One Woman Book Club Review: How to Buy a Planet

My September book club pick was definitely out of the ordinary for me. I am not a sci-fi, space story type of reader...buuuuut I did go through a Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy phase in college. We watched the movie way too many times, and I did eventually read and enjoy the book. So when I saw How to Buy a Planet and read the comparison to Hitchhiker, I had to add it to my TBR.

If I hadn't started doing a monthly book club, I'm not sure I ever would have actually read this book. I chose it for my September pick because I knew that at this point in the school year, my reading would slow down and that I would start rereading my favorites instead of diving into new books, especially ones with deep themes. Basically, I wanted something light and easy and possibly funny. How to Buy a Planet checks all three boxes.

Toby is just a regular guy looking for a flat to rent. On the day he's set to meet his two potential roommates, the leaders of Earth announce to the world that in a move to erase all debt, they have sold the planet to a group of aliens called the Za-Natharians. While the rest of the planet celebrates, Toby finds himself pulled into a plan to reverse the sale and save the planet from impending doom.

This story is told in multiple points of view and not always from that of the main characters. While Toby is set up to be the titular character, Paranoid Dave, Charlie, and the professor and his housekeeper (Mrs. B.) are all major players. There's also Woola, the Za-Nakarian representative sent to win over the humans, and Biffa, the salesman in charge of auctioning off the planet. We also get a handful of chapters told from the points of view of bystanders who have no real impact on the story at large.

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

***Spoilers***

The story begins in a crowded English pub. Toby has an appointment there to meet with his potential new roommates, Dave (who's quite the paranoid conspiracy theorist) and Charlie (a not-quite-finished atmospheric chemist). Just an hour before, the rulers of the world announced they would have a live announcement of some kind, so everyone is gathering in front of the nearest television to tune in. What they hear is unbelievable -- not only do aliens exist but the rulers of the Earth have sold the planet to a group of them!

The gist of the sale is this -- the leading countries of the world are drowning in debt and have no way of paying it all back, especially in the wake of an unnamed global health crisis. The way the rulers tell it, this is a wonderful opportunity for not just the world's leading countries but also for their citizens. Not only will each country's debt be wiped away but also that of every single person on the planet! Then, they wheel out Woola who essentially hypnotizes the entire world with his cuteness and bubble blowing.

Just as the world-wide celebrations begin, Toby and Paranoid Dave meet the professor, who quickly pops the bubble of jubilation surrounding them. Turns out, this sale is not a good thing, and planet Earth is on the chopping block. According to the professor, the Za-Nakarians plan to release weather-altering chemicals into the Earth's atmosphere that would cause sea levels to rise as well as increase the temperature in the northern and southern hemispheres while making the areas around the equator uninhabitable. Eventually, the entire planet would become unstable and be discarded. The professor also reveals that an unpleasant race of aliens called the Golgathans are behind the whole thing and plan to sell off the planet at the intergalactic stock exchange.

Now, Toby, Paranoid Dave, and Charlotte, who arrived late to the party, must set out to save the planet. Their plan is to catch up to Woola and talk to him about what's actually happening, but first, they have to evade a tactical response team that's on a mission to retrieve the professor and any other conspirators.

Their adventure takes them underneath Downing Street to a top secret government agency that houses an intergalactic travel system called the Personalitron. It's kind of like a teleportation device mixed with a 3-D printer. It works by transferring the person's consciousness to a new location where a replica body has been made for them. Because this mode of space travel is outdated, sometimes the full consciousness doesn't transfer. That's how they finally lose the tactical team -- the two leaders follow Toby and Dave into space where they become spa technicians.

Toby and Dave catch up to Woola and subsequently Biffa, who is in charge of selling Earth. They learn the details of the plan and then reconvene with the rest of their group on the planet Ormilu, a kind of safe haven. There, they come up with a plan to buy back the planet by essentially outsmarting Biffa.

There is an uninhabited, unlivable planet called Ph'Estoun. On it is the most virulent disease in the known universe. Toby and Dave plan to travel there, contract the virus, and then crash the investor meeting preceding the sale of Earth. So long as they are able to travel back to their original bodies via Personalitron, the disease will not kill them.

Surprisingly, their plan works. Toby and an infected Dave interrupt the investors meeting, convincing the potential buyers of Earth that a new type of sickness has started to spread on the planet. Then, through a financial scheme that I honestly didn't quite understand, they manage to buy back the planet for a little less than $1.

Meanwhile, Charlie is on her on side quest to stop the fleet of weather-altering chemical-carrying spaceships that have been circling the planet. She's successful, but you don't actually get any details of what goes down during this part other than witness accounts of the ships leaving.

Anyway, they all meet back up at Dave and Charlie and now Toby's flat, where they've gathered the Earth's leaders as well as the press to deliver a new announcement to the world. They reveal the truth of the sale and then unveil 10 laws for how the planet will operate.

***End Spoilers***

So, final thoughts. This is definitely a niche-specific book that I would not recommend to just anyone. I agree that this book is very similar to Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. There were very noticeable parallels. Honestly, it wouldn't be a leap to say How to Buy a Planet is a kind of retelling. At the very least, it's obvious that D.A. Holder drew inspiration from its pages.

There was also a good bit of relevancy to what was happening at the time the book was written. It came out in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. There are many references to a global health crisis, social distancing, and the ensuing financial issues.

Personally, I enjoyed the British humor and wit. I also liked all the cut-away scenes showing the perspectives of non-main characters. I thought some of the sciency stuff was incredibly clever and creative; the idea behind the Personalitrons was ingenious.

On the downside, I wasn't super impressed with how the author wrote Charlie's character, and I felt that he missed some opportunities with her. There were also some random plot points that felt incomplete like the hedgehog and the man living on the isolated planet of Ormilu. I also didn't understand all the financial lingo with the stock exchange, but it didn't really take away from the story.

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

I feel like I say this every month, but how is it the end of September already?! It's been super busy, and lots of things have happened, so how about a quick recap before we dive into the month's favorites?

We spent Labor Day weekend exploring Florida's Forgotten Coast. We saw dolphins in Appalachicola, climbed the Crooked Creek Lighthouse, and visited the Carabelle History Museum where we learned a lot of cool things about the area.

The next week we celebrated my dad's birthday, and the next weekend took the boat out on the river. Later in the month, my husband and I celebrated our 13th wedding anniversary, and then we celebrated his 40th birthday. And finally, just this past week, we welcomed Alexis's new show pigs home to the barn.

School has been crazy busy, too! In my classroom, specifically, students had to take the fall writing benchmark. The next week, students did benchmark testing for math, reading, and language. I've wrapped up my first writing unit by having my students create children's books, but also this month they turned themselves into characters.

Now, onto the things that brought me joy this past month.

My Favorites

Lace Vest - This has been the layering piece I didn't know I needed. Sure, when I bought it, I knew it was pretty. What I didn't realize was the gap it could fill in my closet, especially for the summer-to-fall transition.

Sketchers Neutral Flats - These are the most comfortable pair of flat shoes I own. They are perfectly padded for all day wear. They don't rub or squeeze, and I don't feel anything through the sole. I want to wear them with everything, regardless of if they actually match or don't.

Black Mary Janes - Remember the black mary janes I bought from Old Navy last year? Yeah, I finally gave up on them. I just could not get past that square toe! This cute little knit pair from Target have taken their place, and I've been wearing them pretty consistently since I got them. The only thing I don't necessarily like about them is the removable insole. I don't understand the point behind it; I'm certainly not wearing them without it!

Powerline Outfit - If you're a loyal follower, then you've seen this on my social channels as well as my last outfit roundup post. This is probably my favorite outfit of the school year so far, if I'm being honest. It's so much fun!

Plaid Dress Outfit - I got this at the start of the school year but waited until fall to wear it. I love this dress so much. It's perfectly loose and a good length. I wanted to lean into some of the trends of the season, so I pulled out my brown loafers. I did add some cream-colored ruffle socks to finish off the look, and I really love the overall results.

This Recipe - I shared this super easy chicken-and-rice casserole with y'all last week. It was probably my favorite thing I cooked this past month and is one of my go-to's for an easy weeknight meal.

Stupid Questions by The Band CAMINO - This is my absolute favorite song right now. I sing it all the time, and it's constantly playing on repeat in my head.

One Thing by Lola Young - I'm a recent fan of this British artist, and her latest single is one that I've been singing along to this past month.

Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover - Memoirs are not usually my choice of reading material, but this one hooked me. It made me uncomfortable, but it's one of those books that I think most people need to read. I still find it unbelievable that there are people who choose to live this way!

The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh - This book was such a beautiful story. It was a late bloomer kind of coming of age. The character growth and transformation was masterful, and I learned a lot about flowers.

Your favorites

Leopard Print Mary Janes - These were part of my recent Old Navy order, and I've only worn them once so far, but I can already tell that I'm going to get a lot of wear out of them. They were surprisingly comfortable for a first wear; they didn't rub my feet at all, and I was on my feet quite a bit that particular day.

Stay Wild Vintage Tee - This tee has been at the top of the popularity category for months! Just like last month, this particular design is no longer available. 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 (from the same brand), but it's definitely not purple. I also like this one a lot, but it's also not purple. I did find this one on Amazon recently that I really like as well.

DAZY Floral Embroidery Peter Pan Collar Puff Sleeve Blouse - I have this in blue and absolutely LOVE it, but the blue is no longer available. There are a few sizes left in the apricot, which is pretty, and all sizes are available in the yellow, which I'm very tempted to add to my own cart.

Orange and Blue Floral Dress - I love the print of this dress. It's so pretty for fall without being super dark. However, I'm not happy with how the bust fits me. I'm not giving up on it yet, but don't be surprised if you don't see it in my outfit rotation very often this season. I wear a small in this brand.

Jacquard Wide Leg Jeans - I'm so excited that these jeans are still available -- they are my absolute favorites!  I wear them all the time. They're such an easy way to 'dress up' a jeans outfit, especially if you're the type of person who doesn't really love wearing jeans but doesn't want to feel left out on jeans days at work. It's me. I'm the type of person. I did size up to the 8 instead of my usual 6, which was the right move for me.

Woven Mary Jane Flats - I am still wearing the heck out of the pair I bought back in the spring. This isn't that exact pair, but they look really similar. The biggest difference is the toe shape. Anyway, these are a great spring and fall shoe. They go with pretty much everything!

Cargo Pants - These have been in my closet for a few years now, and they're still available! My absolute favorite cargo pants. I like that the pockets aren't bulky -- I don't need anything extra on my thighs. I sized up in these as well.

Flower Print Jeans - I still love these jeans, too! I don't wear them quite as often as the Jacquard pair mentioned earlier in the post, mostly because they don't go with everything as easily due to the print. They're really comfortable, although they are on the thin side, but I don't mind that at all. It's hot where I live 80% of the time.

Wedge Sneakers - I don't wear my wedge sneakers as often as I used to, but they're a style that I will hold onto. They give me a nostalgic feel, plus a little height boost, and they're pretty comfortable.

Crossbody Bag - I just finally got this bag in, and let me tell you that it is so cute in person. The faux leather is really soft and such a beautiful color. The website says it's 'wine,' but it looks more of a dark brown to me. It's convertible; you can wear it as a crossbody or as a shoulder bag. However, the shoulder strap is pretty short, I think.

Easy Chicken-and-Rice Casserole

I love a good easy weeknight meal, and this chicken-and-rice casserole delivers on all fronts. It is the ultimate comfort food after a long day at school. It's easy to throw together, the ingredients are still relatively cheap, and it makes enough to have leftovers to pack for lunch the next day. You just can't beat that!

This recipe was featured in a post from several months ago in which I rounded up seven of my family's recent favorites that we had tried. Since then, I've shared the recipe with many other people, and it's become a regular in our dinner rotation.

Because it is such a crowd favorite in my house, I wanted to share with you all how I make it. I mostly follow the original recipe since it's so good that it really needs no modifications. I normally like to serve a veggie as a side for a bit of variety, but this particular night we just ate it with bread, and it was plenty enough.

Ingredients

• 2-3 chicken boneless breasts
• 2 cups minute rice (white or brown)
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• 1 packet onion soup mix

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 90 minutes

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

You're going to need a 9x13 baking dish. The one I use is a made by Pyrex. Grease the bottom and sides to prevent your rice from sticking. You can use butter (like the original recipe calls for) or non-stick spray. I use original Pam cooking spray, and it works fine.

Step 2

Add your two cups of rice into the pan along with both cans of soup. We actually used Campbell's this time, but you can use any brand you want. I did accidentally buy the unsalted cream of chicken, which affected the overall taste a bit, but not enough to be mad about.

Fill one of the empty soup cans with water and add that as well. Mix it up well.

Step 3

When you've got your rice and soup mixed well, add your chicken. This go 'round, the pack we bought had three good-sized breasts in it. I always cut them into smaller pieces. You could probably scatter them around the pan more if you wanted, but I like to lay them down the middle.

Put the chicken on top of the rice, though. The pieces should not be touching the bottom of your pan. They will sink into the rice-soup mixture a bit, and that's fine.

Step 4

Take your onion soup mix and sprinkle it over the top of the chicken. I'm not stingy with this, so I basically cover the entire top of the casserole with the dry soup mix.

The original recipe calls for Lipton brand onion soup mix, but I like the Publix brand just as good, and it costs less, so that's what we use.

Step 5

Cover with foil and bake for 90 minutes (or until chicken is cooked through). Uncover and let stand for about five minutes before serving. I usually let it stand while I'm cooking my bread, so about 12 or so. That way it's still nice and warm when we sit down but not burn-your-tongue hot.

Refrigerate any leftovers you may have. You can reheat in the oven or in the microwave. This keeps for up to three days before it gets questionable.

2 Weeks of Fall Transition Outfit Ideas

How has it been two weeks since my last outfit roundup post already?! It really feels like I hit publish on that post, blinked, and we're right back.

The last two weeks have been a whirlwind. In my classroom specifically, we're currently wrapping up our first writing unit by creating children's books. In other news, the first progress reports of the school year went out, which meant a mountain of missing work suddenly showing up in my turn-in bins. There was also some parent drama, benchmark testing, and some extra responsibilities due to my being a mentor for a first-year teacher.

In life outside of school, my husband and I celebrated our 13th wedding anniversary this past week as well as my husband's 40th birthday. Alexis is part of her school's show choir; they'll be performing at a couple of places in the near future, so there's been lots of singing and dancing. We're also gearing up for hog show season, too, so expect lots of barn-related content on my socials soon.

Now on to what you're here for -- the outfits!

For those of you new to the blog, welcome! If this is your first real outfit roundup, this is a post I do every two weeks sharing the outfits I wore in real life along with brief explanations and/or thoughts about each look and links to shop exact or similar items.

Would you believe I actually remembered to take photos of every outfit I've worn over the last two weeks, including what I wore on the weekend? It's true! So I've got 12 outfits to share with you today. All of these looks are classroom-approved, even the ones I wore over the weekend, and each demonstrates small ways that I am transitioning my looks from summer to fall.

Our temperatures are still firmly in the summer range, so it's definitely too early for fall knits and chunky layers. What you'll notice in these outfits for the last two weeks is a darkening of color choices, a few more completer pieces like vests, and a shift in my footwear from sandals to close-toed flats. I've found these to be the easiest, and coolest, ways to shift my looks into fall when our temperature gauge still reads in the 90s.

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

T-shirt | Skirt | Shoes (similar)

We're going to start with what is probably my favorite outfit of the school year so far. When I saw this Powerline concert tee, I had to have it! It even has a tour schedule printed on the back like an actual concert tee. Not only is it colorful and speaking to my 90s-kid heart, it is so dang comfortable. The heather gray is sold out, but this exact shirt is available in black.

Pairing with this shirt with this gorgeous skirt just felt so right. All the colors were perfect matches. The base of the pattern in the skirt is navy blue, but it is very dark -- to the point that it looks black. But the floral print is so bright and fun. This is a skirt that can be worn year 'round, and I really enjoy wearing brighter dark prints in the colder, gloomier months.

This felt like too good of an opportunity to wear my fun, yellow wedges. I thought they were a nice punctuation point on this whole look. Mine are several years old, but I found a pair with good reviews that look very similar for you.

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

This is another Disney-inspired look. I've always loved Peter Pan, and I fell in love with this graphic tee as soon as I saw it. It's another one that's super soft and comfortable, a bit oversized but not to the point that I felt like I was swimming in it. It comes in a few different colors, but I really liked this blue.

I know there aren't dinosaurs in Peter Pan, but pairing this tee with this dino-print skirt just felt so fun and unexpected. I like quirky prints just as much as classic ones. I feel like they're such an easy way to add personality into your outfits while still being appropriate, especially as a teacher. This skirt is decent quality. It isn't lined, and it doesn't have pockets, but I was okay with that.

These mary janes were probably my best shoe buy last school year, and they're getting a lot of wear heading into fall. Unfortunately, these exact ones are long gone, but I've linked to two similar options that have good reviews and are at a decent price point. Seriously, this style of shoe is so versatile. You will not regret adding it to your closet.

Dress | Vest | Sandals (old)

This dress must be really popular because it's showing as sold out online, but I literally bought this the weekend before wearing it, so check your local Walmart because it's new. I'm still linking to it in the hopes they'll restock it. The print is so pretty, y'all. They have the same print in a skirt if you can't find the dress. I'm wearing it in a small, and it fits perfect.

I decided that because it's September, my shoulders needed a bit more coverage, so I layered this gorgeous lace vest over the top. When I bought this vest, I just knew that it was pretty. I had no idea it was going to fill a gap in my closet because I didn't know that gap even existed! This is going to be so useful for me with transitioning many of my dresses into fall.

My sandals are still great neutral options, but they're no longer available, and I can't find anything worthy of sharing as a replacement.

T-shirt | Jeans | Sneakers (exact, exact, exact)

We got to wear jeans on a random Thursday, so I decided to lean into the whole casual vibe with this funny grammar t-shirt. It says "capital letters & periods, bruh." It is very oversized. I ordered a medium and it fits almost like a large. I don't hate it, but it wasn't what I was expecting. I'm hoping that it will shrink a bit in the wash.

I still love my bright blue sneakers. They are no longer available on the Sketchers website, but they are still available in almost every size on three others, so I'm linking to those. These are really comfortable, but they are extremely bright in person. They also come in red.

Shirt | Vest (similar, similar) | Skirt | Shoes (similar, similar)

This is what I would consider a perfect fall transition outfit. I actually had it planned for awhile before I actually wore it. I love it so much. The only thing that would make this look better would be if my vest had a higher neckline, but it still works just fine.

Consider this my annual "you need a denim vest" reminder. This is the ultimate completer piece for when it's too warm to wear a jean jacket. This one is so good, too, and I had hoped that Old Navy would bring it back this season, but they did not. I did find a couple of similar styles for you, though.

My skirt is really old, but it's definitely a repeat favorite, and it's still available. It's got a slight high-low hem, but it's nothing dramatic. It is tiered as well, but again, nothing dramatic. It's lined and has an elastic waist but no pockets. It's a fun print, too. The red is what stands out the most, but it's also got some yellow in it.

My shirt is a sheer, lace, short-sleeve layering top. It's a bit cropped, but because I always wear it under something else, that's not's a problem. I actually have this exact top in three colors.

Dress | Vest | Shoes (similar) | Earrings

This was a fun weekend look that I would absolutely wear to school. This dress has been a favorite. It's a fun print and easy to layer. I liked the texture clash that the lace vest added to the look. It felt unexpected but also me.

I don't love the shoes I'm wearing here. Mostly because they're not the same color as the vest. You can't tell from the picture, but they're backless, white sneakers. I've had them for a few years now, and I still really enjoy them. My exact pair are not available, but I found a similar pair in a brand that I like.

Dress (similar) | Vest (similar, similar) | Shoes (similar, similar) | Headband (similar)

I really like how this look turned out. I bought this drop-waist dress at the beginning of summer and really liked the simplicity of it. It's very flattering on, but I really didn't think I would be able to make it school-appropriate through layering because of the lowered waist. Most of my layering pieces aren't long enough to match those proportions well...or so I thought.

Over the weekend, I threw this dress on to go eat and run some errands. I felt like I wanted more coverage on my shoulders, so I decided to give this vest a shot, and it worked so well! I love that it instantly made this dress look so different. I threw on my brown mary janes and added a cream-colored headband to finish out the look.

T-shirt (exact) | Skirt | Shoes

This was a fun look to start the week, especially since we're starting a unit that includes Edgar Allan Poe. He's my favorite author to teach...but I probably would have bought this shirt regardless. It has all of his works on it! I got this from Temu for pretty cheap, but if you're not comfortable shopping there, it's also available on Amazon, so I'm linking to it there as well.

Pairing this Poe shirt with this whimsical, floral, tulle skirt just felt right. This is one of my favorite skirts, and it always gets noticed. Even though it's tulle, it doesn't really feel fancy. I finished the look with a pair of knit mary janes. These are replacing those square-toed ones I got from Old Navy that I just could not make myself love. These have more of an almond-shaped toe, which I find much more flattering. Square-toed shoes just are not it for me.

Dress (similar, similar, similar) | Shoes (exact, similar)

I still love this dress that I found at one of my favorite local boutiques. I can't link to it, obviously, but I am linking to three dresses that are a similar style. They are not similar patterns or really even color palette. However, I would wear any of them.

This outfit share is really about the shoes. These flats might be the most comfortable pair of shoes I've ever worn. They are amazing. The padding is just right, and I wish all flats had the same style of padding in them, especially the padding on the heels. These are the Sketchers Cleo Square - Blissful Soul Ballet Flat. They do have a more square-shaped toe than I typically go for, but the comfort outweighs that for me. The taupe is the perfect neutral. They also come in a navy blue. I've linked to them on the Sketchers site as well as on Amazon and a dupe that looks almost exactly like them.

Sweater (similar) | Pants (similar, similar, similar) | Shoes (similar, similar) | Earrings

I like pairing brown and black together, and I really enjoyed the look of this outfit.

Short-sleeve sweaters are my go-to for those weird in-between season days. We really only have a couple of months a year where it's cool enough to wear full-out sweaters, so I have just as many short-sleeved options. These help me to feel seasonally appropriate without having a heat stroke.

This sweater was a surprise in terms of quality. It's not great, but it's not bad either. It's very thin, which works nicely for where I live. It's got a nice texture to it, which doesn't show in the picture at all. The color is like a cognac brown with cream. It's got three buttons at the neck, which I accidentally covered with my phone (sorry). I am linking to a really similar option from another seller as well; I might like that one more than this one if I'm being honest.

My black pants are old from Old Navy, and they didn't bring them back this year. Thankfully, this wide leg, cropped style are still pretty popular so I found an abundance of options for you. I'm linking to my top three.

Blouse (similar, similar, similar) | Jeans (similar) | Belt | Shoes (similar, similar)

I like a good pair of statement jeans. You may have noticed that I don't wear jeans often, but when I do there's usually something special about them. This pair is braided, and they're so cute. I got them in the spring. They're no longer available, but the exact same style is. They've updated them by switching the braids out for studs. They're cute, too, and I'd be interested if I actually needed another pair of jeans, but I don't.

My blouse is old, too. I really like dark floral prints. I wear them year-round, but they always feel especially appropriate for fall and winter. This is one of my favorite style of blouses from Old Navy, but they don't have any right now. I did find some pretty darker floral print tops, though, so I'm linking those for you.

T-shirt | Jeans | Belt | Shoes | Headband (similar)

This was such a fun outfit and very appropriate for what my classes are working on right now. They're writing children's books, and Alice in Wonderland is one of the best-known children's books out there. I also happen to love Alice in Wonderland, both the original story and many different retellings. The Mad Hatter is always a favorite character, even when he's the bad guy, so I couldn't pass up this fun graphic tee. It pairs exceptionally well with my favorite floral print jeans, which are still available!

I wanted to channel Alice as much as possible with this look, so I added a black headband and my new black flats. You can't tell here, but they are the knit mary janes I shared in an earlier outfit. I actually sized up to a 7 1/2 in these because there were no 7s available. I think I'm actually going to like that extra room, though. I also tried on the 6 1/2, and they also fit, so take from that what you will.

Fall Favorites at Old Navy

Y'all know I love Old Navy. At least half my closet (especially my wear-to-work pieces) can trace its origins back to their racks. So when the seasons are changing, and I'm looking for ways to freshen up my seasonal looks, you know I'm going to head there first.

Old Navy has a ton of good fall staples right now, and they're almost always running some kind of deal. In fact, all but two items in my last order were marked down. They've also just dropped a new bag shop that is so good, y'all. And, I've said it before, but I'll say it again: do not sleep on Old Navy shoes!

What I love about Old Navy is that they keep bringing back the styles that I love every year in new colors and prints while also offering budget-friendly options in current trends should I want to try them. I always know that I'm getting clothes that will fit how I want them, be good quality that lasts for years, and not break the bank when I check out.

To sum up -- pretty clothes, good quality, and great prices. Why wouldn't I shop there?

So without further ado, here are my fall favorites from Old Navy, including the nine things I actually shopped plus nine other great options.

*This post is not sponsored, but it does contain affiliate links, meaning if you shop through one of my links, I may earn commission at no extra cost to you.

What I Bought

Waffle-Knit Henley - I am so glad they brought this back! I bought the pink version of this top last year and it quickly became my most-worn casual cold-weather top. It is so comfortable and soft. I know I'll get a lot of wear out of this 'mushroom' colored one, too.

Brown Floral Swing Dress -I already own the 'pink plaid' version of this dress, and it is so dang cute that I can't resist getting this gorgeous brown floral.

Dusty Blue Midi Dress - This is arguably one of my favorite style of dresses to wear, and this dusty blue color is just so pretty! It also comes in clove and black.

Green Floral Maxi Dress - I like both color options in this dress, but there's just something about the green that is calling my name. I know I'll wear it year-round.

Oversized Graphic Print Sweatshirt - I love a good graphic sweatshirt, and as a self-professed bookworm, how could I pass this one up?

Billie Wide-Leg Trousers - These remind me of the sweatpant trousers I had a couple of years ago. These are not sweatpant material, though, which means I'll be able to wear them more.

Team Spirit Graphic Tee - Do I need another Halloween shirt? Probably not. But this one is adorable and only $8.

Leopard Print Mary Janes - I don't know how long Mary Janes are going to be a trend, but now that I've started wearing them, I may never stop. Plus, my old leopard print flats are tired.

Carrie Crossbody - Crossbody bags are having a moment, and this one is really cute. It can also be converted from a crossbody to a shorter shoulder strap.

More Great Options

Medium Carry Tote Bag - I really like the look of this tote. It's like a bucket bag had a baby with a tote bag. The only reason I didn't snag this is because I truly don't need anything this large.

Lace Trim Blouse - This is very pretty, and I do love the idea of it, but I know myself, and I know that I would not actually wear this enough to justify buying it.

Green Floral Long Sleeve Dress - The only reason this one is not in my cart is because I already have a similar dress hanging in my closet.

Brown Polka Dot Dress - I love brown-and-cream polka dots (Pretty Woman, anyone?), but ultimately I know I won't get much wear out of this one. These tend to be clingy and an inch or two shorter than I like to wear to school, and ordering up a size doesn't work because then they fit like a circus tent.

Studded Wide-Leg Jeans - I don't need another pair of jeans, but if I did, these would be at the top of my pile.

Cable-Knit Sweater Vest - I'm not in the market for more sweater vests, but if I were, these would be on my radar for sure. This comes in several color options.

Slouchy Cable-Knit Cardigan - Grandpa-style cardigans are my kryptonite, and not adding this to my cart was an act in willpower, but I really don't need another cardigan in my closet. I really love the navy blue and burgundy ones of these though. They give off an academia vibe that I just can't get enough of.

Barn Jacket - This style of jacket is currently on trend, but it's definitely not my style. I also just got a new jacket this past winter, so I don't need a new one.

Loafers - You cannot go wrong with a good pair of loafers, and Old Navy has surprisingly decent shoe quality these days. I already have a pair of black and brown loafers, so I'm not in the market.

4 Things Working Well for Me So Far This School Year

We just wrapped up week five of the 2025-26 school year, meaning we're halfway through the first quarter. Progress Reports just went home, and we're really starting to settle into the pace and rigor of the curriculum. Eighth grade is hard, and it takes a little bit for some students to get in step with the quicker pace and more rigorous expectations; those first progress reports were definitely a wake-up call for some of them!

At this point in the school year, I like to reflect on what's working and what isn't. This is a good time to reassess procedures and even expectations, especially if things are not working. I've been fortunate so far in that really only one thing hasn't been working, but it's in the process of being corrected. Step one was implemented this past week, and step two will be phased in this coming week.

What I really want to focus on are the things that are working well for me so far this year. I decided to share the four procedures that are making the most impact in my daily teaching life. These are the top 4 things I'm doing in my 8th grade ELA classroom that are helping to prevent headaches (for me) before they even start.

1. Pencil Parking Lot

No one is more surprised than me that this is actually working, but let me tell you how grateful I am that it is. It has been an absolute game changer for me. Last year, the "I-don't-have-a-pencil" issue was such a headache! Here's how it works: I taped off a section of my dry erase board with black electrical tape -- a pencil parking lot, if you will. Inside this area, I placed six adhesive pencil holders. At the beginning of the year, I filled each holder with a full-sized wooden pencil. Students are able to borrow a pencil from the parking lot as needed, so long as they return it before they leave. I do not replace the pencils if they all disappear in a day, but I will pick up pencils left behind on the floor or that are swept up by the custodians at the end of the day and use those to fill any empty parking spaces. I also will replace any that have been sharpened all the way down and refill with brand new pencils at the start of a new month if needed. I fully expected to have an empty "parking lot" at the end of the first month, but most days at least half of the parking spots still have a pencil. It's still early in the year, so this could be a false sense of success, but I'm cautiously hopeful.

2. Writing Folders

This is the one system that has held over in its entirety from my first year of teaching, but it works so well for me that I have to share it. As in, I have changed absolutely nothing about this system (other than the brand of the folders I use and the storage container). At the start of the year, each student receives a hanging file folder; I have the tabs with their names already attached, but they're able to decorate their folder in other ways if they want to.  I order from Amazon for the best price. The folders are stored in a pair of crates; I've found that they're much sturdier than other storage methods and also cheaper. Mine came from Walmart. My students do all of their writing in class, and all of their writing materials - outline, rough draft, etc. - are kept in these folders so that I can go and pull things for grading, conferencing, review, etc. The folders do not leave my room other than brief trips to ISS. At the end of the year, their folder is essentially a portfolio of all their writing from the year.

3. L-Shaped Desk Arrangements

This is also not a new thing for me, but I'm including it because it really is what works best for my classroom. What I like about this desk arrangement is that I can position myself directly next to any individual student no matter where they are sitting. It also means each desk faces the smart board. This layout still promotes group and partner work, while also creating a bit more division between groups, which is what one particular class needs. Note: I do have one central desk pod because of space constraints, two sets of two desks each, and a straight-line trio in a tighter space. I also have a table at the back of the room that can sit two students (I have one large class that needs the table, and a few students in other classes that need separation).

4. ParentSquare Calendar

If you have any dealings with a school, then you'll know that Remind is no more. It's been replaced with ParentSquare, and let me tell you -- I am impressed with this program so far. My favorite feature by far is the class calendar. I can put quiz and test dates, project due dates, etc. on this calendar, and it will automatically send a reminder to parents the day before. Total game changer for me because I don't always remember to send out those reminders (even though students are reminded on the daily, ha). I can also keep better track of who's reading the regular posts, which is super helpful.

Two Weeks of Teacher Outfits to Copy Heading into Fall

Another two weeks of school is in the books, and that means it's time for another real outfit roundup. This is a bi-weekly post in which I share the looks I wore in real life, my thoughts about each, and links to shop the same or similar items.

This roundup spans the final week of August and first week of September, including Labor Day Weekend. All of the outfits I'm sharing, however, will be from the work week. I did not document my looks from the weekend, but you can see a recap of what we did on my Instagram.

As we move into September, you'll notice my outfits start to shift more to fall. It'll be a subtle shift as it won't be cold enough for layers here for awhile yet. My color combos will start to welcome in the warmer tones of autumn, and I like to play with textures that mimic fall fabrics without adding suffocating bulk to my outfits. You'll also see a shift in my footwear, from sandals to flats and other closed-in options.

Most of this outfit roundup features older pieces from my closet. Three of the outfits are exact (or near-exact) replicas of outfits from last school year. All this to say that while I do love to shop, my goal has always been to have a functional closet filled with pieces that I love to wear. For the last few years, I've been essentially redesigning my closet to fit where I am at currently, and I think I've finally achieved that.

On to 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.

Blouse | Skirt (similar) | Shoes (similar)

I really enjoyed this outfit. It feels very different from what I usually share and does not give off teacher vibes (in my opinion at least). Still, I was quite comfortable all day long in this, although I am always mindful of my proximity to the dry erase board when wearing white.

My skirt is that one from Target that went viral back in the spring. It's holding up quite well, though it does wrinkle more easily than I remember (even fresh out of the dryer) and does not iron well. It's no longer available, but this is a classic style that never goes out of style.

I'd been wanting to pair this tie-front top with this skirt, and I really love the end result. I did layer it over a navy blue camisole to make it school appropriate, although I've never worn it just by itself. The material is very thin and feels way more revealing than I'm comfortable with. I kept my shoes simple - navy blue flats.

Shirt (similar) | Vest (similar, similar) | Skirt | Shoes (similar, similar)

This is by far my favorite outfit from the past two weeks. There's just something so satisfying about it. Everything in it is old, though the exact skirt is still available. I've found really close dupes for everything else.

I'm so ready to embrace fall, but our weather just isn't there yet, so I tried to mimic the changing of the seasons with the colors of this outfit -- warm yellow-gold, deep red-burgundy, and denim blue. I feel like I should have been walking through a field of sunflowers or at a pumpkin patch in this look.

Blouse (similar) | Jeans | Belt | Shoes (similar)

I enjoyed this outfit, as well. These jeans are still one of my favorite additions to my closet last year. I love the jacquard texture and solid, contrasting pockets. It makes them so interesting. They're still fully available and also come in two other washes.

I decided to do a little bit of pattern/texture play with this outfit and paired it with this adorable blue, floral blouse. It has so many interesting details - embroidery, puffed sleeves, Peter Pan collar. Unfortunately, this pretty blue is no longer available, but there are three other colors in this exact style. I'm also linking to a similar style that has several more colors to choose from.

I decided to keep my accessories light to match the blouse and let the jeans be the star of the outfit.

Shirt (similar) | Skirt (similar) | Shoes (similar) | Earrings

This is another outfit created mostly from pieces I've had for awhile. I love dalmatian print as an alternative to polka dots. I've had this skirt for years. It's still available in some sizes but probably not for long.

My graphic tee is of the Eiffel Tower and has Bonjour Paris embroidered in a nice, bright red. So naturally I chose red shoes and earrings. My red Mary Janes are finally sold out, but I linked to a kind of similar pair. Truthfully, I've not seen anything like these ones. I prefer this woven look to mesh.

Shirt (similar, similar, similar) | Pants (similar) | Shoes (similar, similar)

This is a repeat outfit from last school year. These linen pants were really popular in the spring and early summer; I was seeing them everywhere for awhile. I was hoping Old Navy would restock them for fall since this color is perfect for the season, but so far they haven't. They're still available in a few sizes, so I'm linking them as well as a similar pair (the color isn't quite right, though).

My shirt says Pasta Lover's Club and is long gone. I'm pretty sure I got it on clearance if we're being honest. I found three fun alternatives that keep the same vibe for you. The first one is the closest in color while the second has the exact same phrase.

Dress | Shoes (similar, similar)

Once the calendar swaps to September, I am officially in "fall mode." This dress is a great transition piece for when the weather still feels like summer. It's very lightweight and not lined so perfect for 90-degree days. The width of the sleeves can be adjusted to be more sleeveless if you'd like, but I just left them as caps.

The waist was a little odd for me, though not enough for me to return it. I had to adjust it every time I stood to keep it from being poofy right in the middle. I don't really know how to explain it. Sizing up might have helped, but then the v-neck would have been way too low.

Shirt (similar) | Skirt | Belt | Sandals (similar)

This is probably my favorite skirt to style. It's just so much fun and so versatile. In fact, I wear it so much, I've had to stitch up the seams in two different places from where it's gotten caught on things and pulled loose, and I will continue to do so until the day it's no longer possible...then I'll order a replacement. I just can't imagine my closet without this skirt in it!

I paired it this go 'round with a grammar tee. This particular one came from Temu and is good quality. It's incredibly soft, and the design isn't one of those crunchy ones. I know that some of you don't do Temu, so I found the exact same style on Amazon, though I can't speak to the quality of the shirt.

Shirt (similar, similar) | Vest (similar, similar) | Pants (similar, similar) | Shoes (similar, similar)

This is another outfit repeated from last school year, although the vest is a new addition...one that I'm not sure I like. In theory, this outfit should have worked. It's an outfit formula that I've used many times with success, but I don't know. This time the outfit feels bulky on top.

Anyway, this is my bluebird graphic tee that you guys absolutely love. Sadly, it is long gone, as is the equally-as-popular option I had been linking to in its place. But I did find a really pretty bluebird graphic tee on Amazon, and I'm also linking to a very similar but different color floral shop tee.

My pants are the blue version of the popular red striped linen pants from earlier in the post. They're also mostly sold out, but I haven't lost hope that Old Navy will restock them.

Shirt (similar) | Pants (similar) | Shoes (similar)

This is another old outfit, but it's still a favorite of mine. My exact cargoes are still available (and very affordable). They're one of the best things I've gotten off Temu, and I highly recommend them. Even my students like them, and that's saying something! I really like that the pockets on the legs aren't bulky, which make them much more wearable for me. They also have a stretchy, pull-on waistband instead of a button and zipper for maximum comfort.

My shirt is no longer available from the seller I bought it from, which is a shame because this shirt is one of the softest I own. It is very oversized, though, so whenever I wear it I usually tie it up in some way. This go 'round I tie it in the back and tucked the tail up (my students started doing this last year and thought I was copying them LOL).