What I Read February 2021

 
Love features prominently in this month's reading roundup. Fitting for February, no?

Before we dive into the reviews, I feel like I should disclose that while Opium and Absinthe was the last book I finished, it was also the first book I started...back in January. I also was reading Still Not Over You at the same time as the Beatrice Harrow series, and I stopped everything to read the final book in the Stacked Deck series.

Also, in the spirit of transparency, I started and stopped two separate books after I finished Opium and Absinthe. They were Stealing Tranquility by J.L. Weil and The Mermaid's Escape by Kellie McAllen. I was excited about both of these books, and they each started off nicely, but then they both fell flat and felt like the storylines were advancing.

Then, feeling like I needed to detox, I started rereading the Haret Chronicles by Laurel Chase. It's a lot of fun, filled with dragons, vampires, mermaids, fae, and shifters. I'm in the last book now and will start tackling my TBR list once I'm finished. I also reread the Harem of Hearts trilogy by C.M. Stunich and The Marked series by G. Bailey and Cece Rose.

Okay, now for the reason we're all here.

 

Beatrice Harrow series

Author: Jane Washington

Bea is what's called a tainted creature - half human and half monster. In her case, she's half synfee, which is kind of like a siren, and powerful enough to catch the attention of both the human and synfee kingdoms. With the help of her friends, including the heir to the human kingdom, Bea must learn to control her darker urges and become a leader, uniting not just one but both kingdoms because there's a bigger threat out there.

Seen as nothing more than a tool by the humans and inferior by the synfee, Bea doesn't really fit in either world. She goes through so much crap, which is a nice way of saying that she's dodging assassination attempts left and right, and yet she keeps going. Because it's the right thing to do. She may be considered tainted and a monster, but she's quite possibly the most human of them all.

Still Not Over You

Author: Nicole Snow

Kenna is a down-on-her-luck author. Up against an impossible deadline and facing imminent eviction, she lets her brother talk her into moving into Landon's guest house. She knows it's a terrible idea. After what happened five years ago, Landon hates her. But, he's in a pickle, too. He's got a big job coming up and no one to take care of his cats. There's just one problem: Someone's on a mission to destroy Landon's security company, and now Kenna's on their radar.

I've read several books by Nicole Snow and this book was pretty typical of her work. It falls into the enemies-to-lovers genre, but I it was very tame compared to others I've read. There was no bullying, just a lot of arguing and walking away from each other. I figured out the bad guy pretty early on, but I enjoyed the chemistry between Kenna and Landon.

 

Snow & Goldy: Books 1 & 2 of The Happily Never After series

Author: Plum Pascal

This series is one big conglomeration of fairytale retellings. Pretty much every fairytale character you can think of is represented in some way. When they're all written, there will be ten total. So far, only the first five are available. It's pretty obvious by their titles which characters are the main focus of the first two books: Snow White and Goldilocks, although those are just nicknames in these tales.

The general premise is that the Underworld, led by Morningstar (the devil), is trying to take over their world. They're being held back by a weak barrier that's cracking a little more every day. According to a prophecy, they can only be stopped by ten witches, but no one knows who or where they are.

My favorite parts so far: the dwarfs are dragon shifters (did not see that coming); Goldy's tenaciousness; and Captain Hook is a good guy. I'll definitely continue with this series, though I'm not in any real hurry since there are still five unreleased books.

Busted

Author: Emilia Finn

Rob, part two of the so-called Devil Twins, and Emma have known each other since they were in diapers. At some point, their best friendship turned into something more. After missing each other for years, they finally find themselves together until an unexpected drama falls in Rob's lap.

I hate to see this series end - it's been so much fun! But this was a good one to end it on. I particularly liked how the author went almost full circle with a specific situation. I won't go into details on that to avoid spoilers. I am really excited about the new spin-off series she's working on featuring the Rosa brothers, who we met in the Checkmate series.

Opium and Absinthe

Author: Lydia Kang

Someone is murdering people in New York City and staging the crimes to look like a vampire is the culprit. When Tillie Pembroke's sister Lucy falls prey to this killer, Tillie sets out to find the truth with the help of a local newspaper seller. But Tillie has some personal demons to expel along the way. She's become addicted to opium after being prescribed it for a broken bone, and her sister's fiancé has set his sights on her hand all the while enabling her addiction.

I got this book as a Kindle First Read last fall but had been putting off reading something quite so serious. Like A Beautiful Poison, this book is brilliant. I had no idea who the killer was and the motive...woah. If you like mysteries, you need to add this to your shelf.

Monday Motivation

Happy Monday, friends! The sun has finally come back out, and it looks like we'll have about a week's worth of mostly sunny days. I am here for it. I don't think my mood could have taken another gray and dreary week.

We broke out the grill yesterday and built a fire in the backyard. Nothing fancy but it was nice to spend time outside.

We've been doing a bit of spring cleaning around the house. You can definitely tell we've been spending more time at home the past year. We've accumulated a lot of junk piles, and underneath those are entire colonies of dust bunnies. I don't profess to be an amazing housekeeper, but I can't believe the state of messiness we've found ourselves in. I'd really like to have a maid service come in every other week, but I'm not sure if now is the time to invest in that...although I feel like the benefits for my anxiety and mental load would be well worth it in the long run.

In other news, Alexis is getting close to losing her first teeth. Nearly all of her friends have lost at least one tooth already so she's excited, especially about the tooth fairy. I'm not as excited about that part. Have you seen how much parents are giving for teeth these days?! Thankfully, Alexis has based her ideas of the tooth fairy off Rise of the Guardians, so she expects a gold coin.

This week is looking pretty tame for me, comparatively speaking. I've got a few editorial things to finish up and some web stuff to do, but otherwise I'm basically finished with the March issue. I haven't been able to focus on my personal writing as much this month, so I hope I'll be able to devote a little more time to that next week - without sacrificing sleep.

That's pretty much all that's going on around here lately. I hope everyone has a fabulous week!

10 Books on my TBR List Right Now

 
When it comes to reading, my TBR list is never-ending. I was talking with a friend earlier this week about how some books have been on my list for so long that I've forgotten why I added them in the first place.

Between the different series that I'm reading or waiting for the next books in and all the book suggestions I get via email, Kindle, etc., I am swimming in books I want to read. And to be perfectly honest, I don't have a solid plan for how I'm ever going to get through them all.

Such is the life of a bookworm.

And as a self-proclaimed bookworm, I feel it is my duty to share books that I'm currently excited to read, although I make no promises on when I'll actually get around to reading them.

These are the ten books currently sitting at the top of my TBR list (in no particular order), and - surprise, surprise - most of them are not fantasy.

From a Distant Star - When Lucas Walker recovers from a terminal illness, he's not the same person, although his girlfriend, Emma, seems to be the only one who notices. The couple sets out to find answers but their road trip quickly becomes dangerous as they find themselves in a life-or-death race against time.

FriendTrip - Best friends Becky and Janine each have their own troubles. Becky is no longer fun and wants to spice things up with her husband of ten years, while Janine is tired of coming home to an empty apartment and living vicariously through Becky's love life. The two friends turn to each other to get through these tough times but their adventures lead to nothing but trouble.

Kiss of Steel - Honoria Todd needs to hide, and what better place to get lost than London's dreaded Whitechapel district? When she turns up on Blade's doorstep, the ruler of the rookeries agrees to help her. Blade's blood-craving makes him the most dangerous thing in the district, but Honoria could be his salvation.

180 Seconds - After a childhood spent in foster care, Allison Dennis doesn't believe in the permanence of anything. She's determined to keep everyone at arm's length, but a social experiment during her third year of college changes her entire perspective, and all it takes is 180 seconds. Now, she finds herself involved with a social media star and questioning if what they experienced in under a minute and a half is real.

Boy Swallows Universe - 12-year-old Eli Bell leads a complicated life - a lost father, incarcerated mother, and drug dealer stepdad. The only steady adult presence in his life is a notorious felon. Eli's troubles continue when he encounters a legendary drug dealer and get worse when he falls in love, faces off against some truly bad guys, and fights to save his mother - all before starting high school.

Dream a Little Dream - Liv is starting over in a new school, again. If that's not hard enough, her dreams have been extremely weird lately, featuring four of her male classmates performing dark magic. Even stranger, the boys seem to know things about her in real life. Are they actually in her dreams?

Open Sea - When Len's family is killed, she's taken in by an aristocratic family where she falls madly in love with their son Piers. The couple is separated when Piers enlists into the Spanish Royal Navy to fight in a civil war. When he returns home, Piers finds his family slaughtered and Len gone. Heartbroken, Piers escapes to a life of privateering.

The Last of the Moon Girls - Lizzy Moon left Moon Girl Farm and her family's strange legacy of healing eight years ago, but the death of her grandmother brings her back. Now, she must face the tragedy still hanging over the farm's withered fields, the unsolved murders of two girls, and the cruel accusations that followed her grandmother to the grave. Lizzy just wants to sell the farm, but then she finds her grandmother's journal, dedicated to helping Lizzy embrace her own special gifts, and reconnects with a local man who believes in her grandmother's innocence.

Beyond the Moon - Louisa Casson is admitted into Coldbrook Hall, a psychiatric hospital, after she falls down some cliffs while drunk in the wake of her grandmother's death. While exploring, she hears a call for help in an abandoned wing and finds an old-fashioned hospital room. Inside, is Lt. Robert Lovett, a soldier who lost his sight in the Battle of the Somme, a WWI battle that happened a century ago, but Robert isn't an old man.

Stolen Hood - Robyn Loxley Hood is a descendant of the infamous Robin Hood, and like her ancestor, she's a thief. Now, her brother is missing, three men are competing for her heart, and she's being pursued by a serial killer. So what's the plan? Steal a dagger, find her brother, and try not to get killed along the way.

How to Make the Most of Your Wardrobe

I will admit that my closet is larger than most, both in terms of space and content.

A lot of this can be owed to the fact that for nearly ten years, I was essentially buying clothes for two different people: work Ashton and regular Ashton. Now that I've been out of an office environment for several years, the work wear section of my closet is pretty sparse. I still have a few classic pieces for the rare occasion I have a professional event I need to attend.

Although my casual clothing is increasing due to current circumstances, the dress section of my closet is by far the largest, and I'll be the first to admit that I don't thin it out nearly as often as I should. (What can I say? I have a thing for dresses, and I find comfort in knowing that no matter the occasion, I will always have something appropriate in that part of my closet.)

All that said, I don't just buy new clothes all willy-nilly like. There is a thought process behind every item purchased, even if it generally all starts with "Oooh, I like that!" So today, I'm sharing 10 things you should do/consider when buying new clothes, featuring four recent outfits I wore in real life.

1. Take inventory of what you already own, making note of what styles, colors, fabrics, etc. you like best. Then use that to make a list of what you need.

2. Before you head to the store or fill up that online shopping cart, do a seasonal closet clean-out. Donate or sell items that are good condition. Throw away anything that's worn out.

3. Set a budget...and stick to it! Knowing what you can spend will help you make smarter choices.

4. Know how to dress for your body. There are so many benefits to dressing for your shape, the main one being this: your clothes will flatter you, giving you more confidence. For instance, because of my shorter, straighter stature, I tend to stay away from most tunic-style tops and midi-length skirts and dresses. Don't know your body shape? Check out this helpful guide.

5. Be practical about your try-on sessions. Instead of simply seeing how it looks in the mirror, you should be asking how it feels when you sit, walk, bend, etc.? Does it just fit or does it flatter?

6. Be smart about trends. If you see something you'd like to try, buy a cheaper version first. Store like Forever 21 are a good place to find so-called fashion forward items without investing a lot of money in something you may not wear again next year.

7. Before you commit, ask yourself: Can I wear [insert item here] at least three different ways? This one question has been huge in transforming the usefulness of my closet. When you buy one new piece of clothing, you shouldn't have to buy three more things to go with it. Plus, being able to wear something more than one way means you're more likely to get a a good cost per wear.

8. When shopping online, start broad and then edit. Add everything you like to your cart, then compare pieces, decide what you really like, and cut down.

9. Ask yourself: Do I have something similar already? If the answer is yes, do you like this version better? How many of these particular things do you want? Unless we're talking about your work uniform, the answer is probably no more than two.

10. If it takes you longer than five minutes to decide to buy, put it back and walk away. If you're still thinking about it several days later, re-evaluate.

Keep scrolling for outfit details!

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

Shirt: Target / Sweater: Amazon / Joggers: Old Navy / Shoes: Converse

Would you believe this is what I wore on Valentine's Day? I was home by myself and seriously did nothing. Okay, okay, so maybe I went to the store, but I felt no shame. Everything I'm wearing is still available, although apparently my pink Chucks are a seasonal offering so they're getting harder to find.

Dress: Old Navy (similar) / Shirt: Amazon / Jacket: Levi's / Boots: DSW

I had a pretty hefty to-do list on Monday so I didn't get out of my office much. But it was another wet, gray day and I wanted to wear something colorful to lift my spirits. The only thing new in this outfit is my boots, but my t-shirt and jacket are pretty much always in stock.

Sweater: Old Navy / Jeans: Aeropostale (similar) / Boots: DSW

Y'all, Tuesday was COLD. This oversized sweater was perfect. It's been one of my favorites this winter, but unfortunately it's only available in limited sizes. Good news, though, is it comes in several other colors! My jeans are several years old, but I linked to a pretty similar pair and Aeropostale is having a BOGO free sale on their jeans right now so hurry!

Shirt: Amazon / Sweater (old): Old Navy (similar) / Skirt: Amazon / Boots: Shoe Carnival (similar)

The sun finally made an appearance on Wednesday, but it was still cold. Regardless, I felt like celebrating the impending arrival of Spring. Plus, I needed to feel like Spring to get my March column written for the magazine. How awesome are these knee-high combat boots? I found mine at Shoe Carnival but they're not on the website anymore. However, I did find the exact same pair at DSW so you can still grab a pair!

*This post contains affiliate links.

Other Helpful Resources for You

How to Make the Most of Your Wardrobe

11 Tips for Shopping for Clothes

Monday Motivation

Happy Monday, friends! I'm getting a bit of a late start today. Alexis doesn't have school and spent the night with her grandparents so I slept in an hour later than normal, and then Chris and I went to breakfast together.

My weekend was pretty low-key. Alexis was with her grandparents and Chris had to work. I finished a book I started at the beginning of the month and read the final book in a series I've been reading since last summer. I got some personal writing done, took two long bubble baths, and only did one load of laundry. It was pretty great.

This week will be a little busier. Since this is a short month, my deadlines are earlier. I've got several things to edit, even more to write, and am still doing ads.

Also, I'm gonna need all my northern and midwestern friends to take this winter weather back. My part of the state won't actually get any snow, and fingers crossed for no ice. We did that a few years ago and it was awful. But we are dealing with thunderstorms and cold (for us). It's been nothing but gray skies for at least a week. I need some sunshine!

Anyway, I really do need to get to work before the morning disappears. I hope you all have a good week!

Tips for Transitioning Your OOTD from Winter to Spring

Here in the South, we've been experiencing what's commonly referred to as "Fake Spring." It's usually a week in mid-February to early-March where our temps climb into the mid-70s, the humidity makes an appearance, and we get lulled into a false sense of "winter is over!"

Of course, this weekend is crushing that fleeting feeling of Spring as a seriously cold front moves through. In fact, as I write this I'm wearing a thick sweater and have my space heater running.

But, this past week of mild weather has awoken the Spring fashion bug in me, and I haven't been able to resist reaching for lighter fabrics and brighter colors, served up with a heavy dose of layering. My outfit choices from last week are good examples of how to use layers to create those winter-spring in-between looks we're all craving right now.

Let's start with this polka dot jumpsuit that's been burning a hole in my closet. I got it off a clearance rack at Old Navy for $7 and have been waiting on the right time to wear it. The day I finally broke it out, Tuesday, wasn't all that special of a day, but after several days in a row of not really feeling my outfit choices, I decided to "go big or go home" as the saying goes. (Yes, I know that I work at home. Just go with it!)

Jumpsuit (out of stock): Old Navy (similar style) / Jacket: Walmart (exact) / Shoes: Amazon (exact)

I had every intention of wearing my white leather jacket, but I forgot it was hanging in my closet and not my office, and I didn't want to wake my husband up to retrieve it. My white jean jacket, which is typically always in my office, was a decent substitute, although I would have preferred the shorter crop of the leather jacket.

Anyway, I'm not much of a print mixer, but when I do give it a go, I always gravitate to leopard. It's basically a neutral at this point, right? I added my skinny leopard belt to make my waist a little more accentuated than it normally is.

I ended up losing the belt and swapping my sneakers for my pink Chucks for the rest of the day, which out of these two is the look most people preferred.

Jumpsuit (out of stock): Old Navy (similar style) / Jacket: Walmart (exact) / Shoes: Converse (exact)

The next two days I spent mostly out of the house as I distributed magazines. Wednesday was overcast, drizzly, and humid. It wasn't really warm, but it wasn't cold either. I wanted something that felt professional without being dressy and that straddled the line between winter and spring.

This lace-trimmed floral print tank was a perfect match for this pair of green pants. The colors are just dark enough to belong in winter but the top feels distinctly spring to me.

Top: Amazon (exact) / Jacket: Lulu's (exact) / Pants: StitchFix / Boots: Target (exact)

My suede taupe moto jacket is the best neutral finishing piece in my closet. Note: on the website it's listed as grey but mine is distinctly taupe.

I tried a couple pairs of booties before landing on my trusty lace-up taupe booties from Target. Man, these ones are so good. They give an almost vintage vibe to any outfit, which I love. Plus, they're so comfortable. Also, they're on sale for under $20 right now and available in all sizes!

Thursday was another wet and gloomy day. In fact, I got rained on pretty much the entire time I was distributing, which is why my hair is a big ball of frizz in these pictures. It was a little cooler than Wednesday so I decided on a dress layered over tights and under a jacket.

The darker floral pattern of this dress makes it perfect for the cooler seasons, but we all know I've never met a floral pattern I wouldn't wear year-round.

To be honest, I wasn't 100% happy with my choice of tights. This particular pair is thicker so they kept the wind out nicely, but I felt like the pattern took away from the dress a little bit.

I wanted to keep things from feeling too feminine, so I went with my moto boots over plain black booties, and then grabbed my pink leather jacket to make the pink in the dress's pattern really pop. I got a lot of interesting looks this day, to be sure.

Dress (old): Target (similar) / Boots: Shoe Carnival (exact) / Jacket (old): ShoeDazzle (similar)

What I'm Loving This Month

Happy Friday, friends! It's been awhile since I rounded up my favorite products for you, so I figure it's time for an update.

For those of you who are new around here, every so often I share ten things making my life better in some way, shape or form. These posts are not sponsored nor are they an ad promoting specific brands or products. They are simply me sharing products that I'm enjoying at the current time.

So, here they are in no particular order: 10 Things I'm Loving Right Now

Shampoo Brush - I'm honestly surprised by how much I love this thing. I only use it when I shampoo or clarify my hair, but it's like getting a scalp massage every time. Even Alexis likes it.

OGX Nourishing Coconut Oil Weightless Hydrating Oil Mist - I use hair oil almost daily, but I hate having to use my hands to apply it. This oil mist solves that problem, plus it's one of my most trusted hair product brands.

Lily Pulitzer Coffee Cups - I got a set of this pretty blue pattern in my first FabFitFun box, which I didn't document because the box was in really bad shape when it was delivered.

Market Peach scented candle - I got this candle for Christmas, and I pretty much burn it anytime I'm at my desk. It smells so dang good!

Suede Taupe Moto Jacket - This is seriously the perfect neutral jacket. Fair warning, the site lists it as a dark grey but the color is closer to taupe than grey in my opinion. I like that it's vegan suede, has a cropped silhouette, and goes with literally everything in my closet. I took the belt off mine because it was too long.

CeraVe Makeup Removing Wipes - These are pretty self-explanatory. I like that they're gentle, although I must admit that I've noticed a little bit of drying.

Lapdesk - I don't always work in my office, and I don't just use my laptop for work. This lapdesk is perfect for those occasions, mostly because it has a built-in mouse pad so I don't have to use the little touch mouse pad.

Moto Boots - Yes, I know, I've been talking your ear off about these, but I seriously wear them all the dang time!

Dr. Teal's Foaming Bath - This is hands-down the best bubble bath there is. My favorite is the Eucalyptus and Spearmint, but I can't complain about the coconut or lavender scents either.

Sneakers - When I'm not wearing boots, you best believe I'm in sneakers. I've got quite a few to choose from these days, but my pink Converse and leopard pairs are at the top of the rotation.

14 Books About Love to Read in February

 

There's just something about a good romance novel.

What do you look for in a romance novel? For me, personally, it's got to have a strong female character with an equally strong male character. I don't like books that jump straight to intimacy, but I also don't like when it's drawn out for seventy-five percent of the story either. I like fantasy romance, historical romance, contemporary romance...and the list goes on and on! In fact, probably ninety percent of the books I read are romantic.

And since February is the month of love, I'm rounding up some of my favorites of all time!

14 Books About Love to Read in February

American Dreams by John Jakes is one of my most-read historical romances. It follows the lives of Fritzi and Carl Crown, in the early 1900s. Fritzi is an aspiring actress; while Carl is a bit of a daredevil behind the wheel of early racecars and in the cockpit of plans over Europe.

The Paper Magician by Charlie N. Holmberg is the story of Ceony Twill, a magician in training who's been assigned to paper against her wishes. When her teacher, Emery Thane, has his heart literally stolen, Ceony finds herself in a race against time to save him.

The Host by Stephenie Meyers is a sci-fi fantasy romance. When Earth is invaded by "souls" that take over the minds of humans, Melanie Stryder refuses to relinquish control of her mind to Wanderer, the soul that's been assigned to her. As Melanie shares memories of Jared, who's in hiding, Wanderer begins to yearn for him, too, so the two set out as unlikely allies to find the man they both love.

The All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harness is comprised of A Discovery of Witches, Shadow of Night, and The Book of Life. It is the story of a witch and vampire who fall in love and challenge the rules all supernatural creatures are meant to follow.

The Rollin On, Survivor, Checkmate, and Stacked Deck series by Emilia Finn have been monopolizing my reading for the better part of a year. Any of the four series can be read on their own, but I do recommend starting at the beginning so you get the full effect of these interconnected characters. 

The Rogue and the Hellion by Connie Mason is the first book of the Rogues of London trilogy. It's the story of Olivia Fairfax, a down-on-her-luck member of London society and willing Old Maid, and Gabriel, the Marquis of Bathhurst. The two's futures become entangled when Olivia, disguised as a highwayman, robs the marquis's coach.

30 First Dates by Stephanie Wiedower might just be my favorite romantic comedy of all time. Erin Crawford sets a goal to go out with 30 men before her 30th birthday while simultaneously crossing items off her before 30 bucket list and creates a blog to chronicle her experiences.

A Total Waste of Makeup by Kim Gruenenfelder was given to me by a friend in college. Charlie has what many would call a dream job: she is the personal assistant to Hollywood's sexiest movie star, Drew Stanton. But Charlie is struggling. She's almost 30, chronically single, and helping plan her younger sister's wedding. Oh, and she's also got a crush on the seemingly unavailable but possibly interested Jordan.

The Beatrice Harrow series by Jane Washington is one that I just discovered, actually. Bea is what's called a tainted creature - half human and half monster. In her case, she's half synfee, which is kind of like a siren, and powerful enough to catch the attention of both the human and synfee kingdoms. With the help of her friends, including the heir to the human kingdom, Bea must learn to control her darker urges and become a leader.

Someday in Paris by Olivia Lara is the story of Zara and Leon, two star-crossed lovers who's paths continuously cross without bringing them together.

The Glassblower trilogy, comprised of The Glassblower, The American Lady, and The Paradise of Glass, by Petra Durst Benning is the story of the Steinmann sisters. After their father passes away unexpectedly, the three sisters must figure out how to survive during a time when women had no rights outside of marriage.

[Bad Boy's Guide to...] Being Not Good by Elizabeth Stevens made me laugh so hard I cried and smile so wide my cheeks hurt. Avery, the stereotypical "good girl," enlists the resident bad boy, Davin, to teach her how to be "not good" when her boyfriend dumps her for being too good.

Regretting You by Colleen Hoover hooked me from the very first chapter. It's the story of a mother and daughter in the aftermath of the deaths of the husband/father in a car accident that also claims the life of their sister/aunt. Unable to find any common ground, mom and daughter each seek solace elsewhere, finding new love in unexpected places and working toward becoming a family again.

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern was magical. Two young magicians, Celia and Marco, are pitted against each other in a competition held within a traveling black-and-white circus. They inevitably fall in love, despite never meeting in person, and devise a plan to be together without destroying both themselves or the circus.

Work-at-Home Outfit Inspiration

Working at home has lots of perks. You can set your own hours (for the most part), don't have to worry about noisy office-mates, and never have to wear heels -- if you don't want to.

Over the last few years, my work-at-home style has evolved, but not moreso than when COVID happened. Before the pandemic, I left my house at least two or three days a week -- not counting school drop-off and pick-up. Now, I'm lucky if I go anywhere that isn't the post office once a week...and honestly, even that's turned into an every other week trip.

Now my home office attire consists mostly of comfy items, as evidenced by this and my last several Real Outfit Roundups. Ready to dive in?

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

Ok, so technically I wore this on a Sunday, but I spent a good bit of that day working in my office because I had the house to myself. Regardless, this is the epitome of a winter work-at-home outfit: casual sweater, non-restrictive jeans, and comfortable but on trend shoes.

I've had this sweater for several years now. I really like the sporty vibe the exposed seams give it and the fact that it wears almost like a sweatshirt. This pair of jeans is actually the most expensive pair I own, and it shows in how they wear throughout the day, i.e. no rolled down waist, no sagging around the rear or knees, etc. They also have just the right amount of stretch so they don't feel like they're cutting me in half when sitting for long stretches. The wedge sneakers add unexpected color while keeping the sporty vibe of the outfit and elongating my leg line.

Outfit Details

Sweater (old): Walmart (similar)

Jeans: Kut from the Kloth (StitchFix) (similar)

Shoes: Walmart (similar)

Are you even a work-at-home mom if you don't own leggings? To be fair, I really only hopped on the leggings-as-pants train within the last year, and my "leggings" of choice aren't really leggings at all. They're the Stevie pant from Old Navy, which wear like leggings but are much thicker. They also don't bunch up or feel like they're falling down all day long.

I wanted to feel like I made a bit of an effort this day, so I chose a statement sweater. Not only does this one sparkle but the sleeves also have a tie detail. I finished everything off with my moto boots and pulled my in-need-of-a-wash hair back with a velvet bow ponytail.

Outfit Details

Sweater (old): JCPenney (similar)

Leggings: Old Navy (exact)

Boots: Shoe Carnival (exact)

I was so far out of my comfort zone with this outfit. This is the most camo I've worn since that time I went hunting when I was 10 or so. If I wear this particular print, it's usually in small doses like a t-shirt or pair of shorts. These joggers are hella comfortable, though, and once I put them on I wasn't taking them off, so I grabbed this feminine graphic tee to try to balance it out. I added my vintage Levi's jean jacket for an extra layer and grounded it all with my retro black sneakers.

Outfit Details

Shirt: Target (exact)

Jacket (old): Levi's (similar)

Joggers: Amazon (exact)

Shoes: Walmart (exact)

This day I was supposed to meet a friend for lunch, but she had to reschedule. Hence why my outfit feels a little more put together than the previous ones. This twist-hem color block shirt is so buttery soft. It's tunic length but doesn't completely cover my rear end. I would still wear it with leggings, but I chose my black skinnies here. I almost added black booties, which would certainly have worked with the outfit, but in the end decided I didn't feel like dealing with the heel and grabbed my navy Chucks instead. The shoes, in particular, are what keep this outfit more casual.

Outfit Details

Shirt: Amazon (exact)

Jeans: Old Navy (exact)

Shoes: Converse (exact)

Once again, I didn't technically wear this for a work-at-home day, but I totally would. In reality, I threw this on for a Target run to buy stuff to make goody bags for Alexis's class's Valentine's party. I'm also pretty sure that I spent some time in my office, probably working on blog posts.

My sweater isn't a true match to the colors in my flannel, but it's close enough. Full disclosure: I struggled all day long with the cuffs of both the shirt and cardigan, the sleeves of which are too long. These are a new pair of non-distressed boyfriend jeans. I like that they feel casual but the cleanness of the denim makes them easier to wear with dressier blouses.

Outfit Details

Shirt (old): Old Navy (similar)

Cardigan: Amazon (exact)

Jeans: Old Navy (exact)

Shoes: Walmart (similar)

We'll end this Real Outfit Roundup with another stellar example of a work-at-home outfit: graphic sweatshirt, lived-in jeans, and fashion sneakers. I've had this particular sweatshirt for awhile now, and it's my go-to for a comfy day. I don't normally pair it with this pair of Aeropostale jeans because they aren't quite mid-rise so if I move around too much, my mid-section and lower back flash everyone, but they are probably my most comfortable pair of skinnies (because they don't feel like they're suctioned to my legs).

Outfit Details

Sweatshirt: Old Navy (similar)

Jeans (old): Aeropostale (similar)

Shoes: Amazon (exact)

14 Valentine's Day Gift Ideas Under $25

Do you guys make a big deal over Valentine's Day? I'll be honest. We really don't. It's just not really on my radar where important dates are concerned. But I do know that for many couples - and families - it's an important date on you calendars.

I know I'm a little late getting this guide put together, but truly the purpose of it is to give you some ideas that go beyond the standard chocolate, flowers, stuffed animals, cologne, and jewelry. I tried to find stuff for the ladies, the fellas, and even the kiddos. And nothing costs more than $25.

*This post contains some affiliate links.

1.Has your girl been skipping the salon and opting to do her own nails? Or maybe you have a daughter who likes to be pretty like mommy? Either way, you can't go wrong with nail polish, and I recommend these Essie Valentine's Day Finger Nail Polish. They're less than $10 per bottle and come in six colors. I personally like "Love is in the Air" and "Tug at the Harpstrings."

2. All ladies know you've got to keep your pucker nice and soft, so why not treat her to these Burt's Bees "Bee Mine" Seasonal Lip Balm. We all know it's the best for our pout, and these flavors are perfectly kissable. Cost: $10.99

3. It's been a stressful year, so give that special lady a spa night with some love-themed bath bombs like these Jean Pierre Bath Bombs in a Box from Target. I love the lips and rose design. Cost: $6.99

4. Got a teenage daughter? These SUGARFIX by Baublebar Crystal Heart Drop Earrings are sure to be a hit. Cost: $10.39

5. Why not skip the chocolate this year and give the gift of tea? This Vahdam Sampler Box has three flavors to try, and it's got hundreds of positive reviews. Cost: $24.99

6. You really can't go wrong with a pretty set of stationary, and I absolutely adore this Notebook Trio by Studio Oh! They're only $11, and you can choose from 15 designs. I like the Zenith and Words to Live By.

7. Got a kid who loves to color but don't want another coloring book in the house? Try this Color Me Heart Pillow instead! Alexis got a colorable messenger bag for her last birthday and absolutely loves it. Cost: $14.99

8. I'm a big fan of giving books as holiday gifts, and this Mermaid Atlas from Uncommon Goods is so freaking cute! Cost: $20

9. Skip that box of chocolates that always has that one flavor no one likes and let the kids make their own! This Make-Your-Own Chocolate kit is only $9.90 and arrives in two days!

10. Why are men so hard to shop for on this holiday? Problem solved! These Milk Chocolate Tools are the perfect compromise. Cost: $5.99

11. These Urban Map Glasses from Uncommon Goods are another unique gift, and they cost less than $20.

12. Share a laugh with your sweetheart with Snug, a collection of comics about dating your best friend. Cost: $9

13. I love this idea so much! Immortalize the night you met, your first date, when he proposed, or when you said I Do with a Personalized Star Map. They at $24.99 but the price goes up depending on the size and material of the print you choose.

14. This may be my favorite idea ever. Do you and your significant other have trouble deciding where to eat or what to order? These Takeout Dice solve that problem! The cost starts at $25.75. You can choose from eight combo options or pay a little more to customize.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Monday Motivation

 
Happy Monday, friends! It's been a cold, wet, gray weekend in my neck of the woods. We didn't do a whole lot. I kind of let housework slide last week - I got overwhelmed and just couldn't deal with it, so that meant we had quite a few chores to accomplish.

To be fair, a lot of the mess was Alexis's stuff. Somehow her room exploded and overtook the rest of the house without me noticing. I'm definitely not a helicopter parent, and as a result Alexis has become pretty self-sufficient for an almost 6 year old, but we are struggling in the 'put stuff away after we use it' department. I had to use my mean stern mom voice more than once on our cleaning spree.

I bit the bullet and bought a desktop computer for my office. It came in late Friday so I spent a good chunk of Saturday getting it set up and getting all my stuff from my laptop copied over. There's nothing technically wrong with my laptop; it still works fine, but after nearly three years of constant daily use for not just work but also personal stuff, it's starting to show signs of wear and tear. Plus, on the chance that our school system decides to move to all virtual in the spring, it'll be good to have more than one computer in the house.

My week will mostly revolve around magazine distribution. I've got to get some Valentine's goody bags put together for Alexis's class party at the end of the week, and I've got some Valentine themed posts planned for this week.

Speaking of Valentine's, how are you guys celebrating? Chris has to work and Alexis is going to see her grandparents. Maybe I'll make some heart-shaped pancakes or something for breakfast that morning. I don't know.

Well, after taking two days off last week to deal with some personal stuff, I've got a lot to get done today, so I'd best get to it. I hope you all have an amazing week!

13 Outfits with Moto Boots

Moto boots are having a moment...at least in my closet anyway.

I've been wanting a pair of boots with buckles for awhile, but I kept putting off the purchase. I didn't want to spend a lot of money on a pair until I knew for sure I'd get a lot of use out of them, but the cheaper pairs I found looked cheap.

Back in late November, early December, I had some birthday money burning a hole in my pocket, so I decided to take the plunge. I came across this pair during a BOGO 1/2 Off sale and haven't looked back.

So let's talk about them. They're made out of a synthetic material and the buckles are strictly for decoration. They're a matte finish, which I like, and the low heel keeps them comfortable for all-day wear.

Speaking of wear, if you follow me on Instagram and are a regular reader of my Real Outfit Roundups, you're no stranger to this particular boot. I wear them with literally everything. I love that little bit of a rough edge they give to whatever outfit I choose. The shaft is wide enough to easily wear over leggings or super skinny jeans, and it's not so tall as to not be able to cuff most other pants.

Still not sure if this particular boot is for you? Check out these 13 different ways I've worn them over the last two months:

Want to shop something in this post? Leave a comment and I'll share a link!