Today is officially the beginning of my time off for the year. Here’s looking forward to days spent relaxing, finally catching up on all of the reading I need to do (including a whole stack of books that I’ve started but never had the time to finish), to mid-morning Starbucks runs, discovering new recipes and filling the house with all sorts of baked deliciousness and perhaps a charcuterie board or two, to long morning cuddle sessions with my now 2 year old rescue kitty Gracie and to long walks on the walking trail.
I do not need to wait until I become perfect before I love myself. Loving myself is the quickest way to create a wonderful life. – Louise Hay
What I’m Reading…
the star-crossed sisters of tuscany | Lori Nelson Spielman
“A trio of second-born daughters sets out on a whirlwind journey through the lush Italian countryside to break the family curse that says they’ll never find love, by New York Times bestseller Lori Nelson Spielman, author of The Life List.
Since the day Filomena Fontana cast a curse upon her sister more than two hundred years ago, not one second-born Fontana daughter has found lasting love. Some, like second-born Emilia, the happily-single baker at her grandfather’s Brooklyn deli, claim it’s an odd coincidence. Others, like her sexy, desperate-for-love cousin Lucy, insist it’s a true hex. But both are bewildered when their great-aunt calls with an astounding proposition: If they accompany her to her homeland of Italy, Aunt Poppy vows she’ll meet the love of her life on the steps of the Ravello Cathedral on her eightieth birthday, and break the Fontana Second-Daughter Curse once and for all.
Against the backdrop of wandering Venetian canals, rolling Tuscan fields, and enchanting Amalfi Coast villages, romance blooms, destinies are found, and family secrets are unearthed—secrets that could threaten the family far more than a centuries-old curse.”
What I’m Watching…
Super Intelligence
If you have access to HBO Max, I’d definitely watch this new film starring Melissa McCarthy and Directed by Ben Falcone.
“When a powerful super-intelligence chooses to study Carol, the most average person on Earth, the fate of the world hangs in the balance. As the AI decides whether to enslave, save or destroy humanity, it’s up to Carol to prove people are worth saving.”
Netflix has also added Effie Gray and Peppermint (two vastly different films) that I’m thinking of watching next!
What I’m Cooking…
SPlit Pea and Ham Soup
We recently bought our first Insta-Pot and one of the first recipes we tried was for a split pea and ham soup. It was such a hit we’re making it again this weekend. Yum!
If you’ve ever dreamed about taking pastry classes, Molly J. Wilk’s classes out of her Versailles kitchen are an absolute must. Find out which classes are still available (including new classes just added for January) here.
This Time Tomorrow shares about her favorite Small Businesses in West Village. Also I cannot wait for her ‘When Harry Met Sally’ photoshoot!
French Country Cottage shares How to Create an Inspired Holiday Table Setting.
Thumbprint Cookies are some of my absolute favorite and these cookies from Love & Lemons feature jammy pools of raspberry and apricot jam.
Love this Metallic Tweed Coat from Kate Spade that Jenn of Style Charade is styling.
In the mood for making donuts? Try out these Eggnog Donuts with Spiced Pecan Crumbles from The Sweet and Simple Kitchen.
I’m constantly working on looking more comfortable in front of the camera, and With Love from Kat shares 5 Ways to Look Your Best in Photos.
