August Favorites: 10 Things I Loved + Your Favorites Too!

How is it the end of August already? I've been saying how I can't believe that summer is over, but now it really is over. Now we just need Mother Nature to jump on board the Fall train and deliver some cooler temperatures.

August seemed to fly by as we got back into the routine of school. Thankfully, it's been a good start to the school year with only minimal issues. Now keep your fingers crossed that Alexis and I manage to avoid all the sickness that's being passed around right now!

As I've gotten back into the school routine, some of my habits have shifted, which I think is reflected in this month's favorites. I actually had a hard time narrowing this list down to just 10 things, and for the first time since March, my list does not include any books (my reading habits are readjusting for the school year). I think you can also see some hints of the fall transition here, as well.

Your favorites seem to be a last hurrah for summer for the most part. Let's dive in!

My Favorites

First Day of School Dress - I am in love with this flutter sleeve, floral print maxi dress from Target. It's a step above a lot of my more casual dresses, but it just feels so perfectly me. I wear a small in this brand.

Warners Seamless Underarm Smoothing Bras - I needed some new basic bras, so I decided to give these a shot, and I am so impressed. These bras are so freaking comfortable, I forgot I was wearing one! I started with two, then went back and bought them in all the colors. Definitely follow the size chart when buying. I just knew that the small wasn't going to work for me, but it did, and the medium would have absolutely been too big. I got mine from Walmart, but they're also available on Amazon.

Yellow Striped Skirt - This skirt is actually part of a set, but I haven't worn them together yet. It is so much fun, and I have big plans for it.

This outfit is hands-down my favorite that I've worn this month. It's definitely got a 90s vibe going on and is the perfect mix of summer and fall. You can shop all the pieces here.

Conair Double Ceramic 1/2 inch Curling Iron - Over the last few months, the natural texture of my hair has changed. I had started to notice it toward the end of the school year, but when I got it cut at the beginning of summer, it was really obvious. It just isn't curling like it used to, but I've gotten used to wearing my hair that way. This half-inch curling iron is the perfect tool to achieve the look I want. You can see how I use it here.

Satin Scrunchie - I got this as a free gift in my last Il Makiage order, but I have been using it every day, so it definitely deserves a mention. Il Makiage doesn't actually sell scrunchies, so I'm sharing ones made by Kitsch instead. I'm a frequent buyer of random things by them, so I trust these will be good.

Tiny Claw Clips - I don't use these as often as the scrunchie, but I have been using them quite a bit since getting my hair cut. They take me back to the 90s and early 2000s.

e.l.f. O FACE Satin Lipstick in Dirty Talk - My most-used natural-look lipstick bit the dust, so I needed something to replace it with ASAP. This is very similar to the one I had, both in color and finish. I love that the case is magnetic, so I'm not worrying about it coming open in my bag.

Dove Vitality Renewal Firming Body Wash - This is going to sound crazy, but I swear I can see a difference in my skin since using this body wash. I also enjoy the light lilac scent.

Dr. Teal's Oat Milk and Argan Oil Foaming Bath - Y'all know I love some Dr. Teal's bubble bath. This scent is one of my favorites and isn't seasonal.

Your Favorites

Rugged Shark Men's Water Shoes - I guess y'all were getting in those last-minute summer trips to the water. These look like they've been restocked, so if your husband needs a pair, snag them now. My husband wore his a lot this summer.

Stay Wild Vintage Tee - Y'all really like this color purple, huh? This has been at the top of the popularity category for months! Unfortunately, this one is now gone, and I'm not seeing much in this color. However, this particular style of tee is still available, though mostly in solid colors. This is probably the closest to the original tee that started this run of popularity, but it's definitely not purple. I also like this one a lot, but it's also not purple.

Shirred Flutter Sleeve Top - This blouse is so good, y'all. They restocked it once, but it's already starting to sell out.

Woven Belts - Y'all have finally gotten on board with these belts, and I love it! I wear these all the time. They are really versatile and really comfortable. They come in a 4-pack.

White Sandals - These sandals are still available in most sizes, and they're marked down right now, so hurry and snag a pair. I recommend sizing up half -- the straps are very snug, and mine have not loosened any in the nearly two years I've been wearing them.

Neutral Striped Linen Shorts - I'm really surprised that these are still available, but they are in all but one size right now.

Ribbed Tank Tops - These are such a good basic! I have it in five different colors, and I wear them quite a lot, both on their own and layered. They are soft and stretchy and the straps are nice and wide.

Clever Fox Teacher Planner - This is without a doubt the best teacher planner I have used, and I can't stop recommending it!

White Buckle Slides - These have been one of my most-worn summer shoes for the past several summers. I need to replace mine after this year, and this is the pair I'll most likely go with.

Wavytalk Pencil Flat Iron - This is such a great size for short hair, especially the really short pieces in the back (for me).

One Woman Book Club Review: Veins of Gold

My August book club pick was another historical fiction book, this time a romance, but unlike the previous two I've read as part of this project, Veins of Gold did not send me down a rabbit hole of research. There were no prominent historical figures woven into the story, and the event that provided the historical backdrop just isn't one that I'm all that interested in.

Veins of Gold is set during the Gold Rush of the mid-1800s when men were leaving their lives behind for California hoping to strike it rich. However, the story itself takes place in Utah, near Salt Lake City. There are a few Mormon characters in the book, but the author did not give much attention to that detail other than in a few almost errant thoughts of the main character, Gentry.

The eldest of three siblings, Gentry takes on the responsibility of caring for her family when their father unexpectedly leaves them to seek gold. All the mining is having severe magical impacts on the land, impacts that can be felt all the way in Utah and beyond. When a mysterious and handsome stranger saves Gentry and her sister from one of those impacts, a spark blooms, but how can Gentry say yes to the tetherless Winn among all her responsibility, especially when her well-to-do but older neighbor asks her to marry him?

To avoid spoilers, skip to the end of this post.

***Spoilers***

Our book begins with Butch Abrams informing his three children - Gentry, Rooster, and Pearl - that he will be leaving for California the next day to work for a gold mining company. He assures them that he will send them money as soon as he's able. The next morning, he sneaks out without a goodbye, leaving the three siblings to fend for themselves. With their finances in dire straights, Gentry's brother takes on more hours working as a farmhand for their neighbor, Hoss, and Gentry decides to sell off their mother's china to the neighboring Mormon community for use in their new temple.

Gentry and her sister set off for American Fork to consult with their friend Hannah about the china. Along the way, they are caught in a magical earthquake and saved by the mysterious Winn. The china does not survive the quake, but Hannah's husband takes the shards to Salt Lake City where he manages to sell them. Gentry and Pearl remain in American Fork until he returns, and it's there that Gentry discovers she can now see magic. Winn once again comes to her rescue and explains that her gold locket was spelled during the quake, giving her the ability to see what others cannot.

The sisters return home and life returns to normal until a magical swarm of locusts descends on their garden. Winn convinces his magical seagulls to intervene and save some of their crop, but the Abrams' magical mishaps are not over. One night, they suffer a magical earthquake which destroys part of their home, though Winn is able to magically repair it.

In the moments in between these magical disasters, Winn is slowly teaching Gentry about the magic. He explains to her that the magic feeds on the veins of gold running through the earth and that all the mining, especially that happening in California, is causing the magic to act out in self-defense. Winn uses his seagulls, which can transform into a flying house, to travel around the continent chasing these events and calming the magic. He even takes her to meet the Hagree, the Native American tribe where he spent his childhood and learned about the magic.

Gentry falls for Winn, as is expected, but she cannot escape the responsibilities of her family. She's managed to confirm that her father made it to California, but he still has not written or sent money. Winn and his birds fly Gentry to California to find him, and they confirm what Gentry has expected all along: Butch Abrams didn't go west to pan for gold to provide a better life for his family. He abandoned them.

The family is in danger of losing their home, and Gentry sees no other option but to accept the marriage proposal of their neighbor, Hoss. He's twice her age but can offer her and her siblings stability. Winn confronts Hoss, then Gentry and Winn have a fight that ends with him leaving. Hoss, though still serious about wanting to marry Gentry, recognizes that she loves Winn and urges her to take time to think about her decision.

Meanwhile, Rooster has been secretly looking for a better job, and his efforts finally pay off. Their friend Hannah's husband is starting a printing press and has agreed to hire him. The pay is much better than that of a farmhand and includes room and board. Rooster's job saves Gentry from a marriage she only said yes to out of a misguided sense of responsibility. The siblings allow the bank to reclaim their home and move to Salt Lake City where Rooster's new wages are enough to support them.

Gentry, though, can't stop thinking about Winn. With no other way of finding him, she opens herself up to the magic, sacrificing her mother's gold locket in the process. After causing a major setback at a California mining camp, she finds Winn at what I assume is the Grand Canyon (it wouldn't have been named yet), they reunite, and make a plan for their future. They even come up with a way to settle the wild magic that's wreaking havoc on the land. That's how the book ends -- using raw gold provided by the Hagree, they travel to different locations to put the magic to sleep.

***End Spoilers***

This was a really quick read for me -- it's only 312 pages. The audiobook version is a little more than nine hours long, but I don't think it took me that long to get through this one.

To be honest, this book was a bit underwhelming for me. I was probably subconsciously and unfairly comparing it to The Paper Magician, which is one of my favorite series. I think that was a big part of my underwhelm. Veins of Gold is a standalone, while the other has three books over which the story develops.

The magic was very surface level, probably because we only get Gentry's point of view, and she truly did not understand the magic until the very end of the book. Maybe if the author had included Winn's point of view, that could have been fleshed out some and felt more robust.

Speaking of Winn, in my opinion, there wasn't enough of him in the story. He was such a great character and an integral part of the story, but I didn't feel like I knew enough about him. On the flip side, there was a lot of focus on Gentry's stomach. I mean, I get it. She was stressed and anxious and crumbling under the weight of responsibility, but it felt like every other page was talking about Gentry's stomach cramping without a real explanation.

Don't get me wrong. I enjoyed the story. I just wish there was more. More character development, more magic, more family, more everything.

It's not too late to join my book club! Check out the monthly schedule here.

5 Hacks for Easier Mornings from a Non-Morning Person

I am not a morning person. At all. Like, not even a little bit. That said, I am also the type of person who would rather get up and take care of anything that needs doing in the morning so I have the rest of the day to do whatever I want.

Yes, I realize this is a major personality contradiction. No, I will not be happy about waking up with an alarm so that I can get stuff done. I need at least thirty minutes to not be a grumpy, frazzled, why-can't-I-still-be-sleeping, half-decent person to talk to in the early morning. An hour is better.

There's really nothing I like more than waking up on my own in the morning, making a cup of coffee, and then leisurely drinking it over the course of an hour or two while I piddle around with my blog and other things. Now that school has started back, my slow, lazy mornings have been relegated to weekends only (and the occasional holiday).

Of course, being a teacher means early mornings, and because I work at a school that is a forty-minute drive away (in a different time zone no less), that means even earlier wake ups. As a non-morning person, this was pretty daunting my first year, but I have come to appreciate having the morning commute to help get myself centered before dealing with pre-teens and hormones and drama and noise. I've also got a pretty solid routine in place to help make mornings not quite so terrible.

A lot of these I stumbled onto quite by happenstance or because they just seem like common sense, but most of these 'sleep hacks' are backed up by science. In fact, the Sleep Foundation refers to it as sleep hygiene. Some things they recommend are exercising regularly, avoiding caffeine before bed, and skipping those afternoon/evening naps. They also suggest creating a cool, dark, quiet bedroom environment and establishing a consistent morning and evening routine.

Here are five things things that work for me.

I try to get as much done the night before to prepare for the next day as I possibly can. If I'm taking my lunch, I pack it the night before and stick my entire lunchbox in the refrigerator. If I have to pack it in the morning, it won't get done. Side note: I usually put a note on the back door so I don't forget it the next day. I also try to remember to set up my coffee maker the night before, although I admit that this is the one I forget the most often. Thankfully, coffee isn't something that I have to have every morning because the number of times I forgot the night before and don't have time to make it in the morning is ridiculously high.

This one feels like such an obvious thing, but I pick out my clothes the night before. This gives me plenty of time to style different options, including trying them on to make sure that I like the result,. Sometimes I go through three or four outfits before landing on one I like, which is something that I absolutely do not have time for in the mornings. This might be the most important part: I make myself stick with whatever I've laid out the next morning, even if my mood has shifted, unless I have a legitimate reason.

I think the biggest game changer for me has been to take a shower or bath at night. Most nights, I take a bubble bath using whatever flavor of Dr. Teal's Foaming Bath has caught my fancy at the moment. Not only does bathing/showering help me relax after a long day of teaching middle schoolers, but it also saves me quite a bit of time in the morning and means I can sleep later.

I go to bed at the same time every night. Going to bed on time is honestly the hardest thing for me. I am absolutely a night owl, so there are plenty of nights where my body is simply not ready for bed, even if I'm worn out from the day. Still, I make myself put my book down, turn off the light, and go to bed if for nothing else than to rest. I use a sleep mask almost nightly, and if I'm really struggling I'll take a couple melatonin gummies. My school-night bedtime, in case you're wondering, is no later than 10:00 p.m. (my time). Sometimes, though, I'm still awake well past that.

I give myself a wake-up grace period. The worst part of early mornings, in my opinion, is the alarm. I hate it so much, and I am not the type of person who hears their alarm and immediately springs out of bed. Nope. I have to set my alarm 15 minutes earlier than the time I absolutely have to be up and moving. That's actually improved over the last few years. I used to have to set it 30 minutes early.

I'm still by no means a morning person, and honestly I don't think that's going to change at this point in my life, but they have gotten a bit easier in recent years. I hope my morning hacks are helpful in making your mornings easier, too.

What I Wore the First Two Weeks of School

It's time for another real outfit roundup in which I share the outfits I wore for the last two weeks give or take along with brief explanations and links to shop the same or similar products. As a reminder, I do share my daily outfits more promptly on my LTK profile, so if you want more timely updates on what I'm wearing on a day-to-day basis, check that out.

This collection of outfits encompass the first two weeks of school, including two outfits I wore over the weekend, although both of those are also school appropriate. I actually remembered to take photos of everything I wore except for one day this past week. I ended up changing for a football game and didn't think to get a picture beforehand.

Side note: How are we two weeks into school already?! It's been a pretty good start to the year -- much smoother than I was anticipating. There are still some growing pains and adjustments to be made over the next week or so, but all in all I can't complain about how things are going so far.

Now for what you're here for: the outfits!

Sizing info: I'm 5'2" and weigh about 140 lbs. I usually wear size 6 or s/m in clothes and size 7 in shoes.

Dress (exact style, similar print) | Shoes

I wore this favorite cherry-print dress that I have had for years for my school's Open House the day before school started. I was putting the finishing touches on a couple of things around my classroom before the event started, then I had my own child's Open House to attend across town. I wanted to be comfortable but cute, and this dress delivers on both counts. I love this vintage style dress so much that I own it in two other patterns. Sadly, this adorable print is no longer available, but I found something that has really similar vibes for you.

I broke out my new red Mary Janes for the occasion, and kind of wish I didn't. I wasn't expecting to be on my feet quite so long, and these had not been broken in at all. By the end of the day, I had a pretty decent blister on one of my heels. These are the same style and brand as my white Mary Janes, but they do not fit the same. These are much snugger, but I'm hoping they'll loosen up with more wear because they are so darn cute.

Dress | Sandals

I wore this absolutely fantastic dress for the first day of school. I'd been stalking this one at Target for awhile now, and I am so glad I finally bought it. I love it so much, y'all, and it is so comfortable. It's going to be a really good option for the fall transition, but if you've been around for awhile then you know that I wear my dresses pretty much year-round.

I am wearing the size small, which is my usual in this particular brand. It doesn't quite hit the floor -- you can see my toes peeking out from under the hem. I was wearing flat black sandals this day, and had no issues with stepping on the hem of the dress. These sandals were a really good purchase for me. I wear them quite a lot. Sadly, with it being the end of the season, they're all but sold out.

Top | Jeans | Belt | Shoes (similar) | Earrings

I'm not usually one for all-neutral looks, but I did enjoy this one. I was really happy when this top got restocked, but it's selling out quickly again. It's a tan and white stripe. It has flutter sleeves, a shirred neckline, and a closeable keyhole opening that I will probably never wear closed.

I've shared these white wide-leg jeans a couple of times now, but this was the first time I wore them. They are really flattering on. However, getting them on was interesting; the hips are cut very straight, and my hips are definitely not straight, so keep that in mind if you're between sizes. I'm wearing my usual 6. I kept my shoes, belt, and other accessories brown, which is currently trendy.

Top | Skirt | Sandals | Belt

This is one of my favorite skirts to wear. It's just so pretty and feminine. I've worn some version of this outfit many times over the last few years. My top is a better-than-basic, white eyelet tee. It is very soft and stretchy and not at all see-through. It's the kind of top that you can get in every color without regretting it. They mix and match really well with pretty much everything in my closet.

Shoes (also available here, here, and here)

This was our first dress-down Friday. I don't typically share these because I almost always wear some kind of school shirt that I can't link to, but I did want to share my new Sketchers tennis shoes with you. I found mine on the clearance rack in our local Sketchers store, but they are still available online. My jeans are Levi's, but I cannot remember which ones, so I'm not going to link them.

Dress | Sandals

On Saturday, we ran a few errands around town, and then we drove up to a neighboring town to have dinner at one of our favorite local Cajun places. Going there always feels like an opportunity to dress up a bit.

I love these vintage dresses. This one, for whatever reason, is a bit smaller in the bust than the other two I have, so you might want to go up a size. This exact pattern is still available so that's a plus. My sandals are still available, too. Size up half.

Dress (similar, similar) | Sandals

On Sunday, we ate lunch at Panera and then bought some wood at Home Depot. I cooked dinner at home. Alexis had been requesting tuna noodle casserole, so I let her help me mix one up in the instant pot. It was delicious and made enough for both of us to take some to school.

Anyway, this dress has been in my closet since my tv station days. I've held onto it because it's not only super cute and flattering, but it's also amazingly soft and comfortable. It's a Chaps dress and actually petite sizing, so it fits really well with no adjustments or accessories. Unfortunately, it's long gone. I'm going to be sad when it's time to retire this one...

T-shirt | Skirt (similar, similar) | Shoes (similar) | Belt

Back to Monday and week two of school with another neutral outfit, although with a darker palette. I love this coffee club graphic tee that I randomly picked up at Target. I paired it with this pale pink striped skirt that I also got from Target but awhile back. The pink in the skirt doesn't truly scream pink to me, so I always kind of treat it like a really pale brown. I think it works really nicely overall with this brown-toned outfit. My belt and shoes are more of a cognac brown, but I think the different shades add interest.

Blouse | Pants | Shoes (old)

Another brown-themed outfit for Tuesday. I guess I'm leaning into the brown trend more than I thought... This actually might be my favorite look from this go 'round. It feels very put together and professional to me.

My pants are linen, but I'll be able to wear them here for awhile longer since we don't really get that cold. These are a size small, and they are quite long. I'm wearing shoes with about a 2-inch block heel, and they were still on the floor; I was actually standing on them at different parts of the day. I'm hoping they'll draw up some in the wash. They do have a drawstring, but it's hidden, which I really appreciate. I hate drawstrings on my pants.

My blouse isn't new, but it is still available. I got it last spring and have been wearing it mostly with green, but I really like it with the brown here. My shoes, which you can't see very well, are actually green. They've got a fun, retro '70s vibe to them. They're from back in my tv station days so definitely no longer available, and I don't see anything even remotely similar.

T-shirt | Skirt | Sandals | Belt

How cute is this striped yellow skirt?! It's actually part of a set, but I didn't feel like being all matchy-matchy on this particular Wednesday. The skirt, though, is great. It's lined, which is such a plus, but it loses points for not having pockets. The waist is elastic in the back, so it's got a decent amount of stretch to it.

I wanted to pair it with something bright and colorful. My first instinct was a bright, emerald green graphic tee with a lemon on it, but then I realized that it was talking about limoncello and had to nix that pairing for school. Then my eyes landed on this super fun corn graphic tee that I got over the summer. It's still available in most sizes and is on MAJOR clearance.

I added a neutral colored belt for a bit of definition at my waist and finished the outfit with my white sandals. All in all, this was a fun look for the middle of the week.

Top | Skirt | Sandals | Belt

Which brings us to Friday. Fridays are our dress-down days, but I had an accident on Thursday at the football game that messed up my knee enough that jeans were not an option. I had actually laid out this outfit for Thursday, but we got a surprise dress-down day for our middle school's first-ever football jamboree, so I wore a Bobcat shirt and denim maxi skirt instead and didn't get a picture before I changed to work the concession stand.

This skirt has been around for a few years now. It's hard to tell from the picture, but it's got pink and white flowers on it. I like to wear it with pink. This go 'round I went with one of my ribbed tank tops. These are great basics. I did feel like I needed another layer but could not find anything that I liked, so I ultimately kept it simple. I finished the look with a black belt and sandals and a pendant necklace that I got in a jewelry subscription service that closed a few years ago.

20 Graphic Tees for English Teachers

There is nothing I love more than a graphic t-shirt, and being an English teacher provides so many opportunities to wear them. I already own quite a few of what I refer to as my teacher tees, but I don't think you can own too many. They're just so versatile!

Here are 20 that I do not currently own but that I would absolutely find a place for in my closet. All are available on Amazon and are $20 or less. Many are available in both men's and women's cuts; some are even available in youth as well.

Grammar Tees

Silently Correcting Your Grammar - I mean, it's true.

There Their They're - Also true.

Punctuation - Every time I see this shirt, it makes me laugh.

Capital Letters & Periods - As a middle school teacher, I definitely need this one.

Watch Your Language - I like this double meaning with this one.

Comma Chameleon - I'm not sure how many students will actually understand this one, but it's still great.

Reading Tees

Reading Rainbow - Are you really an English teacher if you don't have a Reading Rainbow shirt?

Read Books. Be Kind. Stay Weird. - This is my motto.

Just One More Chapter - I would want this one even if I wasn't an ELA teacher.

Reading Hearts - This one is so cute for Valentine's Day.

Protagonist Antagonist - How true is this?!

Reading Is My Jam - What I love about this one is that it's got all the reading strategies on the jars.

Reading Ghosts - I found your new Halloween shirt.

Books - This one doesn't really need an explanation.

Miscellaneous Tees

My Dog Ate My Lesson Plan - If you didn't laugh at this one, we can't be friends.

English Teacher - Just in case your students forget.

Literally Figuratively - This one made me laugh.

Pencil Bow - How cute is this?

Shakespeare Drama - High school teachers need this one for sure.

elemeno Alphabet - There are a ton of alphabet themed tees out there, but this one is my favorite.

What I Read This Summer

I feel like a broken record saying I can't believe summer is over, but I can't believe summer is over!

Okay, so I know that technically it's still summer until September 22nd. However, once school is back in session, summer has essentially ended. And once I'm back working, my reading habits adjust to a schedule with less down time as well as less mental capacity for heavy reading.

Before we jump into the reviews, here's a quick check-in of how I'm doing with my recent reading lists 

• What's New On My TBR - I did an updated TBR list back on July 17th, and so far I have read two out of the ten books I shared. I currently have one of the titles on hold with my digital library app and have Manslaughter Park at the top of my reading queue.
• Summer Reading List - This list featured fifteen titles total. I have read four so far. I should point out that this list includes my August book club pick (which I haven't started yet).
• Spring Reading List - This one is still holding steady at two out of ten titles read. I have read the first two chapters of Hurt Me by C.G. Blaine, but I just wasn't into it.
• Winter Reading List - This one is still holding at five out of ten titles read. I am about 1/3 of the way through Love and Ruin, but it's really long and quite serious so it's going to take me awhile to finish it.

This reading roundup covers roughly two months of reading. As always, I am not including the books and/or series that I reread, but if you're interested I spent a bit of time with the Curse of the Gods series by Jane Washington and Jaymin Eve and am currently rereading Crea Reitan's Wonderland: Chronicles of  Blood series.

When We Believed in Mermaids

Author: Barbara O'Neal

My June book club pick was the perfect read for summer. It's about two sisters, Kit and Josie, who reconnect after one of them fakes her death. Kit has spent more than a decade believing her sister died in a terrorist attack, but when she and her mother see who can only be Josie in the background of live news coverage of a New Zealand nightclub fire, Kit travels to New Zealand in the hopes of finding her. Josie, meanwhile, has created a meaningful life for herself complete with loving husband and kids. The character development in this book was amazing. Kit and Josie were so well-crafted. And I absolutely fell in love with Javier. You can read my in-depth review here.

Atop the Faerie Throne (The Final Nicnevin book 5)

Author: Marie Mistry

This was a fantastic final book in a truly beautiful series (I started reading this back in 2023!). Here's a series synopsis so as not to spoil anything for those who wish to read it. Rose was raised in the human world where she believed she was sick and weak. In reality, she is the lost queen of Faerie and must return home to unite and save the realm. Together with her guard, Rose travels the kingdom, gathering allies and reinvigorating the land with her magic. However, the Fomorian king will stop at nothing to bring her down and take control of all Faerie.

The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires

Author: Grady Hendrix

This book had been on my radar for awhile, and when it became available on my library app, I immediately dove in. For a vampire novel, this was not what I was expecting. When I hit the "3 Years Later" page about halfway through the book, I nearly lost my mind. That scene with the rats, though...shudder. That one almost lost me, but I'm glad I kept going. Okay, so a brief summary. Patricia and her four friends (Kitty, Slick, Maryellen, and Grace) have formed an unusual book club; they only read true crime and horror stories. When James Harris moves into their neighborhood, he masterfully manipulates his way into Patricia's life. When children start to go missing in the nearby black community, Patricia discovers James with one of the victims and goes to the police. What follows is truly heartbreaking for Patricia -- her husband forces her to start taking mental health meds, she becomes estranged from her children, her friend group falls apart. Then, three years later, she "wakes up" and refuses to stop until she's put an end to this monster once and for all.

Slow Dance

Author: Rainbow Rowell

Shiloh and Cary were best friends in high school but fell out of touch with each other after graduation. However, when the third member of their friend group gets married, the two are thrown back together. Now, Shiloh is a divorced mom of two living back at home with her own mother, and Cary is a career Naval officer trying to take care of his mom from afar. Just like always, the timing couldn't be worse. The book is about their 'slow dance' around each other with lots of flashbacks woven in to provide relevance. This book was a bit odd for me. I enjoyed it, but it wasn't an easy read for me (despite only taking me the better part of a day on my own to get through). It was relatable but also not. I kept asking myself what was wrong with Shiloh -- her weird touches, pokes, and pulls were strange and unexplained other than by saying she was "too much" for most people. She was aggressively and ignorantly opinionated (however, she did mostly grow out of that), anti-social to the extreme (she did not grow out of that), and had an obsessive need to control everything in a way that felt highly manipulative. She clearly suffered from anxiety, but she also wasn't doing anything about it. Cary, the MMC, had severe communication issues, especially with Shiloh, and that led to 99% of their problems.

Lessons in Chemistry

Author: Bonnie Garmus

It's rare for a book to move me to tears, but this one did, and not because it was sad, though it certainly had sad parts all throughout, but because it was genuinely moving in a way that I was not expecting. Elizabeth is a female scientist trying to make it in the 1960s. Things are finally looking up when she meets and falls for Calvin, a brilliant coworker whose name has star power. When he unexpectedly dies and Elizabeth learns she's pregnant, her life takes a downhill turn. A chance run-in with a tv producer leads to Elizabeth becoming host of an afternoon cooking show, Supper at Six, which becomes a nationwide phenomena. I feel the need to admit that it took me a bit to really get into this book. The first half or so felt like it really dragged, and the part with the cooking show was not in the first half at all. I do understand the point behind the first part of the book -- the second half would not have been nearly as good without it, but still. The first half was slow. There was also a lot of science, so much so that sometimes I didn't know what they were talking about. Science really has never been my subject. That aside, this book was about a movement and the empowerment of women.

The Price of Paradise

Author: Susana Lopez Rubio

This was my July book club pick, and I've got mixed feelings about it. On the one hand, I did enjoy the book. On the other, I'm not sure if I would recommend it. It's a historical romance set in Cuba in the 1950s when the mafia ruled the streets. Patricio and Gloria are a pair of star-crossed lovers who are seemingly not meant to ever be together. This book was packed with history, but as I mentioned in my full review, it felt a bit unnecessary and at times distracting. The book is meant to be about Patricio and Gloria, but quite a bit of it focuses on the times when they aren't together. A huge portion of the book takes place during the Cuban Revolution, but it felt like background noise instead of the prominent event I know it to be.

Wolves of Midnight books 1-3

Author: Becky Moynihan

I really enjoyed this trilogy. Nora is a natural-born werewolf who can't shift. Desperate, she goes to witches for help freeing her wolf, but when they discover that she hosts a full spirit, they try to capture her so that they can separate the spirit from her. Kolton is alpha of the most powerful werewolf pack in North America. Like Nora, Kolton hosts a full spirit. His two sisters and top two members of his pack do as well. Kolton takes Nora under his protection in exchange for her marrying him (in name only). He wants to marry someone he doesn't love and not take a mate because he doesn't want to end up like his mother who went feral when her soulmate died. There are two more books in this series -- book four focuses on Kolton's sister Vi and Griffin, while book 5 focuses on Nora's best friend Brielle and Jagger.

Forever, Interrupted

Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid

This was a deep, almost depressing read. The subject matter was difficult, and it didn't quite have a happy ending. This book is definitely not for everyone. In fact, I almost didn't keep reading because it was just so sad and full of grief. The ending line is gut-wrenchingly heartbreaking. Honestly, I don't know that I would even recommend this one, and I love this author. Essentially, this book is about a 26-year-old woman whose husband dies nine days after they elope and how she processes her grief after a whirlwind, intense romance. This book is not told in chapters but in months. The timeline is non-linear but everything happens within the same 12 months. The present day starts in June, but the story of Elsie and Ben's romance, which dates back to January, is woven in in a way that makes sense in November. The big conflict in the book is the fact that Ben did not tell his mother about Elsie at all, so Elsie and his mom do not meet until his death. Throughout the book, they develop a relationship and help each other to grow and move forward through not only this tragedy but their past traumas as well.

Mystics of Mercy Ridge duet

Author: J. Kearston

This was a fun and quirky duet. Ever is a mimic, a type of supernatural that can temporarily take other supernaturals' power and use it herself. However, not only does she not know what she is, but she also doesn't have a clue that supernaturals of any kind exist until she ends up in Mercy Ridge, a sanctuary city for supernaturals. That's where she winds up after leaving her cheating boyfriend, Adam, who's also been trying to steal the universal video game console Ever's been designing (his eventual comeuppance is pretty great). Once in Mercy Ridge, Ever meets the men who are her fated mates; each comes with their own set of trauma and problems. She's also approached by another buyer for her game console who also wants her to develop a cure for his wife's deadly illness and who will stop at nothing to get her to comply. There is a side plot development toward the end of the second book that I'm hoping will lead to a spin-off book.

By Any Other Name

Author: Jodi Picoult

This book will be on my best books of the year list for sure. Jodi Picoult is definitely a master, and this historical fiction book has made me question all I thought I knew about William Shakespeare. The premise of this book lies in a literary theory that Shakespeare was not the author of the many works attributed to him. Of course, hundreds of years later, this is nearly impossible to prove, but Picoult makes a good case (read her author's note at the end of the book!) and weaves a compelling tale of what might have happened. Her main characters, surprisingly, are not Shakespeare but rather Emilia Bassano, the first published female English poet and one of the people thought to be behind the Bard's quill, and her modern-day ancestor, Melina Greene, an aspiring playwright struggling to break into the male-dominated world of theater. Melina has crafted a play around Emilia that is chosen as a finalist in a small theater competition, but a "mistake" on her application leads the notoriously sexist artistic director to believe that the author is male. In a move that parallels Emilia's potential involvement with Shakespeare, Melina convinces her best friend, Andre, to pose as "Mel" while she pretends to be his assistant.

BONUS -- I don't usually include the books and series that I don't finish, but I spent a good bit of time on each of these so felt they were worth mentioning.

Reborn series (books 1-3)

Author: M. Sinclair

This is the second time I've tried this series, and I got much farther than last time, but ultimately I just could not connect with the main character, which is really disappointing since I usually really enjoy this author. Mia is a phoenix shifter who was held captive by a religious cult for most of her life. When her mother finds a new boyfriend, they leave the cult and move to the west coast where Mia meets a flight of dragons. Turns out they're her mates, along with a wolf shifter (which I found super random). Mia was supposed to be innocent and naive thanks to being kept completely isolated her entire life, but so much of what she did and said was the exact opposite, so her character was a bit confusing. She also was so hyper-focused on her clothes that it was annoying (there's nothing wrong with that really, I just didn't need pages dedicated to her describing every item of clothing she went through). I also thought that there was too much time spent on inner monologues, for all characters, especially considering how much of those inner thoughts were repetitive.

Emberhold Academy series book 1-2

Author: Frankie James

This series has such an interesting premise behind it, but quite frankly the writing style and lack of editing made it so hard for me to get through. I did enjoy the characters for the most part, although I felt like the way they conversed with each other was completely unrealistic (nobody calls each other "bitch" as much as these girls do in casual conversation as a term of endearment -- it was maddening, honestly). I might pick up the third book at some point; like I said, the concept behind the plot is interesting and not something I've read before, but it's really difficult for me to get into a story when my brain is constantly in "edit" mode because the grammar and mechanics are so bad, and unfortunately that's not something I can just turn off.

Shadowed Souls series book 1-2

Author: Madison Cole

This series started out so promising, but the third and final book felt like it deviated from the actual plot, and I quit reading out of frustration. I truly didn't understand why the characters were doing what they were doing. Anyway, here's your synopsis: After a childhood of horrific abuse at the hands of her father, Avery has spent the last last ten years of her life rarely leaving her adoptive family's mansion, but when her adoptive mother is killed in a car accident, her adoptive father enrolls her in college against her wishes, as well as those of her hateful stepbrother, Wyatt. Despite Wyatt's best efforts, his friends welcome her into their group, eventually moving her into their house when they discover Avery not only has a stalker but also that her deranged father has been released from prison and wants her back.

What I Actually Bought for Back-to-School

Summer is officially over. Schools are back in session, or will be soon if they are not already. I've been back at work for a week, although I haven't had to actually dress like a teacher just yet. Students are back this week, though, so get ready for all the teacher-appropriate outfits to return to my feed.

Speaking of teacher outfits...Earlier this month I shared a back-to-school teacher shopping guide with y'all featuring classroom-appropriate items from four of my favorite places to shop. Many of those items are still available (some are even on sale), so if you haven't checked that out yet, you should.

In terms of my own shopping, I haven't done very much for myself. I didn't need very much to start the school year, although I do like to add a few fresh pieces to keep my closet from feeling stale.

Back to school is essentially the unofficial start of fall, even though neither the calendar nor the temperature feels like it yet, so I treat this like the changing of the seasons. Hence, most of what you'll see here today is geared toward fall weather. Keep in mind that where I live, though, fall is more of an idea than actual thing.

That means that I don't buy a lot of bulky cold-weather clothing. Instead, I focus more on colors, patterns, and textures that mimic the feel of the season while keeping the clothing itself light to combat the lingering heat.

Without further ado, here are the things that I actually bought for myself heading into the new school year.

White Wide-Leg Jeans - These were a must-have for me since I tossed my old skinnies at the end of the school year. I decided to go with a more current silhouette (I'm so glad wide-leg jeans are back in style!). Before you buy, know that these only have 1% spandex so they do not stretch at all. The waist is also pretty narrow, so if you're in between sizes I would suggest sizing up.

Straight Leg Stevie Pants - I love my skinny Stevie pants, which fit like leggings while being much thicker (it's really the best of both worlds). These are a more relaxed fit, but they still feel like leggings.

Brown Linen Pants - These were a random find on a recent Target run. Chocolate brown is very in right now, and I don't have any brown pants. They're darker in person than they appear online.

Denim Maxi Skirt - I got this back at the beginning of summer when Old Navy was running a sale. This darker wash is basically sold out, but the style is still available in a lighter wash if you're interested.

Neutral Striped Blouse - I am so glad they restocked this blouse! I've been stalking it for awhile.

Tan Open-Stitch Sweater - This was another random find. This is not a sweater than you can just wear since it's open stitch, but it will be perfect for layering over other things.

Floral Maxi Dress - I have stopped and looked at this dress every time I've been to Target recently and finally bought it when they did their week-long teacher discount. It's so pretty in person.

Brown Plaid Dress - This is technically a mini dress, but on me it's knee-length. The sleeves can be worn on or off the shoulder.

Black Sleeveless Sweater Dress - This is Old Navy's SoSoft material, and it really is so soft. I can't wait for it to cool off enough for me to wear this.

Woven Red Mary Janes - I technically bought these at the start of summer, but that was because I was afraid they would sell out. They are no longer available in my local store, but they've still got most sizes online.

Sketchers Hotshot Varsity Crew Sneakers - I've been looking for a new pair of sneakers for awhile and just hadn't found any that I loved. I found these on a clearance rack at my local Sketchers store, but they're still available several places online. This link is to the Sketchers website, but you can find three other options in the widget below.

5 Outfits for the End of Summer

It's time for another real outfit roundup, a post in which I share the outfits I wore in real life from the past two weeks. This post is going to be short. I started back to work last week, and I did not take a single picture of anything I wore to clean and set up my classroom. So I only have five outfits to share with you this go 'round.

As a reminder, I do upload all of the outfits I document to my LTK shop within a couple of days of having actually worn it, so you can always stay up to date there. Just download the app and follow me (@Mommy_the_Journalist). My shop does not only feature my outfits; you'll also find favorite products, shopping guides, and more.

For those of you who have been around awhile, you've probably noticed that I no longer share daily outfit pics on my Instagram. I've been trying to be more intentional - and realistic - with how I post there and have started doing weekly outfit roundups. Those also post to my Facebook page for those of you who follow me there. This is where you can get the most accurate glimpse of what's going on behind the scenes of the blog, and Facebook is where I post direct links to new blog posts.

Something new I've started is sharing my outfits on a dedicated Pinterest board. This is still a work in progress and not always the most up to date, but if you use Pinterest definitely give it a follow!

Finally, if you haven't joined my email list yet, I encourage you to do so. At the beginning of each month, I send out a newsletter that recaps everything that's been happening. I also send alerts for special posts such as my book club reviews and gift guides. I promise not to spam you!

I think that's all I wanted to share with you guys. Now let's get to the reason why you're here: the outfits! As I said, this post is really short. I started back working last week and didn't put a whole lot of effort into my outfits since I knew I was going to be cleaning and setting up my classroom (a.k.a. getting hot and dusty).

Sizing info: I'm 5'2" and weigh about 140 lbs. I usually wear size 6 or s/m in clothes and size 7 in shoes.

Shirt (similar) | Shorts | Sandals (similar)

We're going all the way back to July 26th with this first outfit. It was a Saturday, and we mostly just hung out at the house. I'm pretty sure it was rainy.

This Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers 1986 concert tee is one of my favorites. I wear it so much more than it actually shows up in pictures. It's surprisingly versatile. Unfortunately, it's no longer available, and I can't find anything that really matches it. I did link to another TP&H concert tee by the same brand, but it really doesn't look anything like this one.

These shorts were a nice addition to my summer wardrobe, and they're still available in all sizes online. They're very comfortable, but I do find the waistband to be a bit awkward; it's a little too wide for mem The material is a bit thicker, but beware that it pulls easily.

My sandals are really old. In fact, the company that made these is no longer in business. However, this style of sandal is pretty common. I'm linking to a pair that looks exactly the same.

Shirt | Shorts | Sandals (similar)

The next day was another day spent at home. We did go somewhere for supper, but it wasn't anything special.

These shorts continue to be a favorite. They feel a bit more structured than linen shorts, and I honestly love that the horizontal stripes on the pockets contrast the vertical stripes everywhere else. This go 'round I paired them with this Andiamo tee that I got from Shein. While I do love the print, I'm disappointed in this shirt. It's one of those overlays so it's all crinkly, which means I won't get as much wear out of it as I had planned.

My sandals are really wearing thin now, y'all. I think this is their last summer. They've been such good casual slides, though, and I've gotten so much use out of them.

Dress (similar) | Belt | Sandals (similar)

We're jumping forward quite a bit to Thursday and the last day of July. Alexis and I went to Panera for lunch, making the most of our last days of summer vacation.

This dress, which is unfortunately no longer available, has been such a good one for the season. I didn't want to layer anything over or under it, but I wanted to accessorize it in some way, so I added this neutral-colored woven belt. I really like how it accentuates my waist, and it felt like it helped keep the dress from shifting as much throughout the day.

Dress (similar) | Sandals

On Friday I had a hair appointment to trim my hair and reshape the cut. Then we went to lunch and did a little last-minute back-to-school shopping.

This is one of my favorite dresses. I love the bright, colorful floral print, and it's a classic cut that won't ever go out of style. This is one that I layer over and under other pieces to be able to wear it to school, as well.

My sandals are still available in all sizes online. These are my go-to white sandals. Size up half; the straps are pretty snug.

Dress (similar) | Sandals | Headband

That brings us to last Saturday. We decided to drive to a neighboring town for lunch and then walked through their shops. That evening we went out for dinner at our favorite Mexican restaurant.

This dress is from back in the Spring. I love the green stripes and the tie detail at the bust. The straps are adjustable with scalloping for extra detail. The material is also textured (kind of like seersucker), which provides extra interest. All of that combines to make this dress a star all on its own. I did, however, add a pretty floral headband to try to tame my hair.