Nine Favorite Things.

And just like that, we’re back to our regularly scheduled programming! Hoping everyone had an amazing holiday and is having a great start to the new year! I know so many of us really look forward to a January reset, and I do too! I try to embrace this month and what it can bring. Maybe that means an organized home, a new morning routine, or maybe you’re making the prettiest vision boards for the year!

Or maybe you’re feeling overwhelmed by the pressure of the “new year, new year” content we see all over our social feeds. Honestly, as much as I want to be the above girl who’s making vision boards, and is completely organized, I’m simply not. Instead, I feel a bit pressured to have these big, amazing goals for the year. If you’re like me and feeling overwhelmed, it’s totally OK. We don’t need to have everything figured out just because it’s the first week of January. Take your time. Listen to podcasts you love, watch cozy movies, and know that you can have goals and start new ventures any time of the year, not just now! You do you!

And that’s exactly what I’m doing. I’m determined to finish a project we’ve been working on for a long time. The finish line is so close! And we’re starting back in on a fun project that we had to pause on last year. Very exciting! I know it will be a great year.

Ok, now that’s off my chest, let me back up a little. Christmas! I am sharing photos from our family’s Christmas in Telluride below. We had the best time. Everyone spent a week in Telluride, all 23+ people, one house, and plenty of chaos. It was really special, and Telluride is a beautiful place to visit!

But you know me, I’m excited to be back working, I’m really looking forward to the months ahead! With each season, there’s always something special to celebrate. January is always warm and cozy, I love to make soups and chilis this time of year. When February rolls around, I embrace Valentine’s Day, mostly because I love any excuse to use roses in my photos. And then we move into March and start dreaming of spring and fun spring vacations! I think my biggest thing is that I’m excited to share even more with you all this year. More travel and finally share some fun things this fall that have been long projects in the making! Woohoo!

Before I dive into my favs for the week, I shared the 25 most popular recipes of 2023 – as picked by all of you. I also shared my favorite healthier recipes, in preparation for a month of clean January recipes!

I’d love to hear from all of you about the special things you did over the holiday break. Please share in the comments!! It’s so fun peeking into your lives too. Oh! And what recipes did you make? What were some of your favorite dishes?

1. Things i’m loving, wanting, and excited to try.

loving…ARMRA Colostrum. I started taking this a few months ago, probably back in the summer. I think it’s one of the best additions to my wellness routine. From their website: “Colostrum protects, rebuilds, and strengthens your body’s barriers for defense against everyday threats and enhanced vitality”. I’ve noticed a difference in my skin, daily performance, and my immune system feels super strong. I do a scoop of the unflavored every morning. It honestly tastes like a Milk Dud.

Other supplements I’ve added to my routine are: creatine and I just ordered this grass-feed whey protein too.

wanting…this cute Off-White & Black Terpsichore Mug from SSENSE.

everything in my cart (low)…This Zara wrap sweater comes with a matching skirt. Such a cute/cozy winter look. And here’s another cozy winter sweater with a collar and zipper from H&M. And from Reformation, their cashmere oversized v-neck looks the coziest.

For your feet, the super cozy ribbed cashmere socks. I love cashmere socks.

listening to…How To Start The Year With Success & Meet Your Goals In 2024. A quick 15 minute solo episode with Lauryn on creating and maping out the year you want.

dreaming of going…The 8 Best Ski Resorts in the World. Shockingly a winter vacation to somewhere cold sounds really fun this year. I think a trip to Aspen is a no-brainer, but these resorts also sound and look magical. Also, What’s New in Aspen This Winter.

excited to burn…Oud Wood Scented Candle from Tom Ford. Splurge on this guy, but it sounds like such a nice wintery candle. Also, my current favorite from Snif, is still our Gingerbread candle. I will be burning this through January for sure. I also love the Old St. Wick scent to. Very heavy on the pine, which I love and find super cozy this time of year.

everything in my cart (beauty)…Hand cream is essential right now, ordering an oldie, but goodie, the Augustinus Bader The Hand Treatment. The Invisible Bandage cream from VIOLETTE_FR was just ordered. Excited to use this on my oven burns. Linked out below are my favorite moisturizing products for winter! 

Still in love with all things burgundy, the Chanel Le Vernis Longwear Nail Colour 155  in Rouge Noir is high on my list of nair colors to use for winter.

2024 is the year I am going to create a hair care routine, in my Sephora cart the Gisou Honey Infused Hair Oil, Crown Affair The Renewal Hydrating Hair Mask, and this pretty Scalp Massager Comb.

Lastly, looking forward to trying the new clean beauty brand, Monastery. I’ve read the most amazing reviews on their products, especially the Gentle Retinol Cream.

wanting/shopping…Cordova. Loving this brands outerware and base layer. Cute and super warm for even the coldest winter days.

everything in my cart (high)…I really need a good carry on travel bag, my dream bag at the moment is the MÉTIER Perriand leather weekend bag in cherry. It’s so stunning. My other pick, a vintage Chanel Quilted Leather Duffle Bag.

Well we are on the topic of bags, the Louis Vuitton Alma BB bag is super cute if you love the classic LV bag and some color. It comes with a hair clip too.

I’d love this cute Toteme hooded leather half-zip jacket. I haven’t seen anything similar and think it is super cute.

Lastly, the gold-tone hoop earrings from Khaite and Burberry cashmere socks.

following…Small Luxury Hotels – so many pretty hotels around the world are shared on this account. A fun, inspiring follow for sure. Especially if you have the travel bug this winter! Already on my list of hotels to try, the Nobis Hotel Copenhagen.

baking…Chocolate Dipped Sesame Oatmeal Bars. Just shared this recipe and have baked these so many times the last week. The boys love taking them out on the hill as a an easy snack.

2. The Most Popular Recipes of December.

Most popular: Skillet White Pesto Chicken and Orzo

Runner-up: Vanilla Hot Chocolate Molten Cookies

Also, have to mention: Crockpot Spicy Queso Beef Chili

My personal favorite: Beef Tenderloin Crostini with Parmesan Wine Cream Sauce

Ok, last one: Skillet Creamy Chicken and Parmesan Gnocchi

3. A Cozy Home for Winter.

4. Christmas Round 2 – girls’ gift night.

With 23 people (give or take) at Christmas now (brothers, wives, nieces, nephews, and cousins), I wanted to make the gifts I gave my mom and Asher even more special. I love to give gifts, but Christmas Day with so many people can be overwhelming. My mom is more interested in the gifts she’s gifting than opening up her own. I wanted her to have time to slow down and enjoy opening her gifts. Creating time for just the three of us has been SO special and something we look forward to each year now. This is the third year of our “Christmas Round 2” girls’ night. And I have to say, we have fun—just me, my mom, and Asher – the girls.

Mom and Asher come over. We cozy up on the floor, light Christmas candles, and play Christmas music. They each take a turn opening their gifts. We chit-chat, laugh, and have one more night of Christmas fun for the season.

To make my gifts even prettier and feel special, I ordered each of them their own ornaments with their initials. I loved the way they turned out, and I had fun creating a special night for the three of us.

It’s a tradition I think we’ve all begun to look forward to each season now. I’m already looking forward to next year!

What traditions do you love and look forward to each holiday season? 

5. Inspiring Me.

Intentions for 2024

Personal:

– Get stronger. I do a lot of cardio (hiking) and stretching, but I want to strengthen my upper body, as I know how important building muscle is for women, especially as we get older.
– Create a beautiful and inspiring home that I’m excited to come home to.

Business:

– Finally launch a houseware collection.
– Collaborate with one of my favorite dream brands. Aside from that, I have so many business ideas! I’m excited. I just need to get out of my head and into reality.

Any intentions you’re setting for this year?

Cozy Winter

Every January, the interior design photos seem to populate my Pinterest feed. I’m hooked every year. Here are some of my favorites!

(into green kitchens this year)

(home goals/wants – a spa-like bathroom)

(again with the green kitchen, so pretty, and that window too)

quote of the week 

(goal for 2024- following this)

6. Christmas Vacation Photos.

7. Favorite links i’m loving.

The 41 Most Anticipated Hotel Openings of 2024

The Best Hotels in Paris, From Five-Star Grande Dames to Design-Forward Boutiques

I’m Not Setting Resolutions–Here’s How I’m Entering 2024 As My Best Self Instead

12 Monthly Goals to Build a Life You Love This Year

Cozy & Serene…styling tips for winter wellness (4 Tips).

Sleep Tourism: 10 Wellness Destinations to Visit for a Good Night’s Sleep

7 Skincare Resolutions I’m Making in 2024 for Glowy, Healthy Skin

The 2023 Beauty Trends We Can’t Wait to Ditch in the New Year

In a Slump? These 10 Podcast Episodes Will Motivate You to Transform Your Life

The 11 Best Places to Travel in 2024

25 Hobbies You Can Start at Home—Today

How “Dry January” Could Transform Your Whole Life

Everything You Need to Create a Vision Board—and Manifest Your Dream Life in 2024

15 Books Are BookTok Royalty—Here’s Where to Start if You Want to Read Them

8. Everything for winter under $150

pajamas 

every splurge item on sale from Nordstrom

9. This week’s dinners + weekend eats.

Monday: Lemony Pesto Chicken Noodle Soup

Tuesday: 20 Minute Miso Ginger Beef and Broccoli

Wednesday: Honey Garlic Salmon Soba Noodle Bowls

Thursday: Lighter Creamy Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Friday: Skillet Chicken Adobo with Coconut Rice

Saturday: Chocolate Chip Espresso Yogurt Cake

Sunday: Vanilla Chai Hot Chocolate