Happy New Year! I’m finalising the last dispatch of the year whilst cosying up with my best friends from High School1 at the Belgian coast. I hope this email finds you in an equally delightful setting and that the hangover you’re most likely nursing isn’t too bad (and if you’re feeling particularly vile, coconut water is my go-to cure). I’ll be spending the first few weeks of the year setting intentions and goals for 2026 (I’m always behind on resolutions, but am a firm believer in taking your time to reflect on the year that passed and set yourself up for success). If anyone has creative or exciting New Year’s plans or resolutions, I’m open to suggestions!
A Very Merry Family Holiday
As an early Christmas gift (thank you mom) I went on a trip with my mom and brother to Morocco. I loved the Majorelle Garden in Marrakesh and lunch at Pétanque Social Club, and put my bargaining skills to the test at the Souk. We got lost in the Medina and held mint leaves to our noses whilst visiting the leather tannery in Fez. I strategically packed light and came home with lots of trinkets.
Holiday Parties Galore and My Favourite New Year’s Traditions
This was a month full of drinking festive festivities. I kicked off the celebrations with my annual White Elephant Christmas Party. Gifts were stolen, I made an obscene amount of mulled wine and sent everyone home with a ziplock bag full of cookies2. I spent Christmas Eve with family friends, and we hosted on Christmas Day at my brother’s new apartment for the first time. For the third year in a row, I made my way over to the Belgian coast to ring in the new year with my High School friends. We ate Raclette and presented our years via PowerPoint.
Julia’s December Recommendations - To Read, To Watch and To Eat
To Read - The Pursuit of Love by Nancy Mitford
Hilarious and witty with hints of cozy English countryside, I picked this up after Ismene Ormonde and Bea Isaacson recommended it. Did not disappoint, would highly recommend for lovers of Eve Babitz and Marlowe Granados, and hot, funny-girl-writing. A slim read perfect for kicking off New Year’s reading resolutions.
To Watch - When Harry Met Sally
The perfect New Year’s film, and maybe one of my Nora Ephron favourites. I’ll be staying at my brother’s for most of January as well, and he has the best home theatre setup, so I predict a lot of guilty pleasures in my near future (think binge watching Lord of the Rings, Twilight, Harry Potter and The Hunger Games.
To Eat - Cheese, in all it’s forms
This has made up 80% of my diet at the end of the year. Cheese boards, burrata salads that were mostly burrata, and lots of Raclette. My body doesn’t always really agree with it but considering I’m barely moving from the couch, I’m picking my battles and making the most of the most dairy-filled time of year.
What I Wrote This Month
Continuing with my Sexy Job streak, I spoke to my friend Laura Masson about her work as a Chef and Small Business Owner. After chatting with my fellow creative freelancers, I wrote about the highs and lows of having a fun, creative job. Finally, I put my tallying and book recommending skills to good use and wrapped up everything I read in 2025, and suggested some titles I think you should pick up for 2026. For Wonderland I also hopped on the Gift Guide bandwagon and came up with a Literary Gift Guide with some big and little treats on the side (maybe make the most of the sales and pick something up for yourself? You’ve earned it!)
and their respective beloved partners, shout out to Hilary and Sam (who accidentally got a paid subscription to the newsletter but now I have a paid subscriber)!
the only kind baggy present throughout my holiday partying