My mother used to say: The older you get, the better you get. Unless you're a banana.
— Betty White
We’re just hours away from a whole new year and about to be bombarded with new year, new you garbage. The older I get, the more I realize it’s a heap of junk and the only newness anyone’s soul gets is from forming new habits with loads of positive intention.
Whatever you’re looking for in ‘23, I believe Sahil Bloom’s 30 for 30 challenge is a brilliant start. Tbh, I love his Substack too (and will be recommending it shortly from my own pages). The mentality he prescribes applies to just about everything. Fitness, mental health, connections with loved ones, attracting love and success, learning new languages, creativity—you name it.
My own challenges have included mental health breaks, one-on-one time with my kids doing something fruitful and personal organization (holy macaroni, my closets look spectacular now). Another one I committed to last year was learning new things each and every day—a year later I’m on issue #6 of this newsletter, sharing the goodies I gather.
Let’s get smiling now, shall we? Our last few must-reads of the year!
Smile inducing:
Real-life hero in New York saved 50+ people in last week’s storm. Sometimes heroes are local barbers, and thank goodness for ‘em.
France bans disposable table items in fast-food restaurants. The moves saves 100,000 tons of waste almost immediately.
10 US States have now banned the sale of cosmetics tested on animals. A big win for everybody—especially furry friends.
Eye-opening:
Wild buffalo and modern farm cows can totally mate. I just learned this, and it turns out their hybrid offspring are called beefalo. Totally not kidding. Amazing, right? (For whatever it’s worth, the existence of beefalo is probably a sign that it’s okay to look beyond your usual ‘type’ if you’re trying to find a soulmate.)
The song 'Yankee Doodle' was used by British soldiers before the Revolutionary War to mock American soldiers. The lyrics stereotyped them as rural idiots who thoughts putting feathers in their caps would make them 'Macaroni' (macaraoni was slang for cool, btw). It was later reclaimed by Americans as an anthem of defiance.
Expensive “crystal” (like Waterford, Swarovski, etc) is really just glass with added lead oxide. Depending on the brand, year and style of crystal you have in your collection, lead ingestion is a real possibility. It’s time for cheap glass to shine, eh?
This major city bans all car traffic on Sundays. Residents love it. Politicians around the world are now open to proposing similar measures. Would you be down for it?
What I’m loving right now:
These cashmere-lined gloves under $40. Two colors, three sizes—pure bliss. Excellent quality.
These chunky Dr. Martens boots. They’re marked down rn, but even if they weren’t…
This plates/dinnerware set. Based on clicks alone, it’s probably going to sell out. I don’t have it, but believe this—I want it
This folding treadmill! Reviews are good + my neighbor just got one. Thinking I may do it.
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Sales I’m shopping right now:
Serta pillows are $5 each right now! Clearance pricing will end by tomorrow, so hurry up. Fast, free shipping makes these great for your own bed or the guest bedroom.
Lululemon is offering up to 70% off just about everything right now. Most items are under $50. Sports bras are mostly under $30. Get on it!
ThirdLove has a massive under-$10 sale happening right now. Underwear, bras, clothes and more as up to 90% off. Sale ends in a matter of hours though, so hurry up.
Musings:
Sometimes it’s hard to see how far we’ve come in a single year. At the end of December I like to look at pictures of regular life from past decades just to remind me of how every day, month, and year makes a major difference. Anyway, check out this baby car seat most of our parents probably sat in—if they’re at least 55, anyway. Sheesh, we’ve come so far. And it’s a miracle they made it. And that we made it.
I have some really exciting personal news to share with y’all in the coming weeks as well, but know that I’m feeling extra good about our growing community here—and super grateful for you.
Please always feel free to send uplifting news, links and thoughts. I live for the goodness!
Until next year, friend!
Happy New Year, Bryce! So grateful for you!
Thanks for the news about France ditching disposables at fast food chains for people who dine in, and three cheers for Bogota banning cars on Sunday. Every little bit helps!
Appreciate you sharing your insights about, well, everything, and Happy New Year!