Monthly High-Five // 008

A countdown of 5 things on my mind for December

Hello Readers!

I always write these intros on the actual day I’m sending out the newsletter…it always makes me feel like I’m sending an update to a close friend 🫶

We just got back from picking out our Christmas tree and I’ve been busy all day getting our house holidayed out! I love the holiday season - it feels like a big warm hug. A time to reflect inwards and reset. It brings out a sense of optimism, kindness, gathering, and gratitude that we can never have too much of!

I’ve lived in California for ~20 years so this is my first wintery Christmas. We got to visit a neighborhood family-run tree farm and choose our own tree. I’ve never not picked out a tree from a random busy parking lot so this was very exciting for me!

This will be my last monthly High-Five of the year so I’m switching it up a bit as we start to close out the year!

5 things I'm loving this year

Rather than sharing 5 new things I’m loving, I wanted to share the most used things from the past year. Think of it as my version of a gift guide but with an extra stamp of approval from the actual usefulness and enjoyment it’s brought to my life and those who I’ve gifted to over the last few years!

(I wish I kept up with my digital wardrobe calendar so I could share what my most worn items were…there’s hope for next year!)

1// Material Kitchen Iconics - Basic kitchen essentials are one of those “need to have but hate to buy” things in my life. After many years of not having exactly the right kitchen tools, or mediocre one-offs purchased out of last minute necessity, I finally upgraded to this all-in-one set a few years ago from an AAPI-female owned brand. It helped me declutter what we collected over the years and streamlined into this minimal set that I won’t need to update. This is also a great option as I love their grippy cutting boards too. Great for recent college grads, those moving into new homes, or first homes. 2// Flamingo Estate Olive Oil - Nothing I enjoy more in life than a fancy olive oil. It makes the most mundane dishes fun to prepare and enjoy! Especially comes in handy when I make a quick 5 min lunch. This is the one I’ve used for years, so much so that friends gift it to me because they know it will be used! I also love gifting these sets for the holidays/birthdays/housewarmings and for work people who I never know what to get — they feel special and luxe. 3// Surfrider Hotel ‘California’ Candle - California in a bottle. I picked this up after staying here for a staycation a few years ago and it’s my most repurchased candle. This is a close second. I burn both year round - the scents are just so calming! 4// Undo Hair Clip - The only clip that has fit all of my thick hair and comes in gorgeous colors. Lots of size options. Great as stocking stuffers or white elephant gifts! 5// In Kind Magazine - A biannual magazine written by busy modern women, for women focused on career, motherhood, personal style, and living well. I read and re-read each issue. A must for any woman in your life! As it’s only twice a year, it’s a nice surprise when they receive the second issue. (I also just subscribed to this magazine for visual inspiration..I’ll keep you posted!)

4 Easy Holiday Outfit Formulas

I rarely buy things specific for the holiday season and when I do, it’s usually pieces I can style throughout the rest of the year, or a low-risk/low $ item like an accessory.

I rely on texture, interest, and playful styling to get me through any holiday events so I wanted to share 4 of my go-to holiday outfit formulas.

I’ve used some of the same items throughout so you can see how they can be styled to meet different occasions. I have also included links in case you are looking for something similar, but you don’t need these exact pieces. Take the elements and try styling with what you already own!

Look 1// Cardigan, Knit Pant, Earrings, Kitten Heel (limited sizes on sale here) Look 2// Sweater, Skirt, Slippers, Bag, Earrings (I featured this exact look in a previous newsletter and also love it for Holiday so wanted to feature it again with new accessories - Kind of like the outfit repeating of newsletters!) Look 3// Sweater, Sweatpants, Kitten Heel, Necklace

Look 1// Blazer, Sweater, Jeans, Kitten Heel, Earrings Look 2// Coat, Turtleneck, Trousers, Slipper, Clutch, Earring (I also love the idea of a collar necklace around a turtleneck!) Look 3// Blazer, Trouser, Flats, Clutch (obsessed!), Collar Necklace

Look 1// Sweater, Skirt, Slippers, Cuff Look 2// Red Dress (limited sizes on sale here), Long Cardigan, Black Dress, Brown Boot, Black Boot Look 3// Satin Top Jacket, Jeans, Kitten Heels, Merit Clutch

Look 1// Sweater (good alternative here), Jeans, Boots, Bag, Earrings Look 2// Jacket, Jeans, Flats, Bag Look 3// Blazer, Sparkle Tee, Jeans, Heels, Beanie, Clutch

3 Fun Facts From The Found Journal!

I started this newsletter in May and am beyond grateful for your readership and support.

I was inspired by Teresa’s fun year-end wrap up, so thought it would be fun to share 3 facts from this year :)

• Subscribers 🫶

  There are 3K of you who have joined since this newsletter launched in May and you are reading across 47 states and 66 countries!

• My top posts of the year:

  Unpacked: My Best Packing Tips

  **This was actually surprising to me so I’m working on another fun packing newsletter based on my recent trip to Australia/NZ…I’ll plan to share next month!

How To Dress Like The Row (Without Buying From The Row)

**This one was loved by so many of you and featured as a Substack Top 10 in the fashion space!

A Style POV: Sienna Miller

**This one was one of my absolute favorites to write :)

A COS Try-On Capsule

**I have another wearable holiday capsule from J. Crew that I’ll plan to share as an extra free newsletter later this week!

• Most clicked links

This monthly high-five actually had the top clicked links out of all my newsletters. You all really loved the 5 items I featured!

The other top links were:

A really great pant

The only denim jacket I’d purchase

A modern day stud earring

Two Styling Updates

December will also mark the year-end of launching my business, The Found Style!

I’m so grateful for the clients who have found me through this journal - you have all truly been my dream clients and I feel lucky to have been part of your style journey.

I’m taking the month to refine and restructure my current services and I’m hoping to release an e-course or group program in 2025!

If you have any questions, or just want to chat about how personal styling could support you in your busy life, you can always reach me via DM or set up a free call here.

One inspirational quote (ok it’s a collage)

Taking the rest of this year to embrace: gratitude and abundance, courage and openness, self-love and focusing on the things that matter (all artwork by Sophia Joan)

I’ll be back next week with a newsletter on all things Sweaters (yarn composition, quality, construction, fit, care). If you have any specific questions about this topic, we have a thread going in our chat. Feel free to pop your question in and I’ll try to answer!

I hope your December fills you up with much love and joy!

xx,

Angie