1.21.26
Carly’s Cut, Vol. 5
If you had told me at the beginning of 2025 that this is how the year would unfold, I truly would not have believed you. It was a year of very high highs and some objectively low lows, and I am more than ready to close this chapter and start fresh. That said, so much of this year was spent deeply focused on myself and the people I love, which led to some truly great moments of seeing, doing, and simply being. I shopped more than I care to admit. I spent an alarming amount of time at the Terrace Theater, likely more than I spent at home. I ate exceptionally well, to the point that I like to think Anthony Bourdain would have approved. It all felt shiny and bright in that fleeting, pinch-me kind of way, and I wanted to share the very best of it with you.
Mini Review: Violette FR
I had been dying to try this brand and ordered three products. Here’s where I netted out.
Your Favorite Products of 2025
Drumroll, please! Your favorite products of 2025 are here! You know I love going through the data, it’s always so interesting to me to see which products resonated most. Last year was oddly all about hydration, this year seems to be more about dresses and comfy shoes (also things I can get behind!!!). Lots of sneakers, and lots of Tory Burch + Margaux. We are looking cute and comfy (while upgrading our cookware, sleeping in the very best sheets, and perhaps buying a new rug!?).
Everything I Read in 2025, Ranked by Genre
Every year, I like to look back, tally up how many books I read, and rank my favorites. 2025 was a really good month of reading. I read 100 books. 100 is pleasing to me as it’s a nice round number (I didn’t plan this, I do a mid-year count but don’t set goals or track my reading until the very end), but it’s also exciting because it’s a lot of books. Last year, I read 102–it was my first time ever cracking the hundred book mark. While I try not to put pressure on myself to read a certain number of books, I am pretty happy to have kept up this little streak.
You can look back over the years. 102 books in 2024, 88 books in 2023, 87 books in 2022, 80 books in 2021. And don’t forget that every book I’ve read in the time I’ve had my blog is saved to this page. You can sort, filter, and rank by category or genre.
When Your Skin Is Wayyyy Dry
I was blessed with my father’s blue eyes but cursed with his painfully dry skin. Rough dry patches on my arms and legs, a bit of KP on my arms. My feet crack (and bleed, when it’s really bad!). Honestly, it takes a full-blown routine and loads of maintenance to keep the skin on my body soft (soft-ish!?) Moving to the South has given my skin some relief. While the humidity is torture on my hair, my skin loves it. I’ve been doing fairly well, but for whatever reason (I also blame stress), my skin has been acting pretty miserable for the past couple of months. Eczema flare-ups, rough patches and flakes, and for whatever reason, my face always seems to be a little red! Sometimes, my legs will be bare yet still feels like I have on tight, itchy pants.
Everything I Read in December 2025
December was a great month of reading: twelve books. I listened to more audio than usual while traveling, wrapping gifts, and getting out for some nice, long walks.
I was lucky to read a couple of really wonderful ARCs (this is my reminder to pre-order them if they spark your interest; pre-orders are so helpful to authors!). I genuinely loved (or at least really liked) everything I read this month, but far and away my favorite book was Writers & Lovers. (You might remember that I read Heart the Lover in October–it is worth noting that I liked this even more!). I’ve ordered Lily King’s whole back catalog and cannot wait to dive in.
