the final strech

december is here. everyone’s favourite and least favourite time of the year.

I usually look forward to December since December = Christmas, my favourite holiday. But this year, I’m excited for a different reason: it’s the final stretch. A year that’s been, at times, a blur—with moments of joy scattered throughout but also challenges and significant changes. One such change was leaving my corporate job. I won’t go into the details today. It’s been five months since I made that decision, and yet it still feels raw. I’m still processing it, as it was, in many ways, my 'dream job'. Throughout the process, one thing I’ve realised is just how much my identity was tied to working in marketing for the past decade. Leaving was the right choice, but it left me a bit adrift, sparking a mini identity crisis.

So, to say that I’m eagerly awaiting a new year and a fresh start would be an understatement. I’m craving it. I know life won’t magically get better, but there’s something undeniably hopeful about the idea of a blank slate—whether it’s a new year, a season, a month, or even just a week. That sense of possibility soothes me, fills me with hope, and motivates me. So, 2025, bring it on! That said, even as I anticipate what’s next, I don’t want to wish away December. There’s an unexpected comfort in this month, despite the days getting shorter and colder (well, if, like me, winter is about to fully settle in where you are...).

December can also be a stressful and challenging time. But in this anxious era, I try to focus on the small, bright spots. Easier said than done, I know—but sometimes all it takes is a bit of tinsel to turn your day around. It’s no wonder babies are captivated by shiny objects! Even if not everyone celebrates Christmas, happiness seems to linger in the air. Perhaps it’s the colourful lights strung across streets or the cheeky mulled cider after work.

For 11 months of the year, I make it my mission to chase after everyday magic, those little sparks that bring a smile to my face. But in December, that magic seems easier to find. Sure, the early sunsets can be a bit much, but those cotton candy skies make it easier to bear. The cold? It’s just another excuse to warm up with a hot chocolate under a blanket, or huddle close with others. December is a time that brings out connections—not just with family but with friends and the world around us. It’s as though we’re all trying to grasp those little joys that make it all feel worth it. And before you know it, you’re caught up in the ripple effect of “holiday cheer”, no matter what you celebrate.

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So, while I’m eagerly awaiting that fresh start, here are a few things I’m looking forward to this month:

• the comforting scent of pine—whether from a real tree or a candle

• a trip home—not quite for the holidays, just a little earlier

• cosy nights in

• diving into my winter reading list

• snuggling into soft, warm pyjamas

• rotating through my coat collection

• Christmas markets—an unmissable highlight of the season

• roasted chestnuts, my ultimate guilty pleasure

• exploring Edinburgh in all its festive glory, sparkling lights and all

• Christmas movies—the cringier, the better

• baking, because the only thing better than staying home with a good book is doing so with freshly baked goods and a steaming hot drink

• more snowy days

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December’s Ins and Outs

Ins — hot drinks, writing, painted nails, indirect lighting, taking film photos.

Outs — coffee on an empty stomach, yapping (not the act, just the word), rotting in bed, random spending, doom-scrolling.

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Autumn & Winter Fashion Moodboard

I always feel more confident in my style during autumn and winter—I just know how to dress better in these seasons. In summer, I’m often at a loss. If it’s too hot, I end up in the most basic outfit: a t-shirt and shorts. But in A/W, there’s so much room to play with layers, textures, and accessories. It’s simply more fun.

After years of letting my Pinterest gather digital dust, I decided to revive it. I wiped all my old boards clean and started fresh.

This season always inspires me, and I’ve found myself drawn to a few specific pieces. Brown ones, to be exact. Strangely enough, I’ve never really been into browns before, but this year feels different. You’ll see from my a/w 24 board that I’m currently obsessed with brown jackets, jumpers, and trousers—it’s like a '50 shades of brown' moment, all in the same deep hue but in different materials. That said, I’ve also noticed a few pins with pops of green and blue sneaking their way in.

What about you? What's on your winter fashion wishlist, or what’s been inspiring you this season?

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Winter Reading List

I usually rely on my library holds to guide my reading, but the library and I... well, we’re currently “on a break”.

So instead, I’m challenging myself to read my own TBR stack for a change. What a concept, right? Though I’m very much a mood reader, I’ve tried to put together a tentative reading list for December:

• Now Go: On Grief and Studio Ghibli by Karl Thomas Smith

• On Photography by Susan Sontag

• The Trick Is To Keep Breathing by Janice Galloway

• Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin

• Black Box by Shiori Itō

• The Inseperables by Simone de Beauvoir

• The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

• Perfume: The Story of a Murderer by Patrick Süskind

• All About Love by bell hooks

This list is really just a pile to choose from. As I’ve mentioned, I’m a mood reader, so what I end up reading may be totally different. Currently, these nine books are calling to me. I’ve also noticed a significant shift in the genres I’m drawn to. I usually read a mix of fantasy (as you can see in my november bookmarks post), contemporary fiction, and a dash of non-fiction, but this stack leans more towards non-fiction and classics. The increase in non-fiction might be linked to my return to writing, as I want to open my mind to different perspectives and learn from others’ writing.

Have you read any of these? Which one should I dive into first? And what’s on your December TBR?

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Let me know what you’re most looking forward to this month!

I hope this final stretch of the year treats you kindly. Stay cosy!

Until next time,

Amandine

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