January 2023
I am excited to kick off the new year with a new monthly feature (inspired by one of my own favorite blogs, Half Baked Harvest) where I feature some of my very favorite things at the moment- from the food I’m enjoying, to the clothes I am adding to my cart; the words I am finding inspiring and reading on the page, and the activities and events I am heading out to enjoy! I hope you’ll find some new things to do, see, taste, wear, or inspire you, and of course, always feel free to share your favorites and let me know what you think!
So, on to the good stuff!
Eat
Y’all know I love all things French and yesterday I bought the most beautiful cookbook (Henry picked it out) ‘Maman: The Cookbook.’ Monday we made ‘Gina Sandwiches’ (Herbed Tuna sandwiches with Olive-Caper Gremolata) for lunch, (amazing!) and then ‘Croque-Maman’s for dinner.
And then of course from my two absolute favorite online recipe resources- some new recipe favorites!
When we are in a pinch, this recipe for chicken koftas and lime cous cous has become a new staple – good year round- easy, refreshing, healthy. My only note is I think it needs is a sauce, so I’d recommend whipping up something like this or this if you have the time!
And if you need an extra delicious way to pack those veggies in, try NYT Cookings Carrot with Shallots, Mozerella and Spicy Breadcrumbs which I made last Friday. It just calls for carrots, but I’d say you could try this with most anything you enjoy roasting – zucchini, peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, eggplant, etc!
Earlier this winter I put together a whole collection of hearty recipes I wanted to try this winter.
I’m starting to work my way through some of them and wow was Half Baked Harvest’s Sweet Potato Cheddar Pierogi’s SO yummy! Definitely recommend!
Wear
New year, new clothes, right!? Actually, my rule is ‘buy one, give away one.’ (Or actually more than one, if possible.) I love selling on Poshmark, consigning at local shops, donating to local charities and giving to Goodwill!
I recently bought this jumpsuit in black (it also comes in gray) from one of my fav sites, Vici Collection. *The only thing not to love is that returns are only for store credit! It’s comfortable, sporty and sexy all at the same time. Now if only it was warm enough to wear it that would be great!
I’m such a sucker for Free People and just picked up this top in blue for workouts, it’s SO soft and comfortable.
I have my eye on this cozy gauzy jumpsuit to lounge around the house this spring. (Can you tell I am already over winter!?) They also have the most beautiful dresses. I am thinking of picking this adorable midi up for our summer vacation, and this flowy ruffly maxi would be the absolute perfect choice if you are planning a spring or summer photo session…especially since in comes in about a dozen colors! Or how about this one if you like a little more coverage?
Since we are still in the cold days of winter though, I think I will still stay cozy with a pair of sweatpants like these, and I have to tell you that I own about 5 pairs of these leggings from Aerie, because they are literally the best and most comfortable leggings I have ever worn (and on super sale right now (score!) so grab them while you can!
Read
Life gets insanely busy and one of the first things that falls by the wayside for me is reading. I personally can’t do Audible, and I prefer the feel of a book in my hand, however in the busy months it just gets hard to carve out the time. However I have set an intention to read 25 books this year, and so far I have already finished 3! I love books that take me out of this world and into another, namely fantasy…so bear with me as a lot of what I recommend here will fall into that realm, but if you enjoy that genre I highly recommend all three of these!
- The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune – a funny, heartwarming story about magical children, acceptance & family.
- The 10,000 Doors of January by Alex E. Harrow – a beautifully woven tale about family and finding out where you came from while journeying through different worlds.
- The Once & Future Witches by Alex E. Harrow – a book illustrating the perseverance of women (and witches) through the ages.
Find me on Goodreads, I would love to know what you are reading!
Check Out
Denver
Obviously you can hit the slopes to ski or snowboard all winter long, or if that isn’t your thing, how about checking out the Colorado Adventure park to do a little Snow Tubing?
There’s nothing that says January in Colorado like the Stock Show! Running now through the 22nd, you still have a little time left to go check out this staple of Colorado!
On January 28th head to Mile High Station for the ‘Winter Brew Fest!’.
In the beginning of February, dance over to the Ellie Caulkin’s Opera House for Colorado Ballet’s ‘Lady of the Camellia’s’ or maybe walk next door to Boettcher Hall to catch the Bela Fleck playing with the Colorado Symphony.
Looking for a way to celebrate Valentine’s Day? How about some picture perfect moments with your fav’s captured by yours truly during my a special Valentine’s Photo Session on February 5th!?
The Denver Museum of Art’s exhibition ‘Who tells a tale adds a tail’ is open through March 5th featuring millennial Latin American artists. Join me in seeing the Opera- it’s one of my favorite things to do, and next month’s production of Korngold’s Die Tote Stadt is sure to be amazing!
DC
If you hurry, there’s still time to grab a table and some delicious food at prix fixe prices at some of the towns best restaurants THIS WEEK (Jan 16-22) during Metropolitan Washington Restaurant Week.
On Feb 10, how about listening to the renowned soprano Renee Fleming live at the Kennedy Center, or if you’d rather grab some laughs, that same night the one and only Jerry Seinfeld is at the Anthem. Just after Valentines Day, tug a little on those heartstrings and watch the American Ballet theater perform Romeo & Juliet. Or perhaps grab the whole family and head to Fairfax, VA for the Annual Chocolate Lover’s Festival!
Tampa
Before we close out January, say ‘Aye Aye Matey’ at the Gasparilla Pirate Festival on January 28th and then on 1/31, head to the symphony to hear Gershwin & Chopin!
See if you can score tickets to one of my absolute favorite comedians on February 9th – Jim Gaffigan, and for most of the month you can check out the Florida State Fair.
Looking for a Valentines night activity? Candlelight Concerts offers a variety of different concert but features a special Valentine’s concert of ‘Rome & Juliet! Or maybe you’d rather go hear the beautiful notes of Andrea Bocelli on his Valentine’s tour.
Looking to check out the local YMCA? Don’t miss their ‘Kids Day Out’ on February 17th! Junior Chef’s of America has a variety of delicious cooking classes for your kids each month, including this one on Feb 18 where they’ll make Bahama Bread Pudding! That same night, don your best Venetian mask and support the arts by grabbing a ticket for Opera Tampa’s grand gala: Carnevale. And then on the 22nd, bring your kids to a telling of Aesops fables!
Words to Live By
Going head first into the New Year, I found these words to be particularly poignant. Often we put so much pressure on ourselves to do, create, grow & change…but often we forget that sometimes it can be about ‘letting go, and clearing out’ too. 🙂
Author Patricia Digh on the New Year:
“At the end of each year, I ask myself two questions:
1) What do I want to create in this New Year?
And, perhaps even more importantly,
2) What do I want to let go of?”
You just need to have the courage to eliminate everything that doesn’t directly feed what you really want.
-James Clear
Until Next Month…
I hope you found some fun, useful, delicious or inspiring tidbits in this months feature of my five favorite things! I looks forward to sharing more with you next month, but until then, if capturing memories is on your to-do list, be sure to get in touch or hop over to my schedule to get started! I’d love to serve you and your 2023 goals!
**The links included in this newsletter are not affiliate links. Therefore, I do not receive any compensation for any of the links or products posted within.
