Kelly’s Monthly Edit: December 2025

Welcome to Kelly’s Monthly Edit!
Join me every month as I round up the little joys that sparked inspiration, from must-make recipes and Mom-approved grocery finds to favorite products in kitchenware, skincare, fashion and beyond. Consider this your behind-the-scenes bite of life at Just a Taste—no gatekeeping, just good taste.

There is always a bittersweet hum to December—a mix of frantic holiday prep and the quiet realization that another year is coming to an end. I’ve spent the last few weeks reflecting on the highs and lows, the growth we’ve navigated together, and the simple gratitude of being able to share my life and kitchen with all of you for another 365 days.

If I had to pick a highlight from the professional side of my life, my favorite project of the year was relaunching our YouTube channel in November. We are pouring so much heart into reimagining what our video content can look like, focusing on high-quality storytelling and recipes that truly come to life on screen. Seeing your comments and watching the community grow there has been incredibly rewarding. It feels like meeting old friends in a brand-new space.

And we’re just getting started! Make sure you’re subscribed to the Just a Taste YouTube channel for new episodes every Wednesday.

Holiday Cheer

I was especially proud of our Christmas tree this year. The kids absolutely love the annual spectacle of carrying in the tree and then decorating it. You’ll notice it was a bit bottom-heavy on the right, but rest assured my husband gave it a solid trim to even things out. The tree really became the focal point of our house for the entire month of December and I already miss the smell of fresh pine.

Our decorative tree was only to be topped by an edible variety. I put my tried-and-tested Christmas tree cake toppers to good use, whipping up a snowy white chocolate version to garnish Noni’s famous coconut cake. There’s something so nostalgic about the fluffy white cake paired with the salty-sweet crunch of the pretzel trees. (Yes, the cake recipe is coming soon to Just a Taste!)

(Dining) Out and About

I ended the year with a trifecta of perfect meals at my go-to San Diego dining destinations, both fancy and casual alike:

• Pamplemousse Grille: Perfect for special occasions and an amazing cocktail menu.
• Paradisaea: A date night favorite! The second photo below depicts my latest menu obsession, chicken Ballotine.
• The Museum of Contemporary Art in La Jolla: An off-the-beaten-path locals’ spot with the world’s best chicken salad.

It’s hard to go wrong at any of these three spots, so the next time you find yourself in the San Diego area, grab a seat at one of their tables. They’re all a guaranteed dining out win.

The Publix Pilgrimage

We spent the final week of the year with my husband’s family in Florida, and I checked a major item off my culinary bucket list: trying my first Publix sub sandwich. I’m officially a convert. There is something about the bread-to-filling ratio (and that legendary “Pub Sub” magic) that had me falling in love at first bite. It lived up to every bit of the Internet fame!

Keep It 100…

I also reached a major fitness goal this month by completing my 100th Lagree pilates class. If you’ve ever been on a Megaformer, you know those 40 minutes are no joke. Shaking my way through 100 classes has taught me so much about consistency and mental toughness. It was the perfect way to close out the year feeling stronger than ever.

A Look Ahead

The Just a Taste kitchen is already buzzing with what’s next. We are diving straight into “Hosting Season 2.0,” from game-day spreads for the Super Bowl to decadent, romantic treats for Valentine’s Day, I have a lineup of recipes coming your way that will make the start of the new year absolutely delicious. Here’s to an epic 2026 and beyond!

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