Zooey Deschanel on Holiday Plans and Decorating with Jonathan Scott

While Halloween is only arriving this month, New Girl actress Zooey Deschanel isn’t wasting any time gearing up for Thanksgiving and Christmas. She has even begun making her wish list, with Vera Bradley’s new line of rebranded bags taking the top spot. To learn why Deschanel loves it, how she recommends styling them and what she has to say about her time in the classic holiday film Elf, just keep reading. 

Woman’s World: What made you want to team up with Vera Bradley, and what is your favorite item in their Winter + Holiday collection?

Zooey Deschanel: it's hard to pick one favorite, that's the problem. There are so many cute things. 

I love the classic Vera Bradley look, but when they came to me, they said that they were looking to do something like a rebrand with a bunch of new elevated styles they're putting out. I was honored. They're so cute, and I think their collection is really well-rounded. 

WW: When it comes to styling these products, what do you and your stylist recommend? 

ZD: There are so many different options that there's probably something on the Vera Bradley website that you would enjoy. 

I think the Taper Dumpling Bag In Purple Metallic Leather is such a nice bag for winter. It's a little bit iridescent and holds a lot of stuff. It would go really well with any cool-toned outfit, but I think a little black dress would look really nice with it because it's such a standout color. 

I really love the Astoria Shoulder Bag In Sea Moss Velvet, because it’s soft and beautiful. It would go really well with some denim or brown tones.

They're great. They're really practical and have a ton of pockets, so they’re great for traveling. Still, they're making stuff that's elevated and more sophisticated for an evening look or a different aesthetic. 

WW: What’s on your wish list this holiday season and is there any one thing you don’t want?

ZD: I don't really have anything on my wish list yet. What do I not want? I mean, I don't know —coal in my stocking? 

WW: What are you planning on doing this holiday season? 

ZD: I'm just planning on hanging out with my family. That's my favorite thing to do on the holidays. 

WW: When do you start decorating for the holidays, and how do you decorate?

ZD: We usually decorate between Halloween and Thanksgiving. I'm not a fan of getting the decorations up early, but Jonathan really loves Christmas, so we are really excited to all go out with our decorations. 

WW: What is your favorite holiday meal? Is there one you tend to avoid? 

ZD: Thanksgiving isn't my favorite kind of food. It's all beige foods, and that tends to be not my favorite. 

I also don't like mashed potatoes. I don't know what to like about them. I like fried potatoes, roasted potatoes and french fries, but I don't like mashed potatoes. They're just like salty mush. I do think they're better if you make them with olive oil rather than butter.

Jonathan likes mashed potatoes, so I can't hate on the people who like them, but I just don't understand it. I'll make them for others, but not myself. 

WW: Now, let’s move on to Elf. What does your work in that film mean to you and how does it make you feel that it’s become a holiday classic?

ZD: I’m so proud of the movie. I really loved the script when I read it, but I never thought it would be a classic. I am just honored to have been a part of it.

WW: Finally, what projects are you working on now and what do you have coming up? 

ZD: I just finished a movie. We don't have the final title, but it's such a cute movie. It's with Charlie Cox, and it's a romantic comedy. It's so sweet. It's for Amazon, and that's coming out next year.

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