Hey APW,
I’m back! We spent Thanksgiving week taking the baby to London for his first birthday, and it was magic. Next week I’ll have a report, though you’ll have to imagine the photos of the kid looking angry and judgmental in sub-freezing temperatures at Stonehenge. We’re getting ready for his first birthday party this weekend, recovering from jet lag, and generally being grateful for December. The relaunch is done, the holidays are here, things are slowing down, and we finally have a bit of time to really appreciate our family, our friends, our jobs, and just… everything. It’s been a long, long year, and we’re happy we made it.
Everyone else: it’s your Friday open thread. Let’s party!
XO,
MEG
Highlights of APW This Week
We’re celebrating the end of 2013 with a month-long party.
This San Francisco restaurant wedding makes you want to have a dinner-party-style wedding reception, and ditch all the nonsense.
Elizabeth showed you how to throw a party without losing your mind.
We published our first and second gift guides of the season, which is good, since I’m basically spending the next two weeks present shopping. (Fuck yeah, December.)
Elisabeth’s new spouse K returned to contemplate the wedding, and whether it’s changed their relationship. (She says no, Elisabeth says yes.)
We had possibly the best real-talk discussion ever (this week) about parenthood. While my desire to run a parenting blog hovers near zero, our every-few-weeks parenting discussions are my favorite things.
Link Roundup
From Maddie, an eerily romantic photo series of couples’ x-ray portraits.
The story I’ve been obsessed with this week: Planet Money’s T-Shirt. They commissioned a T-shirt, and followed it all over the world as it was being made. This is the definition of compelling journalism, and it was funded by Kickstarter.
As the selfie debate rages on around the internet, our own Emily T’s Selfie Pinterest board is simply the best.
David Sedaris on BBC Radio! Try not to laugh too loudly at your desk.
This Christmas medley featuring Maddie’s favorite Orange Is the New Black actress, is also just the thing you need to listen to today. (Side note: we need to discuss everyone’s favorite OISTNB character. We’re pretty sure it tells you everything you need to know. Meet in the comments!)
Unraveling the history of the “video games are for boys” stereotype.
Speaking of, “Why do all the girls have to buy princesses?” says the four-year-old, slapping her forehead.
But restoring your faith in humanity, in the midst of a war zone, there is an Afghani skateboarding school for girls. RAD.
This amazing Twitter talk on #FastTailedGirls.
Relevant to our discussion of (not having) kids this week, choosing a life built just for two.
A fascinating story on DNA tests.
And finally, from our awesome design team, a holiday album made with love.
Thumbnail image by Gabriel Harber
