, she takes the opportunity to escape the scrutiny of her small town to oversee its restoration.

Soon Joey discovers strange notes tucked deep in the crevices of the lighthouse's old stone walls--pages torn from a keeper's log recounting harrowing rescues at sea. When things start to go amiss on the island, locals are convinced that it is the ghost of the lighthouse keeper and his daughter who were lost at sea during World War II.

As Joey sifts through decades of rumors and legends and puts together the pieces of the past, a love story emerges--one that's clearly not over yet.”

I enjoyed this book, even if some of the storylines are predictable.

2) The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by Eckhart Tolle.

“It’s no wonder that The Power of Now has sold over 16 million copies worldwide and has been translated into over 30 foreign languages. Much more than simple principles and platitudes, the book takes readers on an inspiring spiritual journey to find their true and deepest self and reach the ultimate in personal growth and spirituality: the discovery of truth and light. In the first chapter, Tolle introduces readers to enlightenment and its natural enemy, the mind. He awakens readers to their role as a creator of pain and shows them how to have a pain-free identity by living fully in the present. The journey is thrilling, and along the way, the author shows how to connect to the indestructible essence of our Being, “the eternal, ever-present One Life beyond the myriad forms of life that are subject to birth and death.” Featuring a new preface by the author, this paperback shows that only after regaining awareness of Being, liberated from Mind and intensely in the Now, is there Enlightenment.”

It felt like a good time to pick up this book and “quiet” our minds. I’m still reading it, but so far it has been eye-opening. I consider this to be another required reading material for everyone.

What we watched

All the Jurassic Park movies. They’re not holiday-themed, but since we re-watched most holiday movies last year, we couldn’t do it again this year (I need some time between rewatching). We decided to watch all the Jurassic Park movies out so far, and I have to admit I mostly enjoyed them.

Shrinking. I loved season two and I think it’s better than season one. Without any spoilers, the season two finale had us at the edge of our seats and in tears. Such a good one!

When Harry Met Sally... Is it even the holiday season without watching this classic?

Downton Abbey (the movie). I finally got around to watching the first movie after loving the series. It started out a bit boring and infuriating, but oh my, did it get good! I’m forever a big fan of the helping staff!

It Ends with Us. As the controversy around this movie reignited this past month, I decided to finally watch it and I’m flabbergasted by its promotion (to be clear, I do not blame Blake Lively for it at all). I read the books but wasn’t sure how close the movie would be to the storyline; the acting is great, but as with the first book, I found the movie triggering and not something I’d watch normally. Hence, I can’t recommend it.

No Good Deed. We’re currently watching it and I’ll just say it… what is this? So far, this show feels like a hot mess of nothing… We hope it gets better…

Gilmore Girls. We’re also currently watching this for the first time since I keep seeing people “obsessing” about it. We’re still on season one and… it’s not bad so far.