No. 34 — Something sparkly, wood paneling, and a vetted party snack
What’s on the menu for 1/5/24
I’m taking a different approach to January this year. I’m working out but only committing to 3 days a week. I’m not drinking at home, but I will when I’m out to dinner. I can have as many Erewhon smoothies as I want, but I have to walk there (1.4 miles round trip) to pick them up.
They say when you make goal lists you’re supposed to include even the small things, or things you’ve already done, so you feel a sense of accomplishment crossing them off. I guess I’m sort of doing that? I’ve been in recluse mode for a couple of weeks now (all-day sweatpants, alphabetizing my bookshelf for fun, lots of Doordash) and I simply don’t want to make a bunch of lofty promises to myself just to feel like garbage when I don’t become an entirely new person by the end of the month.
This January, for some reason, seems to be offering space for me to just ease in and take care of myself in the process. I usually enter into my annual period of ennui around this time of year, and instead of fighting it, I’m just resolving to embrace it; pasta and yoga and Bravo and pajama sets and long contemplative walks it is!!!!!
Book on my nightstand: I just finished Ann Napolitano’s Hello Beautiful. It’s a multi-generational nod to Little Women in a lot of ways—a story about sisters, love, identity, and family—and it really was so good. I sobbed through the last several pages and felt the need to call my own sister the second I finished it. Next up is either Zadie Smith’s newest book The Fraud or Talking at Night by Claire Daverley (I can’t decide). What book are you starting the year off with? Please, share in the comments!!!
Something I bought recently: I’ve decided to accessorize more in 2024. My closet has mostly been edited down to some high-quality basics and vintage finds that I’ll keep forever, but I tend to gravitate towards classics and sometimes I can get a little bored by all the gray cashmere and white poplin. Rather than invest in MORE clothes with MORE personality that I probably won’t wear as much as I should, I’m going to focus on building my collection of jewelry, scarves, socks, sunglasses, and other accoutrements to zhuzh it all up a bit. I kicked this all off with a Mondo Mondo crystal bracelet from the SSENSE sale (45% off!)—I think it’s going to do a lot of heavy lifting in shifting my usual black pants/white tee uniform into something a little dressier.
House I wish was mine: As you know I’m currently in my brown era, so it’ll be no surprise that this Parisian apartment, designed and inhabited by Charlotte de Tonnac and Hugo Sauzay, is at the center of my mental vision board. This very chic duo are the founders of Festen Architecture, an interiors firm mainly focused on hotels (including Chateau Voltaire, which is 100% where I’ll be staying next time I go to Paris, price be damned) and they clearly know what they’re doing. The wood paneling! The bookshelf! The marble mantle! So much to love.
What I’m eating: I made Alison Roman’s spinach artichoke dip for New Year’s Eve and it was truly so, so, so good. Only Alison can take credit for how great it was because it was too easy to require any cooking talent. I used fresh spinach, Greek yogurt, and parmesan (in case you want to make it *exactly* like I did) and I did not consider the red pepper flakes optional. Make it for the Golden Globes this weekend or the Super Bowl (whenever that is) or something.
Currently working on: I’m juuuust about to wrap up a brand identity for an interior designer I’m *very* excited about and I can’t wait to show you!!! Maybe next time.
Artist to know: Natalia Criado. Born and raised in Colombia, Criado uses metalworking techniques to make the most beautiful homewares, art objects, and pieces of jewelry…they’re really more like sculptures you’d put on your home’s most visible shelf. She sells her work in lots of places—1st Dibs, Fredricks and Mae, and SSENSE, to name a few—and her Instagram is absolutely worth a follow for all kinds of visual inspiration. Some of my favorites:
A thing I’m looking forward to: The return of Vanderpump Rules? The 3-part RHOSLC reunion? A new season of Love Island UK? Some clarity on what’s going on with Kyle on RHOBH? It’s a 4-way tie. (Told you…recluse mode.)
I hope your 2024 has been off to a soft start.
x
Ali
In case you missed it:
December’s mood board theme was New Year’s Eve and while we are way past that headspace, it was a pretty fun one!
The December Specials went out to paid subscribers and included all kinds of stuff I’ve been thinking about lately (including a giant cannolo).
Aishwarya Iyer was my At The Table With guest last month!
Talking At Night is on my list!!!
love it all, Ali! i’ve been joining you in reclusive solidarity and slowly climbing out! x