Favorite finds of 2024
Hi everyone!
The new year has come to a close and I hope you’ve had an effervescent and stunning one, and are looking forward to 2025.
My year was very focused, focused on work and on obtaining a postgraduate degree. This meant there wasn’t a lot of room for anything else.
That made me think of my new years resolution. What do I want to develop, give more thought, focus and place more value on for the new year? I actually don’t think this process is cliché. I think it is a beautiful opportunity to reflect and set new intentions. Are you with me?
A little while ago I read an interview with the writer Kristina Libby where she talks about the importance of having a creative practice as a transformative tool. Instead of running away from problems, a creative practice helps to explore the opportunity the (challenging) situation presents - allowing for a new way of seeing things - and perhaps for some magic to appear! This way, a creative practice allows for newness to arise. Intuitively I know this, however this year I’ve made the resolution to truly attune to this truth and embrace the value of having a creative practice - and make it practical. I also believe it serves as a certain balance, at least for me, to my professional self - and even perhaps as an enhancer - as it will enable me to tap into my creative mind with more ease and valor. So, this was one of my favorite epiphany moments of the last year, especially apt to bring into practice in 2025.
Of course there were many more favorites in 2024 and I’ve compiled a list for you:
I. Books
My reading has, admittedly, mainly consisted of study books - on compliance and legal matters. However, I did manage to read some treasures here and there that provided me with some kind of insight and sparked joy (hi, Marie Kondo):
1. “The serviceberry - an economy of gifts and abundance” by Robin Wall Kimmerer. This book is lovely in so many ways, it is however also an anti-capitalist manifesto presented in a beautifully artful way (“All flourishing is mutual”) and it offers an alternative - told via the story of the serviceberry;
2. “The artful way to plant based cooking” by Chloé Crane-Leroux and (her mother) Trudy Crane is a welcome addition to anyone invested in plant-based cooking or wants to add another exciting layer to their plant-based recipes. I already made so many recipes and the book makes a great gift;
3. Folio Society: so this is not a book, it is an online bookshop, that offers an absolute treasure trove of beautifully designed books (and book sheaths - in Dutch we say: foedraal). In the picture of my book-stack (down below) you will see “Murder on the Orient Express” by Agatha Christie, they have some wonderful children’s books as well.
Book stack of 2024
II. Series
1. Maestro in Blue: now I know everyone is obsessed with Virgin River. However, I would highly recommend this Greek series, that is also about a small, secluded town (the island Paxos) and a tight knit community. The writing however surpasses Virgin River in my opinion. The human complexities, depths of our conscious and unconscious thoughts, the way we are shaped by our history and surroundings, the social ties that bind us together and the interconnectedness we cannot always escape. I wholeheartedly enjoyed watching all 3 seasons (!) on Netflix;
2. Blue Eye Samurai: this past year I discovered a new (to me) genre, namely that of animation for adults and this one - about a female warrior Mizu, during the Japanese Edo period - is unbelievably stunning;
3. Pachinko: I read the book and the series (on Apple TV) is also well worth your time - brace yourself for an emotional heartbreaking story.
>Intermezzo< a Favorite Dutch word
Vindingrijk, vindingrijkheid
This Dutch word expresses the ability of a live creature (word by John Dewey; usually a human) to be resourceful. Even though this English word - resourcefulness - does not i.m.o. fully grasp the aesthetic quality of the word, and the active human contribution related to it. Some other languages translate the word as follows:
Frysk wurdboek adj., rêdsum, rêddich, fornimstich, kunstich.
Spaans: conceptuoso, imaginativo
Duits: erfindungsreich, gewitzt
(Source: Wiktionary)
III. Clothes, beauty, jewelry and accessoires
1. Clothes: Corduroy pants by Arket - apparantly, when I like something, I like it in doubles, triples, even quadruples. These classic pants made by Arket are so comfortable, well designed and easy to style for any occasion. I got them in brown, dark blue and a dusty pink. I also love Ulla Johnson who makes the most beautiful garments and prints! I am a big fan of her turtleneck tops (which look so special underneath a lightly knit cashmere sweater) and like to shop from net-a-porter;
2. Beauty: so many brands by women, god I love it so much. I am a collector of anything Violette fr and Lisa Eldridge. This year I was also pleasantly surprised by the nail polishes by Chanel, they nailed all the colors, and the sparkly holiday edition lipstick by Chantecaille (picture 2 down below);
3. Jewelry: by1Oak - they design their jewels in Amsterdam (they have a shop at Prinsengracht 134) after which they are handmade in Bali;
4. Accessoires: Taljé belts by Anouk Yve - these belts are so well made, sturdy yet very sophisticated, I have the belt 008 in white and the Fabro gold of the new collection.
IV. Interior styling
I did a lot of work on my home last year, more than I thought when I get to think of it. A few stores I especially loved:
1. Palais - the philosophy of this brand speaks to me in so many ways, they aren’t rushed to produce their beautiful designs and are well equipped to inform the customer of the process and time it takes to craft the beautiful products. I got particularly obsessed with their pillows (pictures 1 and 2 below);
2. Sissel Edelbo - if you love silk and (Indian made) fabrics, you will have a field day on this site. Recently I got a beautiful table cloth and some silk boxes (3rd picture below);
3. Farrow and Ball - I recently discovered this luxury paint maker as I bought a (second hand) closet and did not like the color (matte lilac). In Amsterdam there is a shop that specializes in quality paint and wallpaper: De Ru (situated at the Van Woustraat 143-145) that sells this brand, amongst many others. As I was visualizing what kind of colour to go for, I scoured the Farrow and Ball website for inspiration (and I mean many, many hours!). Eventually I opted for the colour Railings and decided to also give my hallway closet a re-paint with Rectory Red (in their full gloss finish) and paint some walls with Sulking Room Pink. I must say there are many more colours on my wishlist (like Indian Yellow and De Nimes), I must now decide what to paint with them…
V. Podcasts, YouTube, Substacks
This year had so so many good things, it was hard to choose what to share!! I chose 15 absolute favorites for you:
1. Diary of a CEO is a podcast and you can view them on YouTube as well. Their recent episode with Vanessa Edwards was especially inspiring! She helps finding the right cues in order to send the right kind of signals to others. Especially useful for the introverts amongst us (like me);
2. A Considered Space by Eleanor Cording-Booth (she tipped me on the corduroy pants!). If you like a little nostalgia you will looove her newsletter on Christmas homeware;
3. Lily Diamond’s newsletter - I honestly love anthing she writes, it is pure gold and sooths your soul;
4. Sez Kristiansen - a spiritual, healing sanctuary that I highly recommend;
5. More to Hate by Kate Manne - a brilliant thinker, philosopher and feminist. Given the anti-woman politics that have gained traction in the United States (with much broader implications) this newsletter is a must;
6. Food stylist Paris Starn - if you like to play with food, her newsletter is delicious;
7. Twinflame by the french sisters Lisa and Karen Napoly (they tipped me on the Vanessa Edwards episode!). They each have their own YouTube channels Karen & Lisa as well, that are well (!) worth your time;
8. Interruptrr by Elmira Bayrasli - I was originally subscribed to Elmira’s female-foreign-policy focused newsletter interrupturr and now her substack newsletter. The yearly book list is a true gem;
9. Allison Bornstein substack and her book ‘Wear it well’ are a must for anyone that wants to explore their own style in a new way. Her three word method is a great starting point;
10. Tori from The Window Seat - for anyone who likes to travel in style and as effective as possible;
11. Will Dowd and his Moonstack - interested in anything moon-wise? Don’t sit on this one;
12. Rajiv Surendra has an exquisite eye for detail and for the art of living well, both creatively and domestically. I urge you, if you haven’t already, to visit his YouTube channel. For example this episode on How to Walk in Public;
13. Maya C Popa from Poetry Today - I love poetry, and hope to write some poetry myself in the coming year, this newsletter is a great motivator. The last newsletter on 31 Writing Prompts that Work is wonderful;
14. In Moda Veritas by Irene Kim - Irene is a highly skilled stylist that shares her expertise and love of shopping in this newsletter. Subscribing will surely help you build your wardrobe. I especially loved her ‘How to build a Foundational Wardrobe’ series;
15. Tending Gardens by Kana who ever so graciously offers us a glimpse of life in rural Japan (because of her I know of the book ‘ Serviceberry’!). Japan is very high on my travel bucket list.
>> That was it for 2024 and leaves me with: what will you cultivate in the new year? Do you have a creative practice? Will you start (a new) one?
I hope I inspired you in some way and wish you all the very best for the new year!
Non marti, sed arti,
Always with love,
Jackie.