Best of December

My recent post goes into more detail, but Chad and I (okay, Chad) finally put up our new lighting fixtures around the house. These have been some fantastic upgrades for us.

Wrapping presents was fun this year! I was inspired by minimalist designs, and opted to wrap all of our gifts with a simple brown paper and black twine. It was pretty relaxing to wrap, which was a nice change from the stressful last-minute rush of years past.

Taylor Swift’s latest surprise album, evermore, is all I ever needed. It’s a winner. I like it even a little bit better than its recent sister album folklore. I’m obsessed and thankful and inspired.

Favorite song so far: “no body no crime.”

It might not be much of a surprise, but I rank pretty low on the beauty maintenance chart. I decided to mix things up and have a bit of fun with pop-on nails, which is a HUGE change from my normal cut-short-as-possible option. I chose Static Nail‘s “caviar” option (matte black, medium-length, almond shape). I’ve always wanted to try that shape of nail.

I right away couldn’t handle the length (it takes SERIOUS skill!) and trimmed them much shorter. Still a little too long for me! (Note: I’m wearing them now and typing is so difficult. Help!) However: they are fun! I feel like a different, cooler person. I doubt they’ll last much longer, because I’m not sure how I’ll put in my contacts. I might reserve them for fun events or nights out in the future, if those ever happen again.

I’m just so happy that our house has been Christmas-fied this month. My favorite is our boho-inspired tablescape, and many additions of lights inside and out. I’m proud of our efforts this year! 🙂

We had Christmas in Grand Junction with my parents this year, and it was wonderful! We spent several days together, relaxing and having fun, with incredible food (both homemade and take-out options), a few rounds of Scattergories, a bingeable series (The Mandalorian, of course), some movies, walks around the neighborhood, delicious coffee and treats, and generous presents. As far as Christmases go, COVID didn’t bring this one down at all.

I tried a trend! I tried heatless curls with a robe belt. It was pretty simple and fast (except for the drying period with the robe tie in my hair) and worked! I’m happy about this method, which involved weaving my hair around the tie on each side of my part.

Borrowed from my mom, I was able to read Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty this month, and I’m so, so glad I did. It was fantastic! I burned through it as quickly as possible, loving the twists and turns and characters. I highly recommend this novel—it’s my favorite book in a long time.

Why not round up all of the delicious treats I had this month? I’m a sweet tooth, and am not stingy with the details.

• Frosted sugar cookies
• Ben and Jerry’s “everything but the cow” pint (SO GOOD)
• Cinnamon swirl bread, courtesy of our kind realtor 🙂
• Cake-batter flavored edible cookie dough, Kroger bakery brand
• Butterfinger cookies (I made these!)
• Homemade hot chocolate
• Ferrero Rocher chocolates
• Rice crispy treats
• Red velvet cake
• Pumpkin pie
• Telluride Chocolate chocolates
• Black Forest gummy bears

Hometown movie theaters are magical. Growing up, the closest one to my family was in Crested Butte (about half an hour away), called the Majestic Theatre. It truly was magical—small, moody, surrounded by giant snowbanks. Due to COVID, they announced their closure, for good. Some former employees, however, are doing everything they can to save the establishment and apply for a non-profit status, to secure funding from the state and ensure a lasting piece of local culture for future generations of movie-goers.

This is definitely a special, close-to-home cause.

More information (including the opportunity to donate) is available here: savethecbmajestic.com.

• Dawson’s Creek (we finally finished it)
• Klaus
• Prom
• The Mandalorian
• The Bachelorette
• Tombstone (fun fact: Doc Holliday died in Glenwood Springs! I’ve hiked to his grave several times. Also, Kurt Russell lives in Snowmass, very close by us.)
• Fresh Off the Boat
• Virgin River
• Christmas Chronicles (1 & 2)
• Soul
• New York Minute
• Stay Here