Happy Sunday friends! Is it just me, or did I have weeks this year, and the year collectively felt a week longer? As it got to the party, scoped out who was there and decided to leave 15 minutes later. As the days grow shorter, it’s hard not to be introspective about the year, and dream about the new year. Tell me, do you write resolutions, or things you’re looking forward to in the new year? If I have one goal next year, it’s to get a better paying job. I deserve it and 100% need it.
A new year doesn’t make you a new you, but there’s something refreshing about symbolically turning over a new page in life. Frankly, I think I speak for most people when we call 2024 “good riddance.” It may sound strange, but even years stretch me and grow and odd years calm me down.
Here is to end the year, the end of punishment. I don’t want to end it strongly, I just want it to end. I wish you dinner parties, warm blankets, long conversations with friends, dark bars by the fireplace, and peace. So calm. At least we deserve it.
This Sunday, take any, take all, but most of all, take care of yourself.
• If you are hosting a dinner party, firstly, good for you, secondly, I have a guide for you! (Joy the Baker)
• For the Wordle-rs, may I please make the case. Spelling Bee? Don’t get me wrong, Wordle is great and Strands seems to be the new hotness, but as a Scrabble lover Spelling Bee satisfies me immensely. (NYTimes Games)
• I’ve been a long time blog reader and user – I had a LiveJournal and a Xanga in the early days (yikesssss). By far, my favorite part of blogs are posts like this, link roundups, and gift guides. They recommend really cool stuff, like Oprah’s favorites before Oprah was there. The previous villain makes a strong case for the blogger, Kim. Gift Guide/End of Year Roundups. (sub stack)
• The question that is always pending these days is “How do you make friends as an adult?” Having trouble with friends. How do you keep friends as an adult? Because it’s hard. Voice notes and shout outs on group chats, but sometimes it makes me forget that I haven’t seen my friends in months and sometimes years. (New York)
• Are you doing a cookie tin this year? I know that happiness is, Because she’s basically running a bakery out of her Texas home. Let’s call a spade a spade! I am tinning Favoritism cookies for my building. Basically people who haven’t been completely horrible for no reason are getting cookies, and the only apartment that doesn’t get it is coal. Just kidding, just a little. I am thinking of adding. These ginger cheesecake cookies In this – they look incredible (Direction Here!). (Joy the Baker, NYTimes Gift)
• to me, This is the ultimate winter scent.. Woody, slightly smoky, milky, and… marshmallows?! Oh, so basically I’m edible. Love her for me. Actually, I can’t afford the full size, so I used. St. Bird! They are great when you want to boogie on a budget. (Commodity, St. Bird)
• Fighting hard for happiness. Eggs this holiday season And I’m on the side – I love eggnog. It seems to be a polarizing drink, you either love it or you hate it with no space in between. what do you say If you don’t enjoy it, maybe Place it on top of your cookies! (Instagram, Joey the Baker)
• My story might be hard to sum up in one sentence: Raised in a cult-like church, went to a Christian college, figured out my sexuality later in life, now lives with my girlfriend and 3 cats. , my family is dysfunctional. Have a nice day about it. If you ever feel like having the longest conversation ever, I’d love to talk to you about it. This modern love birthday essay feels familiar to my story – Going from church dating to dating a woman. (NYT giveaway)
• Money is *tight* and buying gifts for everyone is not in the cards. But! This A short guide Is gifted among your friends. Plus getting all your gifts from TJ Maxx is really a move – they have everything! (apartment therapy)
• When you need a playlist for when the sun is streaming in through the window or when it’s raining sometimes and your knee hurts, ask Sam Irby. Recommends you a handful of highly specific playlist offers. (sub stack)
• If you don’t need specific playlist offers, Let Sufjan Stevens sing you songs about Christmas time. Only one way he can. His holiday album is a classic at this point. (Spotify)
• high speed, Era Tour has come to an end. After 152 shows – incredible. How are we doing? Do you have support groups? Is the group chat crashing?? His bass player reflects the closing show – a degree of separation from the legendary artist. (Rolling Stone)
• In addition, 38 Era Tour shows, A line is repeated.I can. Look no further (someone did the math and it’s about 140k spent by this one fan. My goodness!) (Twitter)
• Finally, I think cold weather is needed. Warm lipsticksDon’t you agree? (Fanty Beauty)
PS A reader sent me the most encouraging note after my last Sunday post, and I just wanted to say I received it. Thank you so much for your kind words!