The December Edit

Skiing in the prairies, my winter mood board, heirloom citrus garlands, and the books I've read over the holidays!

The Monthly Edits are a casual curation of my consumptions from the past few weeks including: books I read, delicious eats, fun finds, and personal meanderings. Buon appetito!

Saskatoon was covered in snow and hoarfrost for our arrival and provided us a beautiful visit with family. Between tobogganing with our niece, cross-country skiing through fields, and all the great food, it was a charming and delightful white Christmas.

Here’s how it all went…

• I’ve been loving these two songs lately (as a pleasant break from the Wicked soundtrack and Christmas playlists).

• Our local art gallery had an Andy Warhol and Banksy exhibit for the holidays (shown above) that we got to visit and enjoy. The colourful pop art collection was a fun treat to experience.

• Citrus garlands are my new favourite holiday decoration. I was pleasantly surprised with how lovely this simple craft turned out—recipe below.

Heirloom Citrus Garlands

- Citrus (orange varieties, lemons, grapefruit)
- Mandolin or sharp knife
- Paper towel
- Parchment paper + baking sheets
- Sewing needle + gold florist wire

Start by selecting a variety of unripened citrus. The less juicy and squishy they are, the easier it is to get a perfect slice. Cut very thin and even (about 1/8 of an inch or less). Using a mandolin is best (we have the benriner and it did wonders). Lay your slices on a sheet of paper towel and cover with another sheet. Press down evenly using a cutting board or large book to absorb the juices. Repeat with fresh paper towel 1-2 more times then transfer your slices onto parchment paper lined cookie sheets. Preheat your oven to 200 degrees. Cook four hours (or until completely dried)—flipping your slices every hour. String your slices together—I used a sewing needle and gold florist wire—then hang around windows or wherever suits your space. I also added jute twine ribbons to each end of my garland and love the results!

How to make (any) art look expensive.
Pantone’s colour for 2025 is Mocha Mousse (love it).
This savoury date + olive oil oatmeal recipe.
These tiny, salty, chocolaty cookies.
Is human interaction becoming a luxury good?
Tokyo is introducing 4-day work weeks to boost fertility.
Luca Guadagnino is set to remake American Psycho.
I am absolutely using this hack for dust bags!
Love these dresser canisters.
Wouldn’t mind a pair of these clogs as house slippers.
Merit’s Flush Balm in ‘Beverly Hills’ was my favourite product discovery this year.

December’s Bookshelf:

• Big Swiss by Jen Beagin. This one was fun and quirky. Greta spends her days transcribing therapy sessions for a sex coach and becomes infatuated with the newest client. When she recognizes her voice in town, a complex relationship begins. I enjoyed the messy intricacies of desire and the eccentric house full of bees—but the ending flopped for me. (3/5)

• Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. It was about time for me to read this classic coming of age tale—especially since I’ve watched the movie more times than I can remember. Here we follow the lives of the four March sisters—Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy—as they navigate the challenges of growing up during the Civil War, each pursuing their own dreams and grappling with love, loss, and personal growth. (4/5)

• Mouth to Mouth by Antoine Wilson. Set in a first-class lounge at JFK airport. Our narrator listens to a former classmate, who he only vaguely remembers, share the story of his adult life. A similar vibe to The Talented Mr. Ripley—the art world, secrets, rich people drama, and an unreliable narrator. I really enjoyed this little mystery art drama—if you know of any others like this, please let me know! (4.5/5)

• Big Fan by Alexandra Romanoff. A short and sweet feel-good modern romance. Maya was a rising star in the political world until her ex-husband's high-profile sex scandal nearly derailed her career. Charlie, former lead singer of Mischief, the boy band that fuelled her teenage obsession, is staging a solo comeback and wants Maya's help to make it happen. You can figure out the rest... (3.75/5)

The Winter Mood Board

Updating my canvas mood board with the change of the seasons has become such a lovely ritual. Winter’s edition is showcased below featuring snow angels, pavlovas, big windows, glimmers of gold, Copenhagen, and Van Gogh’s postman. If you haven’t already, make sure to check out my guide to making mood boards.

Cozy snapshots of the mood board and our christmas tree!

• We’re having a games night with a few friends for New Years. It’s likely we’ll play Decrypto, Monikers, or Snake Oil—then head to bed early. I’m looking forward to starting the New Year with a few days off and no plans on the calendar. A much needed recharge after the holidays.

I hope you’ve had a charming December. Thank you so much for the love and support this year. You’ve Got Lauren started as a personal newsletter to a few friends when I decided to leave Instagram. This year we grew a lot and now it’s being read across ninety (yes, 90!) countries. Honestly, this number blows my mind. I’m excited to continue connecting with you all and sharing in a way that feels nourishing and authentic. I have lots of personal goals for 2025, so I won’t be posting quite as many articles, but you’ll still find me in your inbox each month.

Wishing you an abundance of wellness for the New Year! Thank you again, and as always, I would love to hear from you.

• Thoughts on the colour for 2025?

• Best holiday dessert you ate this year?

• Any plans for New Years Eve?

Ciao ciao,