Was 2023 My Year? - Newsletter #7
Much like birthdays and first dates, I think the secret to an excellent New Year’s Eve celebration is low expectations. Plus a copious amount of alcohol if that’s your thing. I have fond memories of New Year’s Eve growing up. Hopping from house to house around my neighbourhood. The warm feeling of community wrapping around like a tight hug. As I get older, and time undeniably moves faster, I place less importance on the event. Instead, I appreciate the holiday as a time for reflection and aspiration, and copious amounts of alcohol because that IS in fact, my thing.
As much as yearly wrap-ups are tired, and time is an illusion, etc. I’m here to do it anyway.
I kicked off the year well, then walked right back into the sense of loneliness I had become all too familiar with. I would never have admitted it then, but I do not, under almost any circumstances, work well alone. I am famously independent and introverted to my bones, but self-motivated I am NOT. As someone who prides themselves on their affinity for introspection, I am amazed I didn’t clue into that one sooner. Since changing my day-to-day, my quality of life has drastically improved. (Wait, was 2023 actually my year??)
Beyond this career shift, which I understand I have already talked about at length, this year was consistently peaceful. While I don’t have a massive list of crazy new experiences to flex for you all, peace is something I hope no one ever takes for granted following the tail end of this year. I know I certainly won’t. Dinners with friends, evenings in, putting on cute little outfits, and drinking great wine were the highlights of my year, and I wouldn’t change that for the world.
Things that are tickling my fancy
To wrap up the year, it’s time I present you all with my favourite discoveries of 2023.
This pan. Not only is this pan extraordinarily sexy (and it is) it is also the perfect size for my day-to-day cooking needs. The sides are just high enough, and the lid adds extra versatility. I bought this as a Christmas present for myself last year and it has been my most used kitchen item ever since. It’s a hit folks, and in my opinion, an overlooked option! An excellent treat.
Skip this if you don’t wear glasses, but if you do - HELLO, it’s time to look for some affordable glasses and build yourself a cutie little collection. I think a strong choice of frames is one of the best ways to effortlessly express your personal style. Everyone can look good in glasses and if you don’t think so, you’re actually wrong. This unfortunate opinion means that you are not allowing yourself the ability to be hot in a smart way (one of the very best ways to be hot). I love a home trial as I can take all the necessary selfies with my hair in all the different ways (important!!) in the comfort of my own home. Since finding some fun frames, I find so much joy putting on my glasses as a cute, and practical, finishing touch to my look that feels extremely personalised.
Bangs aren’t for everyone but I do think they are something everyone should try, just to know, you know?
The easiest way to be good at socialising is to flirt with everyone a little. I’m not suggesting inappropriate behaviour, but light playful flirting is actually an essential part of human connection and it’s FUN.
Oh, it’s SO FUN.
If your hair looks bad the whole look is off. This is terrible news for people like me who love every single aspect of getting ready EXCEPT for hairstyling. I’m afraid it’s terribly true though. How upsetting is that? So what I am saying is, you should probably invest in some decent haircare products and tools. I have loved every single item I have tried from JVN, and when compared to the other high-end alternatives, they’re very well-priced! My GHD hair straightener was one of the best purchases of the year, so if you’re looking to upgrade from the one you’ve been cooking your strands with since you were 14, look no further.
Reading on public transit is the easiest way to be hot. Other easy ways to be hot include but are not limited to: shuffling cards well, having a signature cocktail, and wearing statement accessories such as fun hats, or large glasses, casually.
Some really hot books you could be reading:
Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
anything written by Joan Didion
Happy Hour by Marlowe Granados
Just Kids by Patti Smith
Some things you can say in response to basically anything (save for reference later):
Fair enough
That’s crazy
And I’ve always said that!
Why? What have you heard??
Not only should one always have some homemade pickled red onions on the go (old news!) Candied jalapenos are also good with almost anything - and they’re really not very spicy so calm down. This recipe makes an excessive amount, but the ingredients are right on the money so just scale this bad boy down, or make it up as you go! Have fun and PLEASE make this an addition to your next wine and cheese night, girl dinner, or snack/condiment meal that you eat directly out of the fridge with your hands like a little rat. A cute rat! A very adorable Ratatouille kind of rat.
All actions have consequences, and that’s actually comforting.
Should I stay or should I go? I think a lot of people will sit paralysed, desperately attempting to find a solution in which no one gets hurt, and nothing goes wrong. This can be particularly prevalent for people pleasers, or those who have spent much of life existing in the role of the mediator. How can you make everyone happy? Well, the good news is, you can’t. Even a lack of decision (or really, the decision to do nothing) ultimately has consequences. There’s no secret you’re missing. You’re free. This was my favourite personal discovery of 2023. The challenging part, however, is considering which consequences you can live with. This is not easy, and quite frankly, it sucks, but when the consequences for your actions ultimately arrive (and they will) take comfort in the fact that you yourself are not at all flawed because of this. Of course, it is up to you to make active choices and do what you can to feel as though you’re driving the ship but allow yourself the ability to upset some people. It’s bound to happen anyway.
What I’m Sipping…
It’s only right to chat about Champagne in the lead-up to New Year’s Eve, so I am here, your little bubbly fairy, to ask the question asked by only the most pretentious of Champagne drinkers: Grower or House? What does that mean exactly? Let me attempt to explain.
Essentially, there are three kinds of Champagne made within the region. House or ‘Maison’, Cooperative or ‘Co-op’, and Single Estate or ‘Grower’ Champagne.
You’re probably most familiar with House Champagne. These are your big brands: Veuve Clicquot, Moët & Chandon, Krug, Ruinart, the classics that likely need no introduction. These houses make hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of bottles of Champagne every year. To do so, they must source grapes from thousands of vineyards across the region, and work to recreate the same flavours every single time. They are consistent, and when you find your favourite, you can feel very confident that you’re going to have the same experience every time.
A Co-op is typically made from a series of vineyards in, or around, a specific village within Champagne. These Champagnes are made using the fruit from tens to hundreds of local vineyards and usually have one ‘Chief winemaker’ who works with all of the growers to develop the final Champagne. It often receives a reputation of lower quality, however, it’s important to remember that these co-ops are key in keeping small generational growers alive. It’s an act of community, which was extremely important post-war in the region of Champagne, and is still essential for the families involved.
Then we get Grower Champagne. These wines come from single vineyards in which the grape grower and their family will cultivate the vineyard, pick the fruit, and produce the Champagne themselves. This creates a very artisanal experience. If you’re super into single-origin coffee, or farm-fresh products, this is going to have a very similar vibe. These sparkling wines can taste like almost anything! They are a great example of the diversity of the region, as well as vintage variation, etc. They’re wild and free - which is what makes them so interesting. The winemaking experience is hands-on and deeply in touch with the needs of the vintage. Looking for a new Champagne experience that might feel unusual? Consider Grower Champagne for your NYE drink of choice!
Now is one kind of Champagne better than another? Like any wine, it’s a matter of personal preference. I’m just here to open your eyes to something new. House Champagnes are consumed at the fanciest of events for a reason. They’re famously delicious. Grower champagne, however, is made using a different ethos. Hands-on winemaking is exciting, the choices being made are unique and represent the ‘sense of place’ in a way that House Champagne does not. Grower Champagne is much harder to find, but if you ask a somm or walk into your favourite fine wine shop, they’ll send you down the right path.
So pop some bubbly this New Year’s Eve! Whether it’s House Champagne, Grower Champagne, Crémant, Cava, or Prosecco I really hope you get very very silly. x
Ins and Outs for 2024
IN:
Being silly and adorable
An annoying Instagram presence
Arts and crafts at social gatherings
Complimenting strangers
Making out
A reasonable bedtime (Let’s get some sleep this year)
Being overdressed
Themed events
Being bad at things
Bookstore dates
Go-to meals
Really big sunglasses (bug era)
Muting people
Referencing Sex and the City when giving advice (all one ever needs to know is in that show)
Developing strong therapeutic relationships
OUT:
Only reading non-fiction books (imagination is important)
Teeny tiny sunglasses
Full-blown cocktails that come in cans (always disappointing)
QR codes
Worrying about whether or not something is ‘flattering’
Saying yes when you want to say no
Playing it cool (nonchalance is boring and gross)
Daylight savings
Following your ex’s on social media
Being afraid of ‘too much salt’
The big light (the year of lamps)
Desserts that look better than they taste
Not giggling at work (professionalism be damned!)
Boring socks + sensible shoes
Record players that are purely for aesthetics
