Issue #03: Cozy night essentials + a staple pasta recipe
Make the most of nights at home with a fun adventure movie, setting time each morning to work on goals, and a new favorite book
Winter has officially settled in, and if you’re like me, you’re ready to make the most of staying indoors. As I write this week’s newsletter, it looks like a snow globe outside, and by Wednesday, we’ll be reaching single-digit temperatures, so we are staying home and enjoying our time with cozy nights in and catching up on reading.
I’m a homebody but even more so in the winter when it’s so cold out. I love appreciating the snow from inside, where it's warm and cozy.
For me, leaning into coziness during the colder months means comfy clothes, a good book, a warm blanket, a lit candle, and trying a new dinner recipe—or a movie night with a charcuterie board.
How do you enjoy cozy nights at home?
Also, Happy Onyx Storm release week for my fellow Empyrean series readers!
THIS WEEK’S PICKS
TRY: These cold, shorter days can cause the winter blues so it’s the perfect time to slow down and embrace your winter slump with grounding techniques, tapping into meaningful connections, and getting into a better headspace. Take a moment this week to fill up your cup, even if it’s taking a few minutes to read a couple pages of that book you’ve been meaning to finish or a breathing exercise.
WATCH: I recently watched The Princess Bride for the first time, and it was such a fun adventure with a mix of romance and fantasy. It toes the line between parody and heartfelt storytelling, and I found it surprisingly satisfying as a romance.
LISTEN: I love short podcasts, and the Make Your Damn Bed Podcast delivers real talk with bite-sized motivation. Each episode is under 12 minutes, offering simple habits (like making your damn bed) that can easily fit into your life. Episode 1327, "True Friendship Is Inconvenient," reminds us that friendships require effort, and we should show up for our friends, even when our schedules don’t align.
EAT: Pasta is one of those go-to dishes for nights in when you want to elevate a simple meal. You might remember this viral dish from 2021 and we decided to back into our dinner rotation. Sure, slicing all those shallots might feel like it takes forever, but trust me—caramelized shallot pasta is the perfect balance of sweet, spicy, umami flavors, and a little bit of acidity. And don’t even think about skipping the parsley and garlic topping.
WHAT TO READ NEXT?
My first book of 2025 and it was an instant favorite. I have never repeated, “What am I reading?” so many times while enjoying a book. I went into this book without knowing the full premise and recommend you do the same for Margo's Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe. The audiobook, narrated by Elle Fanning, is the way to go. It’s bold, funny, and heartwarming, and I lost track of how many times I said, “What the heck is happening?” aloud or pausing the audio to share funny, sometimes crude, dialogue with my boyfriend.
If you're able to, consider supporting organizations and nonprofits that are assisting those affected by the Los Angeles wildfires. Here are several ways you can help.
Have you heard of the 90/90/1 method? It might just be the secret to achieving your goals. For the next 90 days, spend the first 90 minutes of every day focused solely on a project or goal. According to its creator, Robin Sharma, this is a sure way to boost productivity and set yourself up for success.
Three make-ahead recipes to upgrade your lunch this week—prepared in bulk and easy to modify as the week goes on. (New York Times, gifted link)
Two senior best friends traveled the world in 80 days, documenting their journey on social media, and proving it’s never too late to take that trip you’ve been thinking about.
As more people look to disconnect from socials, there’s been a resurgence in face-to-face connection, especially through board game clubs. “Hungry for in-person interaction, Gen Z and millennial players are joining old-fashioned chess, mahjong and backgammon groups.” (New York Times, gifted link)