It’s the last Friday before the Thanksgiving holiday coming up next week and I am enjoying the season as we cozy into our homes and enjoy the warmth of home cooking, a twinkling Christmas tree, holiday jazz playing the background, and a cup of something hot to drink. I am slowly easing into the Christmas holiday too as I have put up the Christmas tree and have been listening to some Christmas music, but I am also savoring the last week or so of autumn too as we say goodbye to the pumpkins and colorful leaves all too soon. I have my Thanksgiving menu planned out as well as the Thanksgiving weekend too. As we make our way into the busy holiday season let us also make time to enjoy the simple pleasures of this time of year and to make time for slowing down and savoring the moments that sometimes seems to move all too fast. As for today, I hope you take a pause to cozy up and enjoy another Curated Weekly post to start the weekend and if you see anything you like, remember that Black Friday is right around the corner, so watch for upcoming sales.
MODERN CLASSIC FINDS
I made it a goal of mine this year to invest in some autumn/winter sweaters because I didn’t have many due to living in Florida for a few years, but this year I made sure to look for some quality sweaters for my wardrobe and this cotton-silk crew neck sweater from Banana Republic has been one of my favorites so far. The texture of the fabric is luxurious and material is very soft as well as the style is simply timeless.
A versatile bag is always well worth the investment and what I love about this Berkeley small shoulder bag in patent leather is that it can be used as either a shoulder bag, or a crossbody bag for on the go.
As the colder weather sets in it is surely time to bring out the cold weather essentials, especially if you are like me and commute to the office. One item I have already had to use this season are my winter gloves and I can speak from personal experience that the BR Italian Leather Cashmere-Lined Gloves are well worth the price as they keep my hands warm as well as wrapped in luxurious cashmere.
I do love a small tray for the home as they can be used in so many different ways and this 8″ Marble Catchall Tray Off-White also provides a touch of elegance as well. Weather it’s used as part of the decor, to catch keys, or to be used as a small jewelry tray, this item is sure to be a timeless addition to the home.
Williams-Sonoma has teamed up with the Washington D.C. based designer, Josh Young for an exclusive holiday collection inspired by gracious style and his historic Capitol Hill townhome. A collection inspired by vintage, but made for today. I thought all the items were beautiful modern classic pieces, but I especially loved the Josh Young x Williams Sonoma Home Chenille Stockings.
I posted a reel this past week about taking a walk to pick up my new Mason Cash Deck The Halls green holiday bowl from Sur La Table. Mason Cash does have a collection of three holiday bowls, but I particularly wanted the 2.15 qt (or the medium sized bowl). I bought the pumpkin bowl back in September that I loved using so much this season and I am happy to have the Christmas version for holiday baking this year too.
If oysters and champagne are part of your New Year’s tradition, then this Perla Stoneware Oyster Plate from Anthropologie would be a beautiful serving dish for the celebration. With beaded edges and a glazed finish, the Perla dining collection makes a statement as grand as your dinner parties.
And don’t forget to invest in the beautiful details too with these Mignon Resin Teaspoons, Set of 4 for the occasion as also shown above. Featuring a marble swirl design, these spoons are sure to elevate any use.
BOOKS
An upcoming release that I have on my list is The Finer Code : A Manual of Modern Elegance, Refined Living, and Timeless Etiquette by Giulia Macchia. The Finer Code is both philosophy and playbook: an effervescent portrait of modern refinement, written by a cosmopolitan socialite with opinions as sharp as her heels. Equal parts wit and wisdom, it reveals the codes of elegance that shape everything from seasonal entertaining and personal grooming to the quiet hierarchies of handbags, jewels, and conversation itself.
And simply because we never want to miss a Francophile book on the list, The Paris Paradox: Embracing French Ideals of Leisure to Transform American Work-Life Balance looks to also be a delightful read. Through compelling stories and actionable advice, Nurmohamed demonstrates that the French approach, putting life before work, quality before quantity, and relationships before achievements—can lead to greater fulfillment and paradoxically, more meaningful success. Discover how incorporating these principles can create a more joyful, sustainable way to live and work, no matter where you are.
With Christmas around the corner it never hurts to get inspired for a beautiful season and The Christmas Companion: Simple Recipes and Creative Ideas for a Magical Festive Season by Skye McAlpine looks to be full of elegant inspiration. The Christmas Companion is a gorgeous wall-to-wall guide to an unfussy yet elegant Christmas to remember. With recipes both celebratory and deeply comforting that skew Italian, the book includes Christmas canon favorites like Ginger and Apricot Glazed Ham and Panettone Woodland Cake, edible gifts like Marzipan Fruits and Chocolate Salami, and foolproof menus for every event-from two-person romantic dinners to blowout cocktail parties or Christmas lunch for twenty. But like any holiday devotee, Skye knows the preparation is half the fun. In The Christmas Companion, she also gives her best tips for creating the perfect holiday space: guides to making Candy Cane Heart Ornaments and “playing Santa,” how to make your own Christmas crackers, and the most beautiful ways to decorate the Christmas table.
The official start of the winter season is less than four weeks away, so why not cozy up to some delicious recipes for the cold days ahead? Winter in Tuscany: Cozy Recipes and the Quanto Basta Way is sure to provide many wonderful recipes for the season. Winter in Tuscany celebrates the region’s rich culinary and cultural traditions with a quanto basta approach―the intuitive, Italian method of “just enough”―and brings the heart of Tuscany’s cozy fall and wintry flavors to your kitchen.
If a cozy winter mystery is what you are looking for this season then At Midnight Comes the Cry by Julia Spencer-Fleming may pique your interest. In Julia Spencer-Fleming’s latest novel, as Christmas approaches, five people will discover their suspicions hang on a single twisting thread, leading to the forbidding High Peaks of the Adirondacks. As the December days shorten and the nights grow long, a disparate group of would-be heroes need to unwind a murderous plot before time runs out.
MOVIES/TELEVISION/MEDIA
Goodbye June is an upcoming Christmas drama film directed by Kate Winslet in her directorial debut, from a screenplay written by her son Joe Anders. It stars an ensemble cast that includes Toni Collette, Helen Miran, and Kate Winslet herself. The film centers on four siblings whose lives change when their ailing mother takes a turn for the worse over the holiday season. Sure to be an emotional watch, but one with some humorous levity included as well.
There’s nothing more complicated than a breakup. Except when you’re sharing a dog. An estranged couple who learns that the dog they share is suffering from depression following their break-up awkwardly reconciling over the holidays when they take their dog on a sunny vacation to Florida to lift his spirits in this rom-com. Being released on December 10 to Prime Video.
Join Parisian Vibe and Mélodie Banfield as they explore the essentials of a winter capsule wardrobe. Discover five curated winter looks, smart layering tips, and the importance of choosing the right materials to stay chic and warm.
And just a few quick elegant tips for holiday entertaining with Aerin Lauder to get us into the Christmas spirit.
ARTICLES OF INTEREST
Are you going to a Thanksgiving party this year and are looking to bring a gift for the hosts? if so, here is What to Actually Bring to Thanksgiving, According to the Editors of Town & Country.
Social Media Can’t Get Enough of Ralph Lauren Christmas this year—Here’s How to Embrace the Look.
If you are looking to elevate your winter accessories for this year, then My French Country Home shares their list of Favorite Winter Accessories Brands for inspiration.
I enjoyed viewing all the beautiful holiday decor and details inside Choctaw Hall from Victoria Magazine.
Tis’ the season for entertaining and Tea Time Magazine is sharing their Top Picks for Thanksgiving & Holiday Hosting Essentials.
With Thanksgiving coming up just next week, Martha Stewart is sharing 8 Thanksgiving Hosting Tips That’ll Make the Day Run Effortlessly.
And with so much cooking that goes on during the holidays, here’s a small reprieve for every other day with these 30 Easy Dinner Recipes for When You Don’t Feel Like Cooking.
If you have off work next Thursday and Friday like I do, why not find something cozy to watch? Here is a great list of The Best Comfort TV to Stream This Holiday Season—No Matter Your Mood to get you started.
