January Download
Things I loved and appreciated this long, cold (so cold!) month.
Since it’s a brand new year, I figured I’d try something new myself — introducing the Hearten monthly download!
What is it? At the end of each month, I’ll recap my favorite things from that month, whether it be a funny moment, a great new recipe, a must-read book, a fun beauty find, or a lesson learned. You know when you haven’t seen a friend for a while and you do the download, where you catch up on all the highlights of life? This is our download!
So, without further ado, let’s get to it:
I read this incredible book, which just might be my new favorite ever. It is a long one, and yet I didn’t want it to ever end. The writer is incredibly talented and pulls you into this world they’ve created, with a story that is part mystery, part love story, part tragedy and part triumph (like real life, no?). When I got toward the end, I holed myself up in my bedroom one weekend morning (my husband brought coffee, bless him) and read feverishly until I finished. Highly recommend!
This is a yearly tradition with the kids that we don’t tire of. Every year, in the month or so leading up to Valentine’s Day, I grab these mailboxes for my girls. They decorate them and then put them right outside of their bedroom doors, and I leave little love notes and the occasional tiny gift (like book marks, mini candy-scented hand sanitizers, or a chocolate) for them to find.
Kind of obsessed with this new-to-me makeup line. I’m usually a mostly drugstore makeup gal (this is the best mascara, hands down, and under $10!), but due to the influences of my tween daughter, I’ve started testing out some nicer products and fell in love with Merit’s line. Their lipstick in the shade Millennial goes on silky and is the perfect shade of pink, and their highlighter stick offers a subtle sheen.
This dinner is a tried-and-true family favorite. Especially in the colder months, I rely a lot on our slow cooker for easy, warm dinners. This tuscan chicken is super versatile and equally delicious paired with pasta, potatoes, rice, or a heaping side of veggies. I’ve made it more times than I can count! Bonus: it makes the house smell incredible.
A reminder to throw yourself the party. Joanna Goddard is a longtime favorite follow of mine (have you read her Substack, Big Salad?) and she recently shared photos from a birthday party she held for her 46th birthday. I love that she didn’t wait until a “milestone” birthday to celebrate, because really, each year marks its own milestone. I also love how she incorporated her friend’s talents into the party, like the uniquely beautiful swan centerpiece and fun music.
I treated myself to new sneakers. They are the comfiest sneakers I can recall wearing, and though a bit of a splurge, the combination of comfort and style makes them worth every penny!
Other highlights from this first month of the year include wrapping up a master bedroom refresh, snow days and sledding, catch ups over spicy margaritas and appetizers and CAVA with dearest friends, birthday celebrations with family, date night (happy hour!), ice skating, game nights, shopping, reading, journaling, birthday parties, baking, watching WICKED all piled into the same bed (with popcorn, of course), winter sunrises and sunsets (why are they the prettiest??) and snuggling with our animals—dog, Max, and cat, August—in front of the fireplace.
Hoping January treated you ok, despite some definite heaviness in our world. Onward into 2025, my friends.
