On The Desk: December Musings

There’s something about winter that slows the world down just enough for me to actually notice the finer details of life; the objects on my desk, the quiet shifts in trends, the colors that suddenly feel magnetic. This month has felt especially introspective for me: more morning pages, more intentional slowness, and more inspiration stumbling into my orbit. Consider this my personal newspaper for the month: the things I’m consuming, loving, and observing.

On My Mind + On My Desk

• Chrome Shell Accessories: A shape I didn’t expect to come back to, but here we are. From decorative catch-alls to sculptural hair clips, the chrome shell is having a moment. It's coastal without being “coastal,” a perfect blend of sculpture and organic form. It’s giving Mediterranean museum piece meets modern jewelry and I’m here for it.
  

• Swan Motifs + Artwork: Apparently this is my Roman Empire now. Every time I scroll, I’m seeing swans; elegant, elongated, slightly mysterious. There’s a softness to them that feels romantic but still elevated. I’ve saved everything from vintage oil paintings to contemporary graphic prints. This might be the next quiet-luxury creature (move over, horses).

• Color Shift: Burgundy → Merlot: That deep, moody wine tone is deepening even more. Burgundy has officially matured into merlot; richer, more complex, a little sexier. I’m seeing it in fashion, home decor, even art and planners. It pairs so beautifully with camel, charcoal, and chrome. This feels like the winter accent color for chic women everywhere.

• I love that we're craving layered spaces again. The pendulum is swinging away from ultra-minimal and opening up to personality.

• Charm Everything: Charms are officially back — and not in the juvenile way we remember. Think elevated key chains, tiny sculptural add ons to bracelets, layered necklaces with meaningful little tokens, and even charms clipped onto handbags. It feels playful yet sophisticated, like personal storytelling through tiny objects. I’m so inspired by this resurgence that I’m tempted to DIY my own set of bag charms — a mix of metals, pearls, and maybe a little merlot-colored accent to stay on theme.m

The Books + Media I Consumed

• As I mentioned last time, I’m still in the middle of Anna Karenina. It’s going to take me a while (as it should), but I’m absolutely loving it — the pacing, the atmosphere, the rich character work. I also rewatched the Keira Knightley adaptation, which is visually stunning and such a gorgeous companion to the book.

• The Artist’s Way Workbook: I finally started the workbook that I've been seeing everywhere, and it already feels like the structure I’ve been craving. It’s giving me a gentle creative reset — part therapy, part ritual, part creative excavation. Paired with my morning pages, it’s helping me reconnect to the quieter parts of myself that get drowned out during busy seasons.

• The Beast in Me: Beautifully haunting, slightly moody, and so well-acted. It scratches that elevated-drama itch without being too much.

• Project Runway (catching up on the seasons I missed): Perfect background inspiration while I work — the design challenges, the creativity, and the nostalgia of the earlier seasons are sparking so many ideas.

Little Luxuries I’m Loving

• A winter-scented candle that smells like sugared cranberries and burning cedar. Like you're inside a chalet.

• My TN-style planner fully loaded for the season: the winter bucket list card has been making me smile every morning and I added an organic touch with a new geode charm, purchased on my mini-staycation in the mountains.

• Carving out Slow Morning Pages: Setting aside quiet, meditative time to write my morning pages with a soft playlist in the background. It’s become my favorite grounding ritual. Give this Spotify playlist I’ve been loving a listen).

• A Beautiful Matchbook Collection: Last year on my travels, I started collecting aesthetically pleasing matchbooks, usually ones I found complimentary from restaurants, lounges, or shops. Every time I strike a match it's like a tiny indulgence that looks so chic in a small dish.

• Taking in the Holiday Lights: I’m so looking forward to visiting the zoo this week to see their holiday lights. They've notoriously always done a beautiful job of decorating and creating a beautiful holiday moment. There’s something magical about strolling under sparkling displays — it feels festive without being overwhelming and such a simple way to soak in winter wonder.

• Candlelight Orchestra Experience: My husband and I bought tickets to a candlelight orchestra performing Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole, and I can’t wait to see what it’s all about. I’m imagining soft lighting, timeless music, and an ambience that’s both intimate and indulgent — the perfect winter evening date night.

  

  

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Closing Thoughts

December feels like a quiet exhale and a reset before the reset. This month’s desk has been a blend of creativity, cozy routines, and small obsessions that make life feel more beautiful. As I move into the new year, I’m leaning into harmony, refinement, and following the sparks that make the everyday feel intentional.

Until next month, — Emilee