I love sinking into the new year slowly. I am a lover of new things—new beginnings, new calendars, fresh planners, fresh perspectives, and this year, fresh snow! But living with winter has softened my usual fire (Aries sun, Leo moon, here!). I feel held in this season, enjoying it’s presence, while planning for what’s next.

Which brings me to what’s been on my mind this month—in my life, in my studio, in my thoughts…

Word of the Month: Clarity

This year, I’m starting a ‘word of the month’ ritual, something to anchor my thoughts and energy. And for January, clarity felt right.

Winter, in it’s essence, is a season of clarity. I love leaning into winter, and the gifts it brings. It’s easy to look at bare trees and assume they’re lifeless. But they’re not. They’re hibernating — slowing down, becoming quiet, conserving their energy until spring arrives. Beneath the surface, their roots are stretching deeper into the earth, seeking nourishment, steadying themselves. And once spring comes, they flourish again.

Winter teaches us patience in the depths of reflection. It reminds us to pause before we move, to find harmony between rest and planning. Without the leaves, we can see farther — beyond what summer’s fullness allows. Winter is clarity.

In the Studio

January has been a mix of endings and beginnings — wrapping up my last 2024 projects that bled into the new year, while embracing a softer, slower approach to new ones. I’ve officially kicked off my first 2025 projects, including the dreamiest branding work for an interior design studio, Atelier Gardey.

Some things I’m working on:

• Deeply dreaming about 2025 and how to serve my people with even more intention.
• Putting the final touches on ‘Palmer’ — a website template I’ve poured so much love into. It’s launching next month, and I’m so excited to finally share it.
• Feeling incredibly grateful for all the love on our Honeybook templates (linking them here!). And currently creating the next collection to release.

Life Lately

• Embracing slowness with a winter reiki circle
• Being mindful of media consumption, reflecting on how long January has felt (three years, at least?).
• Journaling again! Rebuilding my morning pages practice and falling deep into my Notion obsession.
• Simple joys: Peppermint tea, evening baths with heaps of Epsom salt, and a capful of body oil for extra moisture (highly recommend!).

Inspired By…

• Sink selfies (a total vibe that’s taking over my Pinterest boards).
• Monogramming everything — it’s giving grown-up personal brand.
• Officine Universelle Buly (manifesting a bathroom fully stocked with their gorgeous bottles).
• The Leisure Ethic Dash by the amazing Xanthe of Oh Sierra! (the perfect base for creating an amazing Notion dash)

Loving Right Now…

• 01, 09 | The Open Journal & 2025 Intentional Planner by Wilde House Paper — journaling has been my favorite ritual this season.
• 02 | My all-season signature scent: layering Taunt and Milk by Ded Cool (a little vanilla, a little amber, very chic)
• 03 | The Baies candle (a bougie stocking stuffer from my husband — love him for this!).
• 04 | My new analog clock — obsessed.
• 05 | Wavy candlesticks, because adding a little whimsy to my space just feels right.
• 06 | Miu Miu dupes, duh.
• 07 | My Ralph’s saucer I picked up in NYC — perfect for my homemade salted honey mochas.
• 08 | The striped ottoman of my dreams (finally pulled the trigger, studio update coming soon!).

P.S. you can always find all my links here.

Listening…

Over a chill weekend spent organizing closets (my ideal Saturday tbh), I finally listened to Wintering by Katherine May. It’s been on my TBR list forever, and after seeing multiple comfort creators rave about it, I had to dive in. It’s a such a sweet, reflective read — filled with gentle reminders about seasonal rituals and finding nourishment in slower seasons. Highly recommend if you’re romanticizing winter like I am.

I’ve also been binging Spiral Deeper by Gaby Azorsky, and if you’re looking for something soothing yet insightful, start with ‘Winter Nourishment – Living in Harmony with the Seasons.’

Oh, and because I can’t help myself, I made you a playlist. Winter by Studio Gail — find it here.

Here’s to January—slow, intentional, and full of clarity. See you next month. 🤍