Explore 10 things to find inspiration in – from food to clothes to things to do.
It’s the last month of the year, and arguably my favorite. It’s full of reflection, optimism, anticipation, and always a bit of chaos!
For me, it was particularly full of food, as the holidays normally are! We’re talking baked goods galore, fun, festive drinks, the best food spreads, and… noodles?
Anyway, continue reading to find some inspiration for your next meal, purchase, or cooking endeavor! It has been a wonderful month (and year!), and I can’t wait to see what’s to come.
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10 DECEMBER FAVORITES
1. HOLIDAY BAKING
I love baking, but holiday baking is next level! From the fall spices to the sweet peppermints and warm gingerbreads, there are so many delicious desserts to whip up this season. Cookies are a classic choice, and nowadays you can find TONS of tasty, unique cookies recipes online. But don’t forget about all the bars, cakes, pies, and barks! Not to mention all the cookie decorating – doing this with loved ones is so fun, and for me, it’s honestly kind of therapeutic! I also had the pleasure of baking up some delicious treats for friends and family this year, and while it’s quite a bit of work, the taste tests and happy tummies are more than worth it!
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2. WUWEI CHONG QING NOODLES
This month was all about the noodles… and these did not disappoint! I don’t know how I had never been to this local restaurant before, but boy am I glad I found out about it! This spot serves up mouth-watering, savory noodle dishes. I tried the dry mix braised pork noodle and the house beef noodle – both were fantastic! If you can get a couple bowls to share, I’d recommend doing so. When it reached low temps (low 70s in Hawaii…) these warm noodles hit the spot.
3. SOBA & TEMPURA
The second noodle dish I’m highlighting is soba (and tempura!). This is one of my favorite Japanese combos, and restaurant i-naba here in Honolulu does it so well. The noodles are chewy, the dipping broth is light and flavorful, and the tempura is perfectly crisp. If you want delicious, authentic soba, try it here PLEASE!
4. KAMITOKU RAMEN
And for the last notable noodle of December, Kamitoku Ramen. This local ramen spot is fantastic, and somewhat under the radar! It’s unique because the broth is beef based, and their soups are oh-so rich. They are known for their “Beefy Wild” bowl, which has a creamy beef broth, with ultra-tender beef cha siu, and bouncy ramen noodles. But, no matter what you order, it’ll be good. It’s truly different than many other types of ramen I’ve tried before!
5. CHRISTMAS BARS
This year, I went to Christmas bars for the first time! There are a handful in Honolulu, and it’s a fun time to really embrace the Christmas spirit, especially in Hawaii. Although the drinks are appallingly expensive, sometimes you just have to splurge and bask in the festivities. As a Christmas LOVER, it was fun to see all the lights and decorations, fun holiday drinks, and listen to Christmas music as well. I am not a huge partier, so the more laid back, festive vibes of these bars were perfect for me!
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6. ANTHROPOLOGIE
People love Anthropologie, and I’m starting to get it. Not that I was against it before, but it’s not somewhere I normally shop. However, I walked into one of their stores recently, and it is such a delight! Yes, their pieces are generally expensive. But what a wonderfully curated store! First of all, it is very aesthetically pleasing. Second of all, I am one to enjoy stores where there are a lot of different things to look at, and Anthropologie not only has clothes, but accessories, home goods, kitchenware, and more! Not to mention, everything seems quite elevated and sophisticated, yet trendy and fun. Does this mean I’ll be shopping there frequently now? I’m not sure. Perhaps I’m praising my experience more-so than the brand itself? I don’t know. But if anything, take a stroll in there just for the fun of it. Here are a few pieces I have my eye on:
Maeve Square-Neck Tank
Credit: Anthropologie
Maeve Long-Sleeve Printed Tee
Credit: Anthropologie
By Anthropologie Boxer Shorts
Credit: Anthropologie
Retro Translucent Aviator Sunglasses
Credit: Anthropologie
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7. PJ SETS
I am normally one to wear some comfy shorts and a random T-shirt to bed. I mean, who is going to see me?But lately, I’ve been on the hunt for some cute, cozy PJ sets. Many PJ sets come with long sleeve tops and/or long pants. I live in a hot climate, so these simply won’t do for most of the year. Additionally, my short height often means the pants are just too long. I know what you’re thinking – hem them! Well, that is not ideal to me. That is all to say… my search has focused mainly on shorts sets, as well as non traditional sets (without the collar and buttons), as I still do like the shorts/T-shirt feel for sleep. Here are some cute options I’ve come across!
Moonlight Eco Short Pajamas
Credit: Nordstrom
Cozyland Set in Sleepy Stripe
Credit: Cozyland By Morgan Lane
Pima Shorts Set
Credit: Lake
8. CHRISTMAS BRUNCH
We went ALL out for Christmas brunch this year! On the menu: spinach, bacon, and caramelized onion quiche, lox and bagels (with a dill sauce!), cinnamon rolls, and portuguese sausage. It was quite the spread! I helped with the cinnamon rolls, and my wonderful father covered the rest. This year also happened to be probably the latest we’ve ever opened gifts; I didn’t wake up until around 10:15, and we leisurely started the morning, ate brunch, then opened gifts in the afternoon. Every year Christmas feels slightly different, and this year it really came quickly! But it’s always a wonderful time and I’m so grateful to spend it with loved ones.
9. SOURDOUGH BREAD
Sandwiches have been an almost daily thing for me for the past 5 months, and throughout this time, I’ve gone through phases of bread types and fillings. I started out with Japanese white bread, then cycled through different types of ciabatta, used the Cheesecake Factory brown bread for a bit, and now, I am on to sourdough. I think this one may stick, too. Sourdough bread is good for your gut, and I’ve actually noticed that I feel better after eating this bread as opposed to ciabatta, which feels a bit heavier. Plus, I love the bit of tang from the sourdough. I highly recommend you start making sourdough sandwiches, or eating sourdough in general.
10. BLOGGING
Last but not least, blogging! I’ve found so much joy in learning about the blogging space, writing up posts, and exploring this world more in depth. As the year comes to end, I can’t wait to see what’s in store for LaurExplore in 2024. Thank you for coming on this journey with me!
