I’m excited to share my top reads of 2025. I planned to do a list of ten, but the photo template had room for one more, so here we are with eleven favorites. I finished 25 books this year. I usually reach for thrillers and mysteries, memoirs on audio while flipping through the physical book for photos, and historical fiction. I aim for about a book a week, although some weeks slipped by without any reading at all.

This year I tried something new. I listen to the free audiobook preview while reading those first pages. It makes it easier to get into the story and gives me a comfortable pace. Then I check the page count, divide by seven and tell myself that is all I need to read each day. I borrow every book from the library, so I have three weeks to finish and return each one.

If you need inspiration to fall back in love with reading, there is a great New York Times article called How to Rekindle Your Love of Reading.

For years, white doors have been the default. They’re safe, simple, and, well... kind of boring. White can work, of course, it’s classic, but it’s not your only option. In fact, painting your interior doors a color can completely change the look and feel of your home.

This trend of ditching plain white doors is catching on for good reason. A painted door adds personality and style without much effort or cost. It’s a chance to be creative without committing to a full room color change. These are not just door colors; they’re statements of style and personality.

Think about it, why not let your doors add something to the room?

Even though the year is almost over, December can be one of the best times to set goals. I want this month to feel intentional. It’s a natural moment to reflect, reset, and make small changes before the new year begins. Instead of holding everything until January, starting with tiny goals now creates a bit of momentum and helps the new year feel less chaotic. December can feel like it's impossible to do anything positive for your goals with all the cookies and eggnog, but you don't need a perfect month, it's not all or nothing.

The cold weather in winter can make me feel a little slower, so I’ve been thinking about ways to stay focused while also enjoying the season. I decorated for Christmas early so I wouldn't dread the cold season; instead I made the season feel more inviting. With all of that in mind, I’ve broken my December goals into micro habits across four areas: fitness, career, mental health, and discipline. Studies show that people who write down their goals are more likely to reach them, so I’m putting mine on paper and letting the season support the pace I want.

I’ve written a couple of posts in the past about my hunt for the perfect light pink nail polish, but truthfully, none of the shades ever really felt right. They were either too bright, too pale, too sheer, or just didn’t compliment my skin tone the way I hoped. After a lot of trial and error, I finally had a lightbulb moment: I needed to consider my Color Season.

Once I started looking through that lens, everything clicked. The perfect pink for me isn’t just any light pink, it lives in that subtle, softly sophisticated space of rosy beige nudes and cool-toned mauves. Think a beige-pink cream, a soft blush with light brown undertones, a creamy neutral pink in a milky base. Not too warm, not too gray, just the perfect balance of muted pink and beige, with that cool, flattering softness that makes it feel effortless and elevated.