An Honest Review of Lume Deodorant

Updated February 25, 2024, to disable further comments. The comments on this post have gotten away from the topic and turned into an attack on the commercials. This is not the platform to voice those opinions, and comments of that nature have been removed.

It's been awhile since I've done a product review, but I think I've been using Lume products for long enough now to have formed a valid opinion. I started using Lume back in August, so it's been about half a year.

I can't remember when exactly I made the switch to aluminum-free deodorant, but it's been a few years. I have extremely sensitive skin, and as I've gotten older my sensitivities have seemed to worsen. I started having issues with my underarms - itching, painful bumps (not razor burn or ingrown hairs), and just general discomfort. So I decided to make a change in my deodorant. I went through a bunch of different brands before settling on an all-natural aluminum-free brand, and that worked for awhile.

Then, I had my hysterectomy, which launched my body into what is essentially pre-menopause, and my skin sensitivity changed again, my underarms included. This time, though, it wasn't so much discomfort as it was my newfound favorite all-natural deodorant just couldn't seem to keep up.

I have always sweated more than seems average, but never have I felt like I had noticeable body odor until this point (probably hormone-related). Sweat I can handle, even if it can be embarrassing in some situations, but I could not handle this new odor. So the great deodorant hunt began. I even went back to aluminum-included brands out of desperation, but in the end nothing worked long-term. Then a friend recommended Lume.

I did all the research before ordering. Lume was created by an OBGYN whose goal was to target body odor and stop it from happening at all, which is exactly what I was in the market for, so I decided to give it a shot. Plus, with a 60-day moneyback guarantee, I figured I had nothing to lose.

I decided to go with the Starter Bundle. With this bundle, you get to pick four products for less than $35, and shipping is free. My first choices were the cream deodorant tube in Peony Rose (pictured above), the cream deodorant stick in Toasted Coconut, an unscented travel size cream tube, and an unscented travel size body butter.

I will be completely honest here - at first, I hated the scents. Even the unscented one had a weird odor to me, but after a detox period (remember, I had gone back to aluminum-based deodorants for awhile) the smells became tolerable. They're still a little strong for my personal taste, but they're not assaulting my nose anymore.

When I first made the switch to Lume, I had just started teaching. My classroom has its own air conditioning unit, which I usually have set to the lowest possible setting in an attempt to keep me cool (The kids can wear jackets, y'all. Hot flashes are real.), but even then I was still struggling with overheating which led to sweating and the dreaded post-hysterectomy BO.

The first couple of weeks I used it, Lume did not last a full day of teaching. I'm pretty hands-on, so lots of movement and interaction, i.e. sweating. I was uncomfortable to say the least and worried my students thought I stank. Thankfully, even though my body had not fully adjusted yet, Lume did significantly reduce the odor in those first few weeks.

Just like when I made the initial switch to aluminum-free deodorant, my body had to go through that detox phase. It can last anywhere from two weeks to a month or longer depending on your body. For me, it took about a month.

Most days I have no odor at all. Some days, usually those days when I'm randomly hot flashing, I'll have some odor (just on one side for some reason), but unless you're in my personal bubble, a.k.a. too close, it's noticeable only to me.

The thing you need to remember is that Lume is not an anti-perspirant. You will still sweat. I still sweat, and yes, some days it's noticeable, but like I said earlier: I can handle sweat so long as there's no odor accompanying it.

I am still using Lume today. In fact, I just ordered a refill since I'm starting to run low. So if you've been struggling with body odor, or if you've got sensitive skin and feel like you need something a bit stronger than the all-natural deodorant you find at the drugstore, give Lume a try.

Monday Motivation

Happy Monday, friends. Can you believe January is over? This has been the craziest month. Between not having internet for a week and missing a full day of school due to bad weather, my lesson plans have been a hot mess. Then add in that I've got to take a day off this week to take care of life things and all the state testing coming up, and I am struggling just a bit with pacing and making sure we cover all the important things.

Enough about that. It'll all work out, and if the news business taught me anything it's how to 'fly by the seat of my pants.' It's why I plan so far in advance. That way when we get these monkey wrenches, I'm not completely lost.

We've had a lot of gray days this month, which I guess is fitting for this time of year, but it sure does impact my mood. I'm not ready for the heat of a southern summer, but I could use a little sunshine in my life. It would also be great if Mother Nature would pick a temperature range and stay there for awhile, giving my poor sinuses a break.

I've been dealing with a pulled or strained muscle in my neck for a couple weeks now. It happened while I was taking our dog on a walk. He unexpectedly broke into a sprint and jerked me along with him. Unfortunately, it's on my right side, which is my dominant side, so it's been slow in healing since it's the side I use for literally everything. It is, thankfully, feeling much better, and I'm not cringing with every move, but I'll be grateful when it's completely back to normal.

Other than the week with no school internet, I think I've found a better school-home balance. I'm lucky to work in a school that only schedules meetings when needed, so I get a full planning/prep period most days of the week. Plus, Alexis does a STEM enrichment program after school a couple days a week, so I have that extra time to get stuff done without bringing it home. That's not to say I don't ever bring work home with me; I truly prefer to put in grades on my personal desktop computer (bigger monitor, nicer keyboard), but in terms of actual grading, I rarely bring stuff home. I do still do the bulk of my planning (scheduling) at home, though, because it's easier for me to concentrate in my quiet home office where the biggest distraction is my cat. I do not do my actual prep work (creating lessons,  resources, etc.) at home often, however.

Speaking of home, I finally got my shoe storage! Two free-standing closets with shelving have taken my shoe situation from aggravating to easy as pie. It's so nice to simply open a door and pull out what I want rather than dig through a storage bin.

I think that's pretty much it. I hope everyone has a wonderful week!

10 Classroom-Approved Outfit Ideas

I feel like it's been a lifetime since I last posted an outfit roundup. It was before Christmas, making this my first outfit roundup of the year. Despite it taking me so long to get it all together -- it's taken longer than I expected to get back in the swing of things school-wise (I'm blaming Covid and the overall craziness of the holidays) -- this is a good one to start the year. With the exception of one outfit, all of these are things I wore to teach.

It has been a crazy start to the third nine weeks. The first six days were great, but then on day seven a storm took out the district's internet and it was almost a full week before we got it back. Because of that, pretty much everyone had to redo their lesson plans on the fly and a lot of the work I would normally do during my planning had to be done at home where the internet was unaffected. We do now have internet back, but I've definitely been playing catch-up on getting grades entered, etc.

So that's your explanation of the lack of posts here on the blog over the last week and why this post, originally scheduled for last week, is so long overdue. Late it may be, but it's kind of a good thing for you since you've got quite a few more outfits to shop. Let's dive in!

Sizing: I'm 5'2" and weigh about 140 pounds. I typically wear size 6 or small/medium in clothes and size 7 in shoes.

T-shirt (similar) / Plaid Shirt (similar) / Jeans / Boots

This was what I wore on the last day of my winter break. I truly have no idea what we did that day.

Sweater (similar) / Skirt / Boots

I wore this fun outfit for our first day back with students. I've had this skirt in my closet for a little while now trying to justify a reason to wear it. I finally came to the conclusion that I didn't need a justification to wear something I like. Granted, if I worked with elementary age kids who are more hands-on than middle school students, I would not wear this delicate skirt. It's tulle with embroidered flowers. The waist is elastic, and it is lined except for about four inches on the bottom. I paired it with my go-to thin black sweater and knee-high faux suede boots.

Sweater Vest (similar) / Shirt (similar) / Jeans / Boots

I'm a little embarrassed about how long this sweater vest has been sitting in my closet waiting for me to figure out how to wear it. It's designed in such a way that it can be worn (by most people) on its own, but for me the arm holes are too large and the v-neck a tad too low. That is to say that the fit on me is too oversized not to be layered, even in a size small. And that's where my struggle has been - trying to figure out what to layer it over. I'm still not 100% satisfied with this, but I received several compliments so I guess it works.

My shirt is old. It's hard to tell from the picture, but it has trumpet sleeves (smaller than bell sleeves but still a statement). I'm pretty sure I got this from one of the first StitchFix boxes I ever got. My jeans are just plain old straight-legged ones from Old Navy, and my boots are simple black Chelsea boots (still one of the best purchases I've ever made).

Tunic / Leggings / Boots (similar)

First things first: this 'tunic' is advertised as a dress. Realistically speaking, it works as a dress...outside of a school setting. I wasn't comfortable bending or squatting, especially when you take into consideration the age of my students. So I added my favorite soft leggings, a wide braided belt (that I can't remember where it came from) to cinch my waist, and some interesting boots. I love the military look of these boots. However, despite their thick rubber sole, they proved to be slightly uncomfortable by the end of the day. I was surprised by that, but looking back I'm pretty sure I've not worn them for that long a period of time before this day.

Blouse / Pants (similar) / Shoes

This might be my favorite outfit in this post, and it all came together quite unexpectedly. These gold linen pants are from last summer. I bought them on sale right before school started because they're pretty close to our colors. I've been wearing them very casually for the most part (I always struggle to dress up this style of pant).

Sometime before Christmas I ordered this pretty blouse. I've not exactly been waiting to wear it, but the weather has been so fickle that I've gravitated toward other things. This particular day our temperatures were near 80, so I wanted to make sure I didn't have a heat stroke while teaching. I pulled out this blouse and the pants caught my eye. I compared the colors and realized that the yellow in the pattern of the blouse was a near perfect match to the pants, and a start outfit was born! I know the picture makes it hard to tell, but the blouse is navy blue, which explains my choice of the tan loafers, which are still the best shoe decision I've made for teaching. I really do need to add more colors of them to my shoe closet.

Skirt & Jacket (out of stock) / Bodysuit / Shoes

I am loving the reboot of 90s and (some) early 2000s style! I've been exploring trend predictions for this year and saw that skirt suits are making a comeback. That was after I bought this matching set for less than $20. I had originally planned on wearing the pieces separately, but upon reading that skirt suits are in for 2023 I decided to go for it and put together this look that screams 90s to me. Unfortunately, I did buy the skirt and jacket on clearance and I can't find anything similar that I want to link to.

T-shirt / Jacket / Pants / Sneakers

If you've ever wondered whether athleisure has a place in the classroom, I assure you it does. The trick is to be intentional with it, otherwise you'll look sloppy. These 'office sweatpants' definitely help in that area. They're insanely comfortable, but unless you're looking real closely you can't tell they're sweatpants. This is almost a carbon copy of the last time I showed these pants, except this go 'round I opted for a jean jacket instead of a blazer and my Adidas sneakers, which feel a little more classic to me.

Shirt / Jeans / Boots (similar)

Thinking back to my thoughts when putting this outfit together can't help but make me laugh. Some of my students are obsessed with the song Emo Girl by Machine Gun Kelly and Willow Smith. We were having a conversation about what being emo means, and one of my students said that I know what I'm talking about because I grew up in that era. He then proceeded to ask me where my black boots are, so I purposefully wore my "emo" boots with these jeans. Obviously you can only see the toes, but it still amused me.

Anyway, this shirt is actually a thin sweatshirt. It's really soft. The waist and sleeves are cuffed/banded but not tight. The lace embellishment at the top is only on the front. It comes in several other colors, but I really like this taupe.

Sweater (similar) / Skirt / Boots

I have to admit a wool skirt is probably not the most practical thing for the south. Our winters are rarely cold enough for thick materials, but I couldn't resist this classic skirt, and to be fair it didn't feel suffocating. I won't wear it outside of the cooler months though. The waist band has an elastic back, but the front is smooth and there is a side zipper. It does have pockets and a liner. My sweater is a very light pink. It's several years old so I can't link to it, but it's the A New Day brand at Target. They make my favorite light sweaters.

Sweater (similar) / Pants (similar) / Shoes

I'm on the fence about this outfit. On the one hand, I like the navy blue and burgundy. On the other, I think my shoes are too light. At the same time, I kind of like the unexpected deviation from a darker color palette. My sweater and pants are both old, but I found some really close options for you.

Monday Motivation

Happy Monday, y'all. I survived our first full week back at school, but I would be lying if I said I wasn't exhausted by the time we got to Friday. After two weeks off, it was harder than I expected to get back in the swing of things. This three-day weekend was a much-needed reset. Not only was I able to get some good rest, but I got caught up on my grading (I know, I know. It's only a week in. How could I possibly be behind already?!) and finally got the last of our Christmas decorations stored away. I also finished the first book in my One-Woman Book Club.

It's felt like my house has been in a state of disarray since we got out of school for Christmas break. The holidays are always hectic to begin with but then throw in an unexpected illness and things just get a little crazy. By the time I felt well enough to deal with the mess of everyday life, it was time to go back to school so it didn't get dealt with.

I'm glad to be back on a schedule, though. As an adult, I've never gotten to experience pre-scheduled time off that didn't count as vacation time, so that's been an interesting adjustment for me. A good one, but an adjustment all the same in that I don't really know what to do with my time. I have to admit, though, that the breaks are absolutely necessary, and unless you're a teacher or have worked in a school setting, you won't understand it.

The first week and two days have been fairly good, I think, with the exception of this past Friday when we did not have internet the entire day. Thankfully, I don't base my lessons and activities solely around the internet, so I wasn't thrown for too big of a loop, but this was the one day that I had planned on doing one internet-based activity, so I had to come up with a backup to fill that suddenly free time. We're finishing up a unit on a historical fiction piece this week, then next week we'll be starting our novel for this 9 weeks. I'm excited about reading this one with my students. It's one that I think they'll all be able to relate to, and I hope they enjoy it as much as I did when I first read it.

We've been doing a lot of work with writing since coming back from the break, and it's the type of writing that I've based my career on, so I really have been feeling in my element as I give these kids the type of scaffolding that I've always provided for the reporters and producers I've worked with over the years. In fact, it's been kind of cool to be able to share some of my own work with them as examples, and it's even cooler to watch their writing evolve and get better with each assignment.

I don't really have anything else to share, so I guess I'll wrap things up. Have a wonderful week!

What I Read December 2022

I feel like I ended 2022 on a good note as far as reading goes, despite being sick and sleeping for the better part of a week in December. I crossed a few things off my TBR list, tried a genre that I don't typically read, and found a dragon series I hadn't yet read. In total, I read eleven new books in December, reread one complete series, and started rereading another series.

A Very Merry Mishap (Trellis Family novella)

Author: Maggie M. Lily

I rarely read holiday-themed books, but when I saw this holiday novella that's set in the world of my new loves, the Trellis family, I had to make an exception. This book is set in between the Building the Circle and Peacekeeper series and stars the youngest members of the Trellis family: Ree, Mia and Meg. There's really no way for me to give you a summary without giving spoilers for one of the books in Building the Circle, and you really need to read that series before this novella anyway.

Red Handed & Thieves' Honor (The Gentlemen series)

Author: Kate King & Jessa Wilder

Raegan is the daughter of the leader of an Irish gang. When her sister is threatened, she and her sister are forced to move in with the leaders of their rival gang, The Gentlemen. That's a pretty short summary, but I did not finish this series. I started book three but was just kind of over it. I kept waiting for the why to be revealed and it just felt so needlessly drawn out. I shouldn't be surprised, though, since mafia books aren't usually my thing. This series has tons of good reviews, however, so if you are into mafia romances, check it out.

Evermore Academy trilogy

Author: Audrey Grey

I feel like I waited forever for this series to be completed before starting to read it, but it was worth the wait. I really enjoyed this trilogy. It was originally meant to be four books, but the author realized she could end the story quite nicely with just three books and didn't needlessly draw it out. I was already a fan of Audrey Grey, and this series just added to it.

Summer is caught stealing food from the fae for her adopted family and sentenced become a shadow at the infamous Evermore Academy where she gains the unwanted attention of the Winter prince. But turns out, Summer isn't the mere mortal she's always believed, and her true identity comes with a ton of responsibility and secrets.

The Dictionary of Lost Words

Author: Pip Williams

I'm embarrassed by how long it took me to read this book. It felt way too serious most days for what my mindset happened to be, but I finally committed to finishing the book over my winter break. If you read my Best Books of 2023 list, you'll already know that this book made the final cut.

Esme's father is one of the editor's of the first Oxford English Dictionary. As a widower, he brings Esme to work with him where she spends her days beneath the cutting table. When she realized that some words aren't being included, Esme begins to collect them herself, an endeavor that turns into her life's work and has a ripple effect far beyond her place beneath the table. As I stated in my best books roundup, Esme struggles as most women did during those times, but she perseveres and makes a difference. It is truly worth the read.

Dragon Royals series Books 1-4

Author: May Dawson

The final book of this series released on December 28, but I didn't start reading it until after the new year, so you'll see that one in my January book roundup. I enjoyed this series a lot, especially the main female character, Honor. She was quirky and funny and a complete badass. However, this series had quite a bit of editing issues, and they got increasingly worse with each new book. I hope the author goes back and addresses that because it was quite distracting at times, and the only reason I continued reading was because I was invested in the storyline.

As for the storyline...the dragon royals and their knights have been protecting the Isle from the scourge for centuries, ever since a curse brought them both into existence. Since the first dragon breathed fire, only males have sprouted scales, until Honor. As the first and impossible female dragon shifter in history, she disguises herself as a male to attend the academy that all shifters must go to. Of course, her disguise only lasts so long before she's discovered, and we learn that she's not just some orphan who was adopted by a noble. She's the long-lost daughter of the first dragon king. Now, Honor is on a mission to unite the shifters and end the scourge curse.

3 Goals for 2023

I was struggling coming up with some personal goals for this year. Every time I sat down to think about it, all I could think of were goals that were tied to other people, specifically about 70 seventh graders. I do have goals for my classroom, obviously, but they really haven't changed since the start of the school year, so it didn't feel right to include them in my 2023 goals.

I tell you that to say this: a goal-writing activity I did with my students last week actually helped me narrow down my goals. I had them each pick three goals for this year, with some guidance on what makes a good goal (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Timely). I had to give them examples, which ultimately helped me narrow down some things that I would like to accomplish this year.

1. Bring Back the Blog Post Schedule - If there's one thing becoming a teacher has taught me, it's the importance of scheduling things in advance. I've always been a master planner thanks to the jobs I've held, but teaching is an entirely new beast...and it threw a really big monkey wrench into the way I typically handle the blog. In 2021, I started a monthly schedule for blog posts to really help me focus on my content, but I got away from it in 2022 (for several reasons). So this year I'm going to bring that schedule back. I can't promise new posts every day, but I do want to be more consistent.

2. Try One New Recipe Each Month - One of my goals last year was to eat at home more. It was a great goal, but I didn't really have a plan for how to accomplish it, which was a mistake. So this year, I'm going to be more specific and try to do one new recipe each month.

3. Start Back Doing Yoga Regularly - In the spring of 2021, I started doing yoga twice a week. Then, in the summer of 2022, I had to give up the classes due to scheduling conflicts. Those two sessions every week were truly the best. Not only did my flexibility greatly improve, but my mental clarity was so much sharper as well. It was like a twice-weekly reset for body and mind, and I have missed it so much over the last few months. I haven't figured out how to fit a professional-led class back into my schedule, but there's no rule that says I can't do it at home. So I want to start back doing yoga at least twice a week. Now I've got to figure out a way to hold myself accountable.

What are your goals for 2023?

*If any of my students are reading this, my goals are presented much differently than the way I had you write them because this is a blog post, not an essay.

Best of 2022: My 22 Favorite Purchases of the Year

I've got one last Best of 2022 post for you, and then I promise to leave 2022 where it belongs: the past. For the past few years, I've shared a roundup of what I believe to be the best purchases from the previous year. This year, I decided to have fun with the year and share 22 things I bought in 2022 that I think were my smartest purchases.

In a year that saw a ton of changes both in my personal and professional life, there were quite a few purchases from the earlier part of the year that did not hold up. The 22 items that made this list are the things that made a difference in my life, either by the amount of use it's gotten or by the amount of joy it brought me, or both. Probably not surprisingly, most of the items on the list are some form of clothing, but there are a few beauty and household items included, as well.

*This post contains affiliate links.

Let's start with this yellow polka dot maxi dress. If I had to choose, this dress would be my number one clothing purchase of 2022. This was my go-to dress of the summer. I wore it a ton of ways, but this was by far my favorite. I just love the bright, cheerful pattern, and it's really incredibly comfortable. I actually own this same dress in another pattern, as well.

When I accepted a teaching position, I knew I would need to add some school-appropriate pants to my closet. The Old Navy OG Chino quickly became my go-to work pant. I own them in several colors and wear them all the time. They are durable and flattering, and I especially like the stretchy back waistband.

One of my favorite things that happened this year is the resurgence of bootcut jeans. Not that I've really ever stopped wearing them, but I love that non-skinny styles are back in style. These bootcut jeans from Old Navy have quickly become my favorite jeans. They're just a really good cut for my body and the length is just right.

This thin, cropped corduroy jacket was my go-to jacket for the fall. Because it's so thin, it wasn't too warm for our mild temperatures, and the sleeves were easily rolled for warmer days. Also, because it's cropped, it actually hit where I like my jackets to hit.

 

I love everything about this skirt, and I wore it so much during the summer. Sadly, it isn't available any longer, so I can't link to it.

This floral maxi dress is one of my most worn pieces of the year. I bought it in February and wore it all year long. This dress is pretty on its own but is also easily layered with other pieces.

I'll be the first to admit that these navy blue flats surprised me with their versatility. I wear them just as often as my black or tan flats. They're almost like a neutral.

These taupe platform sandals were such a good addition to my summer shoe rotation. I wore them almost non-stop. They were well worth the $12 I paid for them, and so far the velcro strap has help up okay. They probably won't make it past this summer, though. These are still available in a few sizes.

While we're on the subject, this white quilted chain strap purse was the only thing I carried for most of the year. You'll see it in quite a few of the photos used in this post. In fact, I used it so much, I practically wore it out. The clasp is all scratched up, the corners have general wear and tear, and the leather braided through the chain strap was coming loose. Considering I spent less than $20 on this purse, I'd say that's a win! This bag has long been sold out, but this one is pretty similar.

This hooded leather jacket was one of my bigger purchases of the year, but I do not regret it at all. Somehow, this is the only picture I have of me wearing it, which is strange considering how often I reached for it through the last part of the year. I got this through a Wantable box. It's made by the brand Coalition, but you can't buy directly from there. You can search for Coalition Girl Next Door Vegan Leather Hooded Jacket and find it in various boutiques.

Let's talk some more about shoes. These tan loafers have been the best thing ever for my work life. They are so squishy, not just in the footbed, but the entire inside of the shoe. They have a bit of gold metal on the bow feature, but it's not that noticeable I don't think. These are by far the most comfortable flats I own.

These white leather sneakers were my solution to wanting white sneakers but not wanting canvas ones. I love that these can be easily wiped off whenever they get dirty, and they are so dang versatile! I wore them a ton in the spring and summer.

These tall black boots were a later-in-the-year purchase, but that doesn't exclude them from this list. For nearly 10 years I wore the same pair of tall black boots. Then, last year, they finally became unwearable, and the hunt for a new pair was on! I stalked this pair of boots pretty much all year waiting for them to restock my size. I have never clicked "add to cart" so fast as I did these, and I have worn them a ton in the short amount of time I've had them. They are faux suede, have a slight platform sole, and are about 3.5 inches tall. Surprisingly, they have been comfortable for full days of teaching.

I bought four new swimsuits this year, and in a surprising move, this black floral one piece swimsuit was my favorite. It is so dang flattering, y'all. The cutout in the middle and the crisscrossed halter-style straps keep it interesting, and we all know how much I love floral print.

This was the best up-close picture I could find of these tassel earrings. I bought a pack of a nine of these earrings, and they are easily the best accessory I've bought myself. They are such a fun and easy way to add some personality to an outfit. Every time I wear a pair, I get compliments.

On to the non-clothing portion of my favorite purchases of 2022, starting with these plastic cereal containers. These have been an absolute game changer for me this year. I'm really the only person in my family that regularly eats cereal, so almost every time I buy a box it ends up going stale before I can eat all of it on my own. Not anymore! These things keep my cereal fresh forever. Plus, they're not an eyesore on my counter.

This is one of those things I've been wanting for a long time and just never actually bought it. I don't really know what made me finally commit, but I am so happy with this tiered tray. I've had it since early fall, and it's brought me so much joy filling it with fun seasonal décor to make my dining room table feel more festive.

This cat door was one of the most practical things we bought this year. We got it not long after we moved and installed it on the door between our laundry/mudroom and kitchen. The master bedroom is located off the mudroom and we wanted to be able to keep the door to the kitchen closed at night without limiting where the cat could travel. This has been the perfect solution, and it is so cute! The side you can't see is the cat's head.

This is one of those beauty tools that I think everyone who ever blows their hair straight needs to own. There are a ton of options out there. Mine was part of a FabFitFun box, although I did pay a little extra to guarantee I got this hair dryer brush. I truly don't know what I did without one of these in my life.

This spring, I decided to try the tik-tok-famous Il Makiage makeup, and it not only replaced but surpassed my old foundation. I can tell a difference in the quality of my skin since using it. I also use their concealer and eyeliner pen, and I have plans to try their self-tanner.

These last two things are teaching-related. The first is my Teacher Planner. I love the way this is set up. It's perfect for lesson planning, at least for me. Obviously mine is for 2022-23, so it's no longer available, but the planner is made by Paper Source.

The second is these plastic expandable file folders. These have helped tremendously with my daily organization. I have one for each day to keep my assignments in order and one to keep assignments that need to be graded separated by class. They've also made my trek to the copy machine so much more efficient since I'm no longer juggling a teetering stack of papers.

If I Had a Book Club: 12 Months of Reading with Mommy the Journalist

I've always wanted to join a book club, but the reality is that there really aren't any in my area, and I know myself well enough to know that I would not keep up with a virtual one. But my TBR list is officially out of control, and I need a plan to start crossing some titles off the list. So I got this idea to do a one-person book club and assign myself a specific title to read each month for the next year.

Choosing which titles to include on this list was surprisingly difficult. I've got more than a dozen unread physical books currently sitting on my bookshelves, not to mention the few hundred samples taking up memory in my Kindle library. I was finally able to narrow it down to a dozen titles and pick which month to read each of them, which was equally as difficult.

I will obviously continue to read other books in addition to those on this list, and I have no plans to stop writing my monthly reading roundup posts, in which the books from this list will be featured. I will probably do something special on social media with these titles every month as a way to further hold myself accountable.

I would love for more people to join me on this year-long reading journey, which is why I'm sharing my book club picks and schedule. Be sure to let me know if you're reading along with me and join in the discussion!

12 Months of Reading with Mommy the Journalist

January

The Lost Apothecary

Written by Sarah Penner, this novel made a ton of lists in 2021, and it's one I've picked up every time I've gone to a bookstore in the last year. I finally added it to my bookshelf in late 2022 and couldn't resist starting the year with something a bit magical.

Set in 18th-century London is a secret apothecary shop that caters to women looking for help against the oppressive men in their lives, but when a 12-year-old makes a deadly mistake, the repercussions are felt centuries later where a modern day historian finds a clue to the unsolved 'apothecary murders.'

February

The Miniaturist

This is Jessie Burton's debut novel. Set in 17th century Amsterdam, 18-year-old Nella is beginning her new life as the wife of a merchant trader, but her new home is not welcoming. Nella's world changes when her husband gifts her cabinet-sized replica of their home and she employs a miniaturist to furnish it. Through this process, Nella uncovers unusual secrets and escalating danger.

March

Beautiful Ruins

This novel by Jess Walter was published several years ago, but I just discovered it within the last year. The story begins when a dying American starlet lands on the Italian coastline in 1962. Fast forward to the present when an elderly Italian man shows up on a movie studio's back lot searching for the woman he last saw at his hotel decades before.

April

The Last of the Stanfields

I'm already a fen of Marc Levy, so I'm excited about this novel. Eleanor-Rigby Donovan and George-Harrison Collins each receive a mysterious letter alluding to a crime committed by their mothers. The two have never met before they each show up at the same bar in search of answers, but they set out to solve the mystery of the Stanfields together.

May

The Brighter the Light

Written by Mary Ellen Taylor, this novel spans two different timelines centered around the seaside town of Nags Head, North Carolina. When she inherits her grandmother's beachfront cottage, Ivy reluctantly returns to the town where her ex-boyfriend and best friend betrayed her. When a storm uncovers the shipwreck of local legend, Ivy uncovers more skeletons in the closet than her own.

June

Last Summer Boys

This is Bill Rivers' debut novel. In the summer of 1968, 13-year-old Jack Elliot is determined to save his brother, Pete, from the draft by making him famous, because famous boys don't go to war. Together with his cousin, Frankie, Jack convinces his brothers to lead an expedition to find a fighter jet that crashed many winters ago. But they'll soon come to learn that there's more to worry about than just the draft.

July

The Last Bathing Beauty

This book by Amy Sue Nathan should be the perfect summer read. It revolves around Betty Stern, a former beauty queen who must face the secrets of her past to save her family's future. In the summer of 1951, Betty was working at her grandparents' lakeside resort in the Midwest. Now, decades later, the choices from that summer are still being felt, especially when Betty's granddaughter comes to her with a dilemma that's reminiscent of Betty's own past.

August

The Bennet Women

Eden Appiah-Kubi has written a modern spin on Pride and Prejudice. Bennet House is the only all-women's dorm at Longbourn University and the home to EJ, Jamie, and Tessa. When Jamie starts dating Lee, EJ is set up with his best friend, Will, who she does not like at all. EJ sticks with it for her BFF, but she's determined to focus on her future as an engineer...until she finds herself drawn to a man who's not a perfect fit for the future she's planned.

September

Woman on Fire

The reviews for this thrilled written by Lisa Barr have me excited to dive into the story of Jules Roth, a rising investigative reporter who's been given the task of finding a painting stolen by the Nazis more than 75 years earlier. A famous designer wants the Woman on Fire painting, but Jules is on a timeline because the designer is dying, and she has fierce competition from a powerful gallerist who also wants the painting.

October

The Curse of Jenny Greene

I'm already a fan of Kimberly Loth, so I've got high hopes for this project with Mandy O'Dell. Jenny Greenteeth is a ghost witch who has been hunting the children of Blaylock Bay for centuries, never giving back those she's taken. When Sophie's little brother joins the other victims at the bottom of the pond, Sophie sets out to find him, coming face-to-face with the witch. Sophie would have been her next victim if not for Foster Grimm, and now Jenny Greenteeth has set her sights on him.

November

From a Distant Star

This story by Karen McQuestion is targeted to young adults, but I've never let that stop me from reading something before, and the plot of this one is just so interesting. Lucas Walker has miraculously recovered from a terminal illness, but while his friends and family celebrate, Lucas's girlfriend, Emma, can tell he's changed and suspects something is very wrong. The two set out on a road trip to discover the truth, a trip that turns into a life and death race against time.

December

This Place of Wonder

This novel by best-selling author, Barbara O'Neal, is a recent addition to my TBR. It is about how the death of a famous chef affects four women: his ex-wife with whom he built an empire, his estranged daughter, his latest girlfriend, and his ex-wife's daughter. Conflicted feelings become even more complicated when the circumstances surrounding his death are called into question.