I just want to eat really good butter! (Issue #83)
And other things I learned in 2024 <3
Before we hop into today’s regularly scheduled programming, I wanted to give a quick heads-up that I’ll be taking a little holiday break from December 23rd - January 2nd. That said, there will be no issue of Sincerely, Celisia next week (December 27th). I will be back to my regular Friday schedule on January 3rd and will drop a new P.S. on Monday, January 7th!
Note: Links preceded by an asterisk (*) are affiliate links that allow me to collect a small commission when you purchase something I’ve recommended. That said, I can promise I’ll only ever share items I love. Buying through these links is one way to support me and my small biz. ❤️
Hi friends!
The year of our lord 2024 is a mere 11 days away from fading into the sunset! And with 2025 on the horizon, I wanted to take some time to look back on everything this year has given me. After a quick scroll through my photo app to jog my memory, I’ve compiled a list of 12 (not-so-serious) things I learned in 2024!!
So, without any further ado…
Not all butter is created equal.
This year, I photographed an intimate wedding at my client’s childhood home. It was a beautiful celebration made complete with an elaborate charcuterie setup. On the board was *Miyoko’s Oat Milk Butter, and it changed my life. Who knew vegan butter could be so good??? A few months later, The Wirecutter Show released an episode all about this spreadable dairy product. It was called Let’s Go to Butter School, and it blew my mind. The hosts walked through the ways not all butter is created equal, and provided practical tips on seeking out the best of the best. One of my biggest takeaways was the value of butter made with milk from grass-fed cows. Most American cows are grain-fed, so most of us are really missing out on a richer, tastier butter experience. I also learned about cultured butter (the kind they make in France), and found Trader Joe’s Cultured Salted Butter to be an affordable way to try it. In a fun butter taste test, I compared cultured butter, *Kerrygold Pure Irish Butter, and standard American butter. The cultured butter won in a landslide.
The Peanuts lore goes deep!
While I didn’t grow up on Charlie Brown, for Andrew, it’s pure nostalgia. At his request, we watch the holiday specials throughout the year. This Thanksgiving, one scene in particular stood out:
In it, Franklin, the only Black Peanut in the friend group, sits alone on one side of the massive Thanksgiving table. It’s an image that has circled social media and created some controversy. However, for the time, Franklin’s inclusion in the friend group at all was considered progress! A few months after my Franklin deep dive, I found myself on the Peppermint Patty Wikipedia page. Turns out Charles M. Schulz used his favorite cousin as inspiration for this tomboy friend of Charlie Brown. BUT, once lesbian groups began relating to Peppermint Patty and claiming her as one of them, Schulz intentionally distanced the character from his cousin to protect her privacy. I’m sure the Peanuts lore doesn’t end there, but that’s all I was able to collect in 2024. 😂
The Doux’s *Mousse Def Texture Foam is a life-changing product for my curly hair!
This year, I discovered this holy grail hair product that has revolutionized my routine. The foam has great hold and definition without a ton of cast, and it helps keep my hair looking great well into days 5, 6, and 7. As proof that it works, here’s a photo I took right after I tried it for the first time. <3
Foraging > traditional retail stores.
This has been my year of rediscovering the value of digging through random racks of clothes and shelves of housewares for the perfect find. A major win was finding a dress at Marshall’s for $23, and later finding it listed on the Real Real for $200!! I’ve also re-entered my thrifting/antiquing era. The other day I was looking around my house and realizing how many of my favorite items are ones I stumbled upon unexpectedly in places other than traditional retail stores. This TikTok summarized my feelings well:
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“Every ‘no’ is simply making room for a ‘yes’”
Andrew and I bought a house this year (an emotional process that I wrote about here and here), and I truly could not be happier with where we ended up. BUT, before we found our current home, we put in an offer on a different house that wasn’t accepted. We were heartbroken, and at that moment, I remember feeling like homeownership would always be out of my reach. Obviously, that wasn’t true, and really it was an important lesson in trusting the process. And then, last week, I saw this adorable interview with Cynthia Erivo sharing the same lesson in a different context!
Hamm’s beer is good, actually.
It’s a Midwest classic that doesn’t promise to be anything more than it is. It accomplishes exactly what it’s meant to accomplish, and for that, I respect it.
Real Christmas trees are worth it and can coexist with your cats.
This year, Andrew and I bought our first-ever Christmas tree! We wanted to go all-out, so we headed to the Christmas tree farm and opted to cut down our own tree! The farm had pre-cut options to choose from, but I’m always one to commit to a full experience and can’t imagine driving all that way without cutting it down myself!! It was perfect, and I felt like I was in a Hallmark movie. Bringing the tree home was nerve-wracking, because my cat Piedmont is known for his incessant commitment to fucking with plants. Also, we’ve been to the vet a lot this fall because my cats keep eating things they shouldn’t, and the horror stories I read of cats dyign form internal bleeding weren’t exactly comforting. Still, I wanted to see if maybe my cats could coexist with a Christmas tree, so I invested in some gadgets to keep them away. First, I found *this ScatMat, which doesn’t hurt your pet but gives them a little static shock when they walk across it. Waiting for the mat to come in, we lined the bottom of the tree with tin foil and bought *this orange-scented spray. In my research, I discovered cats hate the smell of citrus, so using citrus-scented sprays can be a great deterrent. So far, my cats have left the tree alone, which is both a shock and a relief. 🎄
Low-dose THC drinks are amazing!!
I’m not much of a THC person, but with weed now legal in MN, this pineapple jalapeño flavored THC + CBD drink has become my new fave. The drink has only 2mg THC and 4mg CBD, which is phenomenal for someone like me who gets anxious when high. I also love the Tetra Raspberry-Ginger drink from Bauhaus Brewery for a bit more of a kick (still only 5mg THC, haha).
There is a difference between vacationing and traveling.
Andrew and I went to Greece this summer for my friend’s wedding (a trip I wrote about in more detail here), and it taught me a lot about the value of a *relaxing* vacation. Before Greece, most of my trips have been focused on travel. Think tight itineraries filled with sightseeing, every minute planned and accounted for. Greece was the first time that I really understood what a real vacation could feel like. We lounged at the beach, got to be truly immersed in Greek culture and daily life, and approached our trip at a much slower pace than I’d ever experienced. The vacation vs. travel framework is a great way to assess what I want for my next trip, and it has totally changed how I plan!
The Political Compass Test is timeless.
This year I (once again) retook the Political Compass Test. It’s one of my favorite things to do with friends, and going through the questions together is reliably great conversation fodder. Every year I find myself redoing the test with new people!
Sharing cultural and political commentary is something I want to keep doing.
This year I found my way back to my viral internet roots after getting thoroughly burnt out from sharing so much racial and social justice education in the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder. But this year I finally started to find a more comfortable balance with my political writing, and it’s been really exciting to share with people again. It’s also been validating to get more tangible feedback, which has reaffirmed that people do find my perspective valuable. I’m excited to keep building on this during the coming year.
Low-cost animal hospitals are doing the lord’s work.
As mentioned, my cats unexpectedly became regulars at the animal hospital this fall. The cost of emergency pet care is always an added stress, and I once again counted my lucky stars that I live within driving distance of Access Veterinary Care!! Their accessible pricing was a life-saver, and honestly, their level of care seemed far more personal and supportive than what we experienced at the emergency vet. My mom even got her cat fixed at Access! Mission Animal Hospital is another great low-cost option near me, and I highly recommend them if you live in the area.
A round-up of things to watch, read, and listen to as you head into the weekend.
I know how frustrating paywalls are! When possible, I’ll try to offer gift links through my subscriptions to support access to high-quality journalism.
The New Yorker: How Hallmark Took Over Cable Television by Sarah Larson
This is a really interesting look at the history behind a Christmas staple!!
Modern Love Podcast: Andrew Garfield Wants to Crack Open Your Heart (gift link)
My newfound admiration for Andrew Garfield continues! I appreciated how open he was throughout this conversation, and his perspectives on life made me reflect on my own relationships. Highly recommend!
Podcast: The Deck Investigates Season 2
The latest season of The Deck dives into the unsolved murder of Ada Haradine. I especially appreciated the show’s use of original investigative reporting and in-depth interviews with Ada’s family, who are actively involved in the search for answers.
Things to try + share in the group chat.
Note: Links preceded by an asterisk (*) are affiliate links that allow me to collect a small commission when you purchase something I’ve recommended. That said, I can promise I’ll only ever share items I love. Buying through these links is one way to support me and my small biz. ❤️
I first learned of the NYC-based Gaia music collective when this video popped up in my feed. They regularly host spontaneous choirs, where strangers come together for a day and learn to sing a song. I really wanna try it out next time I’m in New York!!
When @dillonmichaelwhite was 8 years old, he wandered off during a school field trip and ended up on a bus full of Christmas Carolers. I’m obsessed with his re-telling:
There are still a few days until Christmas, and I’m milking as much holiday cheer out of December as I can! Last Friday I shared my must-try Minneapolis Christmas bars and more. Check it out here.
See you in the new year!
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