January Favorites

Long time, no talk! Happy New Year! Today I am going to be going through my January favorites.

I have taken this month to really pause and cozy up with a good book, or my favorite show. It has been so relaxing to just take a step back and really appreciate winter for the time of year that it is. Over 6 years ago, I came across the philosophy of hygge, which is essentially the art of enjoying life’s quieter moments. It has slowly transformed each winter since, making it my favorite time of the year. I find a lot of peace in the quiet. I also found this past month to be very long (not in a bad way, just 84 years long haha). It makes me excited to turn the page to February. I have compiled a list of things that were true favorites of mine in the month of January. Hope you enjoy.

  1. Be Ready When The Luck Happens by Ina GartenI read this book at the very beginning of the month and I thought it was a charming story. It was very inspiring, with the message to go after what it is you want in life. It’s also a story filled with love, good food, and hope. I typically enjoy memoirs. I enjoy learning about a person’s life from their own perspective. I often times listen to these books instead of read them, it gives more of a personal touch, I think. I am thinking I would like to purchase a hard copy of this book after listening to add to my bookshelf. I am also thinking of picking up a Barefoot Contessa cookbook, though I haven’t decided which one I want yet..

2. Amazon Silk Scarf- I have been wearing this 100% mulberry silk scarf I purchased on Amazon non-stop. There are so many different color patterns to choose from. It’s so easy to throw on over a sweater to make an outfit more interesting. I know I will continue to have fun with it when the weather starts to warm. An Hermes Scarf in size 90 is something that has always been on my wishlist. With the amount that I wear this one from Amazon, I’m thinking it may be a good investment piece for to add to my wardrobe. I have my eye on this one.

3. Kindle Paperwhite- my month has really been filled with books, more than normal. I think that has partly to do with the snowy weather, though I am not complaining. I’m someone who loves to listen to a good book but this month I have been reading them too. My kindle set-up changes reading books entirely. I have a stand, remote etc. What a game changer it has been for reading before bed.

4. Quince Cashmere Pants- Cashmere everything really, LOL; but these pants especially. They have been a lifesaver. They keep me so warm. These give you a more elevated lounge look so it’s easy to feel more put together while you are at home. They can transition nicely if you need to pop out and run some errands as well. I have taken the last few years to invest in building up the amount of cashmere my husband and I have added to our closets. We really do live in it, along with wools, in the colder months. I highly recommend if you are looking for a lounge pant that’s soft, cozy, and warm to get through the rest of winter.

5. Outlander- This is such a good TV show!!! I can’t believe I haven’t watched it until now. I won’t give anything away but it’s a crazy, beautiful storyline. It’s unique, though hard to watch at times. To say I am OBSESSED is an understatement. I will 100% be reading the books. (I think I may have accidentally fallen in love with Jamie LOL sorry, Nick!)

6. The Wedding People by Alison Espach- This was our bookclub book for the month of January and I read it in 2 days. I would’ve finished it sooner had I not had to eat/sleep/live my life. The story grabbed me from page one. Not many books have done that in recent months so I am glad that January has given me some great stories to get lost in.

7. My Pottery Barn Heirloom Rope Salad Plates- If you know me, you know I have a passion for home-wares. I have been curating a plate set in white since last year. I decided that instead of buying a whole set to match that I would create my own. In doing so, my dinner, salad size, and dessert plates are all different but together they make the perfect little vignette of white dinnerware. These salad plates are my favorite of the bunch. They are so easy for everyday use. I love the shape and pattern. They also come in a dinner size. I have these Kate Spade Wickford dinner plates that compliment everything so well, but I am tempted to add these too…believe me…

8. LL Bean Boat & Tote- How cute are these totes? I am not the type to follow the ironic sayings boat and tote trend that’s going around on TikTok but I do love these bags. I have them in all different sizes. I thought embroidering the tote with something meaningful to mean was the way to go for this green one. I love how the “aa.style” came out. My husband has now officially cut me off. He says we have enough. We also got one for our dog, Lucy. We found we needed something over the summer to pack up her essentials when we are on the go. This will be perfect for the beach! How cute!

9. Cowboy Hat- We had a Boot Barn open up near us sometime towards the end of last year. I had never heard of boot barn before and every single time we drove by, I told my husband I wanted to go in. Finally one night we did! I had so much fun trying on all the cowboy boots and hats. We both decided that we want to pick up a pair of boots once we have done more research. They have clothes, everything need to achieve a western vibe. While trying on hats, I had to leave with this black one. It’s too good!

10. Le Creuset Thyme- I ordered this bakeware set back in October from Crate & Barrel and it finally arrived in mid-January. They even lost my package for a week after it finally shipped LOL. (I really thought I was never going to get this package after so long but it all worked out.) I asked for this smaller dutch oven in the same color for Christmas, from my father-in-law. It was backordered in December and finally arrived this month as well. I LOVE this color-way of Le Creuset. Thyme goes so perfectly with the pieces we already have from the brand. Our curation of Le Creuset has become a beautiful mix of blues hues, creams, & now Thyme. All with gold knobs. It feels unique, timeless, and beautiful.

I had a peaceful start to 2025. January was truly a month to reset and enjoy the little things. I hope you enjoyed my January favorites for this month and found some inspiration along the way. Thanks for reading!

-A

Disable your ad blocking software to view this content.

Best Coats for Fall

Shop the look:

Disable your ad blocking software to view this content.

My favorite time of year is here! It’s finally FALL. Today I am going to be sharing some of the best coats for the fall season. Now I will start this off by saying I may or may not have a coat problem (ask my husband); but I have had most of these pieces in my closet for years (still doesn’t stop me from adding more, in various color options LOL). They are true staple pieces that you will have in your closet for years to come, which in my opinion, is a true justification if I ever heard one. I will also be throwing in a few options that I have my eye on this season as well. If you are in the market for the best coats for fall, you came to the right place.

One of the things that I love most about wrapping up summer and entering into cooler temperatures is adding layers when you are getting dressed. Layering can be tricky but as I have gotten older, I have found a strong appreciation for it. Wanna wear sweats to the grocery store? Throw a wool topcoat over top in the same color-way as said sweats, add a cute crossbody, and the world will never know you just woke up and rolled out of bed. How’s that for being “effortlessly put together?”

When choosing a coat I always like to look at material. I live on the east coast and because we experience colder temperatures in the fall and winter, I like to make sure that my coat will not only look cute but actually keep me warm. When it comes to winter coats, I spare no expense for that warmth factor. In the fall, you or I can get away with some budget friendly options since its not THAT cold yet. I have found that one of the best places to get coats for both fall and winter is J.Crew (not the outlet). You can get a chic, quality coat, that is actually warm, and is not upwards of a thousand dollars. Snag it during one of their sales and you hit the sweet spot.

Top coats are having a moment right now along with field jackets, trench coats, and quilted jackets. Below are some great options by category. Most of which I own or will own very soon.

Wool/Cashmere Coats:

Disable your ad blocking software to view this content.

Trench Style Coats:

Disable your ad blocking software to view this content.

Quilted Fall Jackets:

Disable your ad blocking software to view this content.

Vests:

Disable your ad blocking software to view this content.

Field Jackets:

Disable your ad blocking software to view this content.

J. Crew Spring New Arrivals

With Monday bringing the beginning of Spring, it has brought about a breath of fresh air for me. I am counting down the days until warmer weather. We are in day two of 60 degree weather and I am already dusting off the list of outdoor projects my Husband and I want to get done this spring/summer season. With all things spring on the horizon, It has also got me engrossed in spring fashion for the 2023 season. One of my favorite brands is making the most perfect comeback. I can’t get enough of J. Crew’s spring new arrivals and I have already started adding pieces from my wishlist to my closet.

Recently entering my 30s (still in shock), I am focusing more on building a wardrobe filled with quality, timeless pieces that can take me through the next decade of my life and all that it brings. I have always been someone who loves a good outfit and these spring new arrivals from J. Crew give that chic, put together, classic style that I have always loved.

A lot of these pieces are the ones that (in my opinion) will never go out of style. J. Crew has done a good job paying tribute to the classics. I know this has me and a lot of other people excited, and impressed. I have been a bit of a costal grandmother (if you will) since my early 20s so I am definitely not mad about this type of style coming back around. Its very elegant, polished, and a good everyday style for whatever stage of life you are in.

My favorites would have to be the shoes. Really classic silhouettes of shoe and some with a fun twist like those brown loafers! (next on my list) I have already gotten my hands on the slingback heels and slingback flats. I love the color combination and the mix of leather with Italian Linen. They will be perfect for spring and summer.

Another fun piece I got thus far was the signet ring, I got it for my pinky as a nice trial to see if a pinky ring is something I would like to invest in down the line. It is something I have never tried before, but I have to say, I do love it!

If I didn’t already have a black bag in this shape, I would totally get this Edie bag. This bag is a re-edition from old school J. Crew back from about 10 years ago at this point. I loved it then and I love it even more now. Italian leather at a really affordable price point. It really is such a great everyday bag.

The last honorable mention in my favorites for spring is this Lady Jacket. I have the black one and I have already worn it multiple times since I got my hands on it. This jacket buttoned up, with a pair of Levis, and some slingback heels is the coolest everyday look. It is quickly becoming a go-to in my outfit rotation.

I will have some other J. Crew spring new arrivals below because everything is too good! I can’t wait to see what else comes out over the coming months. If you are looking for a good starting place to get those versatile, elevated basic pieces I highly recommend checking out J. Crew.

Happy Spring!

-A

Disable your ad blocking software to view this content.