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

It's the first favorite things roundup post of 2026! This is a post I do at the end of each month sharing the things that I found joy in throughout the month as well as the things I shared that were most popular with you guys.

Whew. January was a rough one, y'all. I'm not sure if I've ever been this glad to see a month end. From jury duty pretty much blowing up my plans for the month, Alexis (and now my parents) getting the flu, and a difficult, frustrating month of school, it has honestly been pretty difficult to find the good this month.

But I am a firm believer in focusing on the good over the bad, so here are some things that went well this month.

We had a snow day this month. It was absolutely nothing like last year, and we didn't do more than look this year since Alexis had the flu at the time, but snow is always magical in our neck of the woods, even if it melts by lunch.

While school this month was overall pretty frustrating, for a number of reasons not all having to do with hormonal middle school students who sometimes forget that they aren't adults, there have been some things worth remembering. For example, one of the days I had jury duty I left this Dragon Story Writing Challenge for my students to complete; I just read them this week, and it was a nice reminder that they can be creative.

Also this month, I decided to do a detective mystery exercise to kick off my argumentative writing unit, and it went well in all of my classes. I divided students into teams, gave them a folder of evidence and a suspect list, and then they had to find motives and alibis for each suspect. My gifted/talented class created evidence boards as part of their enrichment. It was honestly a lot of fun, and I wish I had been able to spend more class days on this activity with all of my classes.

There really wasn't a lot going on in my personal life this month. Or at least nothing that I want to share here. The biggest thing of note was jury duty, which I neither can nor want to talk about in depth. Just know that it was a frustrating process right up until I was finally chosen and that the trial I served on was not a fun one.

Okay, that about sums up the month. On to the favorites! Mine are pretty standard, but yours were a bit weird. Despite being deep into winter, apparently you all have spring break and/or summer on the brain. Several pairs of sandals, linen pants, and summer tops made the top 10 in terms of popularity, but because they are all no longer available (some for several years now), I decided not to include them in the actual list. Instead, I did the top 10 most popular items that are still available.

My Favorites

None of This is True by Lisa Jewell -- This book was a wild ride that got me through jury duty. It's about a podcaster who meets a woman that shares her birthday and lets her convince her to do a new series featuring her. Her birthday twin, however, has some serious issues.

The Restoration Garden by Sara Blaydes -- This was my January book club pick, and I enjoyed it quite a lot. It was not what I was expecting -- in a good way! It's a dual timeline historical fiction novel set during World War II and present day.

Get the Message by The Paradox -- I really like this band and frequently have this song stuck in my head. Not only is it catchy, but the lyrics are good. Not to mention this is a new punk rock band, which is exciting.

I KINDA LIKE THAT by LAUNDRY DAY -- Is this a repeat from December?! Yes! This song is still living rent free in my head this month. I get excited when it comes on the radio, dance like an idiot in the car to it, and am pretty much constantly humming it or singing it under my breath.

Green Crochet Sweater Outfit -- I was unnecessarily cautious of this outfit when I first styled it. I was worried that it just didn't work, but I'm glad that I didn't let myself change into something safer. This turned out to be one of my favorite outfits from the month. Of course, the fact that other people complimented the look helped to boost my confidence. Most specifically wanted to know where the sweater came from, and I was only too happy to share. So this is my reminder to myself to confidently wear what feels good in the moment.

Blue Moth Skirt + Floral Shirt Outfit -- I unintentionally bought the same skirt in three different colors, with one being a different material, but I'm honestly not mad about it. I am having so much fun styling them, and I love the whimsy. This outfit just clicked. My trick for mixing prints with confidence is to match a specific color. In the case of this one, it's the blue. I do have a belt to add some separation between the prints; you just can't see it because I'm sitting in the picture.

Patchwork Skirt Layered Outfit -- I think this might actually be my favorite outfit of the month. I had so much fun styling this one, and I was genuinely comfortable and at ease in it all day long. It's made up of some of my most favorite pieces, and it just works for me.

Medallion Belt Outfit -- This outfit was all about the belt, which I almost gave its own entry on this list, but I've actually only worn it the one time since I bought it, so it didn't feel appropriate, and I really do love this whole look. It took me right back to the early 2000s when the boho trend was all the rage. It was probably my favorite trend to have lived through, and I love that it's having a bit of a resurgence right now.

Sweater Socks -- These socks are not new, but they are my most-worn socks this month and quite honestly my favorite winter socks. They're warm but not so thick as to be uncomfortable inside my boots. I seriously can't recommend them enough.

Brown Lace-Up Boots -- This is another not-new item, but they are absolutely my most-worn shoe for the month and winter. These are my favorite boots, hands down, and I will repurchase when I wear these out.

Your Favorites

Wide-Leg Stevie Pants -- These really are good, y'all. Old Navy's Stevie pant is my alternative to leggings, and this wide-leg style feels very work appropriate. They come in three colors.

Red Striped Matching Lounge Set -- It doesn't seem like the right time of year for this super cute set to be so popular, but here we are. I guess y'all have spring break on the mind? This is a cute set, though.

Vicks Sinex Saline Fine Nasal Spray - 'Tis the season for sniffles. This is my favorite saline nose spray. We keep a can of this pretty much year 'round.

Sweater Socks -- Great minds think alike it seems. This is the second month in a row that these socks have been at the top of the popularity list. I know I've already said it, but these are my favorite winter socks.

SoComfy Oversized Graphic Sweatshirt -- I love Old Navy's SoComfy sweatshirts, especially the oversized ones. My exact bookstore print one is sold out ,but there are lots of other options in this exact style, which is why I'm including it on the list.

Skechers Hotshot Varsity Crew Sneakers -- Two months in a row for these bright blue sneakers. I love that they're comfortable, and that they're a statement.

Wow Bootcut Jeans -- These are my second-favorite pair of bootcut jeans. My Levi's beat these ones, but Old Navy's price point is more affordable by far. And these ones are good. I wear them just as much as my Levi's, although in all fairness, I only have two pair of bootcut jeans.

Dr Teal's Soothe & Comfort Foaming Bath with Oat Milk & Argan Oil -- Y'all know I love Dr. Teal's bubble bath. This is not my current flavor, but it is one of my favorites.

Pear Sweater Vest -- Thanks for reminding me that I have this quirky sweater vest in my closet! I need to pull it out and wear it while I can.

Denim Vest -- I don't personally own this particular vest, but it is the one that I link to pretty often as an alternative to the one that I wear all the time.

2 Weeks of Winter Outfit Ideas

I'm back with the second real outfit roundup of 2026. I don't know what it is about January, but it feels like we've been in this month for at least a year...and there's still another full week left!

This time last year, we were dealing with snow that stayed on the ground for about a week. So far this year our weather has been a bit menopausal. We've been swinging back and forth between 80-degrees and freezing. It even snowed last weekend! Not like last year -- it was gone by the afternoon. Now we're bracing for storms that will bring us the coldest sustained temps we've had so far this winter, and the weather guys are talking about ice this week and another possible snow event next weekend.

If you follow me on socials, then you'll know that these last two weeks have not been typical for me. I had jury duty, and I was picked to be on a jury. While it was an interesting experience, it was not a fun one, and I'm glad it's over.

You may also have noticed that in addition to weekly OOTD roundup posts, I've been sharing daily outfits to my stories (or at least trying to). That way you can shop any items you like quicker and hopefully avoid things selling out.

That said, most everything in this roundup is old. I'm trying to do a better job of shopping my own closet and wearing what I already have. That doesn't mean I won't ever buy anything new, but I'm trying to be more conscientious of my spending habits, especially when it comes to clothes.

Now for the outfits! As always, I'll share a brief explanation for each look plus links to shop the same or similar items. As a reminder, I am 5'2" and weigh about 140 lbs. I usually wear size 6 or s/m in clothes and size 7 in shoes.

Sweater (similar, similar) | Pants (similar) | Necklace | Boots

We're starting with day one of jury duty. I had no idea what to expect really, and I didn't know how exactly I should dress, so I pulled out one of my most repeated cold weather outfits.

These pants, believe it or not, are from Temu, but you would only know it because I told you. They're actually one of my nicest quality winter pants, and I can't believe I paid so little for them. They are a true winter pant for me because they're made of wool, and it's only cold enough for me to comfortably wear them a few times a year. That's also the reason why I haven't experimented much with them in terms of how I wear them. I just update the black top to whatever is appropriate for the time.

This sweater is from this season, but it's sold out. I found a couple of similar options that are actually nicer than this one. I try not to spend much on sweaters since I wear them so rarely. This one is from Walmart and cost about $12. I like that the weave is open and breathes. It does mean I have to wear something under it, although I'll be honest and say that I have no idea what I wore under it this day.

Dress (similar, similar) | Belt | Tights | Boots

I was actually dismissed for a full day since the trial I was paneled for didn't start until Wednesday, so on Tuesday I worked. I know the lighting in this picture is awful. I tried to fix it to show the colors better. This dress and my tights are navy blue, not black.

Speaking of this dress, it's new. As in I bought it only a few weeks ago, but I cannot find it online anywhere. It's from Walmart, though, so check your local store if you like it. I will say that I sized up for length and to make sure the buttons on the bodice wouldn't pull. That did not fix the sleeve cuffs, though. They are tiny, and I ended up wearing this with the button undone all day. For a good portion of the day I had a cardigan layered over the top, but I didn't take a photo with it on.

My boots are also new. I wanted a new pair of brown, low-heeled boots. The pair I've had for years are starting to show their age, and the heel on my other pair is not really practical for all-day wear at school. These are a similar style to the Frye boots that are so popular right now but at a fraction of the cost. I wish the shafts were a bit wider on my calves, but they're not uncomfortable.

Sweater | Pants (similar) | Boots

On Wednesday it was back to jury duty, and it was cold that day. I knew I was in for a long day of sitting, so I wanted to be comfortable. I also wanted to be professional, so I pulled out these blue pinstriped pants that I got at the beginning of the school year. I wore almost this exact outfit back in November; the only thing I changed was my boots.

These pants have been a nice addition to my closet. They're incredibly versatile and can be worn in all seasons. I really like that they're a pull-on style pant with an elastic waist instead of a button and zipper. They're the Billie pant by Old Navy. This exact pair is sold out, but they come in quite a few options.

My sweater is also by Old Navy. It's part of their SoSoft line, which is honestly the best ever. This style is still available, although this exact shade of blue is not.

Sweater (similar, similar) | Long-Sleeve Shirt | Pants (similar) | Boots

Thursday, and day three of jury duty, was really cold, and because I knew I would be walking pretty far from where I had to park to the courthouse, I dressed in more layers than I typically do. Also, I almost always wear something under sweaters to keep them from rubbing my skin all day. I can't stand that.

Everything in this outfit is old, but my long-sleeve basic tee that I layered under the sweater and my boots are still available. This long-sleeve layering tee is absolutely worth buying. I have it in three colors and wear them all the time during the winter. They're a great base layer, but can also be worn on their own.

Sweater (similar) | Skirt | Boots

By the time we got to Friday and day four of jury duty, I needed a cheerful outfit. This colorful, floral skirt was just the thing. It would have been really easy to throw on another black sweater and call it a day, but I decided to lean into the pink tones of the pattern.

My sweater is really old, but I still love it, especially the lace-like detailing on the sleeves. It adds interest to what would otherwise be just a basic, solid-colored sweater.

Blouse | Sweater Vest | Skirt | Boots

Skipping ahead to Tuesday and finally going back to work. I've had this outfit planned since before Christmas, just waiting on the weather to cooperate so I could actually wear it. Plaid on plaid is a combo that I love but rarely wear myself. I was thrilled with how this outfit turned out.

I've had this skirt for several years now. It's one of the best quality pieces I've gotten off Amazon. The skirt is 80 percent wool and fully lined. It has a side zip closure and faux leather detailing at the pockets. It comes in a ton of other color options.

I got this blouse with Christmas in mind, but then we had summer-like temps, and I didn't wear it. Surprisingly, it's still available in all sizes, and it's marked down to under $20. I love the oversized collar and the velvet bow-tie.

The long sweater vest was the perfect finishing piece. It gave me just a bit more warmth over the thinner blouse without suffocating me. It's available in several other colors.

Shirt | Vest (similar) | Jacket | Skirt | Boots | Bag

This outfit started with the skirt, and then I kept adding layers until it felt complete. I did end up taking the jacket off at some point during the day because the building was so warm, but I loved the overall layered outfit so much. Also, this is one of my favorite jackets. It is corduroy, but it's thin and not lined, so it's perfect for our typical southern fall/winter weather. It's cropped, too, which works well for my shorter frame.

Let's talk about my skirt. First off, it's 100 percent cotton, so it feels good. Very soft. It's not lined, but it doesn't need to be. The waist is elastic, and it does not have pockets. I sized up to a large in an overabundance of caution; I could have easily worn the medium, but it did shrink some in the wash. Not much, but it's not falling off.

This turtleneck is one of my favorite things I've bought recently. It's not your basic turtleneck. The neck, hem, and sleeves are all lettuce-edge, which is probably my favorite retro trend that's come back around. It's also ribbed with an almost lace-like texture. It is so soft, too. Highly recommend.

Sweater | Pants (similar, similar) | Boots

This was not what I had planned to wear this day. Not even remotely close. I don't know what made me change my mind, but I woke up and no longer wanted to wear the outfit I had laid out the night before. All I know is I was feeling less whimsical and more academic.

Anyway, these pants are so good. They are the wide leg pixie pant by Old Navy. I'm so glad that they make this pant in more than just a skinny leg now. Anyway, this gorgeous brown-and-pink pattern is no longer available in this style, but they do have it in two other leg options, which I've linked to for you.

I decided that I wanted to go with a more monochrome look, so I pulled out this gorgeous purpley tunic sweater. It's another of Old Navy's SoSoft line, which is honestly amazing.

T-shirt | Plaid Shirt (similar) | Pants (similar) | Shoes (similar)

That brings us to Friday, and a day when I didn't actually know what I wanted to wear. I threw this together about 10 minutes before I left the house. Apparently, I should have incorporated more color. A few students asked if I felt okay and another wanted to know why I was wearing only black and white.

My t-shirt is an old library check-out card. I realize that you can't read the very top in this picture, but it says "Return to Library." I was worried when I ordered this that it was going to be one of those crinkly, sticker-like designs, but I was pleasantly surprised.

My cargos are old, and I wish I could still link to them, but they're no longer available. My button-down is also old, as are my sneakers.

The Last Books I Read in 2025

I've got a quick little reading roundup for you guys today featuring the last three books I read in 2025. In other words, these are the three books I read in December that weren't rereads.

December tends to be busy, and I spent a good chunk of it grading essays and doing end-of-semester testing, so my reading tends to taper off some, especially for new reads. I usually find myself in need of a reset, and rereading a favorite book or series does that for me.

My original plan had been to do a winter reading roundup that encompassed several months, but the more I thought about it the less keen I was on the idea of combining my final 2025 reads with my first 2026 reads. I wanted a clear line of demarcation as it were. So here we are with the shortest reading roundup post I've done in years.

Ironically, all three of these titles have already been mentioned on the blog before, though only one has actually been reviewed. Though this review post is small, it is mighty. I would recommend all three of these books without hesitation.

Tea & Alchemy

Author: Sharon Lynn Fisher

This was what I chose for my December First Read, and I have to admit it's the only one I've ever chosen that I immediately read...and devoured! This book was so good, y'all, and it definitely found its place near the top of my list for best books of 2025. There are a ton of allusions to Dracula, but it's not a retelling or even a traditional vampire story really (outside of the blood-drinking). On her way home from work at the village tea shop, Mina discovers a man dead on the heath. The man is the solicitor for Harker, the mysterious and never-seen lord of the manor on Roche Rock. The local sheriff believes the man was killed in an animal attack, but Harker knows the truth: it was a vampire. He himself is also a vampire, though he has managed to create a substitute for human blood through alchemy. Harker didn't know that other creatures like him existed, and when it becomes apparent that this other vampire is targeting Mina, who he has unexpressed feelings for, Harker is determined to find and put the creature down.

Sorry I Missed You

Author: Suzy Krause

This was my book club pick for December, and it was a wild ride. It is essentially about three different women who all move into an apartment building that has ghosts in the attic (the ghosts are important, I promise). When a badly-damaged letter shows up wanting to meet at a local coffee shop, all three women can think of someone who might have sent it. So each day, the three of them go to the coffee shop and wait for someone they know to show up. Meanwhile, they're getting to know each other and sharing very vulnerable truths. These trips to the coffee shop are not only bringing the three women together but also giving them the opportunity to find closure and move forward in their very different lives. Read my full review here.

Family & Other Calamities

Author: Leslie Gray Streeter

I enjoyed this one. Y'all know I can't resist a book about a journalist. Dawn is a successful entertainment journalist in Los Angeles. Her archnemesis, Joe, is a famous national news anchor. They weren't always enemies, though. Joe was once Dawn's mentor; it all started when she interned for the Baltimore newspaper where Joe was working as a reporter and continued into Dawn's first reporting job in a nearby town. It all fell apart when Joe stole Dawn's story about corruption in Baltimore City Hall. Young and feeling foolish, Dawn fled with her soon-to-be husband across the country and never looked back. Until he died, and she had to take his ashes back home to his family. As if that's not awful enough, Joe is back in town, too, to film a movie about the story he stole from her...and he's cast her and her late husband as the villain. Now, Dawn is on a mission to reclaim what was rightfully hers.

Top 10 Best Sellers of 2025

Last month, I shared my best purchases for 2025. Everything on that list were items I bought for myself that made a noticeable difference in my day-to-day life.

Then I thought to myself that it would be interesting to see what you guys loved the most over the past year. I started by looking at the most popular items I shared with you in terms of the number of clicks it received -- not many surprises there really; it lined up with what's been being popular all year long.

Then I looked at what the top sellers were -- a.k.a. the things that were actually purchased the most number of times. And boy was I surprised! These were much more interesting than the most clicked items in my opinion, and I decided that I definitely needed to share this particular roundup with y'all. A few of the items on this list are really random and not at all what I expected.

Clever Fox Teacher Planner -- Never would I have imagined that this would be the top seller of the year. I mean, this is my favorite planner, hands-down. I talked about it on the blog a total of six times this past year. It made my 2024 best purchases list, two monthly favorites list (July and August), a roundup of my favorite teacher products for the previous school year, a teacher must-have list for this school year, and my 2025 Prime Day roundup. It really is a good planner, y'all.

Rugged Shark Men's Water Shoes -- The fact that these water shoes are on the list isn't all that surprising. These sneaker-like water shoes made the favorites list three months in a row (June, July, and August) and were part of my Walmart summer must haves list. I wouldn't have guessed they'd be the second most bought item I shared last year. My husband loves these, by the way, and they're still available in all sizes.

Giant Paper Clips from etsy -- This one is truly surprising to me. These got shared exactly once on the blog, as part of a teacher appreciation gift ideas post. Apparently y'all thought it was a good gift idea.

Kool-Aid Snow Cone Maker -- This was one of the best things I bought this summer. It was an inexpensive way to add a little magic to summer break. It's no longer available, but the product page is still active so maybe they're planning on bringing it back?

Leopard Print Mary Janes -- I bought these back in September, so it's a bit surprising to me that they're a top seller for the year since they haven't been making an appearance for very long. That said, these are really cute and on trend. Unfortunately, the leopard print is sold out, but Old Navy does still have the same style shoe available in other colors.

Bluebird Graphic Tee -- Is anyone surprised that this one made the list? I mean, it was at the top of the favorites list for months, long after it sold out in fact. Eventually, the Stay Wild graphic tee took its place (until it, too, sold out), but it never fully surpassed my beloved bluebird shirt. 

Fruit & Floral Print Peplum -- I'll be honest. I barely remember this top. A quick search shows me that it made the May favorites list, and I shared it one other time in an early summer outfit post. I'm sure I wore it more than once, especially since I tend to wear the same things over and over in the summer and just don't photograph them. It is definitely a statement top, that's for sure, and must have made an impression on y'all.

Skechers Hot Shot Sneakers -- These were my back-to-school shoes. I needed a new pair of sneakers and really didn't want anything neutral. I've been very happy with these. They're also available here and here.

Ruffled Split Neck Top -- This blouse from Old Navy came out of left field. I don't even own this! I'm thinking I must have used it as a similar option for something, although I truly have no idea what that would be. At any rate, this one isn't available anymore, and they don't have anything similar right now.

Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizing Lotion -- Rounding out our top 10 is a random beauty product, although this is one that I use pretty faithfully during the summer. As a rule, I don't really care about being tan -- I'm a redhead after all. But I also don't like looking like a ghost. This lotion helps to give me a little bit of color without looking totally fake. It also doesn't smell bad and is easy to apply.

10 Not Basic Outfits for Winter

How has it been two weeks already? I feel like I just shared one of these yesterday!

Anyway, welcome to the first real outfit roundup of 2026, although the first three outfits I'll be sharing with y'all are from December. If I'd been really thinking about it, I would have delayed my last roundup by a few days, but here we are.

Our weather has been so weird the last couple of weeks. We've had some cold days, but they've been few and far between. In fact, this past week our temperatures felt like early summer. It's made getting dressed very tricky, and I basically decided to stop trying to emulate winter looks in warm-weather clothes and just wear what felt good.

That's actually one of the things I've been actively working on for myself. I grew up in the 90s and transitioned into adulthood in the early 2000s, an era in which unrealistic beauty standards abounded. If you grew up during that same time period, then you know exactly what I'm talking about. I've always mostly worn what I wanted but always within these unspoken rules that dictated so-called proper proportions and what is or is not flattering.

Finding peace with my body at any given stage has been a process, and one with which I have not always been successful. But as I edge ever closer to my 40s (we're down to mere months, y'all!), I find that I'm less and less concerned with what society tells me I should feel about the way I look or dress. That doesn't stop me from questioning some of my own outfit creations, but I am experimenting more and more as I chase this version of myself that I always wanted to be but never felt like was right.

All that to say that 2026 is going to be a weird year for fashion choices as I continue to curate my closet in a direction that matches my personality. If nothing else, I hope I can inspire you to be unapologetically you.

Now for the first outfits of the year! This roundup covers the last week of my Christmas break and my first week back at work. As I said earlier, our weather has been weird, so these outfits are kind of all over the place. As always, I'll include explanations for each look as well as links to shop the same or similar items and sizing recommendations as needed.

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.

Shirt | Jeans | Boots

We're starting with what I wore on the last Monday of 2025, and a day that I have zero memory of what we actually did. Usually I leave myself clues, but all I have to guide me for this day is a note that says, "A comfy cozy outfit for a day of errands." I don't even remember what the errands were!

Anyway, my note wasn't wrong. This really was a comfy outfit. It reminds me of what all the popular, preppy boys used to wear back in the 90s, complete with that hint of a white undershirt showing around the collar. This henley is one of the most comfortable things I own, and I wish it was still available in this color. Sadly, most color options have sold out, but there are still a few available in sporadic sizes. It's oversized, has an interesting waffle knit, and large buttons at the neck, which I personally love.

These are the same wide-leg jeans I shared in the last outfit roundup. I'm so glad I took a chance with these! I really wasn't expecting to love them as much as I do. Wide-leg styles are really hit-or-miss with me, but these ones are exactly right.

Sweater | Long-sleeve Tee | Jeans | Belt | Boots

Did I wear the exact same pair of jeans the next day? I sure did. Do I remember what we did this day? I do not, and once again I have no helpful hints hidden away to refresh my memory.

This sweater is everything. Not only is it a beautiful blend of bright, bold colors, but it also has that open-weave, crochet look and trumpet sleeves. Basically, it's all my favorite things in one top! Obviously, it needed a layer underneath since it's very open. I layered it over a basic, brown long-sleeve tee. It's one of the ones I dedicated an entire post to around this time last year.

Sweater | Leggings | Boots

That gets us to New Year's Eve. I know we did something in town, but I can't remember what. Seriously, at this point in a long break, I barely know what day it even is. I can tell you that we went to the barn, prepped some of the food for New Year's Day, and watched Dick Clark's Rockin' New Year's Eve.

This is most definitely a dated look, but who cares? I liked this outfit. It was comfortable and soft, and that's exactly what I wanted. These leggings are velour, which is not something I would typically go for, but they are so interesting. They're still available in regular sizes, but they are on clearance so if you like them, you better hurry. My sweater is one of Old Navy's SoSoft tunic sweaters. It's still available in a few sizes. My boots are still available in most sizes, and I highly recommend if you're in the market for a flat, black boot.

Dress | Vest (similar) | Leggings | Boots

And here is my first outfit of 2026. I cooked a traditional lunch for us and my parents. We ended up going to a few stores that afternoon; we were looking for something specific that I don't think we ever found.

I wanted to look put together but be completely comfortable, especially since I was spending my morning in the kitchen. This sweatshirt dress has been a favorite since 2024, but I haven't had much opportunity to wear it this winter yet. I layered it over some plain black leggings, mostly because I didn't feel like shaving my legs.

I felt like the bottom half of this was outweighing the top half and remembered that I had this very old, thin puffer vest hiding in my coat closet. It was just the thing to balance everything out and made the outfit feel complete without adding too much warmth.

This was also the day I decided that I want to try to have fewer mirror outfit pics this year. My husband kept making me laugh, so this is what we ended up with. Don't worry. It only gets better weirder from here.

Floral Shirt | Vest Top | Skirt (similar) | Socks | Boots (similar)

On January 2nd, I spent some time getting my office organized. I rearranged everything several months ago and never finished hanging all my stuff back up on the walls. Then Alexis and I met Chris for lunch in a nearby town at one of our favorite local restaurants.

I had an idea for an outfit and just went with it. I had this blue button-up, vest-style, ribbed top that's been sitting in a drawer for awhile that I really wanted to wear over this mesh, floral shirt, so I started there. Then I pulled out this split-front denim skirt that I've only worn once (only because I changed at my parents' house and it got left behind for months). I finished the look with these neutral Chelsea boots that I got for Christmas.

It all just felt right, even though I had never considered wearing any of these pieces together before. Honestly, I wasn't sure about it, but I made myself stick to it, and I'm glad that I did.

T-shirt | Jeans | Socks (similar) | Converse

On Friday, we did some shopping. I don't remember what stores we went to exactly, but I can tell you that I came home with three new books, a dress, a new version of a belt I used to have when I was in college, and some new socks.

It was legitimately hot this day. So it felt like a good reason to wear my new flowers-and-coffee graphic tee. I decided to go with a flower theme and pulled out these favorite floral-print jeans.

My socks did not follow the flower theme, but only because they were only visible when I was sitting. Fun fact -- my socks are almost always fun. They'll be patterned, or textured, or have something written on them. These are old; they were were part of a Valentine-themed pack I got from Old Navy.

Sweater | Long-Sleeve Tee | Jeans | Belt | Boots

We're skipping a couple of days to Tuesday, January 6th. This was my second day back at work and a teacher work day. I don't usually dress up for those, but we had a two-hour training session off site so I made the effort.

This green sweater-shrug thing has been in my closet for awhile. I was really excited to get it, but then I got it and had no idea what to do with it. Then I had an idea and decided to just go with it. I layered it over a basic, black long-sleeve t-shirt and paired it with my wide-leg jeans and black Chelsea boots. I added the grommet belt because the outfit didn't feel complete. Honestly, I feel like the belt is kind of what makes the outfit work.

I'll be the first to admit that I did not start out wearing this with confidence. I wasn't expecting the sweater to be so high or for the neck to be so wide. I ended up wearing it off to one side, creating a kind of asymmetrical look...and it worked. I got so many compliments, which helped with my confidence in the look. So I guess this is me saying to trust yourself.

Blouse | Skirt | Belt | Socks | Boots

For my first day back with students, I wanted to re-establish that quirky, weird writing teacher vibe. I've been very into boho, grungy-fairy, academia style these days, and this feels like the perfect combination of all of those vibes.

Without overthinking it, I paired this blue flower-and-moth print skirt with this white-and-blue floral print blouse. These are two very different floral styles, but I am a firm believer that if you match the colors, you can wear any floral prints together. Even my socks are blue floral print, although you can't really see them inside my boots.

This blouse is so pretty. It's got a ruffled collar and sleeves. The sleeves are also slightly puffed, but not oversized which I appreciate. There's obviously the blue flowers but there's also white embroidered flowers as well as faux-pearl buttons. It is pretty thin, so you might want to layer a camisole underneath.

My skirt is the blue version of a brown floral skirt I shared back in mid-December. Like I said in that post, it's not amazing quality -- it's majority polyester, which isn't my favorite material for a skirt. I can get past that, though, because of the color and pattern, which I truly truly love.

Blouse (similar) | Skirt | Belt | Shoes

I think probably one of my favorite style eras that I've lived through was the boho trend of the early 2000s. I loved all the flowy skirts and peasant blouses and interesting belts. Some of that is starting to trickle back into the mainstream, so I've been able to slowly replace some of my favorite pieces. Like this medallion belt. It was my favorite back in the day, so when I saw this one in a store recently, I could not resist. I'm honestly resisting the urge to find and buy all the boho belts.

This skirt is one of those viral flowy skirts that have been all over social media lately, just not this pattern. I absolutely love this pretty dusky pink. For this first showing, I decided to go full-on boho. This peasant blouse is one of the oldest things in my closet; I'm not even sure where it came from, it's so old. The belt just added to the overall look.

You can't really see my shoes -- just the hint of a toe peeking out of the bottom of my skirt -- but I'm linking them anyway because they really are darling. They're a nice, almost faded blue. They're a mary jane style, but the strap and buckle are not traditional. I honestly don't know how to explain it, but I like it, and it was so much easier and way more convenient than a traditional buckle closure. They were also really comfortable. However, I have to admit that I would probably would like the 7.5 a little bit more as these were exactly the same size as my feet. I'm really thinking about ordering the green pair, too. Maybe even the brown.

T-shirt | Pants (similar) | Shoes (similar, similar, similar)

Which brings us to Friday. I'm going to be totally honest about this outfit. I decided that this was what I was going to wear the night before. I threw it in the dryer to get the fold-wrinkles out, put it on, and did not look in the mirror before leaving the house. I just trusted that it would work together.

These red-striped linen pants were one of my smartest buys this year. I wear them all the time, and they work in pretty much every season. They're incredibly versatile, which is why I just trusted that this Frog and Toad graphic tee would pair well with them. My shoes are my favorite basket-weave mary janes, which literally go with everything.

For more outfit ideas like these, be sure to check out my past outfit roundups, follow me on Instagram for weekly outfit recaps, and sign up for my email list so you never miss a new post.

A couple of  notes before you leave: I'm trying something new with how I share outfits on social media. In addition to a weekly outfit recap on Instagram and Facebook, I'm going to try to share more daily outfit peeks in my stories. I'm also trying to be more timely in uploading my looks into my LTK shop (updated almost daily) as well as my Pinterest (definitely still a work in progress).

16 Books I've Added to My TBR List

It's been a few months since I shared an updated TBR list with you guys, so I figured it's time to knock one out before it gets out of hand.

I don't know if you know this, but finding and discovering books and actually reading books are two very different hobbies. I myself spend just as much time exploring what to read next as I do actually reading, and that's saying something since I find any and every excuse to crack open a book.

As you can imagine, my TBR is always in a state of flux, and there's really no way I'm ever going to completely empty it out. As it stands, I currently have 275 samples in my Kindle library, 17 of the 20 allowable Kindle Unlimited borrows, two digital library loans, more than 10 unread downloaded ebooks (I got tired of scrolling), and 17 unread physical books in my bookcase.

The last TBR update I shared with y'all was back in October. It featured 20 titles -- a lot of historic and realistic fiction, since that's what I've been craving lately. It pains me to admit this, but I've only read one book from that list: Something in the Walls. It was fantastic, though, and made my best books of 2025 list. I did start and DNF The Phoenix Pencil Company, which was pretty disappointing. I wanted to like this one so bad, but the style of writing just was not for me at all.

I did just post an updated reading list for Winter, also featuring 20 books. There is some crossover between that list and the October TBR update. It also includes the first two books on the 2026 One Woman Book Club schedule. I've read two books off of this one so far, which isn't bad considering it's only been up for a month.

This new TBR list picks up where the October list left off and does not include any titles from the barely-a-month-old Winter Reading List. I tell you this because some of the books that made that list were added after the October TBR update, but once a title makes it onto a reading list, it gets removed from any subsequent TBR posts.

I bet you're ready for the actual list, right? Without further ado, here are 16 titles that have caught my interest in the last few months.

Immortal: The Imogen Gray Series

Author: Lauretta Hignet

This is the first in a five-book series about a girl who literally cannot die...except she keeps getting murdered by the same mysterious stalker over and over again to the point that she doesn't even fight back anymore. Throw in a psychic kid who's chosen her as his new mom, a powerful blood witch who's trying to bring about the apocalypse, and a charming Vampire King, and you have my next urban fantasy read.

The Moorwitch

Author: Jessica Khoury

Rose Prior is a Weaver, a witch that can spin spells with needle and thread. She escaped her abusive home by striking a deal with a member of the fae and has been working as a magic teacher, but her magic is waning and she's slowly dying with each spell she weaves. Now the fae has come to collect his debt -- Rose must travel to Scotland and find the gateway to the realm of the fae. While there, she gets a job working as a governess, where she starts to fall for her employer.

Magpie

Author: Georgia Hill

In 1660, Susanna Loveday is an apprentice to a healer at Tenpenny House. When rumors of witchcraft begin to spread, Susanna finds herself in the midst of a deadly game, and a choice that still echoes centuries later. In the present day, Beth Loveday has just bought Tenpenny House, where she hopes to to rebuild her life in peace. But  the old shop has other plans. Beth finds strange objects hidden in the walls, including a book of forgotten memories, and is having dreams that feel like memories.

Famous Last Words

Author: Gillian McAllister

On June 21st, Camilla wakes to her husband, Luke, gone and a cryptic note in his place. Then the police show up. There's a hostage situation developing in London, and Luke is involved. Only he isn't a hostage -- he's the gunman. Now, Camilla must decide what to do next with the clues Luke left her in his note.

The Wondrous Life and Loves of Nella Carter

Author: Brionni Nwosu

Nella was born a slave in 18th-century Georgia. She believes in "the will to survive amid the most untenable of conditions, in the glory of life, and in the ultimate goodness of the human race" and asks Death to let her live long enough to prove it. Death agrees, and Nella begins an epic journey through the centuries. Finally, she meets Professor Sebastian Moore and can't bear to leave this love behind.

Daughter of the Tarot

Author: Clare Marchant

This is a dual timeline story in which two women are connected through the centuries by a deck of tarot cards. Portia is a tarot reader in 1644 London who delivers the Devil card to the doors of women she believes need help. In the present day, Beatrice has just found a deck of tarot card that's been passed down through the generations of her family. The deck is missing the Devil card, and Beatrice hears rumors that this card is linked to a series of women's murders in the 17th century.

The Last Correspondent

Author: Soraya M. Lane

Y'all know that books about journalism are my weakness. And this one is set during World War II! Ella Franks loses her job as a journalist when it's discovered she's writing under a male pseudonym, but she refuses to be silenced and takes a job as a war correspondent in France. There, she meets photojournalist Danni Bradford, who's working with her best friend and partner, Andy, to not only cover what's happening in Normandy but also to find his sister, Chloe, who joined the French Resistance.

A House Between Sea and Sky

Author: Beth Cato

It's 1926, and Fayette Wynne has just arrived in Carmel-by-the-Sea to finish writing her latest project in peace. She's grieving the death of her mother and angry that her family's famous healing sourdough couldn't save her. During a violent storm, Fayette saves Rex Hallstrom, a rising star. They take shelter in a house on the cliff. The house is magical -- sentient, curious, and lonely. In the days that follow, Fayette and Rex discover that the house is steeped in local legends and has a wicked history.

Grimm Curiosities

Author: Sharon Lynn Fischer

I recently read Tea & Alchemy by this author and was blown away, so I'm pretty excited to dive into this one. Set in 1851, Lizzy Grimm has just inherited her father's antique shop, Grimm Curiosities. Then, Lizzy meets Antony, whose sister suffers from the same affliction as Lizzy's mother -- both have been struck silent and unresponsive after speaking with ghosts. While working together to figure out what happened to their loved ones, Lizzy and Antony find what could be the key to solving the mystery: her father's set of rare books on ancient folktales, enchantments, and yuletide myths.

The Golden Age of Magic

Author: Luanne G. Smith

What could be better than fairy godmothers and 1920s Hollywood? Celeste is one step away from becoming a full-fledged fairy godmother. All she has to do is help her first protege achieve their destiny, so she heads to Hollywood where befriends Rose, a studio seamstress. Things are going well until a series of accidents on the studio lot. Celeste fears another fairy godmother is sabotaging her. Then a starlet is murdered, and Rose is accused.

Dear Reader (Devil's Backbone series)

Author: Tate James

Stories about secret societies are kind of a guilty pleasure for me, and I generally love anything Tate James writes. Ashley is attending Neveah University on a scholarship. Her new stepbrother and his friends also attend. As with books like these, they don't get along, but Ashley is determined to simply ignore then. Then the Devil's Backbone Society enters the scene.

Woman on the Verge

Author: Kim Hooper

Not gonna lie -- the cover on this one captured my attention first. I mean, how gorgeous is it?! This is the story of three mothers -- Nicole, Katrina, and Rose -- as they struggle to define themselves. Nicole is being pulled in a bunch of different directions; Katrina is flirting with strangers at bars; and Rose is unhappy within the constraints of an 80s-era housewife. Somehow, the three's lives become intertwined, but are they headed for a breakthrough...or a breakdown?

The London Seance Society

Author: Sarah Penner

I really enjoyed The Lost Apothecary by this same author, so I have high hopes for this one. Vaudeline D'Allaire is known worldwide for her talent in conjuring the spirits of murder victims to identify their killers. Lenna Wickes wants answers about her sister's death but first needs to overcome her distrust of the process. When Vaudeline is hired to solve a high-profile murder in London, Lenna goes with her as an understudy. They team up with London's exclusive Seance Society and begin to suspect they might be doing more than solving a crime -- they may be entangled in one.

The God of the Woods

Author: Liz Moore

Thirteen-year-old Barbara Van Laar goes missing from her bunk at summer camp in August of 1975. Not only does Barbara's family own the camp, but her older brother disappeared fourteen years before and was never found. Now the search is on for Barbara, and the Van Laar family secrets may not stay hidden for long.

Land of Dreams

Author: Gian Sardar

Frankie Donnelly is a "fixer" for RCO Studios. Her latest fix is the upcoming marriage of Hollywood royals, Jack Sawyer and June Finney. When a murder causes chaos, Frankie is forced to choose which player to protect and which to destroy.

The People's Library

Author: Veronica G. Henry

This is a futuristic sci-fi book that explores the concept of AI technology. It's not my typical read, but the reviews sold me on giving it a shot. Echo London is the curator of the People's Library. It's a digital collection of human consciousness, including humanity's greatest minds and historical figures who have been recreated through a controversial technology. Meanwhile, an anti-tech rebellion is stirring, and Echo finds herself caught between the resistance and a potentially virtual evolution.