Normally I spend December reflecting on the previous year and planning for the new one, but this time around all I could think about was trying to reach my goal of wearing 100% of my closet by the 31st. It consumed all of my thoughts… and dictated how I spent my time (i.e. going out to get a specific wear). I started the month with 95% worn and ended the month with 99%—falling short by just six items (all dresses). It was a really fun challenge, but also a little stressful by the end!
What’s New?
- I wasn’t in the mood this year to do a bunch of holiday activities, but it was still a busy month at work before flying home to Boise for Christmas for a week. One of my favorite parts of my job is that we always get the week off between Christmas and New Years, and because of the way the days fell in 2025 I only had to take two vacation days to get a full two weeks off. The absolute best! Though, of course, today’s Sunday Scaries are that much scarier…
- I tried to do Vlogmas on TikTok this year, which I’ve never done before. If you’re not familiar, Vlogmas is a trend that started in the OG days of YouTube where people share a vlog every day in December leading up to Christmas. I thought it would be fun and help my account grow, but I quickly realized it was not achieving either of those goals… For me it sucked all of the joy out of the holiday season and was so much work for no payoff (my views actually plummeted). I made it 10 days before officially giving up! The experience also made me think a lot about full-time influencers and people who vlog constantly—I could never. Even just in the 10 days I vlogged I felt like I “missed” a lot because I was always on my phone and was being super rude to my friends and family. I wonder if mega influencers will look back on their life when they’re old and realize they have no memories of their own… I worry about that myself and I rarely videotape things as it is.
Today’s Outfit
I haven’t taken blog photos in months! It felt so foreign to me today as I ventured out in public with my tripod to take these pics. When I first started blogging, my parents would help me take pictures in whatever I wore that day after school. Then, for several years my blog photos were of outfits I changed into just for the pics—because I wanted to showcase a particular item or talk about something specific—rather than what I was already wearing that day. Even though I don’t take many outfit photos anymore, I’m trying to get back into the habit of just photographing whatever I’m wearing. It’s easier and, ultimately, less stressful because then I can sweat freely. Before I had to think, “Don’t sweat, don’t move, don’t get these clothes dirty” because I knew I would just be taking them off and hanging them up when I got home. Thank goodness that wasn’t the case today—it ended up in the 60s and I was sweating bullets in this sweater.
Anyway… onto the outfit. I’ve worn this look before and realized the sweater, jeans, and belt have never been featured on the blog. (You may recall one of my 2025 goals was photographing every clothing item that had never been showcased in a blog post before. I didn’t even come close to that goal, but it is still something I’m pursuing into the new year.) The sweater looks a little blue on camera, but it is a light grey. I think a monochrome look is so chic, and the only pop of color I added was the lipstick. I do feel like the outfit fell a little flat on camera, though, even though in person I love it. And can we talk about bootcut jeans? I think they’re so underrated. This has been one of my go-to pairs of jeans the last several years, so it’s crazy that I’ve never featured them on the blog before. I think the shape is so flattering and more “evergreen” than a lot of the trendy cuts.
Top Performing Blog Posts in December
Top Performing Social Media Posts
What I Watched
- Materialists—I watched this movie on the plane on the way to Boise. It wasn’t anything special, but I will say it made me think more than a typical romance/dramedy would. Did you know there’s a surgery you can have where they break both your legs to make you taller? Weird to think about “investing” in your body in the same way renovating a kitchen is investing in your house.
- Bugonia—After seeing trailers for this on TikTok (and in anticipation of the Oscars) I knew I had to watch this weird new Emma Stone movie, by the same director who did Poor Things. It was weird, alright. I think I liked it? Though I did find it slow at times.
What I Read
- A Rogue of My Own by Johanna Lindsey—This book was a party favor at the “Rom Con” event I attended at my local library a few months back (a romance book event). I don’t think I had ever read a romance book before this, I only attended the event because it sounded fun (and I quickly realized I was very out of my element). While I wouldn’t say this was a good book, I have to admit I kind of enjoyed reading it. I always read and watch such dark and depressing things that I found this oddly… refreshing, despite its unoriginality.
- The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes—I finished this book this morning and absolutely loved it (by the same author who wrote Me Before You, which I also loved, even though it made me cry uncontrollably to my mommy). The Giver of Stars follows a group of women in Depression-era Kentucky who run the WPA Packhorse Library. While the characters were not real people, the WPA Packhorse Library was a real thing, where women were employed to deliver books on horseback to rural families. The book has it all—historical fiction, romance, drama, inspiring female friendships… Well-written like Me Before You, but not so depressing.
December Spotify Playlist
For December I like to re-listen to all my playlists from throughout the year and choose a couple of songs from each—this year I chose my favorite “new-to-me” song from each month and my favorite song generally. This isn’t surprising but picking my favorites made me realize how much I gravitate towards the slower/sadder songs… The playlist is subject to change as I listen to it for the first time, but as of now, here’s my best of 2025!
What I’ve Been Loving Lately
- Aerie Smoothez bras. I absolutely hate bra shopping (who doesn’t?) but I decided on a whim to try on a couple while at the mall with some girlfriends before Christmas. My old bras were literally falling apart at the seams… I think the last time I went bra shopping was probably sophomore year of high school! I was so excited to quickly find these Aerie bras that fit all of my preferences—full coverage, no thick padding, yet still cute. They fit SO much better than my old bras. I really had no idea what a difference they would make in both the fit of my clothes and my confidence but wow, highly recommend getting new (well-fitting!) bras if you haven’t in a while.
What I’m Looking Forward to in January
- Unlike the last couple of years, I’m starting 2026 without any major plans on the calendar—and it feels so good. I love the excitement of feeling like I could do anything or go anywhere this year. I’m sure it will fill up very quickly, but for now I’m enjoying my new, blank planner!
- For my aunt’s birthday I plan to take her to Babe’s Tea Room for their afternoon tea. I haven’t been before, but I’ve been following them on Instagram for several months—their spaces look so cute! It will be a great excuse to dress up and get an early wear in for one of my fancier pieces.
This Month on Grace per Wear
- Vlogmas Day 1
- Vlogmas Day 2
- Vlogmas Day 3
- 3 Outfits with Yunoga Leggings
- The Final 5%
- Turning a Bad Mood Around with a Good Outfit
- Vlogmas Day 5
- Vlogmas Day 6
- Week 49: Percent Worn
- Vlogmas Day 7
- In Your 20s…
- Styling a Sunhat in the Winter
- Vlogmas Day 8
- Vlogmas Day 9
- Vlogmas Day 10 (Beat the Bomb)
- John Hamm Trend
- Why I Won’t Be Doing Vlogmas Anymore
- Week 50: Percent Worn
- Holiday Outfit Round-Up
- Week 51: Percent Worn
- Daily December Clips
- My 2025 Camera Roll Color-Coordinated
- Week 52: Percent Worn
- Percent Worn: Final Reveal
I hope you had a great holiday season and are excited for what 2026 has in store. Like I said, I’m usually a big goals and resolutions person, but this year I’m taking the approach of not caring… and so far it feels really good. Let me know if you have any exciting plans or things you’re trying to achieve in 2026!
Miles of smiles,
Grace
Sweater: Kohl’s, $24 ($4.00 per wear) | Grey Ripped Jeans: Express, $24 ($0.71 per wear) | Belt: Madewell, $58 ($6.44 per wear) | Boots: DSW, $45 ($0.54 per wear), last worn here | Purse: Gift, $50 ($1.67 per wear), last worn here
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