Happy Saturday. After putting it off for several months, I finally got a haircut (for the three people wondering, it’s the definitive style of the year), and I’ll admit, I feel like a different person. So here’s what I’m tackling with my new, get-sh*t-done attitude:
I’ll swap my basic button-downs for this if-you-know-you-know alternative, which is just as polished and versatile, but makes every outfit look even more elevated.
To prep for my upcoming vacation, I’ll stock up on these nine essentials — aka the ultimate travel capsule wardrobe (my suitcase needs all the help it can get).
Last but not least, I’ll try to erase from my memory the cringe comparison Taylor Swift used to describe a phone call with Travis Kelce (friends, it’s bad).
— Melissa Goldberg / Senior Editor / Washington, DC
This Is the Only Holiday Cookie Recipe You’ll Need This Year
theSkimm
Listen, technically there’s no such thing as a bad holiday cookie. But the best ones hit a few key notes: They look decidedly festive, require zero pastry school credentials, and taste like you tried way harder than you did. Broma Bakery’s Peppermint Crinkle Cookies nail it. They’re as outrageously fudgy as the center of a pan of brownies, they pack just enough peppermint flavor without going overboard, and once they’re tossed in powdered and granulated sugar, they essentially decorate themselves. Basically, they’re guaranteed to be the star of any party — even if that’s a party of one.
The Time Commitment: All that separates you from holiday cookie nirvana is 30 minutes.
Key Tips: For the richest, most chocolatey flavor, Sarah Fennel (aka Broma Bakery) says it’s important to use Dutch-process cocoa powder. Particularly if you’re baking for any Anti-Peppermint Loyalists (in which case, simply leave out the peppermint extract). Also, while the recipe calls for a stand mixer, a hand mixer works too.
Other Takes: For more holiday desserts you’ll return to year after year, try…
Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars — essentially, everything you love about the classic (the soft and buttery texture, the sprinkles), without the chilling, cookie cutters, or fancy icing.
Teddy Graham Marshmallow Banana Cookies. Consider this a reminder that your childhood favorite still holds up, especially when it’s paired with brown butter, butterscotch chips, and cinnamon.
