The January Edit
A year of 'ease', Valentine's Day finds, a new hobby, and apple box couture.
The Monthly Edits are a round-up of eats, reads, finds, and experiences. They also include Lauren’s Lists—a collection of links from around the web to capture your attention or get you thinking. Buon appetito!
January was challenging, reawakened, and eventually—rooted. Honestly, the month left me feeling like Fawkes (the phoenix from Harry Potter) who spontaneously bursts into flames. A dramatic and timely death promptly followed by a gentle rebirth. We moved from a tiny downtown apartment to a suite in a house on the outskirts of the city. We got snowed in, I had some time off work, and the box with my laptop didn’t get unpacked for weeks. I planned on rebooting this newsletter earlier, or at least setting off a digital flare to inform you of my whereabouts, but I prioritized roasting chickens and baking cookies instead. Which leads me into my word choice for 2024: “ease”.
Ease has many definitions: A peaceful state of mind; comfort; freedom from stiffness and anxiety; to release from pressure; to move with care; to render less difficult. I hope to use this word as a guiding light to shift my focus onto how I live in the little moments everyday. Stretching my body but not forcing it. Continuing to be aware of my time spent online and what I digitally consume. Taking breaks when I need to (without feeling guilty the whole time and not actually resting). Playing with the concept that sometimes less effort results in more reward. Living within my means and finding joy in the simplicity. January greets us with another free ticket for a trip around the sun—this time a 366 day venture. How will you make the ride more enjoyable this year? How will you savour the sweetness?
Alright, here’s how the month went…
Scott and I played indoor pickleball with a couple friends and had a grand old time! Definitely added it to the list of new hobbies. We got ourselves some cute paddles and we’re looking forward to the outdoor racquet season ahead. There are tennis/pickleball courts a few blocks away from our new place so we’ll likely be regulars there come Spring.
My new backyard has lots of space for a garden. I am very inexperienced in this arena but hope to learn a little over the next few months. Produce would be ideal but I might just start with some flowers and see where I get. I’m not quite ready to pick up gardening as a hobby, just a little dabbling here and there for now.
A bunch of new people subscribed over the last month thanks to my holiday gift guides being featured on Substack’s list (🙊). A warm welcome to the new faces! I post on Friday mornings and my content is centred around design and well-being. On the last Friday of each month, I put together these casual posts to share and connect. Thank you so much for being here.
The writing group I’m in has been hosting co-working sessions that leave everyone feeling fulfilled and excited. Like meeting a group of friends in the library with hot chocolate and study materials. They are roughly 1.5 hours in length (via Zoom) and include three sessions of 25 minute writing sprints. There is no pressure to share what you’ve written, it’s just a supportive environment to focus on your work while also connecting with others. I’m so grateful to be a part of this group. In fact, all of us felt that way so we opened it up for anyone to join. If you want to take part in the February session, please fill out this form.
The above featured look was inspired by recycled cardboard that once carried a variety of apples across borders and reoccurring late night trips to Home Depot for a single item. Neumann helped me pull the whole ensemble together by accessorizing my pants with his fur. Oh my, this month was classy when it came to attire. I wore a version of this for most of the days in January while we ran errands, unpacked, and explored our new neighbourhood on foot. All jokes aside, now that I have a closet again, I plan to actually get dressed in February.
Lauren’s List Vol. 8
Beet, farro, and fennel salad with honey drizzled goat cheese.
Find out what habits bring you happiness.
Degas’ dancer gets a new tutu!
Deliciously Ella opens up about her mental health.
Been loving my morning emails from Word Daily.
Artificial sky lights are kind of genius.
A beautiful article on Angela Trimbur. “I’m talking to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority…. I want to do a rat king ballet in the subway.”
My new fave candle.
Spaces: This leafy Portuguese Quinta, realistic interior trends for 2024, and cheerful yellow kitchens.
Valentine’s Day Finds: these cards, cute radicchio leaf dishes, the perfect pink mesh bra, striped towels, and a comfy loveseat.
This old Zen quote has been coming to mind lately as I’ve started thinking more about ease: “Sit in meditation for 15 minutes. Unless you are too busy; then sit for an hour.”
This month in reading:
After getting several recommendations from readers, I put The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo on my Christmas wish-list this year. I unwrapped and devoured this very popular paperback—the perfect escape from the moving chaos. This mesmerizing tale takes you through the “wildly addictive journey of a reclusive Hollywood starlet”.
This month in watching:
We watched The Sound of Music over the holiday. Growing up my family had the double-VHS box set (iykyk). I realized that I had never watched the second tape because I thought the movie ended half way through. Mind blown—there’s a second half! Also, these rarely seen photos from The Sound of Music set are wonderful.
I picked Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret for movie night and it was very heartwarming and funny. I want to watch Good Grief next, although it looks like the kind of movie that will make me cry for days (sometimes I enjoy that kind of torture to be honest).
Oscar nominations have been posted! I haven’t put together a watch list yet but I will be doing that on the weekend. Mostly happy for Ryan Gosling, he deserves an Oscar for the amount of times he made me laugh in Barbie. #imjustken
It sure feels good to be back! I hope you’ve had a rooted January. Thank you so much for reading and as always, I would love to hear from you!
Did you pick a word for 2024? Care to share?
What habit/hobby is making you happy these days?
How do you personally stay social during the winter months?
I never want to not call snow whipped cream again
I was so delighted to see you in my inbox today 💕💕and warmed by the thought of more ease this year. Tell me what you think of Good Grief if you end up watching.
I hadn’t picked a word for 2024 yet but I’m going to right now: Trust. I don’t fully know why that is coming to me but I’m gonna roll with it.
My habit/hobby RN is so basic but may just be the center of everything to me: walking. When the weather is warmer and the sun arrives earlier, I got in the habit of walking before Archie wakes up, but when it cooled off this year I completely abandoned this practice. I still haven’t braved the early morning temps (but thinking about getting.a cute outfit to tempt me) but I’ve been walking after I eat lunch--even for a few minutes and it’s made such a big difference in my outlook and mood.
And I plead the 5th on how I stay social in the winter months ;)
Lastly, Neumann looks just like my kitty, Ernie!!