Happy Wednesday!
I posted some pics of our new home on Instagram last week. This summer — a day before a hurricane, which is a whole other story — we moved from a small, 900-ish square foot 3 BR/1 BA to a three-story home with almost 3x the space.
For two people who both work from home and an 8-year old who constantly wants sleepovers, this change has made a world of difference in our quality of life.
Since my IG post, we also decorated for Christmas. I know it’s early, but we don’t have Lydia for Thanksgiving and I didn’t want to wait until we have her again in early December to enjoy my tree.
Ballet Flats For All 🩰
I’ve been very into the whole ballet flat look, but it took me a while to find a pair I liked. (I think the rose gold metallic on that same page are my second favorite.)
Worn here with the NAGHEDI bag I’ve been taking everywhere, an old Aritzia top, and a Louche floral skirt I rented from Nuuly (coupon code linked here if you want to try renting from them) + a handful of bday gifts for a friend
Later that same day, I threw on this top, this tank, and a pair of old Levi’s I bought secondhand and had naturally dyed by Cara Marie Piazza
Pumpkin Updates
After cooking yet another so-so pumpkin bread, I’ve temporarily abandoned that quest. I did, however, make an amazing pumpkin chili that was heartily endorsed by all the adults AND kids who tried it (a miracle, truly).
I forgot to take a pic after it simmered for hours, but here’s the before pic and the recipe:
Last Week for Giveaway
I have two handmade pieces from my last craft show. One is 12” and the other is 6” with a gold circle add-on.
If you’d like to win one (shipping on me!), just fill out this quick form and give me some feedback. It won’t take more than one minute. I promise!
Random Recs + Resources:
I am finally finishing the latest season of Hacks, and my timing is perfect because it’s the Christmas episode right now and I’m in holiday-everything mode (see above for Christmas decor pic. I’m also doing two Advent studies and slowly working on my shopping for the kiddo)
I liked this podcast episode on feeling “held by the world” (we all need that feeling right now!)
Check out this six-week, end-of-year strategic checklist over on Forbes, written by friend of the newsletter Cynthia Pong
This piece on H-E-B was so heartwarming and made me love them even more: In an Amazon addicted society reliant upon online commerce—where public interfacing has all but vanished—it’s rare to see a chain of this size care so much about its customers. And it’s rarer still to see a for-profit company that doesn’t want to spin its generosity into some marketing opportunity. So, I went to them with a simple question: What is it about the culture at H-E-B that sets it apart?
The IIJ 2025 Freelance Journalism Conference is slated for next February. (The IIJ is a new organization whose mission is the emotional and financial sustainability of freelancers of color) If you want 10% off registration, let me know and I’ll send you details!
This you, too?
Have a good week,
Nikki
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