december favourites

good books, quitting my job, loafers, eyeshadow is sooo back, plus a recipe

my top picks from the most chaotic, emotional, well-eaten, underslept month of the year.

brunch: i wanted something easy but festive for christmas morning, so i tried this ottolenghi panettone bread pudding recipe. i didn’t have saffron, so i used a mix of cardamom, cinnamon, and vanilla. i added double the orange rind, and used a traditional dried fruit loaf. i had made whipped raw vanilla cream the night before for espresso granita (incredible, btw), so i dusted the bread pudding with powdered sugar then dropped on some whip. it was *divine*, and has since spurred a panettone addiction. i’m literally shoving some chocolate laced brioche loaf into my mouth rn.

book worm: in an attempt to fend off brain rot, i’ve made it a goal to spend less time on my phone. i’ve gnawed my way through the god of the woods, the apartmento cookbook, either or, and most recently, dear dickhead. when i need a dopa-hit, i’m trying to scurry less to tiktok and instead read a few pieces on substack. katie, mandy, and laurel are my current obsessions.

davines diva: the last week of the year was scented by davines oi hair milk. a gift from my sister. i used to be a davines devotee years ago, and i forgot how yummy this product was. hydrating but not heavy.

upgrade: i talked in my paris field notes about this doen number. and a few of you shared how similarly powerful you feel in your doen dresses. is it something about the nipped in waist? the semi sheer fabric? the forgiving flow of the long skirt? that’s a big question for a different time. i was fortunate enough to receive a fresh one from their winter collection, and it’s a winner. featuring a petit puff sleeve, and a blue pomegranate print, it gives midsommar without the murder.

little red: one of my christmas gifts was the red charlie beads bloomer/hoodie set. i <3 that it’s made in LA, the cut of the hoodie is perfect, the silver hardware is darling, and the bloomers make me feel like a rosy cabbage patch doll.

art attack: tooo much of my fyp has been knitting tutorials. i save one ‘sophie’s scarf’ video and suddenly i’m being profiled as a DIY girlie (hopefully one day). to be honest, the craftsmanship is a nice reprieve from the heavy news of paige + craig’s breakup. these videos are my current high obsession.

hyperfixation: i can’t stop putting dijon on everything. i think my next kitchen adventure is making mustard.

cardi party: me falling in love with another JSC sweater was the least surprising thing to happen in 2024. the oversized peri cardigan feels a little more dainty and a little more lady than my other heavy, cotton pieces from them. and like most great things, this sweater swings both ways. whether it’s worn with easy, lounge-y pants, or paired with this lacey little skirt, she’s my go-to girl.

caffeinated: when christmas shopping for my sisters, i treated myself to a matcha bowl from hotel ceramics. i love that the bowl is big enough to make 2 matchas at a time, and the spout actually pours the matcha (no dribbling mess). the biggest delight of all? the colour is perfectly good stuff orangey/red.

smooth brain: despite my need to read, i spent a deserving amount of time melting my mind this month. conclave was just real housewives with more jesus and a better score. black doves was moody and delicious, sometimes you just need to watch a show with accents? i’m late to the holdovers party, but i’m so happy i showed up. i used to be funny took me on an unexpected ride.

salad lunch: my ‘new thing’ is thinking ahead when it comes to food. making extra at mealtime so lunches, dinners, snacks are easier the next day. when i boil my morning jammy egg, i add a few more to the pot. roasting veg? i throw in some extra squash, beets, fennel. same goes for salad dressing, always make more. so come lunchtime, all i have to do is locate greens, a soft cheese, and a nut. throw it all in a bowl, toss, and lunch is delicious, nutritious, served.

loafing: i’ve been flopping around in my GH Bass weejuns the entire month. i wanted a two tone pair, without reading too penguin-y, so i settled on a warm brown and white. jeans, dresses, sweats, trousers, boxers in a pinch, everything looks good with them. i’ve been avoiding blisters with these silicone heel cups.

hoodie allen: just like all the other bitches on the internet, i can’t get enough of hoods. this damsen madder one is calling my name, and i’m determined to knit one myself. i’ve been wearing a cozy aritzia one a lot lately, this guy is similar - and on sale.

bunny: this little baby has been my good luck charm ever since i opened the box.

merit solo shadow: after some traumatizing years behind an urban decay palette, i quit eyeshadow cold turkey. after a looong hiatus, i’m working my way back into the world of eyeshadow. this is just the product to do that. i bought the solo shadow for myself in midcentury. i just wanted a basic wash of colour, no cut crease, nothing crazy. zeke (santa) bought it for me in studio and i’m in love. it blends like butter but stays locked in all night.

quitting: new beginnings are fun? wild? scary? tbd. if you follow me on instagram then you know that after a very long time, i quit my job at moon juice. today was actually my last day. i’m really proud of myself, but more than that, i’m so excited to spread my little wings and see what other opportunities come my way. for the first time in almost half a decade, i feel really truly free. as you read this, i’ve just deleted slack off my phone, signed out of the MJ instagram, and i’m sitting in a wine bar, toasting. quitting wins for the scariest and the most fulfilling thing i did in december.