The Best Books I Read in 2020

If there was one good thing about 2020, it was all the extra reading time. I read a significant amount more this past year than the previous year. I read so many books, in fact, that I don't actually have a complete total, but I can say with confidence that it was over 100. Wow. And that's not counting all the books I started but didn't finish.

At the beginning of this year, I shared my favorite books from 2019. It was one of you guys' favorite posts of the year, and I do like to look back on what I've read, so I've decided to make the Best Books of the Year an annual thing. Back in July, I wrote a post about the best books I had read so far in the year, and now that we've reached the end of 2020, they've not relinquished their spots. They're joined by a few other series, lots of kickass heroines, and emotional plotlines that will have you reaching for the Kleenex.

The Designer by Marius Gabriel - Copper moves to war-torn France with her soon-to-be ex-husband, who is a journalist. When one of their colleagues unexpectedly dies, Copper steps into his now vacant role and begins her own dreams of becoming a correspondent, while simultaneously helping to launch the career of fashion designer, Christian Dior.

All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness - This series was hands-down my favorite magical series of the year. A witch and a vampire fall in love and defy the rules of the supernatural community. Set both in modern times and the late 1500s, Harkness weaves the past and present together beautifully, and did a wonderful job of incorporating historical events into the story. The second book was hands-down my favorite, and I haven't read the follow-up book.

Ghosts of Gotham by Craig Schaefer - Another book about a journalist, except this time it's a well-established investigative journalist who finds himself thrust into a world of magic when he's hired to find and authenticate a lost manuscript written by Edgar Allan Poe.

The Mermaid's Sister by Carrie Ann Noble - When Maren turns into a mermaid, her sister Clara and their friend, O'Neill, set out to take her to the sea, but along the way they're taken prisoner by a family of traveling performers.

Whisper of the Moon Moth by Lindsay Jayne Ashford - This is a historical fiction based on Merle Oberon, the actress who played Cathy in Wuthering Heights, and how she spent her entire life hiding her true heritage.

Regretting You by Colleen Hoover - This book hooked me from the very first chapter, and the final scene is one of the best I've ever read. A mother and daughter's worlds implode when their husband/father is killed in a car accident along with their sister/aunt. Unable to find any common ground, mother and daughter seek solace elsewhere. They each find new love in unexpected places and start to work toward becoming a family again.

The Redemption Saga by Kristen Banet - I read this series at the recommendation of an old schoolmate. An assassin turned thief thought to be dead finds herself working with a team of special agents to bring down the madman who turned her into the killer known as Shadow. This book has a strong, intelligent, and fierce female lead, and the main male characters bring a lot to the table, as well.

Rollin' On, Survivor, Checkmate, and Stacked Deck series by Emilia Finn - These four series are all interconnected. They can be read on their own, but I highly recommend starting at the beginning and working your way through them. Checkmate is my favorite, but I love all of the characters throughout and have enjoyed growing with them as the series have progressed. Stacked Deck is still in progress, fyi.

Here Be Dragons by David P. MacPherson - A knight who never achieved hero status gets his chance to leave his mark on history as the savior of the world's magic, except Orus is the least-likely hero you will ever meet. Together with a monk-in-training, the wannabe hero sets out on a bumbling adventure that will have you shaking your head and laughing until your sides hurt.

Secret Keepers series by Jaymin Eve - I never would have thought a book about aliens would make it into my top books of the year, but 2020 was a weird year... Ok, so first off, aliens isn't entirely accurate as the book is about parallel universes, not space. Together, four girls - the secret keepers - along with the leaders of the four sections of the parallel world must locate and protect the magic crystal that's keeping the two worlds balanced.

The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern - This is a story inside of a story that meanders in the most whimsical way to tie all the different elements together. Morgenstern is a gifted wordsmith. The son of a fortune-teller, Zachary Ezra Rawlins, discovers a door to an underground library that revolves around the love story of Time and Fate, who are repeatedly torn apart. Zachary, a man called Dorian, and the mysterious Mirabel, are the key to their happy ending.

The Guild Codex: Spellbound by Annette Marie - Technically, I started reading this series in 2019, but I read the majority of it this past year. Tori has never really fit in. After losing yet another job, she applies for and gets a bartending job. Turns out, the bar is exclusively for magical members of society, but they arrange it so that Tori can stay. Soon, she's made friends with three powerful mythics and finds herself in a race against time to save one of their lives.

[Bad Boy's Guide to...] Being Not Good by Elizabeth Stevens - I found this book at precisely the right time. It made me laugh so hard I cried and for 90% of the book my smile was so wide my eyes were nearly closed and my cheeks hurt. Avery is a stereotypical "good girl." When her boyfriend breaks up with her because of it, she enlists resident bad boy, Davin, to teach her how to be not good.

The Cardinal series by Mia Smantz - I started reading this series at the beginning of the year and am now impatiently waiting for the final book to be released sometime in 2021. After being kidnapped at age 11 and then stolen by a criminal mastermind after that, Callie has become one of the world's most wanted hackers. She starts communicating with the good guys and, believing she's about to be killed, gives them her current location. Callie is rescued and taken in by a secret government organization, but her former "boss" will stop at nothing to take her out.

Best of 2020: Most Popular Posts

This past year may not have been the best. In fact, it was downright rotten for the most part. But here on the blog, things weren't so bad. Not counting this week, I published 153 posts this year. That's the second highest number of yearly posts since I started this thing back in 2009, and almost double the number of posts from 2019.

2020 saw the return of my creativity in many ways, but I feel like it's most visible here on the blog. I was more consistent in both the types of content I shared and how often I posted. I saw the most traffic March-May, which makes sense considering that was the start of the pandemic and more people weren't working as everyone figured out how to exist in this new order.

Without further ado, here are the 10 Most Popular Blog Posts from 2020. We'll count them down from 10 to 1.

10. We start our countdown with What I Read March 2020. Either you guys really like fantasy books, or you were looking for ways to fill all your new free time.

9. Our next post was also early in the pandemic. Monday Motivation + 5 Things I'm Loving Right Now shared mostly non-material things that were helping me survive.

8. How to Wear Shorts is as straightforward as it seems. I was recovering from surgery and rounded up a collection of #ootd pics starring shorts.

7. Book posts were definitely the most consistently popular this year. What I Read May 2020 features several books that will make it onto my upcoming Best Books of 2020 post.

6. Speaking of best books, My Favorite Books of 2019 clocks in at the number six spot.

5. I'm a little ashamed to admit that I haven't crossed very many titles off this list of 30 Books I Want to Read + How I Find Them.

4. I'm kind of surprised only one recipe post made the list this year, but if only one was going to make the cut, I'm glad it was this Crockpot Chicken & Gravy Recipe, which Alexis says is the best chicken she's ever had.

3. I'm not surprised my 2020 Mother's Day Gift Guide (or 10 Things to Get Mom During a Pandemic) made it into the top three. This year's guide was tailor-made for the current state of the world, but I would recommend everything on the list any year.

2. 8 Ways I'm Keeping my Cool During COVID-19 is exactly what its title says, and apparently a lot of you guys needed some suggestions for how to deal with the pandemic.

1. Which brings us to the most popular post out of the year: Monday Motivation + 5 Home Office Must Haves, which shares the five things I couldn't live without in my home office.

Thanks for supporting Mommy the Journalist throughout 2020! I'm excited for 2021 and hope you'll stick with me as I continue to explore motherhood, fashion, and everything in between.

Real Outfit Roundup: 12 Winter Outfits to Copy Right Now

I'm a little behind on this edition of Real Outfit Roundup, but last week was Christmas so what are you gonna do? This is a collection of twelve outfits I wore in real life starting back on December 11th and running through December 27th. Obviously that's less outfits than days so I missed a picture here and there...or more likely, I spent a couple days in my pjs.

Let's get started!

Sizing info: I'm 5'2" and around 150 lbs. I typically wear size 6/8 or medium in tops and dresses, size 6 in pants and skirts, and size 7 in shoes.

This outfit initially started out as a comfy work-at-home outfit. Soft, oversized gray t-shirt and my favorite boyfriend jeans. Then, my dad called and asked if I would help him finish his Christmas shopping, so I pulled on my moto boots and leather jacket and threw my hair in a half-ponytail using one of my scarf scrunchies. It wasn't very festive, but the boots were super comfortable for all the walking and checkout line-waiting we did that day, and my jacket kept the wind out.

You'll see these boots repeated a bunch throughout this post. They're surprisingly versatile and really comfortable. Plus, I like that little bit of edge they add to my outfit. (Also, they're marked way down right now!)

Outfit Details

Shirt: Target (exact, wearing M in charcoal gray)

Jacket: Nordstrom (exact, wearing size 6)

Jeans: Old Navy (exact, wearing size 6)

Boots: Shoe Carnival (exact, wearing size 7)

Hair Tie: Amazon (exact)

We're going to skip right over the weekend to the next Monday. I honestly don't remember what we did that weekend, and there's nothing written in my planner. At any rate, I didn't take any photos.

On Monday, I was pretty much glued to my computer all day working. I'd had this over-sized blue flannel shirt in my closet for awhile and it's finally been cold enough to wear it. I didn't like it with any of my regular skinny jeans and didn't want to wear black, so I opted for white skinnies instead. I rolled them slightly to give my socks a little more room and then kept my boots neutral.

Outfit Details

Shirt: Old Navy (exact, wearing M in navy plaid)

Jeans: JCPenney (exact, wearing size 6)

Socks: Amazon (exact)

Boots: Target (exact, wearing size 7)

Tuesday was another day I spent glued to my desk. My to-do list on that day was really long, so I didn't put much effort into getting dressed, as you can see. My tried-and-true moto leggings from The Limited (may they rest in peace) and this oversized purple sweatshirt were the order of the day. These boots were probably still in my office when it was time to go pick up Alexis, which is how I ended up wearing them.

Outfit Details

Sweatshirt: Walmart (exact, wearing M in wine fusion)

Leggings: The Limited (similar)

Boots: Shoe Carnival (exact, wearing size 7)

I did make an effort on Wednesday. I'm pretty sure I went to the post office and maybe the bank. I love these moto boots paired with a maxi dress, especially this leopard-print one. My socks also have a little bit of leopard print because why not?

Outfit Details

Dress: Old Navy (similar)

Socks: Old Navy (similar)

Boots: Shoe Carnival (exact, wearing size 7)

On Thursday, I got my hair cut, and boy did it need it. This picture is pre-cut, in case you're wondering. I kept most of the length but trimmed up my layers and cut my face-framing pieces back in.

I'm honestly on the fence about this sweater and skirt combo. They technically match, but the whole thing doesn't feel cohesive. I think it could be the vast difference between the two materials and how much thicker the sweater is than the skirt. Whatever, I wore it all day anyway.

I got these boots with some leftover birthday money. They're so much fun, even if they aren't the most practical. They're really comfortable, although if you've got bigger calves you may want to consider a bigger size as they're really tight. I got mine from Shoe Carnival but can't find them on the site, so I had to link to the company page where unfortunately they're a good bit more expensive than what I paid.

Outfit Details

Sweater: Old Navy (similar)

Skirt: Amazon (exact, wearing size M in rust red daisy)

Boots: Shoe Carnival (exact, wearing size 7)

We're skipping ahead again. Alexis came home from school sick with strep throat so we spent the weekend in recovery mode. Hence, no pictures.

Monday was a weird day. I had to work but we decided to keep Alexis home as a precaution since she was still getting over being sick. Since we didn't have plans and it wasn't freezing cold, I decided to try something out of my comfort zone by pairing tights with shorts and a sweater. I don't know that this is something I'll do on a regular basis, but I definitely don't hate it. What do you think?

My shorts are made by Universal Thread, but this exact style isn't available anymore so I'm linking to their product page instead.

Outfit Details

Sweater: Old Navy (exact, wearing size M)

Shorts: Target (similar)

Tights: Walmart

Socks: Old Navy (similar)

Boots: Shoe Carnival (exact, wearing size 7)

Hair Tie: Amazon (exact)

Tuesday was a little more relaxed. I didn't have as much to do for work, and Alexis was feeling much better. Still, we didn't leave the house (that I remember) so I opted for gray leggings and this festive-ish tunic. I added a lacy camisole underneath to make it feel a little more girly and less lumberjack. I'm pretty sure I only put my boots on for the picture, to be honest.

Outfit Details

Shirt: Old Navy (similar)

Camisole: Amazon (exact, wearing size M in black)

Leggings: Kohl's (similar)

Boots: Shoe Carnival (exact, wearing size 7)

I struggled so hard to put this outfit together Wednesday. I knew I wanted to wear a plaid button down over a graphic t-shirt but nothing seemed to go together. So finally, I settled on this oversized cream-colored v-neck and went through every plaid shirt I own until landing on this one. I decided to knot the bottom instead of doing a front tuck, paired them with a pair of "mom jeans," and grounded it all out with my moto boots. I feel like I could have had a guest appearance on a 90s show...

Outfit Details

Flannel Shirt: Old Navy (similar)

T-shirt: Target (exact, wearing M in heather cream)

Jeans: Old Navy (similar)

Boots: Shoe Carnival (exact, wearing size 7)

Which brings us to Christmas Eve. I wanted to feel festive without being uncomfortable, so I reached for my sparkle Stevie pants (which are like leggings only thicker) and my super old but always in style fair isle sweater. I ended up changing out of the oxfords for our first Christmas celebration because the temperature plummeted after lunch but didn't get a pic of the change.

I also wanted to take a minute to talk about my new wallet. It's got a detachable wrist strap so you can carry it like a clutch, which I do often. It's got plenty of card slots, plus enough room for my phone. The only thing I struggle with fitting is my keys, but I think that's because of a specific keychain that I refuse to take off.

Outfit Details

Sweater: The Limited (similar)

Leggings: Old Navy (similar)

Shoes: Shoe Dazzle (similar)

Wallet: Amazon (exact)

Christmas day was all about the plaid. I don't actually have any bright red plaid, so I wasn't all matchy-matchy, but whatever. I picked my sweater up from my local Target but can't find it online. I'm linking to the style though.

Outfit Details

Shirt: JCPenney (similar)

Sweater: Target (same style)

Skirt: Amazon (exact, wearing size L in green plaid)

Alexis's Dress: Old Navy (exact)

The day after Christmas we headed down to see my Granny for our first Christmas without PawPaw. This was actually my third outfit choice for the day. My first outfit didn't work out because my skirt was too tight. Then my second outfit was a no-go because my sweater wouldn't lay right over my dress. I wasn't 100% satisfied with this one either. I didn't like my jeans tucked into my boots or rolled under like I ended up wearing them, but they didn't look right with any other pair of shoes I tried on with them, and after 20 minutes I got frustrated and decided to go with comfort.

Outfit Details

Sweater: Target (exact, wearing M)

Jeans: Old Navy (exact, wearing size 6)

Boots: Shoe Dazzle (exact, wearing size 7)

The Sunday after Christmas was a day spent putting things together and relaxing. So my new oversized sweater and black Stevie pants from Old Navy were perfect. These pants really are the perfect alternative to leggings. They're stretchy but thick and I love the little crease lines on the front and backs. This sweater is just like the green sweater I wore with the shorts earlier in the week. It's thick and stretchy, thankfully not itchy. It's slightly longer in the back, but not enough to be annoying, and the mock neck doesn't feel like it's choking me. I kinda want to order it in every available color.

Outfit Details

Sweater: Old Navy (exact, wearing size M)

Leggings: Old Navy (exact, wearing size M in black jack)

Boots: Shoe Dazzle (exact, wearing size 7)

Well, that'll do it for this edition of Real Outfit Roundup. If nothing else, maybe this post will inspire you to add a pair of moto boots to your shoe collection! Have a great last week of 2020!

Monday Motivation + Christmas Recap

It's the last Monday of 2020, and boy have the last nine months seemed to drag by. This year is certainly one for the record books, and I won't be sad to see it go. We are ending the year on a positive note, though (in my house at least).

Christmas was the same as it always is, thank goodness. Our gatherings are always small, and I couldn't tell you the last time I went to a holiday party that wasn't a work function (definitely pre-motherhood). We spent Christmas Eve with Chris's family, saw my parents and brother on Christmas day, and finished up with my Granny and extended family on that side the day after.

Alexis got everything she wanted for Christmas, plus a few extras. Her main gifts were a Barbie camper, scooter, and art kit from us, a Star Belly and Crystal Flyer from grandma and grandpa, a kids' smart watch from Vma and Kpa, a working sink from her Uncle Tyler and Aunt Emily, and the Baby Alive doll that grows up from Granny.

Chris and I bought ourselves bicycles and an electric fireplace, plus he got me a new desk chair and desktop storage (that's still in transit somewhere...).  I also got a new lapdesk that has a built-in mouse pad, a smart notebook (yay!) and the new kitchen stuff that I wanted. Chris got a motorized paper airplane kit and back massager from me, one of those long-lasting ice chests, and a new jack. Oh, and we got an outdoor rug for the back porch.

After our family get-together at Granny's, I visited my PawPaw's grave for the first time. I had just had surgery when he died and wasn't able to travel, and then everything closed down and we just stayed at home. It was one of those things I knew I needed to do, but it didn't really help.

Sunday we spent putting stuff together. We took a short family bike ride and I rearranged the kitchen and went through everything to decide what I want to upgrade next. (Hint: it's dishes. There's nothing wrong with the set we have, but we bought them to match our previous house and honestly just don't use them very often.)

This week, I'll be finishing up the January issue for real. The holidays are tough on deadlines, ha! And we'll end the week with our traditional New Year's Day lunch with family. It's the one holiday a year that I cook for everyone. And you best believe everyone will be eating the dang black eyed peas this go 'round.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and that this last week of the year goes smoothly for you!

Last-Minute Holiday Outfit Ideas

What do your holiday celebrations look like this year? Ours are always small to begin with and include people we see on a regular basis anyway, so they won't look that much different. We'll kick things off on Christmas eve and finish up the day after Christmas.

Our family get-togethers are never fancy. I'm usually the most dressed-up adult because I simply do not dress down very often. Plus, I love to feel like I've dressed for the occasion, even if I am the only one.

The good news is that you can achieve festive style that's not over-the-top (perfect for socially-distanced holiday plans) with things you probably already have in your closet. So this year, skip standing in line to buy a new outfit, and shop your closet instead!

Here are four last-minute outfit ideas to hopefully inspire your holiday #ootd.

Outfit #1: Grey/Black Jeans + Velvet Tee

Black jeans automatically feel more dressed up than regular jeans. I like that this pair is high-waisted, slightly faded, has a button fly and raw hems. It's a nice balance for the velvet tee. Velvet adds a tiny bit of luxe, especially when you finish the look off with a bunch of pearls. Heels optional.

Outfit #2: Leggings + Slouchy Sweater

Leggings, especially those with a bit of sparkle or a subtle print, are the perfect solution for comfy style. I'm particularly fond of the Stevie pant from Old Navy. They offer the comfort of leggings but have more structure. Top them off with an oversized sweater, like my tried-and-true fairisle sweater, and you're all set.

Outfit #3: Plaid Skirt + Sweater

You can't go wrong with plaid, especially when it's a classic style like this A-line skirt. Really any color combination will do, but I like that this navy and green print doesn't scream Christmas. Pair it with a neutral, solid-colored sweater and matching booties.

Outfit #4: Red Patterned Dress

Pretty much any red patterned dress will work. I especially love this small buffalo check pattern. It feels festive without being over-the-top. It's also easy to layer with tights or a cardigan if you need more warmth...or alternately if you need to shed some layers because wherever you are has the heat kicking.

That's going to do it for me this week. I'll be back next week with some Best of 2020 posts. Until then, I wish you the merriest of Christmases. No matter what or how you're celebrating, I hope your holidays are filled with all the joy of the season.

Monday Motivation

It's Christmas week. Have you guys started your holiday break yet? Alexis's wasn't supposed to start until mid-week, but she came home from school with a fever last Thursday and was diagnosed with strep Friday, so we decided to start her break early as a precaution. I may regret that decision by the time school starts back in January...

Having a sick child this day and age is scary. Especially when you can't get in to see the doctor - who's not even your regular pediatrician - until mid-afternoon the day after their temperature spikes. All signs pointed to strep - fever, sore throat, and it's been making the rounds - so they did a throat culture first. I was happy, in a guilty sort of way, when it came back positive for strep. Because it could have been much, much worse.

So we spent our weekend in comfy clothes, watching movies, playing Barbies, and coloring. We also wrapped up the last of our gifts, and I did several loads of laundry and got the kitchen back in order. The rest of the weekend I spent trying to keep Alexis from overdoing it and make sure she was drinking enough throughout the day. It was a hard-fought battle.

Because of last week's unexpected ending, I've had to extend my deadlines for the January magazine, so I'll be working right up until Christmas. Then we've got some staggered family gatherings, provided we're all well. Fingers crossed Alexis doesn't pass her strep onto me or her daddy.

My posting schedule has been thrown all out of whack, too, so I'm not sure if I'll have anything else for you this week. I might scrounge together some last-minute holiday outfits for you on Tuesday or Wednesday, but no promises.

No matter how your family is celebrating this week, I hope you do so safely. From my family to yours, Merry Christmas!

20 Last-Minute Gift Ideas Under $20

There are eight days until Christmas, and if you haven't crossed everything off your shopping list, you are most definitely running out of time. I'm usually a last-minute shopper -- like standing in line on Christmas Eve last minute -- but this year I managed to get all of my shopping done within the first two weeks of December. Not gonna lie, it feels weird.

Anyway, I've rounded up 20 gift ideas that are all under $20. I included a variety of gifts for men and women. These are all available on Amazon, are all in stock, and if ordered within the next few days should arrive before Christmas.

1. Aromatherapy Candles - Candles are my go-to "I don't know what to get" gift. They are always a good idea. I love the decorative canisters these ones come in.

2. Himalayan Scrub -  little self-care never hurt anybody, and this particular scrub has a ton of uses.

3. Jade Face Roller - 2020 has been stressful but that doesn't mean we have to accept new wrinkles.

4. Hair Shampoo Brush - Turn your next shampoo into a scalp massage. This brush was designed with all hair types in mind, even pets if you're so inclined.

5. Felt Letter Board - Give the gift of words with these fun message boards.

6. Magnetic Wristband - The perfect solution for keeping up with loose screws/nails during all your home projects.

7. Life Hacks Calendar - 365 days of tips and tricks to make your life a little easier.

8. 50 States, 5000 Ideas Travel Book - For the travel aficionado in your life, you know when they can start really traveling again.

9. The Ultimate Book of Family Card Games - Find some new ways to spend family time on your next camping trip (or covid shutdown).

10. The Complete Air Fryer Cookbook - Raise your hand if an air fryer was on your wish list this year.

11. Running Pouch Belt - Now you won't have to tuck your phone or keys or whatever into the waistband of your leggings. It's like a fanny pack but sleeker.

12. Packing Cube System - Say goodbye to disorganized packing. These come in a bunch of colors.

13. Dead Sea Mud Mask - These are my favorite type of face mask.

14. Beard & Mustache Brush & Comb - Keep that quarantine beard nice and neat.

15. Taco Holder Stands - These will take your next Taco Tuesday to the next level.

16. Nesting Measuring Beakers - How fun are these? Turn your next baking session into a real science experiment.

17. Pizza Cutter Wheel - Whether you're ordering in or making your own, you need this pizza cutter.

18. Throw Blanket - There's no such thing as too many blankets. I love this herringbone pattern.

19. Rechargeable Book Light - This could be the last book light you ever buy. I especially like that this one goes around your neck instead of clamping onto your book.

20. State Sign - Show off your love of home with these hand-made box signs.

10 Things I'm Loving Right Now

Welcome to another unofficial product review post, in which I share with you ten things that are making my life better right now. These products range from beauty to fashion, home décor and everything in between.

Colgate Optic White Renewal Toothpaste -- This is supposed to remove 10 years of stains. I don't know if that's true, but my teeth are quite a bit brighter and whiter since I started using it a few weeks ago. It is hands down the most expensive toothpaste I have ever bought, and I will buy it again.

Prescription Sunglasses -- I finally broke down and spent the money on a pair, and I should have done it months ago. At least when I realized I needed to start wearing my glasses full-time because my astigmatism has gotten so much worse. (P.S. If you need new glasses but don't want to go to the eye doctor and don't need a new prescription, check out Liingo Eyewear.)

My Journal -- I've been making a conscious effort to write about everything these days, and it's really been helping keep my mental health in balance.

Aussie Curl Refresher -- Not only does it smell good, but it helps me put more distance between my wash days. See how I use it here.

Perfect Hair Care Towel -- Yep, still talking about this because it's just that good. Totally worth the price. It speeds up the drying process without causing frizz.

New Bedding -- We update our bedding every year or so, and I was beyond ready for something lighter to make the space feel like a new room.

Moto Boots -- I've been wanting to try out this style for awhile and used some birthday money to snag a pair. I've been enjoying them, even though my mom doesn't like them, lol.

H2Ocean Piercing Aftercare Spray -- I feel like this should be pretty self-explanatory. I recently got two new piercings, and this is the best product for taking care of them.

Gift List App -- This was recommended by a colleague, and I'm honestly surprised at how helpful it is. You can keep track of what you've bought and ordered, how much you spent, and even if something's been wrapped.

Coordinating Underclothes -- This may seem like a weird thing to include on this list, but hear me out. I've been a VIP member of AdoreMe for years, but when I started gaining weight because of my health issue I couldn't wear any of my stuff from there. Since having surgery earlier this year, I'm finally back to my normal size, which means all my pretties get to come back out! And I don't know about you, but there's just something about wearing matching bra and panties that makes me feel like a grown-up.

Monday Motivation + 2020 Goals Check-In

I started writing my January column over the weekend, and much like every column I've written since March, I had very little self-direction. Usually, I talk about my goals from the past year and lay out new ones for the year ahead...except 2020 was not kind to my goals. I flipped to the beginning of the journal I've been keeping this year and read through the ten goals I wrote down at the beginning of the year...and had to laugh to keep from crying. I didn't accomplish a single thing on my list. #thankscovid

So I'm kind of in a state of disbelieving limbo right now. I don't consider it a failure, exactly, but I don't know how to move forward from it. Do I carry my 2020 goals over into 2021? Or should I just rip that page out of my journal, ball it up and set it on fire? That would be a nice representation of what this year has felt like...

In all seriousness, I feel extremely grateful to have made it to the end of this year without having lost all that much. It was touch-and-go there a few times, and we've had to adjust financially, but we've hung in there pretty comfortably.

I have a lot of hope for 2021. Before the pandemic, my magazine was starting to hit its stride, and we were looking to have our best year yet. Now, I'm rebuilding, and with all my usual clients in the same boat, it's pretty dang tough. But I haven't failed at anything I've been truly passionate about yet, and I really do believe in the service I'm providing local families.

This is my last full week of work for the year, and it looks like it will be kind of laid back in that it's a lot of hurry-up-and-wait. Other than waiting on one gift to be delivered and picking up one more, I'm done with my shopping. Just need to wrap, which is soooo much fun with a 5 year old and cat lending a hand. (did you catch that sarcasm?) I did go shopping with three separate people last week, and have plans to meet a friend for lunch next weekend. I'm looking forward to that. We got our electric fireplace put together, and I'm ready for the weather to cool back down so we can start using it.

I don't have any pre-planned content for this week. Do you guys have any requests? Maybe an under $20 gift guide for stocking stuffers, teacher gifts, or secret Santa exchanges? Holiday outfits? Drop me a line, and we'll see what happens.

Happy Monday! I hope you all have a relaxing week!

Real Outfit Roundup: Winter Style Inspiration

It's time for another Real Outfit Roundup. Every two weeks, I try to share the outfits I've been wearing as I go about daily life. If you follow me on Instagram, you'll have seen a lot of these already, but this post is opportunity to shop the pieces you love.

Believe it or not, we've actually had a stretch of cold weather. I'm talking highs in the mid-50s, overnight lows hovering around freezing. So I've been living in my sweaters the last couple of weeks. So with the exception of the first few outfits, this roundup is full of winter style inspiration.

Of course on the day I'm writing this our temps rose into the low 70s, but at least it wasn't hot. I met my mom for breakfast this morning and then we walked through a few stores and had a late lunch.

Now, I'm back at home watching Christmas in Connecticut while I hunt down links for you guys to shop. Let's get to it!

Sizing info: I'm 5'2" and weigh around 150 lbs. I typically wear size 6/8 or medium in tops and dresses, size 6 in pants and skirts, and size 7 in shoes.

This was the day before Thanksgiving and my birthday. I was really excited about this cardigan when I ordered it, but for some reason I've been struggling to style it. I thought it would go with so much stuff in my closet, but I cannot seem to match it. But then I found this wildflower graphic tee in Target and it was a match made in heaven. 

Outfit Details

Shirt: Target (exact, wearing size M)

Cardigan: Amazon (exact, wearing size M in wine)

Jeans: Old Navy (exact, wearing size 6)

Boots: Old Navy (similar)

Thanksgiving day was hot, like sticky, sweaty hot. So the outfits I had hoped we'd be wearing were impractical. This dark green polka dot dress is stretchy and really comfy. I wanted to at least feel like Thanksgiving, so I paired some fun crew socks with my booties.

Outfit Details

Dress: Amazon (exact, wearing size M)

Socks: Old Navy (similar)

Boots: Target (exact, wearing size 7)

The day after Thanksgiving, I didn't do any shopping, even online. I stayed in pajamas most of the day, then threw on my favorite boyfriend jeans and this compass t-shirt for dinner with my in-laws.

Outfit Details

Tshirt: Amazon (exact, wearing size M)

Jeans: Old Navy (exact, wearing size 6)

Shoes: Walmart (exact, wearing size 7)

I honestly don't remember what I did over the weekend, and I didn't take any pictures. On Monday, I didn't go anywhere other than school. I worked on website stuff for the December issue and got my January stuff set up. I actually didn't get fully dressed until after lunch, but some days you just need to dress up a little for yourself. I erred on the side of caution and got the large in this skirt but could have stuck with my usual medium. The material is slightly stretchy and the zipper is hidden.

Outfit Details

Sweater: Walmart (similar)

Skirt: Amazon (exact, wearing size L)

Boots: Old Navy (similar)

The first day of December was really cold for here. Good thing this super warm sweater was delivered on time. It's just long enough to pair nicely with leggings without being an actual tunic length, which tends to be awkward on me.

Outfit Details

Sweater: Old Navy (exact, wearing size M)

Leggings: The Limited (similar)

Boots: ShoeDazzle (similar)

On Wednesday, I spent the morning doing some shopping with my husband. It was another cold day so layers were in order. I started with my new floral midi skirt. It's hard to tell in the picture, but the base color is olive green. I originally paired a light tan sweater but decided it was too bland and swapped it for this rust colored one. I added a pair of thick thigh-high boot socks, my brown lace-up boots, and finished it off with my suede moto jacket. Chris said I looked like a librarian, but I'm okay with it.

Outfit Details

Sweater: Target (similar)

Jacket: ShoeDazzle (similar)

Skirt: Old Navy (exact, wearing size M)

Boots: gifted (similar)

I was so excited that I could wear these plaid leggings again. After wearing them pretty much all day, I discovered an unfixable hole and had to change.

Outfit Details

Sweater: Old Navy (similar)

Leggings: gifted (similar)

Boots: ShoeDazzle (similar)

So I grabbed my trusty Sonoma dark-wash skinny jeans and swapped my tall boots for booties.

Outfit Details

Sweater: Old Navy (similar)

Jeans: Kohls (exact, wearing size 6)

Boots: Old Navy (similar)

Friday, I stayed in sweats all day and didn't take a picture. On Saturday I spent the day shopping with my parents, brother and sister-in-law. It was the perfect temperature for my chunky burgundy cardigan. I ended up taking it off after a couple of stores since they had the heat turned up to summer, and definitely did not like my outfit as much without it.

Outfit Details

Sweater: Old Navy (exact, wearing size M)

Shirt: Old Navy (exact, wearing size M)

Jeans: Old Navy (exact, wearing size 6)

Belt: Amazon (exact, wearing size L)

Boots: Target (exact, wearing size 7)

I picked up these matching sweaters at Target, and of course had to wear them the next day.

Outfit Details

Sweaters: Target (mine, Alexis)

Jeans: Kohls (exact, wearing size 6)

Boots: Target (exact, wearing size 7)

On Monday, I took my granny shopping. I wanted to look nice, so I grabbed my embellished grey sweater and paired it with my maroon pants. I liked the black booties, but I definitely should have worn flat shoes for all the walking/standing around we did.

Outfit Details

Sweater: Amazon (exact, wearing size 8)

Pants: Kohls (exact, wearing size 6)

Boots: Old Navy (similar)

My December magazines finally came in around mid-morning on Tuesday, so I spent the rest of my time before school pick-up rushing my butt off getting as many distributed as possible. These are my newest boots, bought with birthday money.

Outfit Details

Sweater: Amazon (exact)

Jeans: Old Navy (exact, wearing size 6)

Boots: Shoe Carnival (exact, wearing size 7)

Wednesday was another busy day of magazine distribution, but not before I went through an outfit evolution. I wanted to wear my new boots and this sweater. I started out with my faux leather pants. They're a few inches too long so I roll them under to keep them from bunching. I decided I didn't like the way they looked with these boots or the sweater either really. The textures just didn't mesh well so I changed...

Outfit Details

Sweater: Amazon (exact, wearing size M)

Pants: Express (exact, wearing size 10)

Boots: Shoe Carnival (exact, wearing size 7)

I settled to these mid-rise washed-out black button-fly jeans. The color difference worked better with the boots in my opinion. And I was much more comfortable in these for a day getting in and out of the car than I would have been in the leather.

Outfit Details

Sweater: Amazon (exact, wearing size M)

Jeans: Old Navy (exact, wearing size 6)

Boots: Shoe Carnival (exact, wearing size 7)

Thursday was another distribution day. I wanted to dress up. I had this skirt awhile but struggle styling it in colder months. I found this pretty sweater at Target on Monday and knew it would be a perfect match. I love the details in the sleeves.

Outfit Details

Sweater: Target (exact, wearing size M)

Skirt: JCPenney

Boots: ShoeDazzle (similar)

Well that's it for me. I'm going to finish my movie and then maybe read a little bit. I don't plan on doing much of anything this weekend, other than laundry. Always laundry. Hope y'all have a wonderful weekend!