The Weekly, Vol. 36
A realistic December: comfort food, small home finds, everyday staples, and letting go of holiday pressure.
The Weekly, Vol. 36 — December Reset, Cozy Picks & A Few Good Finds
Weekly Thoughts
Happy Sunday—and happy December. I skipped last week’s Weekly because honestly… didn’t we all need a break after Black Friday? I personally get so overwhelmed by all the sales that I end up buying nothing. I grabbed a few restocks (shampoo, a couple toys for Eloise), but truly, sales are good all year now—and they’ll probably be even better in January.
All that to say: I’m entering my “mostly shopping sales” era for a bit. Once you’ve worked retail and understand markups, it’s hard to pay full price. And with my body going up, down, in, and out so much over the past few years—and anticipating one more change—I just want my usual style at great prices. If you’re the same, follow along on Instagram—I’ve been sharing my daily naptime finds, mostly great deals with the occasional worth-it full-price gem.
On The Table
Chicken Crust Pizza (Clean, High-Protein, Grain-Free)
We’ve been loving this chicken pizza lately—easy, flavorful, and great for leftovers. We all love it, and I often use whatever toppings we already have on hand. Truly, you just need to follow the recipe for the chicken crust and then you can use your imagination for the rest.
Ingredients
1 pound ground chicken (or grind your own in the food processor like I do)
1 large egg
½ cup grated parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375. Line a baking sheet with parchment.
In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, egg, parmesan, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until fully combined.
Transfer the mixture onto the parchment-lined baking sheet and press into a thin, even crust (about ¼ inch thick).
Bake at 375 for about 20 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through and the edges look set.
Remove from the oven, add your favorite sauce and toppings, then increase the oven temperature to 425.
Return the pizza to the oven and bake for another 10–15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
Slice and serve hot.
Notes
This crust holds up beautifully—crispy enough to pick up, high-protein, toddler-friendly, and endlessly customizable.
How to Store
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet or air fryer for best texture.
For The Home
I ordered a few home things from Amazon this week. Our house is small, and while I don’t want it to look super kid-centric, it has definitely become kid-centric. Tonies and tiny figurines have taken over… so I ordered these storage boxes—chic enough to sit on a side or console table, but practical enough to hold the entire cast of Sesame Street.
I also grabbed this melamine bowl for the coffee table—it holds Eloise’s little books and bits, looks pretty, and she can’t break it. Win-win. And I added a set of bamboo mini frames to display some sweet pictures of her—and of little guy when he makes his debut.
Everything feels functional without sacrificing the overall vibe of the house, which is really all I want these days.
Listen.Read.Watch
I go in and out of the Mel Robbins podcast, but I listened to a really good episode (here) during my “mom walk” the other day. It was all about AI—how it works, how to prompt it better, and how to use it to make everyday life more efficient and productive… which honestly is my love language right now.
Own & Love
I’m officially in my “wear the same five outfits on repeat” era, so I’m slowing down on new purchases—but these are the pieces I reach for constantly. They work whether you’re pregnant or not and make getting dressed feel effortless.
Pants
• Ruti Pants – My current obsession. They remind me of a sporty pant but look incredibly chic thanks to the barrel leg. They’re so easy to style up or down—I’ll wear them with a sweatshirt and baseball cap during the day, or throw on a tweed blazer and instantly look put together. I took my normal size and wear them under the bump. Pregnant or not, these are a must. Extra points for being amazing travel pants thanks to the forgiving, comfortable fabric.
• Gap Factory Jeans – Under-$50 jeans that don’t look under $50. Cute, easy to style, and such a good price point. I took an XS in short (I’m 5’2”). The regular ran long on me, so if you’re 5’4” or over, go with regular.
• Beyond Yoga Leggings & Joggers – Currently preferring these over Lulu. They have a little more structure, stretch over the belly better, and feel supportive without being restrictive. Loving the grey for something different from my usual black.
Tops
• AYR Button Down – My holy grail button-down. I collect these. The oversized pocket, the perfectly boxy fit—it just works. I wear it constantly with black leggings.
• Gap Organic Button Down – Crisp poplin done really well. An easy basic to have on rotation.
• H&M Button Down – The best budget-friendly option. I take an XS pregnant or not. They wash and dry beautifully every time.
Shoes
• On Clouds – Not the chicest, but unmatched for comfort. Perfect for sliding on to run errands or play outside with Eloise.
• Backless Sneakers – A little more style-forward while still being effortless.
• Uggs – Cozy, warm, and absolutely necessary at this point in the season (and pregnancy).
For The Littles
I finally purchased this toddler table after debating between the pretty-but-pricey table and chair set or something budget-friendly that I won’t cry over when it gets covered in food stains, paint splatters, and play-dough. This one felt like the right mix of cute and practical.
Closing Thoughts
This December feels overwhelming for so many reasons—a busier-than-usual fall, preparing for a new baby and the joy plus exhaustion that comes with it, holiday gatherings, Christmas travel… and honestly, I’m doing the bare minimum to get by. With a lot of potential housing changes up in the air, I decided not to decorate at all this year. I didn’t do Christmas cards, and by the time I went to order matching Christmas pajamas, our sizes were sold out. Eloise’s presents are basically handed to her straight out of the Amazon box the day they arrive.
It’s truly the best I can do right now—and I’m okay with that. If you’re in the same boat, I’m giving you full permission to release the pressure. Falling short on the holiday to avoid falling short in day-to-day motherhood is perfectly fine. No one will be worse off because things weren’t picture-perfect. Honestly, everyone might be better for it.
Here’s to a gentle, simple December.
