Happy New Year! Wishing you and yours health and happiness in 2019. If you need a little break from the New Year’s festivities, check out my favorite links from around the web this week…

• "The Ten Best Ted Talks of 2018," according to the guy who runs Ted.
  

• My very smart friend Abe published a blog post that should be a mini-book. Nab his book recs, enjoy his superb photography, and read his brightly-colored musings on life here. 
  

• For some reason, I couldn't stop reading this weird-ass Christmas story about a dysfunctional family, their beloved cats, and the coyotes who want to eat them. (The cats, not the family.) 
  

• From the New York Public Library archives, the Negro Motorist Green Book .
  

• I try not to be negative when expressing my opinion but this kitchen REALLY bugged me.
  

• Do you own an old hutch? A china cabinet that looks obsolete? Style it out like this maybe and give it a new life.
  

• Amy Sedaris opens her door and from the moment she welcomes us in, (“Oh, you’re empty-handed. How nice!”) we are charmed by her quirky 1950s-on-acid home. (Thank you Jane and Ellen.) 
  

• Dog lovers, here's one that'll melt you like chocolate on a warm day!
  

• Here's the earliest known depiction of African-American intimacy on screen. 
  

• The evolution of standard white subway tile.
  

• "The primary functions of glitter are, of course, aesthetic; glitter exists so that glitter can be put on things that do not have glitter on them: Popsicle sticks, stuffed animals’ irises; Newt Gingrich." A really really fun read! (Thanks Atticus!)
  

• Behind the scenes with The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
  

• Also, this one is great: "What We Can Learn from People Who Succeed Later in Life."
  

• Antiques of the Week: This piece of jewelry for the modern minimalist.

Photo by Dan Whale via Unsplash