Infusing grandeur into otherwise drab Mondays with five things/ideas/events for the week:

I.  Let’s collectively admit that one of the best parts of the holidays is the indulgences they allow. Like decadent rich milk chocolate hot cocoa topped with chocolate marshmallows. You would never catch me casually drinking something of this caloric nature come springtime, but in December it’s par for the course. This hot chocolate recipe far surpasses the instant kind (which is hardly worth drinking, unless you find yourself at a Cal football game at 10PM on a 35-degree November night, but I digress). Think classic chocolate paired with cinnamon, vanilla bean, and a pinch of ancho chile powder. I’ll be sipping these from these for the duration of the season.

II.  Wreaths are a tricky thing. It’s easy to pick one up ready-made from your local Pottery Barn, and even easier to say forget it and not post anything on your door at all. But option one doesn’t capture who you are stylistically, and option two is boring. Which brings us to options three… Pick up a traditional wreath from your local tree lot, or a more modern one (like pictured above) from Trader Joe’s (live boxwood) or West Elm (preserved boxwood), and add your favorite ribbon. Mine is a crisp black and white stripe, but anything goes - from neon pink to grosgrain Star Wars.

III.  A striking formal living room painted yellow recently caught my attention. I later learned that it belongs to Kim and Proper designer, Kim Bachmann, of Pacific Heights. An article written by One Kings Lane staff brings readers through Kim’s entire home, detailing the reasoning behind her bold decor choices and tips for recreating the looks. I’m obsessed with Kim’s layering techniques and unique painting method (she used a coat of brown paint before applying the yellow). Take a peak at the article for inspiration in your own home, and see if any of her beautiful dress designs will work as gifts for the ladies in your life next month.

IV.  Though I don’t have any children of my own (unless you count some of the boys I’ve dated this year…), I’ve learned that parents are constantly looking for child-appropriate activities to partake in with their little ones. For obvious reasons, I always advocate for cooking together. While full meals can be tricky, making a dessert is both easier to navigate and motivating for your child (there isn’t a five-year-old alive who can’t be persuaded to do literally anything for sugar). These simple homemade lollipops are a great recipe to tackle because you can mix in any sprinkle concoction you please, allowing culinary and creative juices to flow.

V.  If you’re looking for a less PG-activity to partake in this week, join me at the iconic Union Square Ice Skating Rink Thursday evening to meet your next wife/husband/one-night-stand at a party sponsored by the notoriously successful dating app The League. This evening will obviously turn out exactly like it did for Kate Beckinsale and John Cusack in Serendipity, so don’t miss the opportunity to find the love of your life on ice. Enter code “theleague” for access to the singles lounge and bar, tickets available here. Hope to see you there ;)

Have a wonderful week! xx tt