It feels tone deaf to be completely chipper on a Monday morning after the week we just endured. If it makes you feel any better, there are just nine more days left of Trump’s administration and we can — hopefully — turn our attention to healing. I am hopeful for a better 2021, especially knowing our president-elect recognizes the blatant racism that runs through America’s veins and isn’t shying away from talking about it. Now, we just need to do something about it. (While he’s goal-setting, maybe he can work on that vaccination rollout, too.)

Clearly I picked the wrong year to participate in Dry January. If you’re also declining booze this month (or just not a drinker in general), try these mocktails.

My first sartorial purchase of the year was this silk blouse. The additional 25% off sale ends at the end of today and items are returnable, so it’s worth giving something a shot if you have your eye on an item. I also adore these snakeskin-embossed flats.

The Sex and the City reboot has been confirmed!

I loved this response to those on social media who tell influencers to “stay in your lane” when it comes to politics.

Five tips for getting your creative project off the ground.

I have heart-eyes for this preppy phone case.

Women in construction share their advice on where to save and spend during a renovation.

Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris on the road ahead.

LEGO recently came out with a very cute botanical collection.

How previous epidemics influenced home design.

It’s about time to pare down that skincare and beauty collection.

I just added this unique taper holder to my home.

In case you missed it:

• Today is the last day to enter to win $50 to NOVICA!
• So much to love in the most recent The Coveted.

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Reminder: Enter to win $50 to spend on artisanal goods at NOVICA!

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Exploring heritage’s role in fashion houses today.

How’s this for a business cautionary tale? Kodak created the digital camera in 1975, but didn’t pursue digital photography products in fear that it would siphon money from analog film. The market was saturated by the time Kodak decided to throw its hat in the ring 15 years later.

A fun quiz for identifying your interior aesthetic. I got retro, which I don’t think is entirely true, but I do like a vintage moment.

I adore this striped sweater!

I finished watching Stylish With Jenna Lyons over the weekend and it’s a trainwreck. As this piece suggests, the show is bit of a documentary of a wealthy woman going through a mid-life crisis. On the positive side, it does give the viewer plenty of tips on how not to manage people in the workplace. (That said, I do think Jenna is a style icon. This show, however, did nothing to improve her personal brand.)

I can get on board with lördagsgodis, Sweden’s tradition of eating sweets on Saturdays.

An interview with the co-founders of Mansur Gavriel.

A modern-meets-vintage necklace.

I feel like we’ll see Blair Eadie in this statement-making gingham dress sometime this year!

My parents gave me an Instant Pot for Christmas and I’m trying it out this week with chicken tikka masala.

In case you missed it:

• Win $50 to NOVICA!
• Sugar cookies are delicious all year round. Try this recipe.
• My favorite products of 2020.
• First quarter goals for the new year.

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Reminder: Enter to win $50 to spend on artisanal goods at NOVICA!

A gorgeous — and practical — bag that’d be great for work if we make our way back to offices next year!

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer really is the worst Christmas special.

Reconsider using an essential oil diffuser if you have a cat.

Cranberry margaritas would be a fun holiday drink this week! (We’re on a strict lockdown so we can see immediate family over the holidays, otherwise I’d run out to buy ingredients for this!)

You can stay in the McCallister’s master bedroom.

I’m a fan of ceramics and came across the work of Liza Shoenfeld on Instagram recently. Love!

One of our friends surprised us with a Flaviar tasting box. It’s such a great gift idea! While the deadline for Christmas gifting has passed, keep it in mind for upcoming birthdays or Valentine’s Day.

Why we need a BLM activist in Congress.

While I love white linen sheets, I’m tempted to snag this black gingham set.

How to make eggnog. I’m lactose-intolerant, so I love that this recipe is flexible to incorporate the milk alternative of your choice.

German painter Volker Hermes is adding masks to famous Old Masters paintings. See more on his Instagram feed.

Why Instagrammable cookware is having a moment. (My hesitation with these cookware startups is whether or not the items are actually quality pieces — or just considered quality pieces by novice cooks doing it for the affiliate money. I may not talk about cooking much on the blog, but I am pretty good at it and I enjoy a piece of high-quality cookware.)

In case you missed it:

• Everything I bought and loved in December.
• I made sugar cookies over the weekend and will be posting the recipe tomorrow!

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I definitely didn’t expect to take a weeklong hiatus, but things have been busy around here with holiday prep and shopping! We’re self-quarantining beginning this Thursday in order to be able to see Dave’s immediate family and my parents for the holidays. (Obviously, they’re also quarantining to make this happen.) We’ll get a COVID test on the 17th, which should be enough incubation time if we picked up the virus before we go into lockdown, but we’ll plan to call the whole thing off if anyone develops even the tiniest sniffle. So, knowing that we’ll be locked away unable to do any sort of errand for a couple of weeks means that we’ve been diligently ticking things off of our to-do list and gathering groceries much earlier than usual for the holidays! And, now the week’s links:

How dating in a pandemic is like being in a Jane Austen novel.

Schitt’s Creek meets fine art.

Your home decor can impact your mental health.

I just bought these lounge shorts and they are incredibly comfortable! They do run large. I normally wear a 10 on bottom (but let’s face it, it’s probably a 12 during pandemic times) and they fit best in a medium.

This full-length mirror would be well-worth the splurge.

I just snagged these Cole Haan cold-weather hiking boots on sale and they’re so much better in person!

The dream job is dead.

I’m inspired by Jacey’s kitchen remodel because she and her designer kept a lot of the vintage charm intact, and the cabinet color is beautiful!

A few tips on how to start an art collection.

Such a sweet, flirty top!

I totally agree with the assessment that The Undoing was “meh,” but those coats!

Great gift idea: A set of three Tory Burch face masks because you know we’ll be wearing masks throughout the better half of next year. I have a set from earlier this year and they’re my favorite. The moisture-wicking fabric is breathable and they’re fully adjustable. I know the Lele Sadoughi masks get a lot of love — I have a set as well — but they’re smaller and while they fit my face, they’re too small for one of my friends to wear. They’re also not as breathable.

In case you missed it:

• New throw pillows for the living room! (I also received a lot of love for that side table; it’s linked in the post!)
• Everything I bought and loved in November — and the one item I hated.
• How I’m wrapping this year’s Christmas gifts.

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This post contains affiliate links.