An Honest Review of Power Camo Redness Defense Primer by Il Makiage

You've probably seen those video ads for Il Makiage's amazing redness-reducing, green primer. You know the ones -- a person with very red, extremely irritated skin squirts some green goop straight from the bottle onto their cheek, then proceeds to spread the green goop over one half of their face, and the redness disappears almost instantly.

Seems to good to be true, right? A little too perfect...

But I thought the same thing about the foundation and was proven wrong. In fact, I've been using Il Makiage's Woke Up Like This Foundation for the past four years with no complaints (read my original -- and still accurate -- review here). I have my account set to auto replenish, but I almost always end up adjusting the shipment dates since, for me, one bottle lasts forever. You do save with the auto-replenish feature, and it's easy to adjust your dates; plus, they send out email reminders, so you've got plenty of time to make changes if needed.

The foundation is the only Il Makiage product that I've used consistently; I never reordered the concealer after that first time, even though I did like it. They've also gifted me with other products over the years -- mostly eyeliners which I occasionally use and this last time a mascara that I absolutely love and will be reordering (I talked about it in my April favorites post).

Let's get back on track for the actual purpose of this post -- my honest review of the Power Camo Redness Defense Primer by Il Makiage.

Before we dive in, you should know that this is not a sponsored post. I purchased this product of my own accord at full price with no obligation to the company whatsoever. Like most content published on my site, this post does contain affiliate links. However, all of the thoughts and opinions within this review are my own and based on my true experience with this product.

I decided to give this viral product a try at the beginning of April because it claims to target all of the issues that I've been experiencing with my skin as of late. I don't know if you know this, but I'll be turning 40 this year, and my skin is starting to show some signs of aging. Nothing major; just some fine lines around my eyes and mouth and a few deeper-set wrinkles in my forehead. I've always had a pinkish-red undertone, but it seems to be getting a bit more pronounced, which is making my uneven skin tone more noticeable. I also feel like my pores have been standing out a bit more.

According to the website, this primer is supposed to instantly calm redness and irritation, neutralize uneven skin tone, and blur pores and wrinkles. It also claims to reduce oil and extend the wear of your makeup. Long-term benefits include less discoloration, minimization of fine lines, and brighter skin tone.

The ingredients are mostly comprised of anti-inflammatories like Azelaic Acid, Centella Asiatica, and Bakuchiol. It has no parabens, phthalates, sulfates, or talc, is vegan, and cruelty free. It's also naturally scented with citrus and ginger extract.

So now the question is -- does this primer live up to the hype? My honest thought is yes. I've been using it for going on two months now and have seen pretty much every single benefit promised on the product page.

However, there are some things I think you should know before you buy this primer. Especially since it's on the pricier side.

The first thing I think you should know is that I have incredibly sensitive skin. Like pretty much everything causes irritation, redness, and painful breakouts (not acne). As such, I'm very careful when I try new products, even from brands that I know and love.

Because this primer has a citrus blend, I was a bit worried that my skin would reject it. Anyone remember the apple-cider-vinegar gummies? Yeah. I don't want that to ever happen again. So I was incredibly cautious when I tried this the first time. What I mean by that is that I didn't apply this to my entire face the first go round. I chose a small area and then gave it a full day just to be sure. I'm happy to report that I had no skin-related allergy issues.

*This review is based on my own experiences and should not be treated as dermatological advice. If you have skin-related allergies, I encourage you to use caution when trying new products.

The second thing I think you should know is that my results did not mirror those of the video ads that you see on Facebook and Instagram. Granted, those are usually extreme cases of redness, which I don't have. That said, I did not see an immediate, drastic reduction in redness, which was a little disappointing if I'm being honest. The picture above was taken immediately after applying the primer to the left half of my face, and I'll be honest: I can't really tell a much of a difference in terms of redness.

That said, the reduction in redness is more noticeable after the primer has had time to settle, and I have absolutely seen an improvement in my overall skin tone and irritation since starting this primer back at the beginning of April.

I also feel like I should mention that it does absolutely nothing for sunburn since I actually have some unintentional experience with that. I got too much sun on a field trip and was hopeful that the primer would help it to not be so noticeable. Yeah. It didn't work.

I mentioned it earlier in the post, but in case you were just skimming, you need to know that I do use the Il Makiage Woke Up Like This foundation. I've been using this foundation for the last four years and have no intention of changing anytime soon. I'm shade #20, but I recommend taking the quiz to find your best match.

I tell you this, again, so that you understand that I can only speak to how the Power Camo Redness Defense primer works with a foundation made by the same company. I have no idea how it works with other brand foundations.

You should also know that I use a non-Il Makiage moisturizer before applying the primer. I like the e.l.f. Holy Hydration! Daily Hydration Moisturizer, which seems to work well with the primer.

Also, I think it's important to note that with the exception of my mascara, the rest of my makeup is not by Il Makiage, but it hasn't seemed to make a difference in terms of the primer's effectiveness. I'll provide links for my full makeup routine at the bottom of this post for those who are interested.

Full Makeup

As a reminder, I began using the primer the first week of April. Here's what I've noticed so far in terms of makeup application.

My skin is definitely smoother. My pores aren't as noticeable, and I've noticed a distinct improvement in the appearance of the fine lines around my mouth and eyes. I think my deeper-set forehead wrinkles are a bit smoother, as well.

That means that my foundation is going on more evenly. I'm not using as much; one pump is going a lot further because it's spreading so much more smoothly.

I've also noticed easier application for my blush, highlighter, and eyeshadow. My makeup stays smooth and even all day long, even when I'm outside all day long (remember that field trip I mentioned earlier?).

There have even been a few days where I've been comfortable enough to not wear any foundation at all, just blush and eye makeup (picture below).

No Foundation

Some miscellaneous things about this primer that I like are its smell and texture. It has a very light citrus scent that fades pretty quickly. The texture is kind of silky. It's kind of hard to explain, but when I'm applying the primer it's like I can feel it blurring all the things I don't want to be noticeable. It feels good going on.

So to recap -- the Power Camo Redness Defense Primer by Il Makiage lives up to the hype. I have less redness and irritation, smoother skin, and less-noticeable fine lines and wrinkles. I'm using less makeup, and it's going on smoother and lasting longer. So in case you haven't figured it out yet, I have absolutely added this primer to my auto-replenish.

If you are interested in giving this or any other Il Makiage product a try, they have a try before you buy option. How it works is that you can choose up to three products to try for 14 days. It's not totally free, but you only have to pay for shipping.

As promised, here is my full makeup lineup if you're interested.

• Moisturizer - e.l.f. Holy Hydration! Daily Hydration Moisturizer
• Foundation - Il Makiage Woke Up Like This foundation (shade 20)
• Blush - e.l.f. Monochromatic Multi Stick in Luminous Berry
• Highlighter - e.l.f. Monochromatic Multi Stick in Glistening Peach
• Eyeshadow - COVERGIRL Clean Eye Color Sticks in Mystic Maroon and Gold Dust
• Mascara - Il Makiage Black Card Mascara
• Eyebrow Pencil - Maybelline Express Brow Ultra Slim Pencil in auburn
• Lipstick - e.l.f. O FACE Satin Lipstick in Shameless
• Tinted Lip Balm - Nivea Blackberry Lip Care
• Setting Powder - Airspun Loose Powder in translucent

One Woman Book Club Review: The House at Mermaid's Cove

Lindsay Jayne Ashford has proven once again why she is one of my favorite historical fiction authors. The House at Mermaid's Cove brought to life an aspect of the undercover work that went on during World War II that I had been aware of before reading. And if you know anything about me, then you know that I can't resist a historical novel set during this time.

This book was a quick read at only 287 pages. I finished it in a couple of days, and once I reached about the midway point, I truly didn't want to put it down because it got so good. I will admit that the first thirty percent or so of the book was a little slow, but it was deliberate and lines up with the plot. The audiobook, if you're interested, is 10 hours and 2 minutes long.

This book has a linear timeline with the characters sharing their own backstories as they become relevant through dialogue. It's told in first person through the point of view of the female protagonist, Alice. It's set in an English village on the Cornish Coast in the months leading up to D-Day.

Here's a brief synopsis for you. When Alice washes ashore on the Viscount Jack Trewella's estate after her ship was torpedoed by a German submarine, he takes her in. Alice is a nun who does not want to go back to the convent, so they pretend that she is Jack's Irish cousin. Eventually, Jack lets Alice in on the true purpose his estate serves for the war, inviting her to join their operation. Along the way, they develop feelings for each other, but there are a ton of obstacles to overcome.

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

***Spoilers***

Our story begins with the main character, Alice McBride, opening her eyes after washing ashore in Mermaid's Cove. The ship she was traveling on, the Brabantia, was torpedoed by a German U-boat in the English Channel. The ship was taking Alice back to Ireland from where she had been stationed as a nun in southern Africa; the only problem is that Alice doesn't want to remain a nun. She hasn't given up her faith, but she can no longer separate herself emotionally from the rest of the world, especially the twins she saved that she's been forbidden from seeing. So when she's found by Jack, Alice seizes the opportunity to start a new life.

Jack is the Viscount Trewella, and the British military is using his family's estate, Penheligan, as an operations base. He agrees to keep Alice's origins a secret, and they pretend that Alice is his cousin from Ireland. To stay at Penheligan, Alice must join in the day-to-day operations, so she takes on a role with the Land Girls who are doing farm-related work on the estate.

In her early days on the estate, Alice meets Merle, a mother who fled Guernsey, an island in the English Channel, with her children just before the Germans began to occupy it. She and Alice become friends, but it's soon revealed that their friendship didn't happen by chance. It was orchestrated by Jack.

Turns out, Jack and Merle are working with the British Special Operations Executive, or SOE, and they want Alice to join the effort. Merle's mission in striking up a friendship with Alice was to see if she could stick to the cover story she and Jack had invented about who she was. Once they determined that she could stick to the lie, they let her in on the true purpose of Penheligan.

Once a month, on the new moon when it's darkest out, Jack poses as a fisherman and ferries agents and supplies across the Channel to occupied France to aid in the Resistance. They also pick up any agents needing out of the country. Often times, those agents are wounded. Alice speaks fluent French and has nursing skills developed while she was a nun so will be an asset on these runs.

Throughout the book up until this point, Alice has been having an internal struggle of morality. She's been looking for a sign that her survival of the ship's sinking had a purpose. So she agrees to join the SOE's cause and soon is an integral part of Jack's smuggling operation, proving invaluable on the missions she's a part of. Eventually, she's brought even further into the fold and joins Merle in receiving and decoding missives from the agents embedded in France.

All of this builds up to their final mission and the most exciting part of the book. The Germans have been systematically finding and destroying Resistance radios, so they come up with a devious plan to get the replacement parts into the country: Alice will pose as a nun and go into France to deliver not only the necessary radio parts but also explosives. While there, Alice is reunited with an agent who managed to escape a prison camp; they trade places so the agent can deliver a map that she managed to steal, but Alice doesn't make it to the docks in time for the evac, so is left behind in France. She stays with the convent that was helping them for weeks until finally Jack comes to her rescue.

I mentioned in the introduction to this review that there is an element of romance between Alice and Jack. It's a slow build-up due to Jack's troubled romantic history and Alice's conflicted feelings on relationships in general due to her years of being a nun. The biggest obstacle they must overcome is Jack's secret child. About 5 years prior, he had a secret romance with a maid who got pregnant. Predictably, Jack didn't believe the baby was his, and they fought. During that fight, the woman fell overboard and drowned. Jack has been blaming himself for her death ever since. He also chooses not to acknowledge the baby due to some misplaced family loyalty. But when the German occupation began spreading into the Channel, he brought the child to his estate, and it doesn't take Alice long to figure out the truth of the boy's parentage. She does manage to convince Jack to do the right thing, but you don't see the actual outcome of that until the final chapter.

The book ends by fast forwarding to one year after Jack rescues Alice from France. They're married, Jack's son is officially recognized as his son, Alice is pregnant, and they're on their way to Africa to adopt a set of twins that Alice rescued while she was there as a nun.

***End Spoilers***

I love when the majority of a historic fiction is based in fact, and this one is mostly historically accurate. The Afterword is worth a read. In it, the author explains much of her inspiration.

In the book, there is a legend tied to the estate and the cove. I didn't mention it in the review because it's not essential to the plot. It's interesting for sure, but I couldn't figure out how to work it into my summary in a way that didn't feel clunky. Essentially, there is a legend that a mermaid lured a man from the village church into the cove never to be seen again. According to the author, this brief anecdote is based on a real legend from an ancient church in a Cornish village called Saint Senara's.

Alice's story is based on a Belgian nun, Marie Louise Habets. Habets served as a nun in the Congo, and, like Alice, decided to leave religious life during World War II. The author does not mention Jack in the afterword, so I can't say that he's based on an actual person, but I can tell you that there was a Jack Trewella who served in the United States Navy during World War II. He died in 2017.

Penheligan Estate is fictional, but its setting is based on a real location -- Trebah Estate and a fishing village named Durgan located between Falmouth and the Helford River, both of which are key locations in the book. Several of the villagers that fill side roles in the story were actual people whose stories can be found in the visitors center at Durgan. Penheligan itself is based on two historic Cornish mansions, Cotehele and Lanhydrock. Both still exist today as National Trusts.

The British SOE and the Women's Land Army (or the Land Girls as I called them) were integral parts of the war effort. And while Jack, Alice, and Merle's story was fictionalized, it was based off of real events. The SOE was smuggling agents and supplies into France ahead of D-Day. The strategy that Jack and Alice used and the route they followed were the exact strategy and route that were used back in 1944.

So final thoughts? If you're a fan of historical fiction and/or stories based on World War II, this book is for you. I thoroughly enjoyed it, as I have all the other Lindsay Jayne Ashford books I've read. She does historical fiction so well. If you've not added her to your TBR list yet, here's your sign to do so right away. I especially recommend The Woman on the Orient Express and Whisper of the Moon Moth. And of course The House at Mermaid's Cove.

Real Outfit Roundup: 8 Spring Looks to Try

These bi-weekly outfit posts are sneaking up on me! But that means we're two weeks closer to summer break, so no complaints here.

Welcome to another episode of Real Outfit Roundup where I share the outfits I actually wear in real life from the past two weeks. This week, I only have eight looks for you. I only photographed one weekend outfit, missed a day of work because I was sick, forgot to take a picture one weekday, and went on a field trip this past Friday so didn't document that one either.

We've had very warm weather for the most part over the last two weeks with rainy weekends. In fact, the last few days for us have been rainy. We also had a small cold front move through, hence the one outfit with a cardigan. Pretty much everything in this roundup are older pieces, but most is still available.

For sizing purposes, I'm 5'2" and weigh around 140 lbs. I typically wear size 6 in clothes or s/m, depending on how the sizing works (4-6 vs 6-8), and size 7 in shoes.

This post contains affiliate links, which means if you purchase something through one of my links I'll earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As always, thank you for supporting Mommy the Journalist.

Now, on to the outfits!

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

This dress continues to be one of the most worn in my closet. I got it last summer at Target, and have been wearing it pretty consistently all year. It's so easy to layer, but also works nicely on its own in the warmer months.

This go 'round I paired it with my favorite spring, summer, and fall accessory: a denim vest. I have two but went with this lighter-wash tuxedo style to complement the more neutral pattern of the dress as well as the dropped waist.

My shoes are recent additions to my closet. I've been wanting yellow for awhile, and these are a nice casual option that don't feel too dressed down. Surprisingly, they are still available in all sizes. They also come in light blue and natural linen, although the latter is no longer available in half sizes. Word of warning -- they're not sturdy, so I don't recommend them if you're going to be doing a bunch of walking.

T-shirt (similar) | Dress | Shoes (similar)

I've had my eye on this dress ever since Old Navy dropped it on their website, so when they ran a sale that I could stack my Super Cash on top of, you know I had to buy it. It's such nice quality (60% cotton) and has nice details including beading on the straps. The straps are adjustable, by the way, and it's got pockets.

I layered it over a basic light purple t-shirt that's so old the tag is no longer readable. I have no idea where I got it from or when. And you can't see them, but I finished it out with my brown woven mary janes.

T-shirt | Skirt | Sandals

The pink cotton skirt with the lace detailing at the hem finally makes an appearance! You've seen its blue sister several times and met her yellow sister in our last edition. Now it's her time to shine. Y'all really really don't understand how much I want to buy every single one of these skirts. They are that good. I could probably ditch all my other skirts and replace them with these ones and survive just fine. I won't, but I'm just saying I could.

Anyway. I decided to keep this look comfy and casual. It's the end of the year after all. So I threw on this Fleetwood Mac tee that I picked up on a random Target Run. It's really soft and fits the way I like my t-shirts to fit.

Is this the first time I'm sharing these sandals? They are new, but I've been stalking them for a solid year. I just couldn't make myself commit to them last year, but I caught them on sale a few weeks ago. They've got that raffia, straw look that's been popular the last couple of years, and which I personally love. The straps are velcro, but I rarely undo them so they should hold up for awhile. The sole is platform, so it adds a couple inches to my height. The one thing I will say that took some getting used to is that they're kind of heavy. The first day I wore them was a workout for my ankles, but now it's fine.

Dress (similar) | Lace Overlay | Shoes (similar)

I'm not going to lie. I liked this outfit in the moment, or at least the idea of it. Now, not so much. It certainly has potential, but it's just not quite right. Now that I'm looking at it, I don't like the clashing necklines of the dress and the lace overlay. I'm not in love with how the lace overlay sits in general or how the lace ruffles lay.

I'm just not sure that it works, especially from the back. 

I don't know if it's because my butt is bigger than the model's on the product page, but the back of this just isn't doing it for me. Now that I've seen it from a straight-on view, I understand why my daughter asked why there was an oval in the back. It looks like it's missing lace in the very middle. I got it during a sale so it was marked down pretty far, and I would not pay the full price for it.

Cardigan | Blouse | Belt | Skirt (similar) | Sandals

I love mixing stripes and florals, so I really like this look. The top half does feel a little bulky, but I think that's because of the collar on the blouse. I don't go for this type of collared top often because I always feel like I'm swimming in them, but this one really was too pretty to resist. It's got great details and is nice quality. I feel like the cardigan really helped tie everything together.

My fave yellow skirt is finally sold out. I'm not seeing much that fits this particular style of stripes (they're all really wide), but I did find a set that's pretty close. If you'll remember, I got this skirt as part of a set but ultimately didn't keep the top. The top with the set I'm linking to is very different from the one that came with mine, though. Bonus: it comes in a bunch of pretty colors!

Blouse | Belt | Skirt | Sandals

I like mixing florals and polka dots, too. I know that it's kind of hard to tell in this picture, but my blouse has yellow sunflowers embroidered on it. It's almost 100% cotton, so it's super soft and comfortable. It has puff sleeves, but they aren't huge. I highly recommend this blouse.

My skirt is super cute, but incredibly see-through. I'm wearing slip shorts up under it.

My sandals are still available amazingly. Size up half a size; the straps are very snug and have not loosened up at all over two years of heavy wear.

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

This is one of my favorite dresses that I can't link to. I got it in either a StitchFix or Wantable box several years ago. I've linked to three similar options for you: the first is the closest in terms of colors and pattern but has sleeves; the second is solid black but cut very similarly; and the third has a similar cut and is a floral print but the colors don't match.

Because I wore this school, I needed a second layer. I decided to go with my vest to pull out the subtler blue tones in the floral pattern. As you can see, I left it unbuttoned. The dress has a cute button detail on the front that I almost always end up covering up, and this time I wanted to leave them visible.

I kind of wish I'd treated the vest like an actual top though. After seeing the outfit from the back, I think I would have liked the shirt-and-skirt look better.

Anyway, I finished things out by bookending the vest with my blue mary janes to try to pull out that blue in the floral print even more.

T-shirt | Skirt | Sandals

Yes, I still love my dinosaur skirt. This go 'round I decided to wear it with this cactus t-shirt I got a few months ago to take with me to the hog show. It's one of the softest tees that I own, and this skirt is incredibly soft. So this was a soft outfit. It almost felt like I was wearing pajamas all day if I'm being honest. I decided to keep everything nice and simple, so I finished the look with my neutral sandals, as shown earlier in the post.

This might actually be my favorite outfit of this entire post. I don't even know why. It just is.

Mother's Day Gift Guide 2026

Mother's Day snuck up on me this year! I can't believe it's only a week away. Have you found the perfect gift yet? If not, you've come to the right place.

I've rounded up some of my favorite gift ideas for moms of all shapes and sizes. So whether you're shopping for your own mom, your grandmother, an aunt, or the mother of your children, I hope this list inspires you.

Like last year, I curated this list by choosing items I would like to receive myself, things I already own, and things I would buy for my own mom. As always, this is meant as a guide and not to influence you to buy certain products over others.

30 Great Gifts for Mom Under $100

Pajamas -- You can never go wrong with a comfy set of pjs. My picks this year are this super adorable set from Old Navy and these cotton ones from Amazon Essentials that come in adult and kid sizes so you can have a matchy-matchy moment.

Amazon Essentials Waffle Knit Robe -- I was given this robe as a gift, and I absolutely love it. It's a midi length, which means it's modest without being cumbersome. It's also lightweight, so I can wear it all year long. It comes in several colors.

Memory Foam Padded Sleep Mask -- The gift of a good night's sleep is always appreciated, and for me, this mask has improved my sleep quality greatly.

XL Double-Sided Cozy Banket -- Cozy blankets are another gift you can't go wrong with. I figure if I keep putting this specific blanket on my gift guides every year, eventually someone will buy it for me. Please.

Cottage Bud Vase -- These are the cutest vases! When Alexis was little, she was always bringing me little flowers she'd picked, and these would have been perfect for displaying them. I also like how you can put them together to create a little village.

Gardening Tool Set -- If you know me, then you'll know that this is absolutely not a gif idea for myself. I have a decidedly black thumb, but if my grandmother were still living, this would have been perfect for her.

Lego Bouquet -- I love these non-killable bouquets so much. There are a bunch of different options to choose from. I like the one with the tulips or the wildflowers.

Watercolor & Sketchbook Set -- Okay, so this one isn't really for me or my mom, but it's perfect for anyone who has an artsy mom.

Sticky Note Book -- I want one of these! I can never find a notepad at home when I need one, and I love making lists.

Pretty Notebook -- When it comes to pretty notebooks, I might have a hoarding problem. I would never turn another one down, and these ones are gorgeous.

Gratitude Journal -- Y'all know that I'm always going to include some type of journal on my gift guides. I like this one a lot. It has prompts to help guide your thoughts, which I appreciate since I don't always know how to untangle the jumble in my head.

Storyworth - This idea was on last year's list, but I still love it so much. Once a week, the recipient receives a question to inspire them to write. You can choose the questions, make up your own, or have Storyworth choose. Then, after a year has passed, their stories are published in a book. You can even add pictures before it prints. How awesome is that?!

Kindle Page Turner - Can you believe I still don't have one of these? I think I've put it on every gift guide I've made the last couple of years. What gives? Someone please buy me this.

Neck Book Light - My unpopular opinion about clip-on book lights still stands. They aren't worth the hype. They're almost always too heavy, and it's nearly impossible to get the light angled just right. I don't know that this neck light is any better, but one of the book bloggers I've been following for years swears by hers, so I figure it's worth a shot.

Weekender Bag -- This is a great set of luggage for weekend or short trips. Mine is not a purchase I regret.

Insulated Cooler Tote -- This is perfect for taking to the beach, pool, or lake. Also, how cute is the fish design?

Owala Water Bottle -- I personally do not need another water bottle, but these do make good gifts. They come in a ton of colors, too.

Artisan Bread Crock -- I know so many moms right now who have gotten into bread baking. This crock is not only pretty but also comes with five recipes, which makes it perfect for the mom who's been wanting to try but doesn't know where to start.

Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramels -- I got a bag of these from a student one Christmas, and they were my favorite teacher gift that year. So trust me when I say that your mom would love them...or something similar if she's not into caramel or chocolate or sea salt.

Live Happy Cardigan Sweater -- You cannot go wrong with a cardigan, and this one is oh so cute. I personally like the lighter colored one best, but I would love either.

Your Everything Cardigan Sweater -- This one is a more traditional cardigan style and comes in a bunch of patterns.

Fun Socks -- I love socks. So does my mom. So I always include a pair as a gift idea. These ones come in a pack of three and have several designs to choose from.

Chunky Beaded Necklace -- These are very much in style right now, and I can attest to the quality of this particular one. I wear mine all the time.

Boho Clip -- I love fun hair accessories, and this one is so cute. It comes in a bunch of different colors and patterns.

Car Air Freshener -- You're probably scratching your head over this idea, but I promise that this is no ordinary car air freshener. They're more like a scented accessory for your car.

Embroidered Coin Purse -- I've reached a point in my life where I really want a coin purse, but it's one of those things that I will probably never buy for myself. This one is really cute.

Montana West Tote Bag -- A stylish tote bag is never a bad idea, and I really like this brand when it comes to bags.

Smartphone Photo Printer -- You know your mom has a ton of pictures trapped in her phone right? This printer will help her to free them so she can display them.

FabFitFun - I've been doing FabFitFun off-and-on for several years, and I really enjoy the quarterly boxes. This would make  a nice gift if you're looking for a gift that keeps on giving.

Happy Box - I love Natural Life's Happy Boxes. They are such cute little gifts to send to literally anyone at any time. They have several to choose from.

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

How is it May already?! I feel like I say something along those lines every month, but it certainly feels like time flew by in a real big hurry last month. And that means it's time once again for a new favorite things post in which I share all the things from the previous month that made my life just a bit better as well as the things I've shared that resonated the most with you.

Before we dive into all that, let's do a little recap of April, yeah? So the month started off with Spring Break and Alexis's birthday. My husband still had to work that week, so we were limited on what we could do and when, but our week included a lake camping trip for Alexis, a day trip to the beach for her birthday, and a weekend sleepover, also for her birthday. I also got a haircut.

The week after Spring Break was all about reviewing before our end-of-the-year state test. Our state just rolled out new reading and ELA standards, so our tests were structured differently, and we didn't have a ton of guidance on how to best prepare our students for the changes, especially on the writing side of things. However, I managed to design a review assignment that my students really bought into, and I finally finally got some a-ha! moments when we reached the conclusion of it, so I'm cautiously optimistic that they did okay on my portion. (Out of curiosity, would anyone be interested in more school-specific content straight from my classroom like lessons, assignments, etc.?)

The next seven days were all about testing. That meant an alternate schedule and disrupted routines, which resulted in straight-up exhaustion. Now we're in the final countdown of the school year. I've got one more big test, one final grade-specific grammar concept, a mini-project, and a few smaller assignments standing between me and summer break. But who's counting?

Now on to my top ten favorite products from the month and the ten most popular things I shared as determined by you.

My Favorites

Solid Colored Cotton Skirts -- I own three of these gorgeous, amazing quality, lace-trimmed skirts: light blue, light pink, and yellow. I got the blue first, so it's gotten more wear than the other two, but you can expect to see them a lot. They're fully lined, but I still wear slip shorts underneath. They're almost 100% cotton, so they're incredibly soft and comfortable, and they breathe, which is a must for spring where I live. If you want individual outfit details, just click the picture!

Blue and White Eyelet Sleeveless Blouse outfit -- This is my favorite outfit of the month hands down. I love the almost retro vibe the outfit has, and all of these pieces are great individually. I especially love the eyelet detailing on the blouse. It's so pretty! I also really love this beaded necklace that I was incredibly skeptical of ordering; I was worried it would look ridiculous because of how big the beads are, but I've been wearing it almost nonstop since it came in.

Striped Skirts Outfits (green, yellow) -- I love a striped skirt, y'all, and these two are just so much fun. They add a bit of color to any outfit and are surprisingly versatile! I love both of these outfits so much. You would think these skirts came from the same place; they are truly very similar! But they did not. However, they both are fully lined and have an elastic waist with a flat front waistband. They're also both a midi length, which will always look a bit longer on me. For shopping details, click on either picture.

Black-and-White Dress Outfit -- I really enjoyed this double-dress look. The solid black dress is one of those ribbed dresses I fell in love with from Old Navy last summer. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Old Navy will revive them for this summer for y'all. They really are that good! The striped button-front dress is a crochet sweater-like material, but as you can see it's sleeveless, and the weave is pretty breathable. I do recommend going up a size if you don't want it to be form-fitting.

Brown Striped Pants with Scallop Details -- While I love this entire outfit overall, I did want to specifically spotlight these super cute pants. They're cropped, which makes them my preferred ankle length (I'm only 5'2"), and check out the scallop details at the pockets, which are fully functional, and the hems. They come in a few other colors, too.

Giant Old Navy Sunglasses --  I can't link to these since they apparently don't put accessories on their website anymore, but I absolutely love them and had to share. They were less than $20, the tint on the lenses is perfection, the arms are nice and tight without squeezing my head, and they're just super cute and actually on trend for once.

Il Makiage Black Card Mascara -- This was a free gift with my last makeup order that I'll most likely be repurchasing. The effect on my barely-there, basically-see-through lashes is amazing. It also lasts all day without smudging but is easily removed at night. Five stars.

Native Volumizing Shampoo and Conditioner in Berries and Vanilla Cream -- The search for the perfect shampoo and conditioner combo might have come to an end. I really like these. They leave my hair and scalp feeling clean and hydrated with just one pump each. They're also not expensive, and this scent is light enough to not bother me.

Boy Swallows Universe by Trent Dalton -- This was my March book club pick but I didn't read it until the first week of April during Spring Break. This is the best book from my book club that I've read so far this year. You can read my full review here.

The Teacher by Frieda McFadden -- I'm not going to lie: this book made me wildly uncomfortable at points, but I'm pretty sure that was the point. This was my first time reading a book by this author, and it definitely did not disappoint. I was hooked from the prologue.

Your Favorites

Old Navy Jean Jacket -- I've actually not worn my jean jacket in awhile, so I'm not sure where you all have been clicking on it from. My exact one is no longer available, but the one I'm linking to looks pretty much exactly the same. 

Arizona Bootcut Jeans -- I'm not sure where y'all have been clicking on these since I haven't owned them in a few years and thus haven't shared them recently, but here's an updated link for you that actually works. Back in the day -- like way back in the day -- these were my go-to jeans, but then they became pretty much impossible to find in my local JCP, so they faded into the background.

Woven Straw Belts -- These are such a great basic accessory to have in your closet. I wear mine all the time!

Old Navy Linen Dress -- This is another item that I'm not sure where you're clicking on it from, especially since it's not a dress that I've ever owned and can't remember why I would have shared it. Regardless, the exact one that you guys have been clicking on is no longer available, but Old Navy does currently have several different colorways to choose from in the same style dress, so I linked to those for you.

Wedge Sneaker -- It's been awhile since I've shared an outfit with my wedge sneakers, so I'm not sure how far back y'all had to go to find this outdated link. My exact wedge sneakers are long gone since they're so incredibly old now, so the link y'all have been clicking is useless, but I've got some close dupes for you: option one and option two.

Bathtub Tray with Book Holder -- I'm pretty sure I shared this in a previous mother's day gift guide, though I can't remember which one. It's still available, so I'm updating the link for you.

Wide-Leg Playa Pants -- For some reason, Old Navy created a new product page for these pants, so the original link is now extinct. These are a nice lightweight black pant that's not linen. I don't personally own a pair, but I've tried them on. I'm not the biggest fan of this material and will just stick with linen.

Glitter Hearts Toilet Bombs -- These are from a working moms Christmas gift guide from several years ago. I shared them with the idea that they would make good coworker or gag gifts. They're still available and still hilarious.

Scout Tote Bag -- I'm pretty sure you guys discovered this tote from my 2026 swimsuit picks post. I was given this bag as a gift a few years ago, and it quickly turned into my go-to bag for water-related trips. It's the perfect size for the water park, in my opinion.

Swimsuits -- It's not really surprising to me that swimsuits dominated the top 10 favorites for April. I did share a swimsuit post, after all. There were four swimsuits in the top 10, so I decided to lump them together into one entry: Green Floral One Piece, Side-Tie Swim Dress, Floral Print Tankini, Black Polka Dot One Piece. You can see all my picks for this year in my 2026 swimsuit picks post.

Real Outfit Roundup: Spring Outfit Ideas To Copy

Has it really been two weeks since my last post? Wow! I'm a bit astounded that that much time has already passed and that I didn't manage to finish a single blog for you guys. Would you believe I currently have 11 posts in draft stages? Everything from product reviews to books and a gift guide and even some teacher/school specific stuff. So lots of good stuff is coming! Soon ... ish. Let's just say I'm working on it...

Anyway, welcome back to another edition of real outfit roundup! A post where the outfits are real and my reasons for wearing them probably matter. To someone. Somewhere. I mean, otherwise why are you here? On my page. Right now. Reading a post about what I wore over the last two weeks.

The last two weeks have been all about end-of-the-year state testing. We came back from Spring Break and jumped right into review mode, which is never much fun, but I designed an activity that had surprisingly high buy-in and resulted in quite a few a-ha! moments. Finally, finally, it clicked for a good chunk of my students this year why we've been doing things a certain way all year long. So I'm hopeful that they did well on my section of the tests this past week. Unfortunately, we've got two more days of testing to get through next week before we start racing to the finish line.

We've been given the green light to wear jeans the remainder of the year, but you won't find any jeans outfits here this week. For me, jeans are uncomfortable for a full day of teaching, and especially for testing days. They're stiff and hot and I don't like wearing nothing but jeans and a t-shirt day after day. Skirts and dresses are much more my speed. They're usually cooler and so much easier to move in.

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.

*This post does contain affiliate links, which means if you shop through one of my links I could earn a small commission. But don't worry! It comes at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting Mommy the Journalist.*

Vest | White Tee | Skirt | Socks | Mary Janes

I was absolutely not ready to return to school after Spring Break. Like at all. It's been an exhausting school year, y'all. So I decided that an interesting outfit was in order. Also, it was still pretty cool this particular Monday, so layers were in order.

I started with this sweater vest, patchwork skirt, and velvet Mary Janes. They were such a fun match color-wise. The vest has a nice burgundy-ish scallop stitch detail going around each of the hems. It's not a thick vest, which means it's perfect for spring and maybe even early summer before it gets too hot. However, on this day it was fairly cool, so I added a basic white t-shirt underneath. It's a boyfriend-fit tee so it's nice and loose, kind of boxy.

My skirt is so fun. It's by a brand that I've come to trust in terms of quality -- WESTFADE. The skirt is 100% cotton, so it's incredibly comfortable. I sized up to a large (8/10) since I wasn't sure about the sizing. It fits a bit loose, but it's not going to fall off so it works. I love all the different colors in the pattern. It's still available in limited sizes.

I had been patiently waiting for these Mary Janes to be restocked. They're so much better in person. I got my normal size, and they were still comfortable with the socks, which I added because it was cool. They've got cute little pink flowers on them.

Headband | Coffee Club Tee | Lace Vest (sold out) | Pants | Mary Janes (similar, similar)

I was so excited for these pants to come in. How cute are the scalloped details on them?! They're 100% polyester with an elastic waistband and functional pockets. They're cropped, which makes them ankle length on me (my preference). They come in a few other colors, but I love this darker brown. Of course I couldn't resist pairing them with my favorite coffee club graphic tee. I can't believe it's still available! I even saw some in my local Target last weekend. This is one of my most-worn t-shirts over the last couple of years, so I highly recommend it.

I felt like the outfit was missing something, so I added this lace vest over the top and finished the look with my favorite brown, woven Mary Janes. My lace vest has sold out, unfortunately, but there are lots of pretty options out there. Like this tie-front lace vest from Loft, or this tie-front eyelet vest from LC Lauren Conrad, or even this crocheted vest by Allegra K. My Mary Janes are also no longer available, but I've linked to an updated version of the same shoe as well as a good dupe.

Blouse (similar) | Belt | Skirt | Mary Janes

I broke out this blue cotton-linen skirt for Wednesday. It's so dang comfortable, y'all, and I love the lace detailing around the hem. I love it so much that I actually ordered it in two more colors!

This go 'round I paired it with this old favorite floral blouse. I really like this style of blouse from Old Navy, and they usually have updated versions every year. This airy button-down top is the closest thing they have right now.

I added this light brown woven belt for a bit of definition at my waist. I tucked the tie string on the skirt's waist into the skirt to hide it. Then I finished out the look with these blue Mary Janes. I know I keep talking about the buckle design on these, but it really is a cool feature! Instead of completely undoing the buckle every time you take them off and/or put them on, it has a hook feature instead. It's incredibly convenient and easy, and I've not once had an issue with them coming undone while I'm wearing them.

Blouse | Belt | Skirt | Mary Janes

One of my students told me I looked like a strawberry. I was going more for tomato when I planned this, but I'll take strawberry, too.

This green-striped skirt is so good, y'all. It's fully lined and has pockets. The waist is elastic, but the front waistband is flat. It's a nice, bright green, too, which is something I felt like my closet was missing.

Pairing it with this red floral print top was kind of a happy accident. I don't even know how I ended up with this combo, but I really love the way it turned out, especially with the red Mary Jane jellies. I cannot believe I not only bought a pair of these but also really like them. For one, they're such a great color. Nice and bright. For another, the footbed isn't made of the jelly plastic stuff, so they feel like a real shoe. They were also comfortable for all day wear at school, so win win.

Blouse | Necklace | Belt | Skirt (similar, similar) | Mary Janes

My Friday outfit was my favorite outfit of the week. I felt a little bit like June Cleaver in this get-up but in the best way. This skirt is that one from Target that went viral last year. It's such a good skirt, and I'm sad that I can't link to it since they didn't bring it back this year. I linked to a couple of similar options for you. I think everyone needs a good white midi skirt in their closet. The styling possibilities are endless!

This sleeveless button-up blouse is so gorgeous in person, y'all. The blue embroidered eyelet is a bit brighter than I was anticipating, but I don't hate it. The top is lined, so it's not see-through at all. I really liked it with the white skirt. I feel like all that white really made the blue pop. I did add my light-brown belt for a bit of definition at the waist.

I added this gorgeous, chunky, resin bead necklace. I was skeptical about ordering it. I tend to ignore trends, and I wasn't sure how I would like the very oversized beads, but I absolutely love this necklace and have been getting so much wear out of it. It comes in several one-color options, as well.

Cowboy Kitty Tee | Flowy Shorts | Sandals (similar)

I actually remembered to snap pictures of what I wore over the weekend! Granted, I wore the same pair of flowy shorts and my brown sandals both days and just changed out my shirt ... but in my defense, I did only wear them for an hour or two each times.

Anyway, my love for flowy shorts that look like a skirt continues this year. This pair is the same brand as the ones I wore all last summer, so I knew they would be good quality. I love this yellow floral print. It goes with so many things I already own, but this first time I wore it was with a new graphic tee.

Y'all, when I saw this t-shirt, I laughed so hard that I knew I had to get it. In case you can't read it, it says: You've just buttered your last biscuit. And it's a cowboy cat. I can't wear it to school since he's holding a gun, but it's perfect for the weekend.

Tommy Petty Tee (similar, similar) | Flowy Shorts | Sandals (similar)

I told you I basically wore the same outfit two days in a row. On Sunday, I decided to keep the shorts and sandals and just pick a different shirt. Y'all know I love my Tom Petty concert tee, and it was such a perfect match for these shorts. The shirt is several years old, but I did find it on Poshmark for you, and I'm linking to a couple other Tom Petty tees that I think are pretty good.

Def Leopard Tee (similar) | Skirt | Mary Janes (similar, similar)

That brings us to last Monday and the first day of testing. I wanted to be comfortable, but that for me that doesn't mean jeans a t-shirt. This yellow skirt is the same as the blue one from earlier in the post. I will say that it is a brighter yellow in person than it appears on the product page, but I don't hate it.

I had a ton of options for tops to wear, but I ultimately decided I wanted to wear this old, comfy Def Leopard tee that I have no idea where it came from. That's how old it is. I decided to leave it untucked, which is very much unlike me. I applaud all the women who are doing the loose and baggy look, but I'm not sure it's for me. I always feel so sloppy and shapeless when I can't find my waist in an outfit. But I digress...

Like I said earlier, I wanted to be comfortable, and it was a bit cool that morning, so I pulled out this new, silly cat printed cardigan.

Cat Cardigan

This cardigan has been sitting patiently on my wish list for years, y'all. I don't know what made me ultimately click buy, but I'm glad that I did. I love whimsical cardigans so much. They're an easy way to add a bit of unexpected fun to an outfit. It also doesn't hurt that this one is in my school colors.

It's a bit oversized in terms of fit and is nice and soft. It's a thick knit, too, which means it's warm. I ended up not wearing it all day as the temperatures warmed up, but it was fun while it lasted.

Dress | Lace Tee | Cardigan | Purse | Mary Janes (similar, similar)

I've been stalking this dress at Target for awhile now. After looking at it every single time we've been in like the last month, I decided it was meant to be and bought it. I love the almost faded look of this floral print. It's also 100% cotton and has pockets. Some notes on the fit. The v-neck is pretty deep, but the straps are adjustable. The back is very low, and I felt like there was the possibility of side boob. To make it school appropriate, I layered it over this beige-brown lace mesh tee, which provided some coverage without taking away from the dress itself. Then I added a cardigan.

This cardigan is almost 100% cotton, so it's incredibly comfortable. It's ribbed but also has a kind of bumpy texture. Maybe marled? I'm not sure. I've been looking for a light blue cardigan for awhile, ever since I apparently got rid of the one that I'd had for years for some reason I can't remember. This one will do nicely. It pulled out the almost hidden blues in the dress's pattern.

Necklace | Yellow Tee (similar, similar) | Vest (similar) | Skirt | Mary Janes (similar, similar)

This is another one of those viral Nashalyly skirts. I'd been eyeing this pale green floral print for awhile and finally decided enough was enough. It's a really pretty print with yellow, navy blue, and a pale pink woven in. I decided to play with the yellow.

I've had this basic yellow tee for several years. I can't remember where it came from at this point, and the tag has worn off so I can't even tell what brand it is. It's pretty thin, though, and yellow isn't really my color, so I never wear it on its own. I layered my trusty denim vest over the top, then added my chunky beaded necklace and my brown woven Mary Jane flats.

Black Dress (similar, similar) | Striped Dress | Sandals

Thursday brought my favorite outfit of the week. Sometimes two dresses are simply better than one. Really, though, I got this idea and decided to run with it.

My black dress is one of those ribbed maxi dresses I got last summer and then wore the crap out of. I still love it now, and I'm really hoping Old Navy will bring it back this summer. It's just that good. I mean, I even wrote an entire post about why I love and own it in four different colors.

The striped dress is new. I saw it somewhere styled as a long, duster-style vest and not as a dress and was intrigued. I sized up to a large to be on the safe side and to ensure that if I ever did decide to wear it on its own as a dress, the buttons wouldn't pull. I feel like I need to mention this since it's stuck with me. This dress smelled awful when it first came in, so it went into the washing machine right away. I even dried it before thinking about the possible consequences, but thankfully it did not shrink, or not enough for me to notice anyway. That got the smell out and softened it up a bit. I'm looking forward to styling this a bunch of different ways.

I cannot believe these sandals are still available! Three years in, and they're still in really good condition and still very comfortable. I recommend sizing up a half size, though, as the straps are pretty snug and have not stretched out at all over the last three years ... and I wear these things a ton.

Black Cat Graphic Tee | Belt | Skirt (similar, similar) | Mary Janes (similar)

And that brings us to Friday. I woke up in a horrible mood, so I decided that I needed to dress the opposite of how I felt. I wish I could say that it helped, but I really didn't feel any better until I got home that afternoon and took about a two-hour nap. Oh well, thus is life.

I did think this outfit turned out cute, although one of my students asked me why I was wearing a Halloween outfit in April. What is it about a black cat that makes it strictly a Halloween thing? I'm not even wearing Halloween-specific colors! I just thought the cats were funny. It does come in orange, though, if you want it for Halloween purposes.

I love this skirt, but I cannot for the life of me remember where I ordered it from, and I can't find any order details. I think I found it on two different sites. At any rate, the pattern is an exact match, and it appears to be tiered in the same way as well as the same length. Proceed with caution as I cannot verify anything.