*Image via interior designer Clary Bosbyshell.
It has been difficult to sit in quiet this holiday season, but maybe that’s always the case, twenty-day-quarantine or not. Instead of the cookie exchanges, Santa brunches, and festive cocktail hours we’d scribbled onto our calendar, we’ve borne a different sort of freneticism in these parts: loud bouts of “cops and robbers” (a new discovery for our four-year-old), the shrieks of two young children battling over the same toys and divided attention from parents, and dance parties to all manner of Christmas music, Taylor Swift, and mini’s two favorite songs, Black Sabbath’s “Iron Man” (really) and Shakira’s “Try Anything” (courtesy of Zootopia, a movie I really do not care for because the language and tone the characters use is so cruel and biting!) But this morning, during a rare spell of silence while my children played with a new lacing activity their loving grandparents had sent in the mail, Norah Jones’ “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear” came onto the speakers, and I sat with it in silence, and it was one of those moments that folded in on itself, the lyrics in such perfect symmetry with the moment:
“Still through the cloven skies they come
with peaceful wings unfurled,
and still their heavenly music floats
o’er all the weary world;
above its sad and lowly plains,
they bend on hovering wing,
and ever o’er its Babel sounds
the blessed angels sing.”
Whatever Babel or cloven skies you’re facing, hoping you find a minute to sit and listen, too.
Post-Scripts.
+A similar moment recognizing the real meaning of the holiday season from a few years back, while zipping up Park Avenue in NYC.
+Preparations for the holiday season are so moving.
+Well, I wished for a slow holiday season…and I got it.
+It’s a blessing to be needed.
Shopping Break.
+Last minute gift I ordered when I discovered one of the gifts I’d ordered would not arrive in time: this Aesop lotion/soap set. Aesop makes such beautiful soap and lotion and who doesn’t love a luxury like this? My stomach always churns a little bit at the price when buying for myself, so a nice little extravagance to offer a loved one. Bonus that Bloomie’s is offering $25 off every $150 you spend on beauty, so I added my favorite eye shadow, Laura Mercier’s Morning Dew, to the cart and it was effectively free! Morning Dew is such a gorgeous color — it brightens the eye area but looks fairly natural at the same time.
+We are about to embark upon toilet training with our son. I just picked up these Hannah Andersson underwear for him — they were recommended for toilet training from our old Montessori in NYC because they are extra thick (helpful for obvious reasons) but I remember grimacing at the price tag when I bought them for mini. Fortunately, there’s a cute set of 7 with fire trucks and other great prints my son will love on sale for $22 with free ship!
+While you’re at Hannah’s, check out their adorable new Valentine’s Day jammies — they remind me of Keith Haring! More heart finds here.
+Juliska look for less!!! Love the scalloped rim, too!
+I’ve featured these in the past, but I think my next sleepwear investment will be this pair of washable silk pajamas.
+Love the silhouette and wash of these jeans.
+Last minute Christmas outfit idea: this velvet jumpsuit. Oo la la.
+A great last-minute gift option: this cookbook stand (exact one we have in our kitchen, collapses and can be stored with cutting boards when not in use) and a new cookbook (I’m enjoying this cookie one, but some of our all-time favorites here).
+Just ordered this long cardigan in the green.
+Another cardigan that looks like heaven for these slow cozy days.
+This spectacular heel is in the perfect dusty blue color. More party shoes here.
+This perfect sweater…
+One of my favorite throw blankets to snuggle under on the couch.
+Perfect NYE black tie wedding dress, and on sale. So, so chic.
+Under $80 for a fab sequin mini.
+Pretty paper globe decorations for an NYE gathering.
+A lot of time spent at home = a lot of organization. I just ordered these sets to stow some of mini’s too-small clothes that I want to hang onto. They appealed to me because of the zippered top. Will throw some cedar balls in there to preserve. I shared this last week, but I also ordered more of these zippered pouches for puzzles/sets with small parts, a few of these toy bins for mini’s overflow stuffed animals (and in anticipation of new presents for Christmas), and these smaller bins for smaller toy sets, including micro’s mounting collection of Matchbox cars.
+I have to say: these matchbox cars have been a major help during quarantine. I’ve been meting out a few here and there and the children love to play with these and build tracks/garages/bridges using Magnatiles. Since sharing our protracted quarantine situation, I’ve had a few moms reach out saying they are in the same boat and asking how we’ve kept the children busy. A few big hits, some of which we already had, and some of which were generous gifts from friends…
AQUA MAT (MESS FREE = SO AMAZING)
PUFFY STICKERS AND REPOSITIONABLE STICKERS (<<THESE WORK ON WINDOWS, WHICH IS FUN)
BAKING SODA + VINEGAR — DYE THE VINEGAR DIFFERENT COLORS AND GIVE THE KIDS THESE DROPPERS AND THIS SCIENTIST KIT AND THEY ARE HAPPY CAMPERS FOR A LONG TIME
SENSORY PLAY (<<LOTS OF IDEAS HERE, BUT SOAP FOAM DYED DIFFERENT COLORS AND THEN A BUNCH OF LITTLE ANIMALS OR CARS KEEPS THEM BUSY)
MORE INDOOR ACTIVITY IDEAS HERE
LONG BUBBLE BATHS WITH THESE PODS
LOTS OF HOLIDAY BAKING — THE BIGGEST HIT WAS MAKING ROLL-OUT SUGAR COOKIES USING FESTIVE CUTTERS AND THEN DECORATING WITH SPRINKLES
+My tartan tablecloth was just marked down to $33 in the size I needed — 120″ x “60 — and will still arrive by Christmas.
+This coat is both classic and interesting. Love the silhouette, neckline, color!
+One of our favorite children’s holiday books. The illustrations are so fun, and mini loves spying Santa on the last page.
+A handful of this wildly popular dress still available. I feel like the entire Internet bought this dress! I bought a dress with the same fabric in a different silhouette by the same brand (now sold out) to wear to a holiday event too!
So thankful for your posts! Your writing + your style & taste = my favorite. Blessings to you and your family this Christmas ❤️
Thank you so much, Kerry! I’m so flattered. Thank you for reading along! Merry Christmas to you and yours!
xx