Self-Reflection, a Holiday Moodboard, and a Venn Diagram for 2025

I’ve always loved this time of year.

The magical lights twinkling in the cold, dark nights, the slower, reflective rhythm of the days between Christmas and New Year’s—it’s my favorite season. This year feels even more special because it’s my first cancer-free holiday season.

But last holiday season, I was drowning under the emotional and physical weight of chemotherapy. It felt anything but magical. In all honesty, it felt more like hell than anything else. I was in the darkest place that I’ve ever been, and my body was the weakest it had ever been. I spent two weeks in the hospital and ICU due to complications with treatment that I didn’t know if I’d ever come back from—both physically and mentally. I wasn’t hopeful for the future, and I wasn’t even sure I wanted to be. I was so close to giving up, but by the grace of God—and the unwavering love and support of my family and friends—I made it through 2023. I finished breast cancer treatment. I had my double mastectomy. I found out I was cancer-free. And with that, I stepped into what felt like my second chance at life.

Conscious Gift Guide for the Chronically Ill Girlies

This gift guide was a real labor of love—the first of a few thoughtful ones I’ll be sharing this holiday season. It’s been years since I last put one together, and this is my first time curating since my breast cancer journey, which has completely changed the way I approach many things in life—including gifting.

I wanted to create something special for those in your life living with chronic illnesses. As a breast cancer survivor now navigating my own health challenges, I know how much thoughtful, practical gifts can mean. These picks are as chic as they are functional—because no one should have to choose between style and ease.

I hope this guide helps you find something that feels just right for the people you love most.

xx, Annalise

A Stay Down South at The Russell

This summer, I traveled outside of California for the first time since being diagnosed with—and beating!—breast cancer. I spent three weeks making up for lost time on the East Coast, visiting family and soaking in every bit of the pure wonder of being alive.

During our trip, we stayed at The Russell—a cozy and colorful boutique hotel in the heart of East Nashville. Originally built as a church in 1904, it was remodeled a few years ago and is now a Music City mainstay. From the historic stained glass that influenced the interiors to the artwork inspired by country music legends, The Russell is a must-visit if you’re in Nashville.

Fall Wishlist

October is here, and it’s officially autumn.

I love dressing in layers—there’s something about chunky knits, blazers, and boots that seems to unlock a level of creativity in the way I style an outfit that was dormant all summer. Though the temperatures in Los Angeles seem to have missed the memo, I’m counting down the days to when I’ll be able to break out the sweaters that have been taunting me in my closet since spring.

The anticipation of cooler temps combined with a recharge of inspiration ushered in by a new season has my moodboard and wishlist overflowing. And even though I’m just online window shopping with these pieces, I still wanted to be selective. You’ll find that each item on my wishlist is either from an ethical or sustainable brand, vintage or secondhand, or an investment piece surely to outlast trends and be a staple in your wardrobe for years to come.

Sustainable Gift Guide: Gifts for Her

The final gift guide for this holiday season!

Sisters, daughters, girlfriends, wives, mothers, grandmothers, aunts, neighbors. This is your one-stop-shop for sustainable gifts for her.

This gift guide features a range of affordable gifts with a few investment gifts sprinkled throughout. I want to continue the theme of intentionality in each of the guides that I post here. You’ll find a large amount of women-owned, women-made, BIPOC-owned gifts below, and each item is from an ethical/sustainable brand. You’ll see items ranging from home goods to jewelry to skincare to clothing. I hope this helps you continue to shop for the holidays with confidence, knowing that your purchases are empowering the people who make them. I hope you feel a deep sense of pride in your intentional purchases this year. Cheers to you!

Sustainable Gift Guide: Gifts for Him

Gift guide number three!

Brothers, sons, boyfriends, husbands, fathers, grandfathers, uncles, neighbors. This is your one-stop shop for sustainable gifts for him.

This gift guide features a range of affordable gifts all the way up to investment gifts. I want to continue the theme of intentionality in each of the guides that I post here. Each item is from an ethical/sustainable brand. You’ll see items ranging from home goods to jewelry to clothing. I hope this helps you continue to shop for the holidays with confidence, knowing that your purchases are empowering the people who make them. I hope you feel a deep sense of pride in your intentional purchases this year. Cheers to you!

Sustainable Gift Guide: Stocking Stuffers + Gifts Under $25

This is my most requested gift guide so far – Stocking Stuffers + Gifts Under $25.

Shopping during the holidays can be pure chaos, and my hope is that these gift guides can help you find your way through the noise of excessive sales and overconsumption to a place where you can gift with intentionality.

I have compiled a list of gifts that are ideal for stocking stuffers or for if you’re on a tight budget this year – and lucky for you, you don’t have to compromise quality or sustainability to stay within budget. Whether you’re shopping for gifts for your significant other, friends, roommates, family, coworkers, or neighbors, my hope is that this guide can be a springboard for you to shop more consciously this holiday season without breaking the bank.

Sustainable Gift Guide: Gifts Under $50

My first gift guide of 2021, and this gift guide features gifts that are $50 and under.

Each time I put together any type of guide like this, I take such careful consideration into each of the items I select. I always take the time to ensure that each item is ethical and/or sustainable so that you can truly feel good and even empowered by the things you buy as gifts for your loved ones this year. From home goods to jewelry to cocktail mixes, you can know with confidence that your gifts are making a positive impact on the planet and the people making them.

My hope is that you can use this gift guide as a tool to find a conscious and intentional gift for any and everyone in your life, from your siblings, to your coworkers, to your neighbors, your best friends, and your significant others.

Here’s to consciously gifting with intentionality this season – cheers!

My Fall Outfit Formula

Here’s a lil fall fit check featuring all of my closet staples –

When we moved to LA a few months ago, we had to downsize sooo much. My husband and I went from living in a two bedroom house to a 250 sq ft apartment with one tiny closet that we share. We packed up both of our compact cars with what we could fit and sold the rest. So when we moved, all of my clothing fit into two suitcases. I sold/donated half of my closet – that I will say was already pretty small.

It has been a challenge at times, but I’ve honestly been really enjoying trying to style my staples in more fun and interesting ways, especially as it (finally) starts to cool down enough in LA to start layering (!!!)

Lately, I’ve been wearing some iteration of this outfit multiple times per week –

A tank top layered under a button-up shirt, pair with some vintage denim or some other comfy pair of pants, finished off with a fun, neutral bag and socks and loafers.