New Year Refresh: Tips for January
This & that…
A little late out of the gate today with a catch-up post: a few random things I’ve been meaning to share, and a look ahead as we start a new year.
Easing into January
I’ve been on a tidying jag the last couple of days. Yesterday I finished putting away my few holiday decorations, and even cleaned out my fridge! I’ve been feeling restless and fidgety, and it’s a great way to channel that energy. And it feels so good to start the year with a clean and organized space!
Favorite sweaters on sale
This Tibi “confetti” sweater just arrived a couple of days ago, and it’s already a favorite! AND it’s just gone on sale. I love that cutout on the side. I normally try to avoid knit blends with acrylic, but this one has a luxe feel and isn’t scratchy. (Care tag says it can be hand washed.) For a budget-friendy option, check out this one from Loft.
Pants are the Nili Lotan “Shon” pants I included in my fall travel wardrobe. This color seems to be sold out, but others are available. I know they’re not everyone’s “cuppa,” but I still love them. These cargo pants from Citizens of Humanity have a similar look, but a less extreme shape.
I’ve had these Cole Haan wingtip oxfords for several seasons now. They’re lightweight and really comfortable, with good arch support. They’re also available in silver, and a few other colors. If you haven’t checked out Cole Haan lately, go take a look; they have some really fun styles.
Eileen Fisher just added a bunch of styles to the end-of-season sale, including this Italian cashmere sweater. The hat too!
Dry-ish January
This is actually a direction I’ve been moving in over the last few months. I’ve been trying to prioritize quality sleep*, and last spring purchased an Oura ring to help track my sleep, activity, and physiological stress. It didn’t take long for me to notice how alcohol (even wine) negatively impacted my sleep. So I started cutting back. Instead of a nightly glass of wine or cocktail, I’m down to two per week at most. (Though for a few days around the holidays, I might have upped that a bit.) When I do have a drink, I don’t want much. And yes, I’m sleeping much better!
One of the things that’s helped is finding some non-alcoholic substitutes that I can enjoy during “cocktail hour.” After sampling some really good non-alcoholic beers on my last couple of trips to Europe, I’ve been trying a few here at home, and have been quite pleased with Athletic Brewing Co. “Upside Dawn” lager and “Run Wild” IPA.
*I’ll try to find the articles again to link, but there seems to be correlation between lack of deep sleep and dementia. Deep sleep is also important for the immune system and to promote growth and repair of tissue. I’m trying to build muscle and retain bone mass, another motivator to keep my sleep consistent.
Looking ahead
My travel plans for 2025 are starting to take shape. In the spring, I’m planning to visit Milan, Paris, and London again. I’ve been wanting to go back to Milan since le Monsieur and I first visited in 2021. I’ll be meeting a blogger friend there, and look forward to exploring more of this vibrant (and extremely stylish!) city. And of course, I couldn’t miss Paris, or seeing my friends in London.
I’ve been researching river cruises in Europe for a fall trip, and am leaning toward one in Portugal, which has been highly recommended by friends. But I’m still deciding. More to follow…
Will you be traveling this year? If so, where will you be going?
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You always look wonderful! I so enjoy receiving your blog. In April, my husband and I will travel to Paris and Vienna with spots in between. Any general suggestions tips re not- to- be- missed sites will be helpful. Thank you
I was utterly enchanted with the Danube. Tauck did a superior job. Check them out!12/10
Nice sweater. Coincidentally I am wearing my soft yellow jumper today, the one with cut outs like yours.
Greetje
I have booked a river cruise in Portugal on Uniworld for November. It will be my 5th river cruise with Uniworld. I love river cruising. You see many small but fascinating villages you would not see otherwise. The food and service onboard are fabulous. The shore excursions are interesting and well organized. Best of all no schlepping luggage all over.
Sandy, I posted my comments 12 hours after you…and I wonder if we ever on the same Uniworld cruise!? Rhone, Rhine , Venetian lagoon, Seine and now waterways of Holland and Belgium. We certainly agree on the cruise line!
January is my time to de-clutter as well! We have a Tauck land tour of Sicily booked for September. Can’t wait!!
Susan, I am right there with you on the health front in wanting to improve sleep and build/retain muscle. And there are so many good alcohol-free beverages now! (For those who love a good gin & tonic or martini, I have it on good authority that Tanqueray makes an excellent free gin.) Your itinerary sounds fabulous. It’s been many years since I visited Milan, but I love its sense of style and fashion. I get my fix these days by following The Sartorialist on Insta. Thanks for all the inspiration, Susan, hope your week is fabulous! xx
We are planning on a fall trip as well and also still deciding.
We were thinking about Spain and possibly Portugal? We would be interested in what was highly recommended to you regarding the Riverboat cruise as well as any information regarding Spain that you highly recommend. Looking forward to hearing from you.
Hi Susan!
Regarding travel I am a single woman. I assume you may be traveling alone these days. This is a topic worth discussion as I consider solo trips in the future. Any thought or insights?
Would love to hear more about how the Oura ring is working for you.
I really like your confetti sweater. In 2025 I’m planning to visit Amsterdam, Bruges, and Paris. Then from Paris go to Romania. I’m in the process of planning a winter capsule wardrobe so I don’t freeze. Looking at the temperatures it will be much lower than I’m used to at home.
Ginger, I’m not sure where you are from (Aussie myself) but when in Europe during winter past a good coat, gloves, scarf and maybe hat is key. Inside, museums, art galleries, shops, whatever are usually well heated so you want to be able to strip off those outer layers. That was my experience anyway for what it’s worth.
After a Rhine River cruise and organized Italy tour (both excellent), we’re planning a looser itinerary to France in May. Honfleur as a base in Normandy, champagne region and Paris. Less is more, we hope. FYI – I’m refreshing my high school French with the free app Duolingo. Lots of fun – more is coming back than I expected!
I was sick off and on in December so didn’t feel like drinking on most nights. Before the New Year, quit altogether and I have noticed I am sleeping much better. Even one small glass of wine seemed to affect me and like you, I really value sleep. We bought some sparkling apple-pomegranate juice, found it too sweet, but good mixed about half and half with club soda, wedge of lime. Have you watched A Gentleman In Moscow?
Your mocktail sounds delicious, I’ll have to try it, thanks for the recipe!
Happy New Year!
We’re doing a “Damp January” at our house, with much improved sleep. My fav replacement beverage is Concord grape juice mixed 1:3 with Lemon sparkling water, over ice with a lemon wedge. Yum!
We did a fall river cruise with Viking on the Elbe a few years back. It was wonderful. However, in the fall, sometimes the rivers are low, weather depending, and the boats can’t get on the river. Friends of ours were bused to cities on their “river” tours, in the fall because of low water levels.
It’s spring river tours for us from now on.
Yum, Emily, your mocktail sounds perfect for summer, on the list to try, thanks!
Rivers can also be too high, and ships cannot fit under the bridges. We have been on European cruises and the Viking passengers were bussed around because their ships were newer and taller. I will try Tauck someday- have heard great things about them but also have liked Uniworld. not dissing Viking:)
So far, we have London/ Cornwall plans and in the fall Scotland. I am interested in a summer trip as well but don’t love crowds or heat so am looking for ideas.
Love your gold chain necklace. Can you tell me the brand?
Hi Rebecca, thanks! It’s a one-of-a-kind/sample from Tarra Rosenbaum.
My husband’s brother and his wife went on a river cruise in Portugal a few years ago and absolutely loved it, I’m sure you will too. We have no travel plans for this year, but in February-March 2026 we’ll spend about a month Down Under – first a few days in Auckland, then a 12-day cruise to Sydney, then a few days there and a road trip to Brisbane for the flight back to Canada. Looking forward to your travel wardrobes!
Your upcoming trips sound amazing. Our oldest kiddo is starting college this year, possibly over seas so we’re staying close to home. We’ll drive to the Oregon coast to visit family and probably do a camping trip in Canada with friends. I love the Nili Lotan Shon pants. I really want the oxblood color, but it’s been sold out for a while. Did you find the colored denim to stretch a size? I have the regular denim and they stretch a lot.
Hi Katie, thanks! These brown Shon’s are a cotton twill, not denim. I find they don’t stretch out as much as the denim jeans do.
The green sweater/hat/scarf looks great on you! Regarding travel – I’m working on scheduling a trip in the fall to either Greece or Japan. I’ve been interested in trying out a cruise, but as a solo traveler I think my options are limited. I’ve heard nothing but good about Porto cruises, and a friend also recently said that they really enjoyed going on a holiday market cruise.
Happy New Year, Susan! Looking forward to your inspiration and travel. We visited Portugal in September 2023 and absolutely loved our river cruise (started with 4 days in Madrid which we also loved). Beautiful country, lovely people, great walking (very hilly) and great food and wines. Thank you for traveling and bringing great fashion ideas for those of us who aren’t able to make it to Europe as often.
Hi Susan,
We were in Milan as part of a Northern Italy tour that ended in Rome. We did a tour of the Duomo that took us up on the roof. Really cool and great view of the city…..and as you mention the fashion, of course. Have done the Douro River cruise in Portugal…It was a bit slower paced / quieter than other river cruises we’ve taken but we enjoyed it. It finished in Madrid which was terrific. If you enjoy art don’t miss the Prada museum there. This Spring heading to Netherlands and Belgium for tulip time with Uniworld. My cholesterol jumped considerably this fall, so am looking at my diet more closely and trying to clean it up a bit ( including drinking). My husband and I were drinking 2 bottles of wine per week. We are now just drinking one, which equates to 2 glasses per week for me………and if I’m honest I say I really look forward to those days. It’s amazing how easily it can get away from you. Be well and have a Happy New Year.
Susan,
My dear daughter recommended that I follow you, several years ago now. You have influenced my travel wardrobe and packing skill, and now my granddaughter, ever observant, approves of my style!
Your destination advice has enriched our choices, and it really helps to pack “Susan’s Way.” It is nice to be comfortable!
I wish you a peaceful and charm-filled 2025.
Laura Perra
Thanks so much, Laura! I’m glad you’ve found it helpful.
…..oops: Prado NOT Prada Museum
Hubby and I are planning three trips in 2025. First, we leave a week from now to visit friends in Mexico while some renos are being done in our house. Then, in early June, we’ll be in Armenia and in August we’re doing an Alaska cruise. The cruise will be our first and I’m already thinking ahead to how to pack for that!
Your spring travel plans sound awesome. A lot of people don’t like Milan but I love it. Planning a three week trip to Spain this fall! Will be my first time.
Happy New Year Susan (and other readers)!
I’ve been following you and benefiting from your advice and insight for years! I have a sort of big travel year planned – Portugal, Spain and Iceland with perhaps Amsterdam thrown in. We also split time between CA and MI so I’m always looking for things that work in both places and certainly use your advice to help me pack for trips (always a challenge for me). Thanks for all you do for all of us and keep it coming!
Best wishes for the new year!
Gretchen
Your trips sound delightful.
We are planning a cruise around the Netherlands this
Spring hoping to catch the tulips. We have discovered cruises the last ten years and find them easy and fun.
Since a rather difficult year involving a divorce and downsizing move, I am celebrating turning 75 in 2025 with two trips. The first is a Uniworld river ship tour in The Netherlands and Belgium during springtime, at which time I am looking forward to meeting a favourite blogger who lives in Haarlem. This will be my fifth river cruise with this line, which I truly think is the best with service, excursions and beautiful interiors.
In the autumn, I will enjoy a couple of days in Paris , which deserves a return visit, staying in a highly recommended small hotel in St Germain , in lieu of a London visit. I discovered that it has now become rather too expensive for my usual stay at a favourite hotel near Russell Square. Seeing special friends and Scottish relatives is definitely a highlight , along with a bespoke tour of York and the Yorkshire Dales for three days. Definitely a much anticipated year, after a rather grim 2024.
Solo travel to Portugal and Greece, a month in each place plus a fall cruise with my daughter to Hungary, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, and Bulgaria!
I like the look of the Shon pant but the description says “mid-rise”. Are they really mid-rise? I am not comfortable in mid-rise pants.
Hi Kathy, I sized down and they sit just below my navel. The rise is quite deep.
This year I’ll go to Paris in April for a big event. I’m already looking for a spring dress I won’t freeze in for a luncheon and something semi-fancy for a group dinner on one of the bateau mouches. This has me stumped. I don’t want to wear a winter coat over my outfit, but I sure don’t want to be cold out on the water. Last year, early spring, I was in Paris and stayed near the Sorbonne. Essentially everyone I saw was wearing the international student uniform of jeans and puffer. The only difference was the men were all wearing scarves and tying them attractively. The attendees at this event will not be dressed like the students.
In late June, southern Germany for a gathering of hobbyists–no special wardrobe planning required except to remember a rain jacket and umbrella.
Then in October, another gathering of hobbyists in Croatia to which I’ll add some days in one of my favorite countries. And where there are some many gorgeous women I can get depressed.
For the single woman looking to start going alone–do it! I actually prefer to travel alone for the freedom. I’ve rarely felt unsafe or uncertain in Europe. I did a month-long cruise last year. I loved having to do no work, eating what I liked, etc., but I’m sorry to say I found my fellow passengers not very friendly to a single women (even one 75) and also, disappointingly, not very interesting people. I may have chosen the wrong cruise.
Hi Susan,
Happy New Year! Your spring travel plans sound wonderful! Italy is one of my favorite places -the people, the culture, food, weather, and fashion! What’s not to like!
I always learn so much from your adventures and I look forward to your review and recaps of your travels.
I’ll be splitting time between PA and SC for the winter and then we have the Danube cruise on Tauck planned for September of 2025.
Cleaning things out for the New Year is so cathartic! I have to get to my fridge too!
For an NA beer I recommend Barrel Brothers Dark sarcasm NA. Really good. They are a Sonoma County brewery, so not sure if it is widely available. Generally, I find dark beers or porters have pretty good flavor for an NA beer.
In place of a mocktail, which I generally find too sweet, I like kombucha, either full strength of as a spritzer.
Susan, a river cruise on the Douro in north Portugal is a fabulous way to holiday. A deep river & no issues with going under bridges as can be problems on some other European rivers.
We went with Emerald on “Radiance” & had a lovely time. Be aware that most cruise lines tie up in Porto on the opposite side of the river to the old town but Emerald’s pier is right at the base of the old town so wandering is easy.
You might be upping your alcohol intake on this trip, though!
Because we live in New Zealand ( yes, the bottom of the world ) we had to do lots of research before going all that way. We visited there in 2023.
Happy planning.
Portugal is fabulous. My fav remains Viking Danube cruise – it was wonderful to step right off the boat and walk into the cities. No need for a bus or taxi ride.