Shopping Small with a Cup of Cheer

I've been doing a lot of reflecting this season... well, this year, actually. I've learned a few things about myself (I still generally despise working out but like biking; I tend to consume news either in vast quantities or not at all) and then Shelley and I have made some decisions as a couple (we want to travel more when we finally can; and thank God in heaven that we are pretty madly in love considering we've been cooped up in our home together essentially nonstop for the time it takes to develop a full-term baby). 

I make little lists in my phone of things I miss-- mostly people, or the occasional experience. I am excited to eat at Altius again, and to go to the beach, for example. All of this is a roundabout way of saying that what I really miss are the moments in life with the people with whom I choose to spend my time. 

This year, then, I can't give my usual Christmas gifts. I tend to go for experiences or things people will find practical and useful in their day to day, with a bit of a luxurious gift added in for good measure. This is last year's gift guide, in case you are curious. 

Since we missed Thanksgiving, and I honestly can't imagine what Christmas is going to be like, I have decided to shop small this year. I generally try to do small business shopping anyway, but I mean shopping small-scale. The perspective I've garnered whilst at a distance has shown me that what truly matters is the time spent with the people you love, and that is not something that I can wrap up in brown paper and string or accent with baked orange slices and pine cones, regardless of how soothing I find that whole activity. I acknowledge, dear readers, that that is very cheesy of me to say, but I will presume you all feel the same way after yesterday's socially distanced holiday. 

I cannot justify trying to come up with gifts people may like while they can't do the things that they normally would, and I refuse to stress over it. I can't get Shelley concert tickets because there are no concerts. I can't take my mum to the symphony because there is no symphony. I am going to get things that are both useful in their daily lives but also elegantly luxurious, because we all need to be able to luxuriate in something these days. 

Today, I browsed some of my favorite small shops and curated a list of things to get my nearest and dearest, and while it may not arrive as quickly as with Amazon Prime, I found joy in knowing I would be supporting someone who may be struggling and also bringing merriment to people I love. 

1) Not Perfect Linen

2) Headbands of Hope 

3) Gorjana

4) Clad & Cloth 

5) The Giving Keys 

6) literally any Etsy shop 

7) any small bookseller 

8) Honey Lake Boutique

9) Chalk Full of Love 

10) Indie & Harper 

vin chaude

While I was doing my online shopping, Shelley and I made vin chaude (inspired by the latest book I read, We Met in December (delightfully Christmassy)) to sip while shopping. In case you are interested, here is the recipe we cobbled together from a few we found:

2 bottles of red wine (we used Yellow Tail Jammy Red Roo)

1 cup of brandy

6 cinnamon sticks 

10 whole cloves 

1 teaspoon anise extract 

1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice 

1/2 cup of fresh cranberries 

1/2 orange, thinly sliced 

Just put it in the crock pot on high for about ten minutes and then turn it down to warm. We let it sit for about three hours. Cheers! Happy small shopping!

Travel Essentials (Because I Miss It)

 The other day, a couple friends and I were talking about how much we miss traveling. I've never been out of the country, but that doesn't stop me from dreaming of little provincial towns in France, sleeping in a glass igloo in Iceland and looking at the Northern Lights, or walking through cobblestone streets in a Mediterranean village. 

At this point, though, I would take something closer to home. We postponed our wedding, which was a drag for a number of reasons, including the time we were looking forward to spending together, just Shells and I, exploring a new place. We cancelled a trip we had scheduled to spend Halloweekend in Salem and New Haven. 

The books I read do a good job of transporting me to a different time and place, but for those of you who, like me, are chomping at the bit to hit the road again, I've compiled a list of my travel essentials so you're ready to go!

1) a hat-- for me, this varies between beanies and fedoras, but I don't think you can ever go wrong in any season with a wide brimmed hat (effortlessly cool in fall/winter, sun protection in spring/summer). Lack of Color or Yellow 108 are my favorites. 

2) a scarf-- this one is Madewell, but I've got some from my mum, some from random little boutiques, and the ever-wonderful blanket scarf, which doubles up as a shawl when it's too cold on a train/plane/car ride

3) reading material-- always at least one book and one magazine

4) essential oils-- admittedly, a fairly new addition for me, but once you know how great peppermint, tea tree, or lavender oil is in a pinch, you won't leave home without it. 

5) The Five Minute Journal-- this makes many of my lists. It keeps me on track with gratitude and there is a definite shift in my anxious mind when I force myself to focus on the positive. I also like to keep a record of the fun I have on a trip, and even if a full journaling session isn't on your itinerary, who can't spare five minutes a day?

6) sunscreen-- I recently have been vacillating between a basic Aveeno mineral sunscreen and this No. 7 cream my mum recommended to me (thanks to the little line in my forehead that doesn't quite go away now for making me really up my skincare game). 

7) my makeup trinity-- whether I am cabining or road tripping or taking a longer trip, I will not leave home without my chapstick, Glossier cloud paint (I picked beam because it's got a nice natural peachy glow) and Maybelline The Rocket mascara. I've been using these for at least five years (minus the chapstick, which I came out of the womb with, I think) and have zero complaints.

8) Neutrogena facial cleansing wipes-- these are wonderful for a pick-me-up after travel (seriously, why does sitting in a car for 16 hours wreak havoc on oil glands?) or even as a quick face wash option if we are camping. I like the lavender scented ones. 

9) a portable phone charger-- Amazon has some great ones. 

10) a good dry shampoo (Batiste has a nice little travel-sized bottle).

What are your travel essentials? Where are you planning to go once it's safe to adventure again? 

 

It's About Time

 This title does not actually apply to those of you who may've wondered if I abandoned my blog altogether. 

I am referring to the most wonderful time of the year. I know, I know-- I generally try to wait until the day after Thanksgiving too. On a normal year, while everyone else is out getting trampled for doorbuster sales, I have always been at home, listening to the iconic string music ushering in Nat King Cole's "The Christmas Song" and hanging ornaments that tell the story of my life, year by year, on a tree we just cut down. We have what my family has affectionately referred to as "Part Two" with turkey, stuffing, pumpkin pie, and the cranberry sauce that maintains the shape of the can (this is absolutely essential). 

This is not a normal year, though, as anyone who exists on this planet would tell you. As such, I am ready for a bit of cheer. Not only have I had sort of a weird month personally (go to the dermatologist, seriously, even if you think you don't need to), but also this year has been bizarre. 

The traditions we like to observe year by year have been skewed, thrown off course by something that is invisible to us, apart from very real, very visible effects. 

 I wait all year for fall, and in a way I feel like this pandemic forced me to fully appreciate the autumnal beauty in a way I haven't before, because I spent so much more time outside at state parks. 

On any other year, I would see Christmas decor in stores in September as something of a sacrelige-- allow each holiday its due. This year, however, I left an eye appointment, and in my eye-diluted-blown-out pupils-state, Shelley and I went to At Home, and I ended up leaving with an angel ornament, a Victorian wagon ornament, tiny tree bulbs, two small trees, a sequined deer, and a glittery gold deer. It is worth mentioning each of these were layered with glitter, which is something I typically veer from. Perhaps it was the only thing that caught my blurred vision. Perhaps it's because in the midst of all this crap, I wanted a little sparkle. Either way, I found myself paying and walking out into brilliant September sunshine with two bags of Christmas decor-- most unusual. 

I managed to make it to this week, but nonetheless, we carted the decorations up from the basement and there is garland on my mantle, stockings on the hearth, and mistletoe hanging in the doorway. As soon as a Christmas tree farm opens in a 30 mile radius, I will be there, Goldilocks-ing my way through each tree until I find one that borders between Griswold and "needing a little love", and I will enjoy the season of light and love at the end of this bizarre, sometimes horrible, always hopeful 2020.