Before you feel like you've exhausted your reading options, we have another trick up our sleeves: Natalie Portman's book club. The actress and activist has made it quite clear that she's also a voracious reader based on her unique recommendations. Since its debut, the book club's Instagram has 129K followers and features candid interviews with authors of books Portman loves.
We appreciate that each book seems very intentional, with differing themes, lessons, and stories to learn from. These feel more like we've found new hidden gems, and we hope you feel the same after browsing Natalie Portman's book club recommendations.
Foster is a novel about finding love that soothes the soul while helping those it touches come to terms with their hidden pains. Although the young narrator isn't referred to by name, she's loving accepted by her aunt and uncle despite not fully understanding how long she'll be in their care.
Oral history can be misconstrued over time, but Trust does an excellent job of getting as close to the truth as possible. It takes a look at the manipulative ways Benjamin and Helen Rask rose to prominence during the 1920s, taking into account how tempting capitalism can be.
John von Neumann was a genius and everyone knew it. Responsible for helping create the early framework of computers as we know them today, he also stood at the helm of A.I. — artificial intelligence. What The Maniac does is detail how ambitions led to some abusing the worlds of "science and technology" to create a world where machines can make their own decisions.
How to Love Your Daughter is a sorrowful novel about a rift that occurs between a mother and her daughter. Once filled with undeniable love, their bond has waned over the years and become something unrecognizable. It dives into the past to help spot patterns that were taken for granted and will tug at your heartstrings along the way.
Fight Night is a beautifully written novel that encourages women to find their way in life. In letters written to her young granddaughter Swiv, Elvira hopes to teach the precious little girl how to stand up for her desires in life. She uses herself as an example and touches on different points of her own life so that Swiv can learn to be strong.
This tale is about love, grief and the spaces in between as a widow tries to piece together her life as losing her soulmate. Determined to make sense of tragedy, she decides to write about her love's life and uncovers things that rock her to her core. Additionally, she decides to learn more about a fascist territory and the efforts being made to right certain wrongs. Although CM can't undo the things she learns about X — her deceased lover — she can decide how she wants to move forward knowing what does.
Anne Berest is sure that she understands everything about her family, including those who met an unfortunate fate in Auschwitz. However, the delivery of a postcard when she was younger sends her down a rabbit hole that makes her question everything.
Women Without Men is about the lives of five women who come from different walks of life. From a schoolteacher to a sex worker, these women find themselves living and learning about life — without men — together.
Crying in H Mart follows the early life of Michelle Zauner as she navigated being a young Asian American girl in Oregon. From being under pressure to continuously impress her mother to briefly living with her grandmother in Seoul, she takes readers on a ride filled with ups and downs. Eventually shedding her identity over the years, she learns to fully appreciate and embrace it. It's a lively read that you'll enjoy revisiting in the new year.
The Vulnerables takes the most memorable parts of modern society and connects it to characters who have to learn how to exercise grace towards each other. Not only that, but they quickly find that they share one thing in common — their ability to be vulnerable when they let their guards down.
Assembly isn't afraid to ask the quiet questions out loud when a Black woman finds herself faced with integrating a community that feels worlds away from her own. The community in question is her boyfriend's family and she knows the event they've been invited to will be carefully curated. She just wonders if she can maintain her own carefully curated image and whether she'll be fully accepted if she can't.
When are families not complicated? We're not sure but Olga Dies Dreaming makes it clear that secrets are impossible to hide forever. Also, there's nothing like a tumultuous relationship with a parent that shakes things up. Despite Olga and her brother Pedro's burgeoning careers, their family life is anything but picture-perfect. The pages of Olga Dies Dreaming shares whether they can find peace behind the scenes.
Simple Passion shows readers that obsessive passion is anything but simple. It can cloud our judgement and make us do hurtful things because all we can see is how much we're pining for someone. Eventually we have to make a choice — see life outside of the person we're passionate about or allow ourselves to be swept away in a life filled with confusion.
Fruiting Bodies is a series of stories that revolve around the lives of different women. It's full of mystical happenings, magic, and history that has the power to affect others in more ways than one.
Janina is the kind of neighbor that you wouldn't want to associate with, especially in her Polish neighborhood. However, something odd is happening in the form of frequent murders and she's ready to figure out what's going on. The problem is getting others to be on board with her concerns.
The Family Roe unveils the history of Norma McCorvey — aka Jane Roe — and the effects of her abortion has had on American society. It's a story that details how church and religion have seeped into politics, making it seem that having bodily autonomy is a sin that's punishable by the Supreme Court.
Joshua Prager, a devoted journalist, shares Norma's humble beginnings with readers and shares how a generational pattern affected her life. It becomes clear that becoming a mother wasn't at the forefront of her mind, resulting in placing three children up for adoption. You'll get to hear from the youngest daughter about the effects of her biological mother's actions as well as other prominent figures central to the Roe v. Wade case.
A Sister's Story brings one question to mind — "Am I my sister's keeper?" Adriana's sister is left to answer that when the former appears in the middle of the night with her baby in tow. She takes them in of course, but has to contend with what truly caused that to happen years after her split-second decision.
Cassandra is on an upward and downward spiral that seems to govern her decision to make her sister's wedding a living nightmare. You'll have a hard time wondering if you sympathize with her or feel like she's merely playing the victim role with each chapter you read.
Poet Warrior details Joy Harjo's journey to becoming a talented and celebrated poet whose prose has the ability to spark change. Turning to her ancestors, nature, and more, Joy explains how her experiences are woven into her words. It's a remarkable read for anyone who has great respect for poetry.
Vladímír is a riveting novel that follows an unconventional marriage that's put to the test when the couple is faced with a scandal they may not recover from. To make things worse, the wife begins to blur the lines ever further when she becomes involved with a brilliant — and very married — author. If you love reading novels about forbidden love and lust, you won't be able to stop turning the pages of Vladímír.
The Dry Heart is unlike anything we've read this year and we can't say that's a bad thing. When a wife kills her husband, you'll have long figured out that her motives may not have been entirely misguided. Okay, killing your spouse isn't the answer. We're just saying that you'll be able to understand why it happened.
bell hooks dares to question the way we choose to love in society and it's clear that messages in All About Love still ring true. She talks about the divide that society continues to feed among people and how we can make changes to redefine how we approach it.
Girl, Woman, Other takes a look at the effects of "Britain's colonial history in Africa and the Caribbean." It focuses on twelve characters who are at the heart of the novel and the way their lives are interwoven via race and gender. It's an emotional and heartwarming tale that shows how life binds us all together.
Something That May Shock and Discredit You delivers just that in this eyebrow-raising novel. Daniel M. Lavery delivers his unique commentary on pop culture that'll leave you wondering why you didn't pick this book up sooner.
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Brit + Co. may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.
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IKEA is well-known for its minimal, affordable Scandinavian-inspired design. It introduced us to the POÄNG armchair and the Kallax Shelf Unit, and plenty of other clean, white, and birch-filled furniture. And while those practical pieces have served us well through the neutral-heavy design years (and college days to boot), 2024 is bringing on a bolder, retro-inspired IKEA that we adore. This colorful relaunch of timeless designs, AKA the third drop in its vintage-inspired Nytillverkad collection, takes us back to the playful mid-century designs of the 1960s and early '70s, and we couldn't be happier. Take a sneak peek of the new collection below, available in stores January 2024!
Optimism reigns in this new collection of comfortable seating, soft high pile rugs, candle holders, vases, pillows, and more!
We can't wait to get our hands on this cushy yellow lounge chair with metal legs, perfect for reading by the window. The whole collection was inspired by youth culture, pop music and political protests that shaped our world.
The iconic items hail from trendsetting IKEA designers Karin Mobring, the first female designer at IKEA, and Gillis Lundgren, who designed the original version of these DYVLINGE swivel armchairs.
Vases, rugs, and side tables reimagined in new colors and materials round out the collection.
The LÖVBACKEN Table, originally launched in 1956, gets a makeover of its leaf design in three bold new colors.
This iconic KULTURSKOG Plant Stand, available in light green and classic black, is great for more than just plants. Add picture frames, books and candles.
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Header image via IKEA
I can overthink everything for hours at a time. Instead of thinking about something positive like my weekly glimmers, there's nothing easier for me than turning over what I said, what I didn't say, what I *should* have said. Even though it's such a universal experience, overthinking can make us feel isolated and overwhelmed. That's why I talked to MEDvidi provider Ambrosio J. Romero about why we overthink, how to channel that energy into something positive, and how to stop overthinking altogether.
Image via Karolina Grabowska/Pexels
First and foremost, if you're a chronic overthinker, you're not alone. Running over a conversation, first date, or relationship in your mind can have a variety of causes, like anxiety, PTSD, or low self-esteem. "Some people find it difficult to tolerate uncertainty, and try to control things by overthinking them," Romero says. "This can be especially true when there is a lot of ambiguity or unknowns. If you grow up in a household where people were constantly worrying or stressed, we learn to do the same. This becomes a habit that's hard to break."
While it's difficult to unlearn overthinking as a habit, there are ways you can retrain your brain (both your active thoughts and how you process information). I'll admit it's easier said than done, but if you're looking to find some peace in this area, it's worth the hard work! First, it's important to better understand your thought processes. Ask yourself these questions:
1. What triggers your overthinking?: "Once you know what your triggers are, you can start to avoid them or develop coping mechanisms for dealing with them," Romero says.
2. Are your thoughts based on reality, or are you jumping to conclusions or thinking things are worse than they really are?
3. How can you choose to be mindful and pay attention to the present moment without judging it? "This can help you to break the cycle of overthinking and focus on the here and now," Romero says.
4. Are you getting enough sleep? "When you're tired, your brains are more likely to overthink. Make sure you're getting enough sleep each night to help improve your mental clarity."
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While overthinking, and mental health in general, is definitely a case-by-case basis, there are a few common threads between people who overthink, like anxiety, perfectionism, and being easily overwhelmed.
"Perfectionism causes you to have a hard time letting go, even when [something is] good enough. You're constantly worrying about making mistakes or not doing things perfectly," Romero says. "As a result of anxiety, your brains are constantly on high alert, looking for potential threats. This leads to overthinking, as you imagine and try to anticipate and prepare for the worst."
Depression and low self-esteem can also play a factor because they can cause an inability to focus on what's happening IRL, and lead you to think about other things instead. "Traumatized people are more likely to overthink as a way of trying to make sense of [their trauma]," he continues. "And people with low self-esteem may be more likely to overthink because they don't believe in themselves or their ability to handle things. They may also be afraid of failure or rejection."
And just like there are common threads between the people that overthink, the situations we overthink can have common threads as well, whether it be an important decision you have to make ("It's natural to think about all the possible outcomes, both good and bad."), your job performance, health, money, relationships — the list can go on and on.
"If you find yourself overthinking, it's important to identify the triggers and factors that are contributing to it," Romero says. "Once you know what's causing you to overthink, you can start to develop coping mechanisms to help manage it."
Is reading this list a little overwhelming for anyone else? Because it definitely is for me! That's why it's just as important to remember the good things, and to fight those negative rabbit holes your brain always wants to go down, because a lot of overthinking is actually in your control. In those moments you can feel yourself spiraling, reach for your favorite book, go on a walk, recite affirmations to yourself, or even write down a list of what you're grateful for. It's in those moments you're training your brain to not focus on something causing you anxiety.
These habits aren't about toxic positivity, or never allowing yourself to process your true emotions — but when nervous, self-conscious thoughts start interrupting your day-to-day life, it can be helpful to figure out how to take control over them.
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"When you start to overthink, take a step back and focus on the positive possibilities," Romero says. "What could go right? What are the benefits of this situation? Challenge your negative thoughts. When you have a negative thought, ask yourself if it's really true."
Figuring out what's true and what's not is a huge part in learning how to stop overthinking, especially if a lot of your stress is in your relationships: "Negatively overthinking them can lead to us becoming more and more attached to the fantasy, and less and less satisfied with our real relationships. This can lead to feelings of loneliness, isolation, and emptiness. It can also make it difficult to form healthy relationships in the real world."
If you're constantly getting worked up about crushes, imaginary relationships, or even uncertain friendships, it's important to remember the people, hobbies, or moments that help you feel grounded. That way, you can create a more meaningful real life instead of a dream one.
I know that's so much easier said than done, and when you're in the middle of overthinking, it feels impossible to break the cycle, especially if it translates to physical side effects like irritability, headaches, or stomach aches. Romero recommends channeling that energy into something more positive. "Exercise is a great way to release pent-up energy and reduce anxiety," Romero says. "Go for a walk, run, or do some other form of physical activity you enjoy. Yoga and meditation are both great ways to calm the mind and body."
"Talking to someone about what you're feeling can reduce anxiety," he continues. "I recommend you talk to a friend, family member, therapist, doctor, or counselor."
One of my favorite ways to spend my time when I'm feeling nervous is just sitting down with one of my favorite hobbies. Process your emotions with scrapbooking or bullet journaling, playing the piano, or following some guided journal prompts. "It's important to find what works best for you and to practice these techniques regularly. With time and effort, you can learn to manage your anxiety and re-channel that nervous energy in a positive way," Romero says. But don't be afraid to talk to a professional, like a doctor or a counselor, if you need extra help. "They may be able to help you to develop coping mechanisms and strategies for dealing with anxiety."
"Be patient with yourself," he continues. "It takes time to break the habit of overthinking. Don't expect to see results overnight. Just keep practicing the tips above, and eventually you'll start to see a difference."
Do you have any tips that have helped you figure out how to stop overthinking? Let us know in the comments! If you're in need of additional support, please reach out to a professional, like the counselors at Psychology Today.
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Whether you bought this year’s viral walking pad or are looking for entirely new ways to work out, IKEA’s new workout collection will fill out your routine in the most stylish way. DAJLIEN, the fitness-focused drop, launches in January 2024 and is all about makingexercise more accessible, and furthermore, at-home exercise more streamlined.
“Not everyone feels safe or comfortable going to a gym and at home we often deal with small space and time constraints. DAJLIEN was born from the desire to find smart solutions that address these limitations and help people create a convenient and motivating place for exercise", says Sarah Fager, Designer at IKEA of Sweden. “We wanted to create smart, beautiful products to inspire and redefine training as a fun, easy and natural everyday activity.”
Many of the products in the new collection are part training equipment, part storage, making them an easy, inconspicuous fit into your home spaces, even if they’re small. Not everything included in the new IKEA workout collection is for working out, though – there are plenty of choices for cooling down and relieving stress, which is a major part of each and every one of our well being!
If you’re ready to focus more on creating healthy habits at home, get ready to throw on your best sports braandleggings, and shop the DAJLIEN collection in January. Here’s a sneak peek of what will be available!
The new IKEA workout collection includes everything from steps, mats, dumbbells, and bands for working out. When you finish your run, yoga routine, or cardio sesh, then IKEA also has accessories for cooling down, such as stretch bands, towels, and gym bags. The entire collection leans heavily into serene shades of green, and energizing bright yellows.
This bench-desk hybrid piece of IKEA furniture can store your workout gear for at-home exercise. When you're not using it to sweat it out, this piece can double as a small coffee table or entryway bench.
These light pink stretching bands are adorable and practical. They adjust to different lengths so that you can personalize your warm-up and cool-down!
Get that jammin'workout playlist going using this wireless speaker in the IKEA workout collection! Our mix of high-energy sounds will motivate you to do your best every single day.
You're going to feel like a total boss carrying this gym bag around. The mesh material makes this pick super breathable, and the wide straps allow easy transport to and from the park, the gym, and your home.
You can totally still get your run on with the IKEA workout collection – this simple belt bag (fit for keys, cards, etc.) is proof.
The best thing about these yellow slides is that they can be worn for active days and lazy ones, too. Obsessed with that.
IKEA really made it easy to centralize all your at-home workout gear with this chic rolling cart. Place everything you need to succeed in here, from mats to bags, and water bottles to pre-workout snacks.
A basic yoga mat is crucial for at-home fitness. This deep green one will support an array of movements and catch all that sweat you're burning off.
We can tell these circular dumbbells are already one of our favorite products. The sleek design can really double as decor if you choose to put them on display.
The IKEA workout collection will include these oval-shaped workout mats that come in a few different soothing greens. The wider design makes more room for your at-home stretches and yoga routines.
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Images via IKEA.
Navigating the dating world can feel daunting to say the least. Aside from the actual feelings of it all, there's a whole other set of terminology when it comes to cuffing — AKA becoming a couple — these days. While courting continues to change from year to year, 2023 had a number of standout dating trends, with people all over social media sharing their romantic experiences from oversharing to soft launches.
As we wrap up the year, let's take a walk down memory lane and explore the dating trends that defined 2023, based on data from Plenty of Fish.
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A "soft launch" is where you hint that you're dating someone on social media, without coming right out and saying you are — or even who it is. It usually includes sharing posts that hide your significant other's identity, showing something like someone's tousled hair on the pillow next to you or a hand you're holding. A soft launch a simple way to maintain a level of privacy in your relationship, while also allowing the two of you to comfortably define the relationship in your own time.
So what does this actually look like in practice? In August, Bad Bunny soft-launched his relationship with Kendall Jenner in an Instagram story, wearing a necklace with a "K" on it. Evidently, Kendall was seen wearing that same necklace in a Vogue interview, and the internet was quick to connect the dots!
For many, a "soft launch" is followed up with a "hard launch" — AKA a more explicit announcement that the couple is dating like a posed photo or updated Facebook status. So once Kendall and Benito were spotted out officially together as a couple, fans were prepped to peep the new official couple.
The soft launch wasn't the only rising dating trend we saw, though. Here are 6 other trends to keep an eye out for in 2024!
Image via Karolina Grabowska/Pexels
What are rizz-colored glasses, you may ask? WELL, this refers to when someone is romantically drawn to people who are charming and charismatic (AKA people with "rizz"). While there's nothing wrong with this, this trend usually comes into play when someone is choosing their partner based solely on sweet talking instead of on actual compatibility.
According to Plenty of Fish's reporting, 52% of today's singles find rizz attractive...but 43% found themselves falling for a "rizzed up" partner, only to later realize they can't actually connect on a deeper level. That being said, finding someone suave or charming shouldn't deter you — just make sure you're seeing past those rizz-colored glasses. 😉
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If you were on TikTok at all this year, you've definitely heard of a canon event — a pivotal moment that changes your life and sets you on a better path. "Canon-bailing" takes that existential idea and expands upon it, referring to the necessity of cultivating your own identity outside of a romantic relationship. So basically, when you canon-bail, you're just pulling a an "it's not you, it's me." Apparently, Plenty of Fish found that 32% of singles know someone whose done this, and tbh...we're here for it! You've gotta look out for yourself — just try to be as gentle as possible in the process of said bail.
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Vision board dating is a super interesting trend where people adjust their dating app location to somewhere they're considering moving to. This allows singles to utilize the power of manifestation to align all aspects of their lives — home, relationship, job, etc — and make their dating dreams a reality. According to Plenty of Fish, almost 23% of singles have experienced someone editing their app location to a more desirable location, which could prove frustrating to some. How do you plan a date with someone several states away? Sometimes even a neighborhood away can feel like too much... Wishing these wishful thinkers the best on their romantic manifestation!
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We all know someone who tends to over-leverage "therapy speak" in their day-to-day lives. In other words, this is someone who overuses or mislabels clinical terms and languages to describe the everyday behaviors of those around them. While GOING to therapy is definitely a green flag relationship-wise, it's important not to diagnose your partner or their behaviors. This is otherwise known as "thera-posing" these days, and Plenty of Fish reported that 33% of singles know someone who does this, with younger generations like Gen Z seeing it the most.
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Opening up while dating is definitely a good thing, but premature intimacy is a trend and trap we can all fall into far too easily. I mean, who hasn't overshared at a party or two, let alone with a potential partner? Okay, maybe Scorpios haven't, but that's not the point. The point is, Plenty of Fish found that almost two thirds of singles have had someone overshare with them which can be...awkward, to say the least. While you're getting to know someone, be sure to vibe check with them and make sure you're on the same page before diving too deep.
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If you've ever been around a Crypto Bro — you know, the ones that are sooooo sure they can teach you about why NFTs are actually a good thing and talk about it nonstop — you'll see where this is going. "Crypt-ick" refers to people getting the ick from someone because their life revolves around one single topic, like crypto. It's also not a rare occurrence, because apparently 1/3 of singles reported to Plenty of Fish that they've experienced "crypt-ick." Passion and interests are great, but being in a relationship with someone who only thinks and talks about one thing is definitely a turn-off.
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Baby, it's cold outside, and if you're not properly suited up for the snowy, below-freezing days to come, I promise you you're gonna feel it – and not in a good way! That's why having the right winter wear on top of the basics (think scarves, gloves, winter boots, etc.) is crucial for a cozy, comfy season. Let these B+C-curated styles from Free People guide you in the right direction – from sweaters and coats to long skirts and accessories, each one of these 42 picks will not swarm you in warmth, but unparalleled style, too. Shop on!
I love a chunky-knit sweater. This v-neck version has the right amount of heft and heaviness to keep you wrapped up!
This wrap-around sweater comes in a variety of colors, but the lilac look is one I just can't get over. It's a top that could work well for winter outings, too.
Wear this longline sweater with a mini skirt and knee-high boots for a fun n' flirty going-out 'fit.
This oversized cardi fits you loosely, allowing for additional layers that'll keep your body heat close, even when you're out in the cold.
This monochromatic sweater design is giving elegance, and once you pair it with a black mini skirt and tights, you'll feel it.
This heavyweight cable-knit sweater is gonna become your next winter fashion hyper-fixation because it's just so cozy-soft!
This sweater features a loose-fitting turtleneck to snuggle up against whether you're out and about or chillin' on the couch.
The wash on this sweater's fabric makes the stitching details pop out even further, drawing all the eyes to your cold weather look.
This puffer jacket can be folded down and packed tightly into a nice package, which is super convenient for holiday travel and road trips.
You'll def stand out from the crowd when you toss on this cherry red puffer. The massive hood does a superb job at trapping heat in to keep you comfy.
The quilted stitching on the outer of this jacket provides something especially different from the rest. The large pockets and collar
Vests are easy pieces for wintertime layering! This puffer version keeps things simple so you can shine.
Tap into 1970s fashion for your winter wardrobe by donning high waists and wide legs like these pants have.
For a comfier pant, baggy jeans will always take the cake. These Levi's are available in a number of different washes!
The slit in these denim jeans provides a cute little window for you to show off your favorite boots!
Be bejeweled for every winter occasion in this dazzling pair.
These jeans remind us of riding pants in the best way possible.
The stretchy waistband on these jeans make them not feel like jeans, which is always a good thing.
Deep reds like this one are totally in style, so rockin' a maxi with it will make you so chic.
This denim number will work well for winter and summer – it all depends how you style it!
For going out with the gals, this vegan leather piece adds a rebellious and mysterious flair.
We love us some corduroy. The textures on this skirt will wear perfectly with some colorful tights and boots!
White skirts are a simple staple that you can style in tons of different ways, no matter the season. The tiered structure on this one is to die for!
The knit material on this skirt will keep those legs nice and warm, especially if you layer it over some leggings.
Loungewear is what winter is all about. Cozy up in this thick hoodie that comes in so many colors!
Fleece flawlessly keeps you warm no matter what, and this jacket can easily be layered or worn alone for comfort.
This jumpsuit is nice and flowy, providing a lot oof room for layering winter basics under.
Matching sets were made for winter hibernating! This one is super simple so you can wear it year-round.
The pockets on this set bring forth utility styles and infuse the 'fit with an unexpected detail!
Gotta keep those toesies toasty! We're loving this warm color palette.
This all-in-one bundle ensures your utmost comfort this season with socks, a beanie, and a candle.
Beanies are a must for going out in the cold. Might as well make it as stylish as possible!
These socks have a fun, frilly flair that will help you step your boot game up for sure.
This balaclava traps your head's heat and even cinches up to cover your face against the cold air.
Take your socks a step further by snagging some knee socks. They'll cover more surface area to snuggle you up!
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Brit + Co. may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.
Images via Free People.
