Amy Garlesky

Pets hold a special place in our lives, not only as companions, but also as sources of inspiration and emotional support. To explore how these family members influence and intertwine with the personal and creative lives of our favorite artists, we created our ongoing series, Side by Side. In this edition, we spoke with Gabby Smith, best known for her project Gabby’s World, about her longtime canine companion, Frankie.

2023 was a whirlwind. A year that ushered in a multitude of social, political, and climate events that shaped and impacted many of our lives. So let’s wrap up this year just like we have the last few years – honestly, with a time capsule that shares the highlights while not shying away from the year’s more challenging parts. We asked some of our favorite artists to summarize their year in three acts, with a song to accompany each memory.

What's your holiday aesthetic this year? Are you embracing nostalgia with colorful lights or maybe something “classy” like silver and gold? Or perhaps you're considering a holiday inspired by Little Women (2018, dir. by Greta Gerwig)? It's been quite interesting to see the different, and honestly, quite niche holiday styles popping up on social media this year. Decorating has never been my strong suit this time of year, but I do listen to a lot of music.