December 3, 2020

We’ve got one month left of 2020. Yahoooooo. Let’s be real, though: things aren’t going to change the moment midnight strikes on January 1st, but there is something undeniably cathartic and overall good-feeling about fresh starts. Let’s at least try to make 2021 better than 2020. I mean, it’s gotta be, right? Til then, everyone keep up the ok work! We’re all doing the best we can, and that merits a major toast (see #4).

1.

Summer was the season of outdoor gatherings and picnic blankets; winter will be the season of staying-in, and jigsaw puzzles. A couple of great options can be found via Slowdown Studios, New York Puzzle Company, (I love their Vogue collection), and Piecework Puzzles, which make me hungry, thirsty, party-angsty, sometimes all at once.

2.

Say this one three times fast: Prisencolinensinainciusol. Anyone? It’s the title of a 1972 Italian pop song with nonsensical lyrics mimicking the sound of American English, which skyrocketed to the top of the charts.

Its writer, Adriano Celentano, supposedly wrote the song in an attempt to prove that Italians would enjoy any song in English, despite having no idea what was being said. Every once in a while this odd little ditty sees a resurgence in popularity, including now. And oh my god, I’m so glad there’s a video. This is going to be tomorrow morning’s dance cardio routine, fyi.

3.

Just thinking: One of the year’s defining trends would definitely have to be the proliferation of subscription-based memberships: beyond just how we consume our news and entertainment, consider all the fitness and wellness-based services, the fashion collectives and rental brands like Rent the Runway, meal-delivery plans and wine clubs—all accessible from our handheld devices. And of course, given the ways many of us are saving costs in other areas (fewer vacations/travel, less dining-out, etc), the fees feel less exorbitant. So what’s the next big, pandemic-related subscription service?

4.

Two things I’ve been drinking (guzzling?) at opposite ends of the day: a rich and surprisingly delicious hot cocoa that’s now my go-to for loading up on daily adaptogens, and other virtuous, hippy-dippy ingredients. And a skin-contact wine that’s like a 90’s-era photo of flannel-clad Brad Pitt standing next to Gwyneth Paltrow in a pastel slip dress: complex and perfect.

5.

Monday was a lunar eclipse, which, depending on how closely you follow astrology, typically signals the conclusion of something. I’ve been thinking a lot about friendships and relationships lately, especially as the eclipse approached (and most especially in light of this year), and which ones I’m ready to let go. Funny enough for me, when relationships come into question, they usually come as pairs: one often gives me a clearer perspective on the other, and how it’s no longer serving me. That was the case again. Keep one, release one. And breathe. Anyways, for anyone else who wants to detach from negative whatever next time around, bookmark this.

Parting shot: A piece I recently wrote for T Magazine featuring Oscar de la Renta designer Laura Kim, and her talents within another “atelier” of sorts: her home kitchen. Colorful and loaded with veggies, Laura’s pinwheel tart is flavorful and gorgeous to look at—a perfect combo of style and substance, if you ask me.

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