EDITORâS NOTE Happy Saturday. We may not have reached peak holidays yet, but Iâm already moving on to 2025. Specifically, my (sort of) unserious resolutions, which include: nailing Katie Holmesâs effortlessly chic cold-weather outfit formula; stocking up on surprisingly cool micro-scarves (theyâre apparently âan absurd yet functional must-haveâ); and making bolder shoe choices, inspired by CĂ©line Dionâs, shall we say, unique boots (I think thatâs a chickenâŠon fire?) and Rihannaâs extremely bejeweled, high-fashion Crocs. I also plan to do more traveling (perhaps a trendy âcelestial retreatâ is in my future) and baking, which I might get a head start on this weekend. After all, this Single Serve Double Chocolate Cookie is calling my name⊠â Melissa Goldberg / Senior Editor / Washington, DC |
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Few Things Are Cozier (or Easier) Than This One-Pan Garlicky Chicken Couscous theSkimmWhatâs that saying, donât mess with the classics? We usually agree â but on occasion, weâre willing to make an exception. This time, itâs for the One-Pan Garlicky Chicken Couscous from Carolina Gelenâs cookbook, Pass the Plate. A twist on traditional chicken and rice, this very unfussy, very cozy crowd-pleaser combines perfectly crispy chicken thighs, pearled couscous toasted in schmaltzy deliciousness, jammy shallots, plenty of garlic, and chicken bouillon for that âultimate chicken-soup flavor.â Finish off the dish with a bright, tangy dill sauce and donât be surprised if this becomes your new go-to comfort meal. The Time Commitment: Just over an hour â but the chicken and couscous bakes for nearly half of that time. Key Tips: If youâre looking for vegetarian or pescetarian options, Gelen suggests swapping the chicken for salmon, tofu, or even mushrooms. Also, if you donât have pearled couscous, you can use orzo, basmati rice, or pastina instead. Other Takes: For more chicken dinners as homey as a pair of worn-in flannel pajamas, this Lemon Chicken with Potatoes and Chickpeas comes together in one pan (and all at once), making it ideal for a random Thursday when you donât feel like cooking. Thatâs also true of this creamy, restaurant-worthy Chicken and Butternut Squash Orzo, which âdelivers in every single way possible.â Meanwhile, this recipe for spicy, saucy Kung Pao Chicken with Noodles is the next best thing to going out for Chinese, and this Oven-Roasted Chicken Shawarma is a low-lift riff on the beloved street food â which must be served with the best pita you can find. |
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Private Rites by Julia ArmfieldtheSkimmIf youâre a sucker for a good Shakespeare reimagining (hello, 10 Things I Hate About You fans), youâll want to add Julia Armfieldâs Private Rites to the top of your reading list. A queer, dystopian take on King Lear, the gripping novel centers around three estranged sisters â therapist and soon-to-be-divorcĂ©e Isla, office administrator and middle child Irene, and barista-with-an-attitude Agnes â brought together by the death of their father, a famous (and famously mean) architect. As the sisters return to the massive glass house where they grew up to sort through his belongings, they uncover the secrets he left behind â including an earth-shattering revelation in his will, which threatens to tear them apart even further. We asked Armfield a few questions. Hereâs what she had to say⊠Q: Whatâs one thing youâre an armchair expert on?Armfield: Uninspiring horror movies â I have a Substack on the topic. Q: Whatâs the last social media post you sent to your friends?Armfield: It was probably Paul Mescal calling himself a big brave strong boy on Hot Ones. Q: Whatâs your shortcut to relaxation?Armfield: Going climbing, then sitting on the bus after climbing and trying not to fall asleep. |
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Light Displays You Shouldnât Skip this Holiday SeasontheSkimmTake in the magic of the season from the comfort of your own car. Imagine driving through a holiday wonderland in a bold and sleek ride from the Toyota Crown Family. Complete with heated seats and an available fixed panoramic roof for an elevated viewing experience, itâs the perfect way to stay present in the moment. Letâs ride. đȘš Lights Under Louisville is located exactly where it says it is: underground in Louisville, KY. Drive through the largest man-made cave system in North America and discover nearly 1,000 light and laser themed displays set to holiday music. Drive your own car or book a coach bus or limo for bigger groups and special occasions. Prefer a guided tour? They have that too. đŁïž Winter Wonderland in Portland, OR, aka the largest light show in the Northwest, is a must-visit attraction. The display spans the Portland International Raceway and has 250 colorful light set pieces and fully animated scenes with festive music. Bonus: All proceeds from the event go towards hunger relief for local families in need. đČ Orchard of Lights at Demarest Farms in Hillsdale, NJ invites your family for a magical journey through 32 acres of themed light displays, complete with accompanying music you play right from your car. Continue the holiday cheer as you warm up by the firepit, roast marshmallows, and listen to Santaâs singing reindeer. It's the most wonderful time of the year...to get behind the wheel of the stylish and sophisticated Toyota Crown Family. Every ride provides an immersive experience and leaves an impression on the road. Letâs go places. |
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We asked you to vote on an etiquette question youâd like answered. The winner was: Q: A few years ago, I made the mistake of being too enthusiastic about my mother-in-lawâs holiday gift, which was a tacky sweater. Now, thatâs all she gets me. Should I continue faking my excitement, or is there a way to be honest?â[Iâd say something like], âThank you so much for the sweaters youâve given me throughout the years. I genuinely appreciate the effort and love that youâve put into choosing them. However, I realize I may have been a little too enthusiastic years ago. Now, I [have so many] I donât get a chance to wear all the sweaters ⊠If youâre open to it, Iâd love to share some suggestions for future gifts. For example, I really enjoyâŠâ and then fill in the blank. Or, [you could say], âWhy donât we schedule some time to do an activity together instead?â ⊠[Try to choose something thatâs about the same price] and make it meaningful.â |
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Which etiquette question should an expert answer next week? |
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Trending products and brands our shopping team has been loving recently. Hot tip: Transition lenses are cool again. These Zenni lenses darken in the sun and clear up again once you're inside, and you can choose from tons of trendy frames. If you're sick of your usual dinner-and-drinks situation, try this bowling alley/nightlife experience with great food and cocktails. Even non-bowlers will have fun. Free T-shirt, anyone? Through December 31, new customers can get Universal Standard's cult-favorite, everyday T-shirt for free with code FREETEE-THESKIMM. | PS: Want more product recs? Follow @skimmshopping on Instagram. |
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Skimmâd by: Taylor Trudon, Alex Carr, Melissa Goldberg, and Margaret Wheeler Johnson. Fact-checked by Jordan Mamone. | Photos by Nico Schinco/Clarkson Potter, Flatiron Books, Susan Walker via Getty Images, Milko via Getty Images, courtesy of Juliet Mitchell, Brand Partners Design by theSkimm *PS: This is a sponsored post. |
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