
Welcome to this week’s Monday Edition! Every year, this time in January, I’m always a little overwhelmed. My husband, Danny, and my daughter, Ellie, both have birthdays on the same day in late January. I’ve been busy planning parties and dates and birthday presents. I’ll be happy when the planning is done, and we can just celebrate them.
Danny and I went out on Saturday night for an early birthday dinner and dessert (more details below!) One of my 2024 goals is to go on more dates this year as it hasn’t really been a priority for us during the years our kids were young. We also planned monthly lunch dates!
Hope your year is off to a good start as well!
STYLE
Here are the outfits I wore this week. The first look is actually what I wore for a Saturday date night. You can find all these outfits linked in the Daily Looks page of my blog.
FOOD
Every week, I like to recap all the recipes we made in hopes that it inspires you for your next meal.
Monday: Braised Chicken and Leeks with collard greens. I had purchased leeks and potatoes from the farmer’s market the day prior so I went in search of a recipe to use those. It was a simple meal, but really flavorful.
Tuesday: One Pan Tomato Basil Baked Orzo. This recipe from Ambitious Kitchen is one I’ve made before. It comes together quickly, is well liked by the family, and has little clean-up.
Wednesday: We went to the Harry Potter Experience in the late afternoon and were running a bit behind so we grabbed Chipotle on the way home.
Thursday: Mediterranean Meatball Bowls from Skinnytaste. I love mediterranean flavors so this was a hit for me. We served ours over rice with tzatziki sauce.
Friday: Pizza Night! We made a homemade pizza (we use this simple recipe for the dough) with leftover pesto, fresh mozzarella, and cherry tomatoes which we enjoyed while watching Back to the Future with the family.
Saturday: Date Night! We went out for an early birthday dinner for Danny. We tried Secret Savory a Thai restaurant in Ballard, which was super fresh and delicious. Then we stopped into Hot Cakes for molten lava cakes and ice cream (amazing!)
Sunday: Sheet Pan Nachos. We baked up some simple nachos with ground turkey for a quick and easy Sunday dinner.
I also made this recipe for baked oatmeal for breakfasts for the family this week (the third time in as many weeks!) It’s just slightly sweet and only uses one bowl to prepare.
ENTERTAINMENT
We just wrapped up the final season of The Crown this week, and wow, did you see the last episode? The whole season was sad and tragic, but the final episode was so good – I teared up.
On one of my walks, I listened to this podcast from Mel Robbins on motivation and found it to be helpful and timely for those of us with big goals this year. I’ve also been enjoying the Wiser Than Me podcast with Julia Louie-Dreyfus where she interviews older women who are, as she says, wiser than her. I listened to two more episodes this week, and gah, they are just incredibly moving.
For my nightly reading time before bed, I just started The Rose Code by Kate Quinn. I read The Alice Network by the same author in 2022, I believe, and really enjoyed it.
NOTEWORTHY NEWS
Sézane launched a new collection on Sunday with their winter essentials. There are so many great pieces. I purchased The Daisy Jumper (which is selling out fast) and the Betty Cardigan in the black and ecru crochet. I also had my eye on the Auguste Jacket, this gorgeous white blouse, this pretty beige sweater, and this green jacket.
How to winter with kids (the Scandinavian way.)
Lifestyle habits of the world’s healthiest people.
I’m loving all the neutral tones in the new arrivals at H&M, including this trendy lady jacket, this striped sweatshirt, this gray cardigan, this cream colored coat, this oversized denim shirt, and these classic straight jeans.
Healthy and affordable finds at Trader Joe’s.
One question to ask your kids after school.
Everlane is having a big sale, and many of the things I own are on sale. I shared them here.
I just purchased this 5 Minute Journal in hopes of starting a journaling habit. I’ll keep you posted!
For all my parents with Bluey fans, new episodes were released last week! My kids already watched them all.
Vogue’s wardrobe staples for 2024.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
The Monday Edition 1.8.24
The Best Books I Read In 2023
Parisian Winter Outfits
How To Style A Sweater Dress
That’s all for this edition. Sign up for my newsletter to receive My 2024 Winter Essentials Guide.