If you know anything about me you probably know how much I ADORE the color yellow, so when I found out that Pantone’s 2021 Colors of the Year included a shade of yellow I was ecstatic!
Pantone’s 2021 Colors of the Year compliment each other so well. Illuminating and Ultimate Gray are a nice balance of sunshine and stormy, making it the perfect color combo to express the mix of emotions 2021 is making us all feel thus far.
I’ve compiled a few fun items worth acquiring for your quarantine/work from home situation. From DIY projects to activewear and computer accessories, there’s just about something to make anyone’s day a bit more bearable in this collection:
You might remember that back in 2017 I reviewed a canvas print sent to me by Photowall. They reached out to me again this month to review another one of their products, so instead of choosing a canvas that was already on their site, I decided to have one of my own DSLR photos blown up in a custom print!
The photo I chose to have blown up is one that I took in the summer of 2020 in Dorchester County, Maryland. It was taken on a farm while my boyfriend’s family’s Border Collie, Ajax, was running around.
I had the choice of having the canvas print with no border, a black border, or a white border. If I chose no border, the top of the tall tree in the top left was cropped out, so I went with a black border.
Just as with last time, one of the screws didn’t want to line up with the hole. I didn’t have a drill or another screw I could put in it, so I just left it out.
Delinquent hole
I love the way it turned out! It’s super fun seeing one of my own photos blown up like this.
The print was light enough to hang up with Command strips, as I did with my first canvas print.
Photowall also has wallpaper and wall murals available for purchase. Be sure to check out their selection at photowall.com and use the code thewhisperbox25 for 25% off your order (expires 2/14/21). Their products would make great Valentine’s Day gifts ❤️
I really have no words to describe what went down at the US Capitol this past week but boy am I glad the election results are certified and we can move forward to Emperor Spray Tan being dragged out of the White House kicking and screaming Inauguration Day on January 20th.
On that note, let’s journey back to December 2020 for a lil’ bit for my faves in pop culture and entertainment.
Of course my neck would hurt and my head would start to pound on the last day of this God-forsaken year when I’m scheduled to recap the songs, artists and albums that kept us all sane in 2020.
OF COURSE.
Anyway, I’m powering through this with the help of Tylenol and eggnog.
Truly, music is the MVP this year. I’m amazed at how many artists followed through on their releases and then some (looking at you, T-Swizzle).
So without further ado, I present 2020’s Best in Music:
1. “Nydia,” Buscabulla, Regresa. Started out the year with these enchantingly addicting vocals.
2. “Sinner,” Galimatias, Renaissance Boy. This boy better get his behind on tour as soon as its safe to do so again.
3. “Pure / Santiago,” Lido, Peder. This year’s pleasant surprise for sure.
4. “Is It True,” Tame Impala, The Slow Rush. I feel like Tame Impala knew how 2020 was gonna go before it even started.
5. “Midnight Sky,” Miley Cyrus, Plastic Hearts. I can get used to this rock and roll phase.
6. invisible string, Taylor Swift, folklore. Back on that Taylor Swift train.
Since 2020 didn’t end up being what anyone thought it would be, photo opportunities were very scarce this year. At the start of the pandemic, I was stuck out on Long Island for about three months (all of spring) without my camera, and once reunited with it in NYC I barely went out due to social distancing rules.
My dream of taking more photos of actual humans in nature went downhill really fast, and I’m not sure when I’ll be able to get back to trying in the future now that the COVID-19 vaccine is being administered.
However, looking back at some of the photos I was able to take after the lockdown, I realized my 2020 could have been a lot worse. I still went on a few road trips (the safest way to vacation during a pandemic IMO), so I was able to capture some amazing shots. I also managed to take a few photos around Manhattan.
Here are some of the photos I wanted to highlight from this year:
Summer 2020
Cloudy skies in Dorchester County, MD
June 2020’s Sahara Dust in Manhattan, NY overlooking NJ
Layton’s Chance Vineyard & Winery in Vienna, MD
Summer berries in Highbridge Park, NYC
Ocean City, MD
Wild horses on Assateague Island
Behind Snappers Waterfront Cafe in Cambridge, MD
Fall 2020
Found a flower while pumpkin picking at Emily’s Produce in MD (plus a ladybug)!
Because 2020 couldn’t end without a reactivation of my nerve pain, I had to put off posting my combined October & November Favorites for a week and then I started slipping into a deep, dangerous bout of procrastination.
So here we are, on December 10th, looking back at the beginning of the last quarter. Cool.
Let’s get on with it.
Favorite News Articles
1. Mindy Kaling had another baby. HOW IS SHE STILL ABLE TO KEEP THE IDENTITY OF HER BABIES FATHER (FATHERS?!) A SECRET PLUS HAVING A WHOLE OTHER KID WITHOUT US KNOWING. HOW?!
The fact that I’m reviving the Quarantine Diaries segment in itself is a cause for concern at this point.
I haven’t blogged in a month due to the rollercoaster of nonsense that has ensued this election season (wooo Biden Harris 2020!). I figured it would be a great time to take a break and have one less thing to stress over (don’t worry, monthly favorites will be combined next month to make up for it).
However, election tomfoolery aside, COVID-19 is still an ever-looming cloud of impending doom over all of us, and it’s about to start feeling way worse as the holidays approach.
I’ve already been told by my parents, who live in the same state as me, only about a half hour away by car with no traffic, that I should stay my little behind in NYC instead of spending Thanksgiving in Long Island with them.
Countless friends and coworkers are grappling with the reality that spending the holidays with family is simply not an option this year due to the pandemic. I commend them for taking this seriously and thinking about the health of their fellow man (and woman) this season.
I’m sorry, but why in the world would you be taking your child to a MALL to visit SANTA during a FREAKING PANDEMIC?!
Do you want Santa to fall ill and then not be able to deliver presents on Christmas Day?!
Let Santa quarantine in peace. Please. I beg you.
Kindly take the time to explain to your children that Santa is setting an example of a responsible human who abides by coronavirus safety measures, so he can’t visit this year for photos. It’s that simple.
Or just find someone in your bubble that your kids are quarantining with and ask them to dress up as Santa for them. Much safer that way.
This holiday season is going to be difficult, but it will be much more so if you end up losing a loved one due to being careless and selfish during the pandemic.
Wear a mask, wash your hands, and have a Happy Thanksgiving.
*I received these earrings complimentary from WHITL. All views are my own.
A few weeks ago, a company called WHITL Woodworking sent me an email asking if I wanted to try their handmade wooden jewelry. The costume jewelry collector in me could not refuse the offer!
WHITL Woodworking in Abilene, Texas makes eco-friendly earrings out of ethically sourced wood. They also have designs made of leather, which are quite sophisticated and unique. The company partners with local mental health nonprofits to assemble their earrings.
I absolutely LOVE the Cheetah & Maple Claw set, as it’s super bold and stands out quite a bit against darker-colored outfits.When I showed these to my mom she immediately started telling me about this cheetah-print loungewear set she has that would look amazing with it, so I might let her have them.
I also really love the Feather ones. The color is perfect for autumn, and I can definitely see myself wearing them a bit when I want to add a little subtle charm to my look.You’re bound to find a pair on their site that would be perfect for yourself or as a gift for someone else.
Fall weather is finally upon us! In these stressful times, I find nothing more relaxing than inhaling my favorite scents, including lavender and cinnamon.
So, I thought it would be fun to create an autumn playlist inspired by some of the scents of fall. So brew your favorite flavor of coffee or tea and drop some essential oil in your diffuser while chilling to these tunes!
1. Lavender and Velvet, Alina Baraz. To be honest, if Alina Baraz’s voice were a scent, I’d bathe in it.
2. Tea & Poetry, Hello Harry, Thomas Garcia. Autumn is the best time for sipping tea and writing poetry while wrapped up in a cozy blanket.
3. Coffee, Sylvan Esso. “Get up, get down,” and smell the warm coffee.
4. Mint, Qveen Herby. Money mint? Peppermint? I’ll take both, please and thank you.
5. Cinnamon, Hayley Williams. Some spooky vocals from out fave Paramore gal.
