Well Hello Again!

Let's start fresh in 2026

Deciding to right my first post back on the first week of the new year feels a bit like waking up from a short coma; eyes blinking slowly, wiggling my fingers, looking for the light! I’m back on this fun little newsletter platform and am feeling refreshed (ish) and ready to share with all of you who are kind enough to follow and read my ramblings. We had a very intense, exciting, and truly exhausting couple of months and I frankly did not have the bandwidth to come up with anything creative so I thought I would spare you all any half-baked gift guides or ideas on holiday dressing that I could come up with and instead wait for the freshness of the new year to update you on where I’m at and hopefully provide a little inspiration (as I always aim to do!)

For starters- my husband and I bought our first house (wooh, round of applause). I, the sane person that I am, wanted to paint all fo the front rooms and our kitchen cabinets before we moved in, oh and also this all happened at the beginning of November, just after a large sale at the shop I work at, but just before my birthday, our anniversary, Thanksgiving, and of course the holidaysssss. I am really happy we did power through and paint and decorate, because now we are living in our home (eee!) and I couldn’t be happier with the cozy feel we’ve captured.

Whats funny (and deeply satisfying actually) is that all of my friends who have come over have said that our house really embodies my sense style in fashion as well- the colors I chose, the accents and fabrics- apparently all resonate with how the people I’m closest with view me-yes this is a little braggy, but I am proud of the success of my venture into interiors! See below for yourself :)

We’ve hosted Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve dinner, and a New Years Eve party here and now all I want to do is be on my couch, with a record on, our dog snoring, and maybe a cup of chamomile tea. I’ve been thinking about how I am approaching inspiration at the beginning of 2026- especially after really burning it at both ends to finish out my 2025. How am I seeking inspiration, or rather, what am I noticing and allowing in to my life that makes me feel inspired outside of the digital world?

There is always nature. We have a backyard now and I like to stand outside and absorb the silence of being outside alone (hard to do in a city). Books definitely transport my imagination, especially since I love to read classics, anything whimsical, or period dramas (yes I am one of the women reading Wuthering Heights just so I can be fully ready to witness Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff). One thing I also love to do this time of year is flip through my coffee table books. I don’t know about you all, but sometimes mine can collect a little dust. They are often are props, just items used to create a make-shift table or add color to a room (valuable purposes still), but I have been making more a point to reach for them and sift through to find inspiration on the glossy, editorialized pages!

So, in lieu of a Pinterest mood board at the top of year (I promise one is still coming), I have rounded up some of my top coffee table books (and a couple cookbooks because they too inspire). Some I have at home and some are on my ever-growing wishlist!

Andy Warhol: Seven Illustrated Books, Hilma af Klint Paintings for the Future, On The Necessity of Gardening, Moomin Deluxe Version

For me, it is sometimes the non-obvious fashion coffee table books that bring the most fun inspiration. I think it is incredibly helpful to not be so insular when you’re looking for style inspiration. It’s not just other peoples outfits that can be inspiring, the books above show environments, art, nature, all things that you can use your imagination to be inspired by!

The Virgin Suicides, Alexa Chung IT, Yves Saint Laurent and Photography, CBK: Carolyn Bessette Kennedy a life in Fashion

…but its always nice to still keep around some of that fashion inspiration too. I have read the CBK book front to back and it has fantastic stories about Carolyn as well as great anecdotes about independent designers and fashion people living in New York in the 90’s- I highly recommend.

Joan Didion: What She Means

Joan forever. This is one of those books that feels inspiring by the environment it creates. It talks a lot about her essays relating to California and its history, as well as her family.

The Creative Act: A Way of Being , A Dictionary of Color Combinations Vol. 1

Sunlight and Breadcrumbs

Alice Waters: The Art of Simple Food, A Place in Scotland: Beautiful Scottish Interiors

I don’t talk about it too much on here, but I love cooking and preparing a meal. Hosting is my love language and a good cook book is my muse! Just the idea of Alice Waters in inspiring to me and flipping through her simple elegant recipes makes my mind wander to fantastic lunches with friends or cozy dinners with my husband.

I hope you take these few recommendations and find a little inspiration (even if it’s just to flip through books you already own!). Especially in a time of year where we may be needing a little digital detox, look to the physical world for great inspiration!

Cheers,

xx Taylor