Hello, friends! I’ve missed you and this space we share!
I hope your month of December was filled with good things. The first few weeks felt full of holiday spirit, but then it all kind of dies off once school is out, doesn’t it? I’m not even sure I’m a real person the last two weeks of the year.
But even in that liminal space, we get bombarded with all the “2025 Wrapped” recaps from every tool under the sun. I’m good with Spotify and maybe Google Photos, but I don’t need a recap of my grocery purchases from the past year (those numbers can stay hidden, thanks.)
And then suddenly Christmas was over and everyone’s talking resolutions and vision boards and… can we just breathe for a second?
So despite the pressure a new year-new page-fresh start can bring… this newsletter, like most of my life right now, is continuing as is! You might notice a few small branding tweaks to better reflect what I’m curating, but otherwise, let’s not fix what ain’t broke.
(I am working on my favorite book list of 2025, expect that towards the end of the month!)
21 Facts About Throwing Good Parties. I’m not really a party host, but there’s some good nuggets here for general hospitality. 🎊
The Universities Producing the Most Billionaires. The list itself is not surprising, but that top school is dominating! 🎓
The Hidden Costs of a Sports Fandom. An examination of the relationship between food and sports. Interesting, but not as deep an analysis as I was hoping for. 🌭
Analog hobbies. There are easy ways to jump into an analog hobby (sewing, crochet, etc.) but this list is full of incredible options (stained glass, book binding!) 🧶
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery
Benoit Blanc is pulled into his darkest case yet, where a supposed death unravels into a sharp, sinister puzzle of lies and motives.
We had such a good time with this twisty new installment. Even with its darker themes, there were plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. The storyline felt tighter than the second film, and I think I’ve officially joined the Josh O’Connor fan club.
Grace & Henry’s Holiday Movie Marathon by Matthew Norman
Two widowed strangers form a tentative friendship (and maybe something more) by watching Christmas movies together as they navigate grief, healing, and the risk of loving again.
This one totally scratched the holiday itch over the break. It would’ve been a five-star read if not for one unexpected relationship twist and a character reaction that didn’t quite feel real. Still, worth putting on hold for next December!
How’s the year starting for you?
Vehicle Motion Cues. I turned on these little edge-of-screen dots and didn’t expect much, but they actually help! I still can’t read on road trips (sob), but I can manage drive-thru order and maps without feeling pukey now. 🚘
NFL Showdown. My kids put this on their wishlist not really sure what it was, and I bought it with about the same level of knowledge. We played one game after Christmas and were immediately hooked. Basically, you’re the coach of the NFL team of your choice, calling plays and trying to win the game. It’s simple enough that my 5-year-old can hold his own against my husband. Just very fun. 🏈
Sweatpants. My Target sweats finally wore out after 4-5 years. Nothing fancy about these replacements, but they’re soft and affordable and suuuuper warm. 👸
2026 Planner. I’m on year four with this planner and still love it. It’s got a weekly view (my favorite) plus a customizable task and notes page for each week. If bullet journaling is on your radar for 2026, this is the perfect hybrid option. 📆
