three small bites: ⛵️🍾🏠

exciting updates! + a murder mystery show, non-alc sparkling white wine + a maximalist Christmas

Dec 27, 2024

Happy last Friday of the year! Hope you had a wonderful holidays, and that you’re getting some good rest before 2025 kicks off.

Speaking of 2025, let’s start this off with some exciting updates, shall we?

🌼🫖 you’re invited to my Flower Tea Party for the launch of Yin Yang Love Song!

I’m beyond excited to announce that I’m having a flower tea party at Parnassus Books to celebrate the launch of my third book baby, Yin Yang Love Song! It’s happening the day the book comes out (January 28), so we can all hang out and you can get your copy of the book. I cannot wait to chat with my friend Clare Gilmore, author of Perfect Fit and Love Interest! She’s absolutely incredible and just the sweetest—if you haven’t checked out her books already, go do so. They’re wonderful.

If you’d like to attend the tea party, you can register here! RSVPs are required since seating is limited.

You can still preorder! If you’re not able to make it, we’ll be sad to miss you. If you’d still like a signed, stamped, and personalized copy of Yin Yang Love Song, you’ve got time to preorder. ✨ For exclusive goodies from Parnassus, order from them by January 21. Proof of purchase for orders from all other retailers need to be submitted by January 26.

🗓️ other events I can’t wait for…

Can’t wait to chat with Kayla Olson virtually on January 9 for her upcoming release, The Lodge. Register here.
Very excited to be in convo with Peyton Corinne on February 7 at B&N Cool Springs for her upcoming release, Unloved. Register here.

✨ a holiday sale!

From now until December 31, right before the ball drops, I’m offering 15% off annual subscriptions to this newsletter! 🪩 I’ve got lots in store for 2025—join in on the fun! (+ you’ll get access to the archives!)

Get 15% off for 1 year

Thank you, subscribers, for all your support. It really means so much!

And now, the last bites of the year!

1. ⛵️ Bad Sisters, Season 2

I kicked off early recs with Bad Sisters, Season 1. Now I’m back to express my love for the second season, too. I love this show. Sharon Horgan has never failed me. They have truly the best villains out there. This season has So. Much. Drama.

Of course, when I love something, I want more of it. But the show hasn’t been renewed. Horgan had mentioned that the show was about extraordinary things happening to these ordinary women, and anything that happens beyond that feels like “Nancy Drew.” I can respect this. If this is how it goes, I think she’d be staying true to the characters and the story vs. going on just for money…the sake of having a TV show on the air…[enter no good reason here]. It would be a refreshing way to close out a show, even though the hunger for more is there. The finale felt like a satisfying enough end, and I’d just be eagerly awaiting whatever she comes up with next.

(😆 lol the boat emoji…IYKYK)

2. 🍾 Oddbird Blanc de Blancs Non-Alcoholic Sparkling White Wine

As a non-drinker, it pleases me to no end when I discover a non-alc wine that I don’t just enjoy, but get excited about. I have yet to find a red that gives me a thrill, but I do have a few go-to white wines. And now, a sparkling white wine. Oddbird’s Blanc de Blancs Non-Alcoholic Sparkling White Wine is hands-down my new #1 for when I want bubbles. Or something nice to pair with a great meal (fried chicken, lamb, or pasta would be excellent food pairings with this).

There’s a cork to pop so you still get that celebratory feeling, and it stays sparkly even when it’s been left open in the fridge overnight (whoops!). When I took my first sip I had to look at the bottle again…I genuinely thought I was drinking Prosecco. This would be a perfect addition to New Year’s, a special event, or a nice night in.

Photo by Tom Griffiths for *House & Garden*

3. 🏠 a maximalist Christmas in an English cottage

God, I love cottages. Especially when they’re in England. This one is so charming, especially at Christmas. I know, I know. The holiday is over. But how can I not share this? It’s too festive not to. I’m really into the maximalist design. It’s filled to the brim with well-loved items. Everywhere you look, there’s something new to see. Garland hanging. Flowers in the center of the table. A plate on the wall. A picture frame leaning against the doorframe. Mementos hung above the door. Vases tucked into corners. Pots in windows. This is cozy at its finest.

I’m still reading all the same books. I did not finish one last weekend like I had hoped. My biggest excuse is that I’m on deadline, so that’s taking priority. But I do have five days left in the year to get the job done. So. That’s what this weekend will be about (plus, you know, my deadline…). Have a nice last weekend of 2024!

From me to you, in the present,
Lauren