Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Thank You!
Good news. Due to optimum growing conditions, Brussels sprouts are expected to be 25% bigger this year. One of the Christmas Day traditions at That’s Not My Age Mansions is Ottolenghi’s Brussels sprout risotto cooked by Mr TNMA (while I lay the table and faff around with my shop-bought apple pie). I’m looking forward to the super-sized version. Coming soon. (Risotto recipe, HERE).
In 2024, I made a concerted effort to go to the cinema. I have always loved watching movies on the big screen but, after the pandemic, it’s been tricky getting back into the cinema-going groove. Top of my list for the holidays is All We Imagine As Light, the debut feature film from Payal Kapadia. This is the story of three nurses and one estranged husband. Originally, from small towns, the nurses now work together in a hospital, in Mumbai. Payal Kapadia is the first ever Indian female director to have a film included in the Official Competition at Cannes, All We Imagine As Light is the first Indian film to be selected in three decades – and the winner of this year’s Grand Prix award.
How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies
Another debut I like the look of is How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies, from the Thai director Pat Boonitipat. The drama set in Bangkok, focuses on family relationships when the grandma of the title finds out she has cancer and all eyes are on the inheritance money. A big box office hit across Asia, it has been shortlisted for the Oscars. Also on my list is Queer, the film adaptation of William Burroughs’ novella, starring Daniel Craig ( as Burrough’s alter ego, Lee), Drew Starkey (as his love interest) and an unrecognisable Lesley Manville. Directed by Luca Guadagnino.
And, if you haven’t seen the Oscar-nominated, stop-motion animation Marcel the Shell With Shoes On ( released in 2022; now on Netflix), it’s absolutely lovely. The tale of a one-eyed mollusc searching for his family after becoming separated, is one to watch for some feel-good Festive Lolling. On TV, I’ve started so I’ll finish the BBC’s Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light. Have to admit I got sidetracked by the oh-so entertaining spy thriller Black Doves, with Keira Knightly, Ben Whishaw and Sarah Lancashire (Netflix has announced a second series).
Oh and don’t miss the second series of the award-winning rom-com, Colin From Accounts (BBC iPlayer and Paramount Plus) – another Antipodean favourite. On Boxing Day, Outnumbered returns with a Christmas special, Sue and Pete Brockman are now grandparents (That Is Our Age); and the Squid Game begins.
Image courtesy of Waitrose
For some screen-free downtime, I’m enjoying listening to old episodes of the Dish podcast, with chef Angela Hartnett and broadcaster Nick Grimshaw. Informative and funny, Dish is like a relaxed mealtime chat with friends. There are six series and previous podcast/ lunch guests have included: Anna Maxwell Martin, Lashana Lynch, Stanley Tucci, Siobhan McSweeney, Yotam Ottolenghi, David Harewood and many more.
And the best way to avoid Brain Rot is to pick up a book. Check out the annual That’s Not My Age list over on Bookshop.org.
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, have a joyful time – and put your feet up!
Thank you so much for all your support this year, it is very much appreciated.
All the best, Alyson x
STYLE NOTES:
Ada lambswool jumper and Tina silk skirt in dark pink from Elwin Studio. Velvet Camille shoes, Pretty Ballerinas. Drop earrings and faux pearl bracelet, M&S. All items loaned and returned.
More sequin-free style HERE.
Photography: Sarah Brick
Hair and make-up: Lindsey Poole
Discussion (38 Comments)
Carole Caves says:
My goodness you do suit Pink. You look amazing.
Enjoy the Christmas and New Year festivitiesLaura says:
First: Merry Christmas! You look beautiful. I opened the email and there you are stunning in pink! I love the skirt, top and shoes. It is so refreshing to see something new and different. I think I am wardrobe basic/capsule wardrobe numb. Loving the holidays. Stay safe, have fun and look beautiful everyone!
Christine. Donne says:
Fab Fab Fab Alyson – you look fabulous in pink & ought to wear it more often. . I’ve just ordered that sweater, though it looks a slightly different shade of pink on their website; time will tell. It won’t arrive before Christmas; but it will be a great addition to my wardrobe. Thank you. Love the skirt too but being a little shortie; provididngthh colour suits, then I’ll wear it with Jeans. Merry Christmas to you; your team mates and all your readers.
Susannah says:
Alyson you are one disciplined woman. You returned the clothes and the jewellery!
You look wonderful. Isn’t it good to see pink looking so sassy and not drippy.
Thank you and your team for a brilliant years worth of ideas, thoughts and information.
My New Year resolution is to master the Patreon gremlin and subscribe. Wish me luck.
Myself and my partner are having Welsh Rarebit and Champagne on Christmas Day, became a fixture when we returned from seeing children and grandchildren and decided to eat what we really fancied. The risotto you mention will happen on New Years Day.Thanks, Susannah. I am now thinking ( after all these lovely compliments!) that I should treat myself to the jumper for Christmas. And, Welsh rarebit and champagne sounds like a fantastic combination. Please let us know if you have any issues joining Patreon, Helen my assistant is a brilliant tech-trouble-shooter.
Liza Green says:
Merry Christmas to you! Have to agree with previous comments the pink outfit looks fabulous. Absolutely stunning in fact. Just wondering if I could be brave enough! . I would have kept the lot!
Carol Markel says:
I wish you the happiest of holidays. It was wonderful to see you in New York this year.
CarolAlyson,
P.S.
You look beautiful in pink and I love your velvet Mary Janes.
CarolSummer says:
Loved this post, and got much inspiration from it. A question: am I the only one who loves the idea of ballet flats but can never find any that aren’t practically like walking on the actual ground, with very little padding or support, even the expensive ones?? Tips please, on companies that make ones you could actually spend a day walking in!
Vancouver Barbara says:
I thought you couldn’t look more fabulous than you did in the green outfit recently posted. I was wrong. You look even more gorgeous in today’s pink combination. Glorious. I hope you buy the whole shebang. And thanks for the link to the Brussel sprouts risotto.
Elizabeth Hill says:
Thank you for all the viewing tips. Happy Christmas, and here here, you look pretty in pink!
Madelaine says:
Thank you for another uplifting, thoughtful and fun year in your (online) company. I look forward to all of your posts. Like other readers, I think you look utterly and gloriously terrific in pink!
Jane Harrison says:
Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year Alyson. Thank you for all your posts throughout the year, you show me a different world & style to my countryside one.
That is a beautiful outfit, I wish pink suited me; you look lovely in it.Debs C says:
Buy the jumper, it is a very happy colour on you and it is Christmas! I’ve already started on the Brussels Sprouts, as they are on the menu for this evening and any evening I can manage, one of my favourites!! Merry Christmas All.
caroline says:
Wow Kapow Alyson!
You’ve knocked it out of the park with this ensemble. You manage to combine colors and textures and forms in delightful, deceptively simple and unexpected ways., never looking like you’re trying too hard. A visual celebration!
(And to think that I’ve been holding out against pink all these years. Today’s post had me dashing to the Elwin website to check out the skirt and sweater, never mind that I don’t have any fancy engagements in the foreseeable future and, like Christine, am a “shortie,”)
Thank you for a year of inspiration, both in and outside the wardrobe, and best wishes for a lovely holiday and new year!Boadicea says:
Pretty in pink, Alyson! Great choice.
Am about to drool over your reading list but before that, I would like to wish you and Mr TNMA a very Happy Christmas and to thank you for a most interesting and informative platform. And, thank you for putting up with my occasional comments/ramblings on it!
Here’s to a great New Year (and continuing) for you and all your readers.
Caryn says:
A symphony in pink ⚡️. You look amazing , keep the outfit .
Seasons best wishes to you and yours.Annie says:
What a lovely relaxed outfit and pink so unexpected. Alyson you look stunning.
Happy Christmas.Sara says:
Just adding to the many compliments about how well your pink outfit suits you, Alyson. Haven’t seen pink look so stylish for a very long time, if at all! Think it does need skill not to look either sugary or little girly, a style I have always disliked; no danger of that here!
An early New Year’s resolution, following a glance at your bookshop: to read Ann Patchett. If anyone can suggest a good starting point, I’d welcome suggestions.
It’s always a good day when I see a new post from you in my email, enjoy a well earned break, Alyson.Hi Sara, I started with The Dutch House and then worked my way backwards. Run, Commonwealth, State of Wonder, Bel Canto…But honestly I don’t think there is a less-than-brilliant Ann Patchett book – so you can start anywhere!
Carolyn Triance says:
I love Ann P books too, especially Bel Canto and The Magician’s assistant. I am halfway through State of Wonder as I write!
Oh Alyson and everyone, here’s a little textile treat I’d like to share with you all from across the pond:
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/26/opinion/knitting-healing.html
(Well, drat, I can’t seem to copy it as a link, but if you copy and paste the URL into your search box you’ll be able to view it.)
Hope you’ll find it as touching and visually charming as I did.
Happy holidays, whichever ones you celebrate!MaureenC says:
Merry Christmas Alyson and thank you for TNMA during 2024. We’re definitely going to do the Brussels Sprout risotto, looks great. I’m looking g forward to the Gavin and Stacey special as well as Outnumbered. We’ve watched some of the early ones as a warm up and were struck by how well they passed the test of time and the fabulous quality of the writing.
Rach with an E says:
How lovely – you remind me of sugared almonds! I hope Christmas is whatever you want it to be.
Kate says:
Wow! You look smashing, an inspiration. Could I posssibly get away with such an outfit?
I am 83 and size 8.Gillian Norris says:
All the previous comments say it all re: the outfit, your best yet I wish I was more than five foot as I would love to have that skirt. Thanks for the brilliant tnma such a pleasure to read. Happy Christmas and a peaceful new year from France
Mrs Tonia says:
So pretty in pink. These garments really suit you well.
Happy Christmas Happy Holidays Happy New Year to all readers of TNMA.
Alyson and team thanks for keeping us all stimulated and entertained with the TNMA posts in 2024 and in previous years.
Look forward to exchanging ideas next year.
Lots to see on TV and cinema. I shall make some suggestions later. Too much entertaining to do now.
Best wishes to you allThank you Alyson, but, alas, I am only 5ft. and feel the beautiful skirt has too much fulness for my dimensions.
Do enjoy Christmas. You are stunning in the pink outfit xxPatrish says:
I have always banned pink from my wardrobe as I feel awkward wearing a ‘baby’ color as I am 5’10” but seeing you in that outfit has changed my mind. The shoes you selected are perfect. You look beautiful. Thanks for all you do. I always enjoy reading your offerings as they are among THE most intelligent out there.
heather cupit 
christine 
Sarah P 
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Allyson you look beautiful!
Be good to yourself.