The first weekend of December brings with it that cozy feeling of the holidays settling in as well as the air turning cold for the next few months as we make our way to the official start of the winter season. It is also a time when we start thinking about the New Year and all of the possibilities and plans to make it a great year ahead. I love to start dreaming about what I want to experience for the new year around the beginning of December. I have a few posts pertaining to new years that will be released later in the month as well. There’s only three Fridays left for the month, so why not start planning now? I will start adding some ideas and resources for the new year into the curated weekly posts to help inspire your 2025 plans as well. 2024 was a great and enriching year for me where I turned 40, moved back to Raleigh, got a new job, moved into my dream apartment, traveled to New York (twice), the mountains, Charleston and to Asheville on a solo getaway. I am looking forward to 2025 and all that I will create for my life in the new year, and I hope you find inspiration of your own in the next few weeks to create your own fabulous new year ahead.
SHOPPING, BOOKS, MEDIA, ETC.
You know I am one who loves to refine and polish their wardrobe to stay in touch with the lifestyle I want to create, so I am always adding elegant pieces that I find to the curated weekly posts and this week I saw this beautiful halter tie-neck blouse from BR Factory. While it may be cold out now, spring and summer will come again and it’s always nice to have your dream wardrobe ready when it does.
On my list currently is to purchase this ruched clutch form Amazon. Not only is it such a stylish piece in a beautiful classic color, but it’s also only $19.99 which is a great price. If you are currently looking for a clutch, then check on this one as there are many colors to choose from as well.
When it comes to statement jewelry my favorite type to wear is the statement earring. They always look so chic and really elevates an outfit to its full potential. These Geometric Rectangle Gold Stud Earrings also caught my eye on Amazon this past week. Also, another great buy at only $13.59 for this set of two.
And honestly, since we have a monochromatic outfit going, why not finish it off with these Ryan Satin Straight Pants from BR Factory as well? These pants look so chic and would be a great piece to have to elevate an outfit anytime of the year.
Moving onto elevating our living space, I found this marble drink table at Target recently that would elevate any space. Gold and marble are such a classic luxury pairing and this table embodies that elegance that one would find in a luxury hotel.
And speaking of style at home, if you are looking for a robe that is sophisticated and embodies the “quiet luxury” look, then this Modal Soft Velvet-Trim Maxi Robe should be on your list. The beautiful black piping detail gives it such a luxury look that it’s hard to believe that it’s simply form Victoria’s Secret.
And now that we are approaching the official start of winter, why not go ahead and purchase this cozy gift set throw blanket which comes with a beautiful throw blanket and matching cozy socks. I have this exact throw blanket, and it is a great alternative to the Barefoot Dreams blanket which can cost over $100.
One of my favorite style icons is Aerin Lauder and I was thrilled to learn that she will be publishing another book in February. I loved her first two books, Beauty at Home Entertaining in Style, and now she has another elegant book to add to the collection, Aerin Lauder: Living with Flowers. With creative ideas for designing arrangements—from embracing the simple elegance of a neutral palette or incorporating a whimsical mix of color, to enhancing your holiday décor with seasonal blooms—Lauder generously shares her favorite tips and secrets. Lauder also takes readers through her homes, showing how she brings the garden indoors through her decor. Elegant floral wallpaper in the dining room feels sophisticated and timeless, floral drapes in the bedroom are traditional and luxurious, while her contemporary floral-patterned tabletop collections add effortless, yet modern florals to her entertaining.
New Years are such a great time to read books to get inspired about how to create the life we envision for ourselves and one element that I think everyone is trying to create for themselves is more abundance and ease. That’s why
Obviously, a Francophile book will never escape my attention and since I will be going to Paris in March, this book, Do It in Paris: An Insiders Guide to 450 Places to Visit, Sites to See, and Things to Do will be perfect reading before I go. Being released on March 25, this book is organized as a stroll neighborhood by neighborhood as it invites the user to collect impressions, memories, and keepsakes of visits to different spots, allowing it to become a true souvenir album or scrapbook of experiences. Carefully curated by the editors of the famous Do It in Paris online magazine, this must-have guide contains 450 of the best sites, attractions, and things to do with a unique twist: these exceptional destinations are the key to experiencing Paris like a local and to discovering the city’s hidden gems including little known museums, hole-in-the-wall boîtes, and other unexpected places that have a truly “only in Paris” quality.
And if you are looking for inspiration for the home, then check out Artful Home for some elegant ideas. The book is arranged by the five guiding principles Young lives by: palette, texture, form, layers, and nostalgia. Whether creating a painting, designing a room, styling a vignette, or entertaining family and friends, these elements are essential to his work. The book shows readers how Young uses these concepts in his decorating, detailing his philosophy and overall creative approach as an artist and designer, and how they, too, can lean on them to curate beautiful environments.
As mentioned, briefly above, I will be making a trip to Paris in March, so it never hurts to start looking for ideas and Travel & Leisure is always a great place to start. In this video you can view the renowned culture, food, and sights of Paris with this helpful travel guide. T&L shows you the best things to do in Paris, France and how to wisely use your vacation budget. Starting with a 5-star hotel that is home to two Michelin star restaurants and a balcony view of the Eiffel tower. Learn the best ways to travel around Paris as well as the ideal spots to have a drink or a delicious meal.
If looking elegant this season is one of your goals, then let Anna Bey share some fashion styling tips so you can look elegant and sophisticated in winter WHILE staying warm at the same time.
And because I am already dreaming of Paris, here’s a little Paris home tour to inspire our inner Parisienne! View this chic 1-bedroom minimalist home with French lawyer Nina in her Parisian apartment who discusses interior decor tips, living in Paris and more. Nina tells us about her love for collecting art pieces and using interior design elements to create a cozy atmosphere. Learn about optimizing space as she shares her insider tips on making a small flat feel bigger. Get ready for a tour of this minimalist Parisian apartment full of insights on creating your perfect home.
A new movie on the horizon being released on February 7th and looks to be a good watch is Parthenope. It won an award at the Cannes Film Festival and earned a nine-and-a-half minute standing ovation at the end of its screening. It’s a coming-of-age movie of a woman named Parthenope “who bears the name of her city but is neither siren nor myth”. Shot in Naples and Capri, this looks to be a dreamy movie to watch but be warned that this also looks like it’s going to be a sultrier kind of movie too which will contain nudity.
articles of interest
If you are a British Bake-Off fan like I am, then here is a list of 25 best gifts for “Great British Bake-Off” show fans.
If Paris is on your list as well to visit in 2025, here is a list of Where to Stay in Paris: The Best Neighborhoods and Hotels for Every Type of Traveler.
And it looks 2025 will be a great year to visit Paris too as there will be a reopening of Notre Dame. Five and a half years after a devastating fire destroyed its roof and spire, Paris’s Notre Dame Cathedral will reopen to the public just in time for the Christmas season.
Christmas is just around the corner, and if you are still shopping, here is a list of 32 Unique Ideas That Surprise and Delight for stocking stuffers.
In this article you can get a glimpse at the collection: Kate Moss Created a Supermodel Chic Party Collection for Zara.
If you are looking for a free resource to get inspired for the new year, then sign up to get this Self-Image Makeover course from the School of Self Image. It’s a great course to take and it’s completely free.
As mentioned in Monday’s blog post, Five Ways to Live Luxuriously This December, one tip I wrote about was having a signature cocktail to enjoy all month long. If you are looking for inspiration for creating that signature cocktail, then here is a list of 18 Best Christmas Cocktails to Sip All Holiday Season.
I love The School of Self-Image! I’ve been following her for years. And I follow Anna Bey too but had forgotten about her so it was a good reminder. I love how she shows her lifestyle in her 20s being a little “trashy” (as she says) proving it’s never too late to reinvent yourself!
Happy Friday!
Anna Bey is certainly a great example of how one can elevate no matter what kind of background they’re from and I appreciate that about her for certain. SOSI is always a good resource too to elevate. Thank you for visiting today and I hope you have a great weekend as well 😊