The Tablescaper
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Welcome back! One reporter previewed this year's White House Christmas decorations, unveiled by First Lady Melania Trump. The decor's layout was traditional yet different from years past due to the East Wing construction. Take a look inside.
On the agenda:
- Avoid making these mistakes at your next work event, according to etiquette experts.
- Here's how to incorporate more fiber into your diet without suffering through bloating.
- Wealthy Americans are flocking to the Cotswolds, which has earned the nickname the "Hamptons of England."
- Spotify Wrapped gave users a "listening age" — but some aren't happy about it.
But first: Create plaid, pine perfection.
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This week's dispatch
The Tablescaper
Avoid those (Ralph Lauren) plaid pitfalls
Decking the halls got super traditional this year.
Meet the Ralph Lauren Christmas, it's the decor inspiration du jour — and no matter how you celebrate, everyone wants in on the darkened jewel tones, the plaids, and traditional vibes.
Although this very viral decor takes cues from the iconic American fashion label, it's also a nod to another traditional aesthetic.
"It is English country meets Americana," Sara Parker, a lighting and furniture designer, told BI's Samantha Grindell Pettyjohn. "So it kind of gives you that old money, quiet wealth that's not so quiet."
Still, it's easy to get wrong. If you want to get in on the hot decor theme, here are a few "don'ts" to ensure your RL Christmas is Santa-approved.
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Don't just opt for reds, greens, and blues.
"We're not just sticking to reds. We're going with ox blood…So definitely the deepest, most rich and saturated forms of those colors," Parker said.
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Don't skip the plaid.
Barbara Reimelt, the former senior vice president of global product presentation for Ralph Lauren and founder of The Ninety Nine Group, said you can use it in fun ways, such as napkins or a table runner. "You take a tartan fabric and wrap it around the base of the Christmas tree," she added.
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Don't overspend.
You don't have to turn your home into a Ralph Lauren store to achieve the look. In fact, there are affordable ways to still get the desired effect. "Invest in ribbon," Parker suggested. "And it doesn't have to be tartan ribbon, just even, nice velvet ribbon or things like that."
Don't be that coworker
Tyler Le/BI
Work gatherings can be a great opportunity to bond with your colleagues and celebrate accomplishments together, but inappropriate behaviors can hurt your professional reputation.
BI spoke to two etiquette experts who shared nine mistakes guests should avoid making during work events, from skipping leadership greetings to hiding behind your phone.
Take your foot off the gas
Kseniya Ovchinnikova/Getty Images
Most Americans don't eat enough fiber. This means they're missing out on its various benefits, including support for heart and gut health, lowering cholesterol, and reducing the risk of colon cancer.
Packing on the fiber too quickly can also cause gastrointestinal distress. Preventive cardiology dietitian Michelle Routhenstein shared her tips for incorporating more fiber into your diet without the stomach pain.
Sneaky ways to up your fiber intake.
The "Hamptons of England"
Frederick Hunt for BI
The quaint villages and towns in the English countryside, known as the Cotswolds, have long been a hot spot for the wealthy. Now, Americans are taking a serious interest.
Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi bought a $20 million estate last year, and other American celebrities, such as Beyoncé and Jay-Z, are rumored to be next. BI's series delves into how the Cotswolds have become a playground for America's rich and famous.
The British Americans are coming.
What's your (Spotify) age?
Matt Winkelmeyer/ Getty Images; XNY/Star Max / Contributor / Spotify
Another Spotify Wrapped has come and gone, and this year, users got a taste of Spotify's cruel and merciless wrath. In addition to your top songs and artists, the streaming service's new feature gave listeners an estimated age based on their music taste.
Some young people are upset with their ages, though. Just because they listen to oldies doesn't mean they should be considered one. BI's Katie Notopoulos breaks down what Spotify's listening age says about you.
Also read:
- How does your Spotify Wrapped get made? 3 Spotify leaders break down the yearlong process.
- Give me more Spotify Wrapped. I have thoughts on what companies should (and shouldn't) launch their own versions.
What we're watching this weekend
saravuth-photohut/Getty, Tyler Le/BI
- "The Abandons": Lena Headey and Gillian Anderson lead this new Netflix series set in the Old West. It's full of drama, shootouts, and family turmoil.
- "Mad Men": All episodes of this memorable show are now available on HBO Max. Go back and enjoy watching the 1960s-era antics of Don Draper, Peggy Olson, Roger Sterling, and Joan Harris.
- "Jay Kelly": This Netflix original movie from Noah Baumbach stars George Clooney as a well-known actor and Adam Sandler as his manager, who reflect on life choices, relationships, and their friendship as they travel through Europe.
iStock; Rebecca Zisser/BI
What to shop
- Cards, cash, and clean lines: We delved into the top men's wallets and landed on picks that can withstand daily use — slim enough for front pockets, easy to access under pressure, and crafted with materials designed to last.
- Because freezing isn't fashionable: We sifted through puffers, parkas, and wool-blends to find the women's coats that actually hold up. These picks bring the warmth and the style, no matter the cold.
- Not your average fire pit: Built from heavy-duty steel, the new Yeti Fire Pit is a 70-pound backyard beast designed to last for decades — its metal actually develops a protective patina over time. Read our review to learn why it stands out.
BI
How fake sneakers, handbags, and watches became a $2 trillion industry
As counterfeit goods become increasingly convincing, how can we detect and stop them?
More of this week's top reads:
- Three common mistakes customers make at a wine tasting, according to a server at a winery.
- I've spent $7,000 to fly with my son almost every weekend for a contest. We've unlocked awesome perks.
- I got my kids, all seven and under, a landline. They invited friends over on a snow day without my help, and I was thrilled.
- Five shoe trends that are in this season and four that are out, according to stylists.
- A 31-year-old marathon runner thought she had norovirus. She was diagnosed with stage three colon cancer.
- A CEO who wakes up without an alarm shared five tips to help you be a morning person by hacking your body's internal clock.
- "Rage bait" is the word of the year. My fellow rage-baiters: This is a bad sign.
The BI Today team: Lisa Ryan, executive editor, in New York. Dan DeFrancesco, deputy editor and anchor, in New York. Akin Oyedele, deputy editor, in New York. Grace Lett, editor, in New York. Amanda Yen, associate editor, in New York.
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