By now you've seen the "2016 WAS THE WORST" meme at every turn (my own contribution is above; you're welcome). And it really was. The worst.

But just because things (by which I mean our democracy, and our country, and our world, and, okay, the future of mankind) are looking a little bleak at the moment, that doesn't mean that it's all bad out there. It also doesn't mean we shouldn't have hope; to the contrary, now is when we need hope the most.

So - and I say this as the Grinchiest New Year's Eve-er of all time; a person who views this holiday as little more than a vehicle for crippling hangovers and guilt over broken resolutions - tonight, when the clock strikes midnight, let's celebrate the fact that millions and millions of people all over our country are coming together in ways they never have before, united by the desire to prove once and for all that love speaks louder. And then let's wake up to a brand new year, where anything's possible.

Me, mere minutes before innocence was lost forever.

Cropped Sweater (similar) Midi Skirt (similar) Gold Heels

I've eaten a lot of respectably adventurous things in my day. Century eggs, for example. Blood soup. Pulverized pork scraps. But never have I ever actually laid eyes upon a creature, slain it all on my lonesome, and then consumed it.

Kimono Boots (similar)

glam | camp Blanket Lulu & Georgia Pillow

See this happy, relatively relaxed-looking face? This photo was taken just before we left for the airport to spend a few days in Ohio with Kendrick's family. The dogs were walked, the kids were dressed, breakfast had been eaten, and everybody's toes were fully intact and more or less where they were supposed to be, so we were doing about ten thousand times better than we were this time last year.

Hi, most terrifying Christmas photo ever #badsanta

Kendrick and I are really going to have to have a chat about how this whole "putting together a gift guide for publication on the Internet" thing works. Below are his (very) last-minute (and presumably final) gift picks, both of which you can still order in time for Christmas. Check out his *actual* gift guide here, and his first addendum here. 

Just to add to the below, if you need a last-minute gift for a 2-6 year old, get them this; for a 4-8 year old, this; for a woman or a man or a human: this. - Jordan 

wait, there's one more thing. (ok, three. maybe four.)

Kendrick was super annoyed that he forgot to include some of his very favorite picks on his original gift list, so here is an addendum. If you're still trying to find an unusual gift for anyone who is even marginally interested in music and/or history: here you go. (All of these picks arrive before Christmas if you order ASAP. As in right now.)

P.S. Everything below was written by Kendrick. I henceforth absolve myself of responsibility for spelling errors and/or links to stunningly inappropriate websites.