Happy Hanukkah! I hope your first night of light was totally lit! We pulled out the electric skillet (that links to the current best sale price on the one we have — it’s 10+ years into latke-making and going strong.) I do giggle when my friend Lauren refers to it as my Latke Maker — she’s not wrong.
We like to mix sweet potato in with the Russets and Goldens; we toss in the rest of the ingredients until we all agree: that looks good! The secret to great latkes, is getting all the moisture out of the potatoes — cheesecloth…that’s the easiest way to do that.
We refreshed ourselves on the prayer and our Hebrew (that nun means you get none), and remembered that we need to melt the bottom of the candle into the Menorah — or it might tip. If you are currently wishing you had a new menorah, order this one now for next year — I *may know someone who just did just that.
The kids’ first night gifts were these cute blue light blocking glasses for the girls (they are 8- and 10-years-old,) and these for AJ, who is really more adult-sized than 12-year-old. I wasn’t expecting them to jump up and down about them, however, they actually all loved them more than I would have guessed. They all sit here today, studiously plugging away at school-from-home, looking adorable, and better protecting their eyes.
They also appreciated my, at times, under-appreciated sense of humor and got the joke about “blocking blue light” as we celebrate the blue light holiday — I love them more for that. If you need another little, quick, useful gift (hint, hint,) they can be delivered on the quick and still make it in time for one of the remaining seven nights.
Weekly Favorite Finds: Pops Of Color, Jungalow & Gifts For Home On Sale
Weekly favorite finds, with plenty of pops of my own favorite colors (red, grey, black, white, natural wood, lucite and brass) a Black-owned business with so, so many fun things to love for your own cozy home, and a couple of great holiday home decor sales — my favorite among them, this Fair Trade and super-sweet social distance charcuterie board set below!
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1 | Tequila Mockingbird
Almost nothing brings me more joy than fun word play! This sweet twist on a classic novel, is a cocktail recipe book. It makes for a great gift, or a fun addition to your own bar cart. There is also a Gone With The Gin Hollywood version, and Are You There God? It’s Me Margarita.
2 | Red Pendant
This is a tried-and-true favorite pendant that comes in more color and size combos than I can count. It makes for a super-fun accent over an island especially!
3 | Moon Phases Doormat
We’ve had some really interesting moons this month, which might actually explain a lot! For anyone else who’s also obsessed with the moon, in all its phases, and often looks to it for explanation and inspiration, this is a great all-winter-long doormat refresh!
4 | Personalized Ceramic Toothbrush Holder
These are made to order, so not quick-ship, but how sweet are they? Great gift for a wedding, as a house warming gift, or for anyone’s bathroom to clean and cute-things-up a bit!
5 | Small Personal Space Heater
For my friends who are always a little chilly, and love well-styled accoutrement — this is my favorite little personal space heater. He generates plenty of heat, and he’s adorable. Work-from-home just got cozier.
6 | Patio Bar Stool
Available in many colors, and both counter and bar height — this one is a favorite for looks! I’m not sure it would be great near a pool where you’d primarily be in a swim suit (the pattern might pattern your tush)…but for many outdoor situations, we love this one for looks and comfort!
7 | Wood Twist Side Table
This abstract beauty is a fun little twist on a solid mango wood end table! I love the lines, the function and its pure beauty!
8 | Tall Cityscape Planter
I love these, especially outdoors, under a window, or planted with tall greens so that you can see them from both inside and outside of the house.
9 | Waffle Iron
This is a product from a super-fun collaboration, and I’m still all eyes on it! This is going to be a long winter…make more waffles. Also this: a friend made breakfast waffles from leftover stuffing the day after Thanksgiving — and all of a sudden my eyes were opened to trying all kinds of fun new yummy things in waffle form.
10 | Umbrella Stand
I’m always in search of new ways to organize our homes, especially with pops of fun! This is absolutely the best-looking and most fun umbrella stand I’ve seen in some time!
11 | Throw Pillow
Custom throw pillows through a five-star, well-reviewed Etsy vendor, in a beautiful and fun Jonathan Adler fabric! Love these!
12 | Lucite Hand Rail
This is an amazingly beautiful, fun, and easy way to Hollywood your house just a little bit! We aren’t going anywhere anytime soon, so we may as well make our own fresh fun at home!
Black-Owned Business Spotlight | Jungalow By Justina Blakeney
Jungalow is an LA-based lifestyle shop with one amazing good after another. These ceramics particularly have my eye, but so do some of the rugs, woven goods and throw pillows! Right now, I kinda just want to go live in her space, for a bit. Not possible…but taking inspiration from, and making your own is, so let’s just do that.
Shop Gifts For Home On Sale
Williams Sonoma | Kitchen Favorites On Sale
Pottery Barn | Give Thoughtfully | Up To 30% Off
Favorite House Shoes | Masculine Leaning/Gender Non-Conforming
Happy Hanukkah! I really enjoyed the first night. Yes, it’s different — to not have loads of family friends with us and to have only made 5lbs of potatoes worth of latkes rather than the usual 30lbs, but hey, #2020 — quiet, sweet, peaceful and full of love — was great. I’ll take it.
Other than the kids and the candles, my own favorite moment was when Ceci boxed some hot-out-of-the-oil latkes into a tin, poured some applesauce into a jar, popped on a mask and told me she was going next door to Papa Stan and Momma Pat to share. I held back the Mom Tears. That’s the right idea kiddo — that’s the right idea. Keep your distance, but yes, go do that.
xoxo, A
PS: Follow along with me on Pinterest for more Home Inspiration and other random distractions via pretty visuals. xo A
