Comfortable Sunday, everybody. Whereas that is technically the second Sunday of 2026, it actually seems like the primary since we’ve formally accomplished our first week again at work! Our annual kitchen developments submit went up, Mal allow us to into her fantastic Nineteen Fifties kitchen refresh, and we, after all, talked about organizing (is it January if we don’t??). We’re so grateful to be again with all of you. This week, although, was yet one more devastating one in our nation, and whereas merely stating that doesn’t create any tangible change, you will need to proceed to remind ourselves that THIS IS NOT NORMAL and to seek out methods to assist transfer us in a safer course. No matter differing private views, we consider that almost all of us don’t wish to reside in a spot that treats folks this fashion. That’s all we’ll say on that right now. For 2026 (and past), allow us to all attempt to discover as many alternatives to be variety and loving whereas holding one another accountable. Okay, now for the inevitable tone shift jolt… listed below are this week’s hyperlinks (they’re optimistic, we promise:))
From Emily: Whereas in Montana over break, failing to study to ski AGAIN, I used to be relegated to the lodge lodge on my own (and spa, which was GREAT) and was in a position to binge a number of issues. Y’all, I lastly completed Verity (by Colleen Hoover, after all). I had began it years in the past, but it surely was so unsettling (I can’t actually learn a lot about youngsters’ deaths with out excessive ranges of tension), so I put it down and opted for 4 different Colleen Hoover novels as a substitute (that I subsequently flew by means of). They’re all unsettling, TBH. However over break, I had simply completed The Housemaid by Freida McFadden (which I flew by means of in 2 days) and cherished the film (such a campy blast, however decrease your expectations should you haven’t learn the ebook), and I used to be reminded how engrossing a thriller is on trip. Then I noticed that Verity is popping out subsequent yr as a film with Anne Hathaway, Dakota Johnson, and Josh Hartnett (I’m actually having fun with his comeback – he’s so a lot better than he was once!). So I dove again into it and, after all, couldn’t put it down. It nonetheless IS unsettling, however man, it’s engrossing, and so so good.
However in the meantime, I urge of you to select up Folks We Meet On Trip by Emily Henry RIGHT NOW should you haven’t already learn it (you’ll fly by means of it, though Seashore Learn continues to be my favourite of hers). By the point this hyperlink is printed, I’ll have watched the much-awaited film with Emily Bader and Tom Blyth. I “met” Emily within the present My Woman Jane (RIP), which was an unbelievable present that bought cancelled far too younger (it was such BS, folks LOVED that present and it was so good – I’m blaming it on male executives at Amazon Prime who didn’t get it). However Emily was unbelievable, and I turned an on the spot fan of her performing. Anyway, thank the media gods that each one our favourite books are being became motion pictures or TV exhibits (Each Summer season After can also be going to be a TV present by Carley Fortune, which I’m so enthusiastic about). If you’re on the lookout for good recs, head over to Seashore Reads & Bubbles, whose style I belief in the case of extremely entertaining novels (romance, thrillers, and much more literary novels once I dabble in these). Talking of which – I began The Correspondent and want encouragement to complete (everybody raves, however oof, I used to be bored so shortly). After which I made it a stable 60% by means of The Demise of Us, which was simply so miserable (however so good!) that I put it down as a result of it was bumming me out and opted for Mate by Ali Hazelwood as a substitute. It jogged my memory of The Wedding ceremony Folks – Deeply darkish, however with a number of levity to it, and such sturdy storytelling, however in the end, I didn’t wish to reside in that world for for much longer. LASTLY, OH MY GOSH I CAN’T STOP – I lastly completed All Her Fault and WAHOO, the ending was well worth the horrible writing of the primary few episodes (I nonetheless extremely advocate it for a binge watch) and I completed The Looking Wives on New Years Day (properly, I picked it again up on the aircraft again house the day earlier than which I do NOT advocate, lol – the cowboy sitting behind me was both thrilled or needed to place me in a convent). SO GOOD, however be ready for some sizzling girl intercourse. Talking of, I’m going to dive into Heated Rivalry this weekend – I’m so excited. January is my month, y’all. Zero social engagements and a lot rain, so each excuse to hibernate with good books, TV, and soup.
From Jess: I’m a reasonably easy make-up individual. I like a heat “pure” look on common with only a few merchandise. However each now and again, I get actually inquisitive about a brand new product, and Victoria Beckman’s Satin Kajal Liner was on the high of the checklist. So once I was searching by means of the newish French division retailer Printemps (a MUST SEE should you love design, I left SO impressed) in New York Metropolis over the vacations, I observed that they offered her line. Naturally, I took the chance to check out the liner earlier than shopping for, and my god, it glides on like a dream, with a number of pigment! And smudges fantastically (my most well-liked look:)) I purchased the Terracotta and Bordeaux colours and have cherished them to this point. Apparently, getting the VB sharpener is kinda necessary, which I didn’t purchase within the second, so I simply grabbed a type of:)
From Arlyn: My favourite purchases are cheap, extremely helpful, and efficient. Which is why I’m beginning off the yr by recommending a pumice bathroom bowl wand. I’m sure Jess shared one comparable almost a yr in the past, but it surely’s doubtless time to bubble again up once more. After we moved in, I observed some rings in the bathroom, particularly within the downstairs powder rest room. Assuming it was only a results of sitting vacant for a number of months, I assumed a easy bleach scrub was all it wanted. I used to be improper. Virtually three years later, those self same rings nonetheless exist, regardless of how typically I clear my rest room, because of arduous and high-mineral water. Annoyed and eventually eager to take some actual motion, I remembered Jess’ pitch to me about it from the previous, and I’m so completely satisfied to report that I now have ring-free bowls with out having to make use of any harsh chemical compounds or get my fingers soiled. WHAT A RELIEF! You probably have cussed hardwater stains that you simply’re coping with, please don’t wait so long as I did to do this resolution.
From Gretchen: I’m unsure why, however from time to time, I’ll get up with an excruciating headache. And no, it’s not the hangover variety (though I’m no stranger to these). However these bizarre complications I are likely to really feel approaching at evening, understanding that by morning I’ll wake to a throbbing ache. It sucks. I haven’t discovered the proper treatment but (or prevention, clearly), however I’ve tried all of the meds, weighted eye masks, important oils, caffeine, hydrotherapy–you identify it! A mixture of those instruments normally tends to assist, however I’m all the time on the hunt for a greater resolution. As I used to be making an attempt to go to sleep final evening, understanding a morning migraine was on the best way, I appeared for a brand new repair and stumbled upon this acupressure mat. I’ve heard nice issues about them and the idea made sufficient sense to me: a mattress stuffed with tiny plastic spikes meant to stimulate stress factors in your physique, much like acupuncture, simply with out all of the needles. It’s supposed to assist with leisure, muscle pressure, and, for a lot of, persistent complications. And for simply $18 with a 7 am arrival the subsequent day, I believed it was price a shot. And guess what? It completely helped! Or not less than, it labored very properly together with a number of of my different headache hacks. However as soon as my physique settled into the spikes (sure, it’s a little bit jarring at first), all the things unclenched, and I may really really feel my headache slipping away. I actually felt a distinction once I calmly rolled the top pillow round on my brow. One thing a couple of bunch of tiny, sharp spikes simply appeared to do the trick. I laid on the mat for about 10 minutes and genuinely felt rejuvenated afterwards. I’m going to maintain utilizing the mat, headache or not, as a result of I for certain observed a distinction in general physique pressure, and the feeling simply felt so enjoyable.
From Marlee: In the event you’re on the lookout for methods to get off your screens this yr, I extremely advocate Puzzlemania – we had this in our reward information, however I used to be gifted it for Christmas, and it’s SO enjoyable. I really like love love puzzles and sit up for my minis and Wordle day by day, so I used to be so excited to obtain this ebook. It’s basically only a puzzle workbook that accommodates a ton of crosswords (all with enjoyable twists), little Wordle puzzles, phrase hunts, Sudoku variations, and a ton of different mini video games that might be enjoyable to work on solo or strive doing together with your associate or a buddy! There’s additionally an enormous unfolding crossword puzzle within the center that I believe I’m going to tear out and grasp on our kitchen wall in order that company can attempt to assist us clear up it when we’ve folks over. I’m actually excited to succeed in for this and work on it whereas I drink my espresso or once I’m bored. Comfortable fixing!! <3
From Mallory: I had seen a number of folks sporting this baseball cap round city and thought it was SO lovely…so I used to be THRILLED once I opened up a Christmas reward and contained in the field was this!! I’ve been carrying it on a regular basis – I completely LOVE it.
From Caitlin: I’m right here to finish the hyperlink up on a little bit of a tragic word: my mother, Brenda, handed away the day after Christmas following a ten yr battle with Renal Cell Carcinoma. (Now you realize why we have been knocking out these bucket checklist journeys with fervor – bear in mind Antarctica and Australia?) Sharing her with you all was the honour of my life. And I can’t thank Emily and the EHD crew sufficient – they allowed me to step right into a full-time caregiver position in Delaware on the high of 2025 with out a second thought. (And thanks to Dennis, associate of the millennia, who moved into my childhood house and helped maintain the world working.) I don’t assume I’ll ever be capable to articulate how grateful I’ve been for all of their assist – they gave me the reward of high quality time spent with an important lady in my life. You’ll be able to try her obituary right here (and take a look at the fawning from her former colleagues and staff right here – their phrases put the most important smile on my face!). The whole lot I did was in an try and make her proud. I used to be so, so, so fortunate to be her daughter.
That’s it for this week. Thanks for spending this little little bit of time with us, and see you tomorrow<3
Opening Picture Credit: Design by Mallory Wackerman | Picture by Lyle Nelson | From: Mallory’s Nineteen Fifties DIY Kitchen Makeover (You Received’t Consider This Earlier than and After)
