What I Loved: December 2018

It's always fun to talk about my latest obsessions! I love finding out that other people share my interests, and getting even more recommendations for similar things that I might just fall in love with. I'm sharing some of my December favorites today, but come and share in the comments what you've been loving lately!

Classic Happy Planner | I'm always obsessed with getting hyper-organized at the beginning of each new year, and 2019 was no exception. My preparations included embracing the use of a Happy Planner mixed with Happy Notes (Franken-planning, as they call it), as inspired by my friend Hannah. I set up the bookish part of the planner using dot grid pages, and then started getting the month of January set up as well. It's been fun to jump back into planner life and embrace all that entails, and I can't wait to keep using it throughout this year.

Book spreadsheet | I've been using Crini's spreadsheet for several years in order to track what I've read in any given year, and 2019 is going to be no exception. I spent some time setting it up for my use in the last week of December, and I highly recommend working with a copy of your own. It's a fun, easy way to keep track of stats for what you've read, and I tend to refer to it at the end of the year. (P.S. I'm linking to the 2018 version, because that's what I'm using!)

Voltron: Legendary Defender (S8) | If you thought this show wasn't going to pop up on this list again, you'd be incorrect. Honestly, barring a couple of plot points, I genuinely loved this last season. It was just exceptionally wonderful to be reunited with the characters I love so, so much on this show, and it was definitely an intense emotional experience all around for me.

Mary Poppins Returns | I do love the original film a lot, so I was hoping to find this film equally delightful. Imagine my surprise when the feels hit me while I was at the movie theater! It's whimsical, it's full of heart and it's utterly wonderful, and I cannot tell you enough how much I admire the way they decided to add to this character's tale. Emily Blunt and Lin-Manuel Miranda were so lovely in it, too, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself!

Wreck-It Ralph 2: Ralph Breaks the Internet | Honestly, I should never let the thought that a Pixar film, based on its trailer, is not going to make me cry, because I was sobbing like a baby during the latter third of this movie. I loved seeing so many familiar characters return, and getting to meet new characters (specifically Shank, voiced by Gal Gadot). I loved the story, and how it goes from saving an arcade game to being about friendship. It really hit home for me so dang much!

Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee! | Apart from Pokémon Go, I haven't played a Pokémon game in years. It's been fun to pick it up again with Pokémon Go, but it's been even more fun to play this Nintendo Switch game! First of all, I get to be buddies with Eevee, who happens to be one of my favorite Pokémon. Second of all, the game play is so fun and so easy, and I definitely took to it like a fish to water. Third of all, Macky and I have been able to play simultaneously (he has Let's Go, Pikachu!). It is seriously just a new obsession, and I adore it.

Reindeer Sparkle Pops Candy from Sugarfina | I am so obsessed with this sweet treat from Sugarfina, and I'm very sad that I've nearly devoured all of my stash. It's the perfect blend of chocolate with a fun fizzy pop at the end - and I cannot get over how delicious these are. It's taken all my willpower not to eat an entire box in one sitting. Yes, they're that good (to me)!

Christmas desserts in New York City | If you thought I'd make this list without mentioning the sheer amount of sugary treats I consumed during this very festive holiday season, you clearly don't know me very well (though I hope that'll change and you'll stick around). I ate quite a lot of ice cream over the course of December, as well as a couple of other treats, and I definitely enjoyed myself!