Hellooooo to a new year,

It is so daunting and so BIG to say that out loud. My shoulders just tensed up. But this year, I am inspired by something that feels, um, manageable. It's the opposite of a New Year's resolution in a way. 

My goal is to:

In December, Gabrielle posted about this idea, and I love it. I mean, I really feel like I can do this. HA. The basic idea is, fuck perfection, do everything even if you do it poorly, literally just show up and give what you have to give. Your presence is enough.

Imagine walking into the new year feeling like enough? I can nearly taste it. 

Here's to a new year that's destined to be as rough around the edges as all the ones that came before it. But also... glorious in its own way. 

To rough edges, 

Carissa

The How To Decide deck will change your life. Seriously.

Story stones is one of the best things I have ever seen. 

A few concepts of love. 

Emily Dickinson's secret recipes — one of the best podcasts I heard all year! 

Instantly sucked into the world created by this book. 

Were you grieving this holiday? You are not alone. 

Backstage with boygenius. Obsessed. 

Orange rinds dipped in chocolate are a perfect sweet. I make them almost every winter.

Speaking of "fuck, perfection" this Hidden Brain podcast episode was right on time.

Why I'm an artist, plus other answers to questions posed by The Poster Club. 

It's OK to change your mind. Jordan Ferney always inspires me. 

David Byrne on the self as an illusion. 

New Year's resolution: buy my favorite products in bulk to reduce waste. 

Lastly, last night I hosted a small dinner gathering, and I made a dessert that Julia Turshen recommends in her book Small Victories. It was a total KNOCKOUT and so simple: medjool dates with mascarpone cheese. That's it. Just halve and pit medjool dates and smear a little mascarpone cheese on each half. Then watch them vanish into thin air. They are really nice next to some clementines. 

Last last thing, here is our meal planner specifically for dinner parties :)