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.

lifestyle, styleAnnalise OgelbyDecember 27, 2024moodboard, holiday, new year's eve, christmas, intentions, resolutions, new years resolutions, nye, winter, style, cozy, party, los angeles Comments

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.