#01 books and looks
everything I read and wore recently, plus a cozy nighttime routine
books
My winter break book was The God of The Woods (Liz Moore), and so far, I’m enjoying it. I didn’t have many opportunities to read during the break, so I look forward to having more time to sit on the couch and page-turn this month.
looks
I spent the winter break doing two things: cooking and visiting places with my in-laws.
For each outing, I went with my go-to formula—jeans + a sweater + and ballet flats. It was practical and polished, perfect for long, active days filled with walking, moving around, and plenty of photo opportunities. Knowing that any picture could end up in five different WhatsApp groups within the hour, I wanted to look and feel confident at all times.
The wardrobe mvp award for these days goes to the Khaite Abigail jeans. I wore them a LOT.

This COS sweater was a recent purchase after I saw it on Jess Boardman.
Different sweater/flats combo, but the same idea.


These jeans work well for my body type because I can wear them high-waisted and tuck sweaters or shirts in. Most of my other jeans are mid/low-waisted, so a full tuck doesn’t work (though I’ll always attempt a half-tuck!).


A note on sizing for these jeans: I should have stuck with my true size instead of sizing up. I have another pair of Khaite Abigail jeans from TRR in a size up—they’re snug. The ones pictured, also sized up, are loose in the bum/leg area and slightly in the waist. My plan is to have them tailored, leaving the waist a bit loose for tucking and wearing a belt but streamlining the extra fabric for a true straight-leg fit. If you’re buying these, I recommend trying your true size first and going from there. They definitely loosen with wear, and I’m hearing that not all washes fit the same.
Other than the Khaite jeans, I reached for white jeans from FRAME.

Sometimes, I’ll refresh an outfit by switching out the shoes.

More white jeans outfits:



Keeping with the white bottoms theme, I pulled these Citizen cargo pants out of my closet. Hadn’t worn them since the summer.

And snagged these DONNI baby rib scallop pants during their Boxing Day sale. I wore them from 12/30 through 01/02.
On the morning of January 2nd, I received a long-awaited eBay find—a Pringle of Scotland sweater in the most perfect shade of blue. It was absolutely worth the hunt and the wait.
Washed it and threw it on the next day.

I had sushi dinner plans with my girlfriends later that night, so I swapped the bottoms for dark denim.

Added a coat because it gets cold at night.
&bonus
I’ve felt anxious since the start of the new year. The energy around me has been very chaotic, and I’m craving stability and grounding.
So, I’m working on building daily routines to help me regain focus and flow—those might even be my words for 2025. Mornings are a bit tough right now; getting out of bed isn’t as effortless as it feels in summer, but I’m embracing that. I know this will pass.
My nighttime routine, on the other hand, feels just right. I run a bath while tidying up, prepping Sleepytime tea, and taking a quick shower. Then, I soak in the tub with my tea. My husband often joins me for the last 15 minutes, sitting on the edge of the tub as we chat. It’s a sweet way to end the day.
I love using this muscle soak in the tub, it also makes the best bubbles. I usually throw a little Epson salt in there as well. Just ordered these sleep pebbles from Kate McLeod and am excited to try. First purchase from this brand.
After that, I make my way to bed and curl up with my two “heaters”: my hot water bottle and my puppy (seriously, how are they so warm!!). A little reading (or scrolling) before lights out.
Wishing you a focused and flowy 2025! Thank you for being here. <3
POSTSCRIPT 01.12.2025
I finished writing this edition of Books and Looks last Tuesday around 6 pm. Once I scheduled the post for later that evening, I moved on to make dinner, sat and ate on the couch while my husband watched the Nuggets game, and then checked NextDoor. There were a lot of sirens, and I wanted to see if anyone had any info. I quickly learned that a fire had broken out a few miles from my house. Panicked, I spent the next hours coordinating emergency plans with friends and family, packing go bags, and putting wet towels near windows and doors. We loaded the car early in the morning and received an evacuation warning right as we pulled out of the driveway.
My family, my home, and my neighbors are safe. But many, many… too many are not. My heart breaks for those who lost homes, family members, beloved pets, belongings, collections spanning lifetimes and generations, and a sense of safety. If this is you or someone you love, I am so deeply sorry.
This is a tragedy, and I’m overwhelmed thinking of the road ahead. But if the last few days have shown us anything, it’s that our communities are strong and unified.
I’m sure you’ve seen many ways to help. Below are some more ideas.
If you’re in the LA area and are available this coming weekend, 11/18 — join me volunteering for We Love LA. Message me directly so we can coordinate.
You can also sign up to volunteer for the Red Cross and World Central Kitchen. If you want to do a shift together, let me know.
If you’re not in the LA area and want to help, I believe donating directly to affected families is best. Cat Chen put together a list of “neighbors in need.” There are almost 600 entries — it’s really quite hard to imagine. Any little bit helps and counts.
Sending everyone a hug. Message me, please, if you know of someone who needs help or if you want someone to talk to.















I'm so sorry about what's happening in LA and I hope you and your family continue to stay safe! As always, I'm inspired by all your looks here. Sending lots of love. x
My word is rhythms: same thought as yours! Same pants from the sale and same book on standby too—great minds… Chic and inspiring looks, as always ❤️