Things I Want To Crochet In 2025

Crocheting has been the highlight of my year. I’ve grown as a crochet arrest in the past year, and finally have gotten over my fear of amigrumi. As I end another year and start another, I want to share some of the things I hope to get to this year.

Crochet Through My Stash:
I have a lot of yarn that is in my yarn stash. The first thing that I want to do is try to get through as much of it as humanly possible without having to buy more. Will I succeed? Maybe. I am sure that I will be buying yarn at some point throughout the year. However, I want to have less yarn than I started the year with.

Taylor Swift Red Scarf:

I got the Unofficial Taylor Swift Crochet Book, and I got it mainly with the hopes of crocheting the red scarf. I got the yarn during Black Friday and once the holidays are over, I will work on this.

Knit Beanie:

Knitting has been something that I have explored throughout 2024. I have been watching PassionKnit Kelsie do so many knit beanies during her Vlogmas, and I was inspired to do my own.

Crochet Bag:

Last but not least, I really want to crochet these bags. This was another PassionKnit Kelsie Inspired pattern, and I really like how this came out. I have never done color changes quite like this, so I’m sure that this will help me grow in my crocheting journey.

Favorite Books of 2024

2024 was an interesting reading year for me. I read a lot less than 2023, but the quality of the books was amazing. I discovered some new authors, read some old favorites, and just enjoyed every book that I read. While I read many great books, these three books are the ones that I still think of months after I read the last page.

Without further ado, here are some of my favorite books that I read in 2024:

Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe: This novel was something that I started to read and I could not put it down. Margo drops out of school when she became pregnant with her baby. The father of her baby was her professor. She has the baby and is struggling for money. However, she becomes immersed in becoming an influencer, which further supports her money and success. I loved this novel. I loved how the it really opened my eyes and made me think more about the classes and the reasons behind people do things. I also loved reading the relationship that grew between Margo and her father, and how he helped her out with all of her struggles as well.

Golden Girl by Elin Hilderbrand: I loved this book so much that I read it in August and I’m still thinking about it in December. Vivian is a novelist who lives on Nantucket. She goes out for her daily run and is hit by a car and instantly dies. The novel allows her to stay in her world for one last summer to guide her loved ones. It also tells the story of Vivian’s journey to Nantucket. I absolutely loved this novel. I loved Vivi. I loved the drama and I loved the characters. Like I said, I still think about this novel, so I can rave about it for many, many years.

Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan: I picked up this book while I was on vacation and I absolutely loved it so much that I binged it on the way home. This is the story of Ali, whose husband left her and she is left with her deceased mother’s things. Ali meets Ethan, who she quickly falls for. But, the question becomes what happens when she discovers her real feelings for him, only to realize that he is someone that she can truly trust to catch her when she falls.

What were your favorite books that you read this year?

The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter Is the Christmas Cozy Novel that You Never Knew You Needed.

A cozy mystery mixed with romance is the combination that I didn’t think that I needed, but alas, here we are. This combo was brought to you by Ally Carter in her latest novel, The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year.

The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year is the story of Maggie Chase, who is an author who is struggling to get on her feet after a divorce. Maggie has no family, and seeks comfort in Eleanor Ashley mystery novels. Our hero is Ethan, who Maggie loathes.

The two embark on a trip to England where Eleanor Ashley invites them both to her home for Christmas. Both of them have no idea why. They are lead to a game where the author goes missing, and the rest is a mystery to figure out who done it.

I did not expect to love this novel as much as I did. Growing up, I was a huge fan of the Nancy Drew novels, and this felt the same. That being said, it spans more than the mystery elements. I loved the enemies to lovers aspect of this book. The stakes were really high in this one, and the feisty dialogue kept me entertained from page 1 to the last page. Maggie and Ethan are passionate people who come from very dark and traumatic pasts, and the fact that both of them fond solstice in each other was amazing to read. I found myself frantically flipping through the pages to see what’s going to happen next.

In the final days leading up to Christmas, I recommend checking this one out. In fact, I give it five stars.

Friday Faves: December 20, 2024

It is the Friday before Christmas and this blogger is stressed as she types these words. Christmas is five days away and I’m frantically preparing everything I need to have done … and I’m overwhelmed.

That being said, I do want to take a moment to share some of my favorites of this week! They have been the bright spot of this week that has gotten me through and I’m so grateful and excited for this weekend.

So without further ado, here are my Friday Favorites:

The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter: True crime meets romance? Sign me up. This was my Book of the Month pick and I was actually obsessed with it. I loved this book and the cozy mystery vibes that it brought me.

Coach Small Wristlet: I love this wristlet. It’s compact, but fits my cards, key fob, lip gloss and phone. I can see myself using this for all of the holiday gatherings I have coming up. It also just slips into my bag, making it useful in everyday. It is a great accessory and holds so much more than the corner zip.

Coach Mollie 22: I ranted and raved about this bag in my last post. This bag brings me so much joy and I absolutely love using it. I have it in the champagne color, but there are a ton of different color options if that’s not your vibe.

What’s In My Bag Wednesday: Coach Mollie 25

When I got my champagne gold Coach Outlet Mollie 25, it sparked instant joy. The champagne color, the star bag charm, and the size just makes me giddy as I use it. It is the perfect bag for the holiday season, but also, it’s a bag that I can see myself using year round.

The Mollie 25 was a bag I never saw as a bag that I was going to add to my collection, but as soon as I saw this one I knew I had to add it. She’s a little smaller than my usual suspects, but I honestly don’t mind.

Here’s what fits in this gorgeous bag:

I Caved and Got the Matcha Kindle. Here’s Why I am Excited About the Basic Kindle Being My Purse Kindle

The Matcha green Kindle has been all over my timeline on TikTok, and after a Black Friday deal presented itself along with the fact that I had a Kindle that I needed to trade in, I gave in and purchased it.

It finally arrived, and I set it up over the weekend. To be completely honest here, I did not need this Kindle. I have the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition. I also have the Kindle Scribe, which I still enjoy using for note taking purposes. What drew me in to purchasing this Kindle (other than the color) was the fact that it was smaller, making it so much easier and portable compared to the other Kindles I have.

When comparing it to my Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition previous generation, it is so much smaller. I was able to fit this guy in so many of my smaller bags, making it even more portable than my original device. And by it being smaller, it is also so much more lightweight than my other ones. I took it to the gym and it made reading on the elliptical so much easier than ever.

Of course, by this being the basic Kindle, there are so many features that this doesn’t have compared to the Paperwhite. For me, the biggest ones that I noticed was the wireless charging, it’s not wireless, and no warm light. Those are smaller changes that I can live without having on a Kindle that is just meant to be on the go.

Sometimes, basic is best. In this case so far, I’d definitely say so with the matcha Kindle.

2024: Year in Review

It is hard to believe that there is a little over two weeks of 2024. I’m still in disbelief of that very fact. This year went by so quickly, however, left some amazing memories that won’t fade quite as fast. Here are my 2024 highlight reel:

Celebrating my First Wedding Anniversary:

My husband and I celebrated our first anniversary with a weekend trip to Rhode Island, where yes, even Lucy our dog got to join us.

Turning 30:

Five days after my wedding anniversary, I turned 30. I had a great birthday celebrating with some of my favorite people, and I am so grateful to see another decade. Likewise, many of my friends turned 30 this year, and I got to celebrate their birthdays as well.

Being a Bridesmaid:

One of my best friends got married this year and asked me to stand by her side as a bridesmaid. First of all, I was so honored and excited to be a part of her wedding and the planning process. Secondly, it was amazing to be a part of the planning for her shower and bachelorette. Her wedding was so full of love and I’m so glad I was a part of it.

Growing Friendships:

This year was one of the weirdest when it came to my friendships. I left some relationships in my twenties, but I’ve gained so many more friendships in my 3rd decade from through my friend, the bride, or other friends. In addition, I’ve also had the privilege of growing my existing friendships, such as through adventures, a friendship growing with a shared love of books, and just working on connecting and growing with each other. I have some good people in my corner, and I’m so glad to have them around to create more memories.

If Only I Had Told Her Breaks Your Heart Even After the End

Laura Nowlin’s If He Had Been With Me broke my heart when I read it last year. If you haven’t read this one, it tells the story of Finn Smith and Autumn Davis, whose mothers are best friends, and have known each other for their entire lives. With their mothers joking that they should get together, these two had a deeper emotional connection that can only be described as soul mates.

Nowlin then followed up with the story If Only I Had Told Her, which was released in February of this year. The book tells the story from Finn’s POV, leading up to the ending of the first one. However, what I didn’t realize was the fact that made up only a third of the story. The remaining sections of the book were told in the point of view of Jack, Finn’s best friend, and Autumn once again.

I’m not going to sugar coat this book. This book will break your heart. I don’t want to spoil this one if you didn’t read the first one, but I will say that you will be found with tears in your eyes throughout the entirety of the book.

Now that I gave you the warning, let me add this — reading this book was 100 percent worth it. I didn’t realize that I needed to know more until I was sitting and doing so. This book goes into what happens to your loved ones after tragedy, all while balancing the challenges of coming out of being into a teen in high school to a young adult embarking on their freshman year of college. All of the characters’ reactions seemed realistic and not overdone. Grief and moving on is such a huge theme of this book, and I think this was done in such a beautiful way.

Since this novel is technically a YA one, I do believe that it’s something that teens and adults can read to understand the topics of grief in a way that was done right. It’s hard enough being 18 without dealing with the heavy emotions of grief.

Grief aside, I think the love story of both Autumn and Finn was beautiful. There will be no happily ever after for them, sadly. However, tragedies aside, I still think that this was still a beautifully written love story, and one that is meant to be told.

Aside from Autumn and Finn, I loved the cast of characters. I loved hearing from Finn’s point of view, but I also loved reading the perspective of both Finn and Autumn, because it showed how the events at the end of the first book wrecked them.

So yes, get your tissues ready for this one. However for me, it was a four star read, and I was so happy to revisit this world once again.

Friday Faves: December 13, 2024

TGIF everyone! I have been getting ready for the holiday, and trying to not get too stressed about it. Before we start another weekend (thank goodness), I wanted to take a moment to reflect on this week’s Friday Faves!

If Only I Had Told Her by Laura Nowlin: I am surprised that this is on here. Not in a bad way, but in the way that is shocked that I loved this book this much. I read If He Had Been With Me last year, and this has been on my TBR since then. This not only tells the story through Finn’s POV, but then goes into Jack’s and Autumn’s after the accident. I actually felt an emotional connection to the characters, and found myself tearing up at the end. I definitely think that this is worth checking out if you’ve been wanting to read this.

Brat by Charli XCX: This album has been on repeat for me, and I’ve been bopping to it all week.

Coach Mini ID Case: I have been LOVING this little guy. I got it this on Black Friday in the Aquamarine color, and I’ve been using it ever since I got it in. It is definitely something that I have been reaching for a lot, and it’s something that goes with a lot of, if not all of my bags.

The Christmas Fix by Lucy Score: This was my first Christmas read that I read this year, and I absolutely loved it. In true Lucy Score fashion, it involves a small town, and a grumpy hero. There were moments when I could not stop reading this book, and I was physically unable to put it down. I love Lucy Score’s writing, and a reading goal of mine for 2025 is to read more of her backlist.

A Cat Cafe Christmas by Codi Gray: Last but certainly not least is my current audiobook listen! I picked this up in the search for something that will put me in the Christmas spirit. And so far, it is doing what it is intended, which is amazing!

Top Thrift Finds of 2024

2024 was the year of thrifting for me. Throughout the year, I have managed to pick out so many amazing thrift finds. However, don’t get that fooled that every thrift store trip has been amazing. There have been many times when I’ve walked out thrifting empty handed.

That being said, I wanted to share my top thrift finds of 2024. What makes these finds incredible is that I’ve used them often, and they have become my go-tos again and again. Since they are thrifted, I cannot link them, however, if you are looking for them, I highly recommend just searching for the items as they are typed.

Orvis Sweater: I picked this up for $10, and I have worn it every week since the weather got colder. I love this sweater because it’s gray so it goes with a ton of other items in my wardrobe. What I also love about this find is the quality of the sweater. I have been blown away by how well made this sweater feels, so I am so glad I picked this up.

Spoon Ring: A spoon ring has been something that has been on my radar for years. I found this one for $5.99, and I love this one. It’s a statement piece, but I love the pattern and how comfortable it is.

Kenneth Jay Lane Interchangable Earrings: I had to hound eBay to find these earrings. The hunt was absolutely worth it. These come in a variety of colors, are lightweight, and add a little extra fun to wear with what I’m wearing. Oh, and they go with just about everything.

Golden Girl by Elin Hilderbrand: This was my favorite read of 2024. I found the physical book at Goodwill for $3, so I am so happy to have the physical copy as well as the electronic.

Coach Hamptons Bag: Coach recently did a reissue of their classic 2000s bag. Before they did, I had found the black, the red, and the brown versions secondhand. In the summer, they were my go-to bags whenever I was on the go. Now that the reissue is out, these bags are crazy on the resale market, so I’m glad that I grabbed mine when I did.

Do you have any thrift finds from this year? Let me know in the comments below.