I love graphic tees because you can literally wear them with anything, although it is tempting to keep things simple by pairing them with just jeans or denim shorts. I tend to stay away from band tees, mostly because it's hard to find ones for bands that I really like. Instead, I look for designs that match my personality, like this pretty flower one. We all know I love a good flower print.

I really like unusual pairings, especially the juxtaposition of a t-shirt with a more feminine bottom, and when I saw this flower tee online I knew it would be a perfect match for this gold-yellow checked skirt. I tried it a couple different ways - front tuck, full tuck - before settling on a trendy knot. I finished the look with my fave bright yellow wedges (I literally put them on just to take this picture) to pull the yellow from the flowers. I think this shirt will also pair well with my white shorts, white jeans, and white skirts (short and long), as well as black and maybe even camo print.

This tee is really soft and a nice thickness. The fit is slightly boxy, which works for my wider hips. I'm wearing my usual size medium. The neck and sleeves aren't tight and the length is just past my hip bones (I'm 5'2" with a really short torso). It's 100% cotton, and although I haven't done laundry since wearing it, I'll most likely keep it out of the dryer.

Author: E.M. Moore

Tess is the daughter of a former NBA player. When her parents get divorced, her father pulls his funding from her school, causing the school to dissolve the girls' basketball team. Tess has dreams of one day playing for the WNBA and convinces her mother to let her transfer to the local public school where she tries out and makes the boys team, which is the best in the state. I usually don't include books like these in my monthly reviews because they're quick and dirty reads to fill in the gaps between my more in-depth reading, but I liked the story of a girl proving she can make it in a boys' world. Warning, this is a contemporary romance where the main female character doesn't choose between love interests.

Author: D.D. Chance

You know I love strong female characters, and Maddigan Pierce definitely fits the bill. While working as a janitor at a prestigious university for mages, Maddigan solves puzzles left on the professors' white boards for kicks, never thinking she'll get caught, but one night it happens. Turns out Maddigan is a war mage, and she soon finds herself enrolled in the university and on a team competing in the dangerous Mage Trials where the stakes are much higher than just passing or failing. 

Author: G. Bailey

Kaitlyn Lightson has lived with ghosts her entire life, literally. When she and her best friend die in a car accident, they both learn they've been destined to become angels and must attend Angel Academy. Soon, Kaitlyn discovers her ghost-seeing ability didn't die with her and befriends a dead vampire who, unbeknownst to her, has a vendetta against angels. Soon, Kaitlyn learns her own heritage isn't as black-and-white as she believes and finds herself in the middle of a war between vampires and angels. This series has direct ties to the Lost Time Academy and Demon Academy series, which are part of the world I first lost myself in with Her Guardians.

Hidden Creek High & Bay Falls High series

Author: Jaxson Kidman

I'm lumping these all together because they exist in the same 'world' and there's a lot of overlap. Also, I mentioned them in my post about 30 books I want to read, so I felt obligated to include them here. I unknowingly entered this world in the middle of the timeline, but rest assured, the different series within can exist without the others. If I had to recommend one complete series out of the ones involved, it would be Hidden Creek. I found it to be the most cohesively written and enjoyed its writing style the most. However, my favorite character can be found in the first of the Bay Falls High series.

The Hidden Creek series begins with the story of Wes and Aira (books 1-4). Aira moves in with her aunt in Hidden after her home is burned down, while she and her mother were inside. She soon reconnects with Wes, her childhood neighbor, and they along with their friends find themselves in one situation after another. Books 5-8 are about Nova and Elijah and all the issues they have to overcome to be together. There are two books in the HC world I have not read yet and probably won't.

To be fair, I read the first three books of the Bay Falls High series last year. It starts with the story of Tinsley, who's taken in by her drug addicted mother's old school friend after her mother nearly dies from an overdose. Tinsley finds herself attending a quote-unquote rich school where she becomes involved with the Rulz (stupid name, I know) - Pres, Kip, and Barr. They go from enemies to friends and finally Pres and Tinsley become a couple. There are a lot of non-relationship issues in this first trio, mostly revolving around drugs. After UNTouched, UNLoved, and UNTamed, you'll want to read the follow-ups from the boys' points of views: Pres, Kip, and Barr (my fave).

Then you can move on to NOT SO Innocent, the story of Belle. It's really similar to Tinsley's story, except instead of a druggie for a mother, Belle's mom has a string of really bad relationships. Like Tinsley, Belle is taken in by an old friend of her mother's, but instead of attending Bay Falls High West, she goes to East, where she soon falls in with Ash, Hil, and Uly, otherwise known as Them (another stupid name, I know). Because they're told from first person POV, these three were a little harder for me to get through thanks to the way Belle thinks. As with BFH-West, there are three follow-up books from the boys' POVs: Uly, Hill, and Ash.

There are three more books in this world that focus on the other school that's involved, Brooks Crest. I haven't read them, and at the moment have no plans to.

Author: Crystal Kaswell

Kat is a struggling waitress trying to take care of her teenage sister in the wake of their parents' deaths when a chance encounter with a tech CEO leads to the deal of a lifetime. Blake will get Kat out of debt and ensure her and her sister's futures if she agrees to marry him. The contract is for one year of wedded bliss, and love is off the table. Kat accepts and tries her best to guard her heart, but we all know how this story goes. The general plot line was predictable, but the story was enjoyable and there were a few tear-jerker moments.

Author: Colleen Hoover

Let me just start by saying that this book deserves the hype it's gotten. A mother and her teenage daughter find their world in pieces when their husband and father is killed in a car accident, along with their sister/aunt. Grief, guilt, and anger, finds the two of them in vastly different places, unable to find common ground. Each finds new love in unexpected places and start to work toward being a family again. I was hooked from the first chapter, and the final scene was one of the best I have ever read.

Raleigh Rebels trilogy

Author: Callie Hart

This series deals with a lot of tough topics - rape and school shootings being the biggest two. The author handled both skillfully and weaved together a story that had me reading into the early morning hours. Silver is the school's pariah, accused of falsely accusing three of the most popular guys of drugging and raping her at a party. When no one believes her, she loses everything and does her best to be invisible within school halls. Alex is transferred to Silver's school after he's caught desecrating the grave of his former abusive foster parent. He and Silver soon become a couple, and he sets out to right the wrongs against her. Their story has so many ups and downs, and like I said earlier touches on many sensitive subjects, but man was it worth the ride.

Author: Kristen Banet

Sawyer Matthews is in hiding. After spending three years forced to be a madman's assassin, she died and has been keeping a low profile as a thief for hire ever since. When one of her jobs puts her back in her former boss's crosshairs, Sawyer decides it's time to retire for good and devote all her time to the gym she helps run for troubled kids in NYC, but her little run-in with Axel is caught on camera and a team of special agents brings her in to use in their endeavor to capture the world's foremost criminal mastermind, not knowing she is the assassin called Shadow. Of course, her secret doesn't stay secret for long, and Sawyer strikes a deal with the magical governing body to join the team and bring down Axel and work to atone for her past crimes.

Not only does this series have a strong, intelligent, fierce main female character, but the men she surrounds herself with are also wonderful. The author's character development is on point. Definitely read this if you're a fan of the Kit Davenport series.

I've decided to make my 'favorite things' posts a more regular thing. It's a nice way to share some of the stuff I love that wouldn't make it onto the blog otherwise. Unfortunately, several items on this month's list are no longer available, but I'll link to similar items where possible. Another title for this post could be "All the Things I'm Using Repeatedly While Recovering from Surgery" because these really are all the things that have been making my life easier the past few weeks. So without further ado...these are a few of my favorite things!

Armchair Pillow - We ordered this specifically for my recovery. This is the exact one that I have but it appears they've added some features since I got mine in the form of extra pockets and a lumbar pillow. The biggest pro is that it's memory foam so it doesn't get all flat. The only con, for me, is that it's got that memory foam smell from time to time, so you may want to invest in some Febreeze to spray it down with.

Bohemian Earring Set - I was really nervous about ordering these for some reason, but I finally gave in. They came individually packaged and are good quality. They're also much prettier in person.

I Will Judge You by Your Bookshelf - If you're a reader, you need this book. It's a collection of comics all about reading. They're clever, funny, and 100% true.

Blackhead/Acne Remover Kit - Words really can't describe how much I love this little kit. I've got one place on my chin that I have never been able to get completely clear until now. I use it on my nose, cheekbones, chin, and t-zone, as well as my husband's back. Definitely worth the money.

Amazon Essentials T-shirts - I ordered these because I couldn't find the white t-shirt I was looking for one day earlier this month. Of course, I found it as soon as I clicked buy, but it's a couple of years old so it's getting pretty worn. These are fitted, soft and stretchy. I ordered my usual size medium and don't think they shrunk in the wash. They come in a bunch of color combos and are a great price point.

Dip Dyed Tee - I'm not really into tie-dye, but I can get behind the dip dyed trend. Sadly, this and most everything I ordered from Old Navy around Memorial Day is no longer available. I was able to find a shirt that looks almost exactly like mine here.

Leopard Print Maxi Tee Dress - Loose dresses have been a nice alternative to workout shorts or pjs, and this one really is gorgeous. Unfortunately, the leopard print is sold out but they do still have all sizes in the solid black.

Polka Dot Skirt - Once again, this particular skirt isn't available anymore. It hits right above the knee, has an elastic waist, and is unlined. They do, however, have a midi option that's really pretty.

Athletic Works Core Soft Gym Shorts - While I would love to be wearing nothing but jogging pants these days, we've officially reached the point of summer where it's too hot for pants. Luckily, these athletic shorts feel like jogging pants. I have them in the olive green, teal, red, and gray.

Stretchy Headbands - I'll be the first to admit, these aren't exactly fashionable, but it's really hard to have manageable curly/wavy hair when you can't bend over to properly style it. That's where these babies come in. They've been keeping my out-of-control hair out of my eyes without the inevitable headache that comes with traditional headbands.