Felicity Phillips

My recent reads, a little bit of everything, and a few books I haven’t stopped thinking about. I’ve been in a bit of a reading slump lately, but there have still been some incredible five-star reads mixed in with the ones that didn’t quite hit the mark. From unputdownable thrillers to emotional historical fiction, here’s what I’ve been reading lately and what I thought of each one. 📚🤎

Mountain season is my favourite time of year. I love dressing in cozy, stylish layers and dreaming about all the fun I’ll have at the chalet. As the leaves turn copper and gold and the mountain air grows crisp, I reach for deep russet, moss, and warm chestnut tones—pairing soft knits, sculpted coats, tactile woolens, and distinctive accessories for fireside dinners, alpine adventures, and slow evenings in the mountains.

Every time I watch You’ve Got Mail, Practical Magic, or When Harry Met Sally, I find myself dreaming about dressing like the main characters: cozy knits, relaxed denim, classic coats, worn-in leather, and all the best autumn colours. Here are the clothes and accessories I’d wear after watching those movies, with a little 90s mom energy mixed in.

There’s something wonderfully comforting about winter days spent at home, when the light fades early, the kettle is always close by and there’s nowhere you need to be. For me, these are the days made for sinking into a good book, spreading a puzzle across the kitchen table or settling in with a creative project while something warm steams beside me.

My dream Christmas home is basically a grown-up version of the house I wanted as a kid. I love the classic 90s Christmas decor I grew up with: full trees, colourful lights, little Christmas villages, plaid, greenery everywhere, ornaments collected over the years and a house that feels genuinely magical from the moment you walk in. So this list is my version of that, mixed with the classic New England Christmas style I love now: forest green, burgundy, warm gold, wood, candlelight and lots of cozy textures. Nothing too trendy or overly perfect, just a home that feels warm, nostalgic, collected and completely Christmas.

My ideal fall is basically an excuse to stay home, light a candle, make something pumpkin-flavoured, get under a ridiculously cozy blanket and settle in with a good book or movie. So I put together the ultimate fall bucket list of all the little things that make this season my favourite, from cozy home finds and mugs to baking, pajamas, board games and the perfect fall reading list. Basically, everything I need for a very cozy few months.

Finding gifts for the women in your life should be fun, but somehow I always end up thinking, “Okay, but what do I actually buy her?” So I rounded up the gifts I’d genuinely be excited to give, from cozy homebody finds and bookish gifts to fashion, beauty, hosting and travel. Whether she’s always planning her next trip, has a growing TBR, loves getting dressed up, is constantly hosting or already seems to have everything, there’s hopefully something here that makes finding her gift a little easier.

Fall is my favourite excuse to make the house feel a little cozier. I’m talking warm woods, chocolate brown, burgundy, soft blankets, textured pillows, autumn candles, pretty tabletop pieces and just enough Halloween to make things fun. This is everything I’m currently loving for creating that cozy, collected fall feeling at home, from the practical pieces I’ll use all season to the completely unnecessary little things I absolutely could not resist. Basically, I want my house to feel like the kind of place where you light a candle, make something with pumpkin in it, curl up under a blanket and accidentally read for three hours.

September is basically my favourite excuse to start fresh with my shopping cart. This month is a very intentional mix of fall fashion, cozy home finds and books I absolutely do not need but will probably convince myself I do. Think rich browns, suede, fisherman sweaters, classic denim, retro sneakers, cozy blankets, autumn candles, slightly cheeky home decor and a very dangerous number of books. Basically, everything I want for September: a wardrobe that feels like fall, a house that feels cozy, and a TBR that is getting completely out of hand. 🍂

August was a very good reading month. I somehow managed to squeeze in thrillers, historical fiction, romance, memoirs, rereads and a few books that completely wrecked me along the way. There were some misses, but there were also a few that I already know I’ll be thinking about for a very long time. What Kind of Paradise and Liberty Street have officially joined the list of books I will recommend to anyone who will listen, while In Five Years reminded me that Rebecca Serle knows exactly how to break my heart. I also apparently needed an entire Gilmore Girls audiobook era this month, which I have absolutely no regrets about.

I’ve always loved that classic New England look: chunky sweaters, crisp button-downs, dark denim, barn jackets, loafers and just enough little details to make everything feel polished. But I don’t love the idea that you need a designer budget to get the look. So I went looking for the pieces that give you that same cozy, timeless, slightly preppy feeling without the eye-watering price tags. Think New England weekend, fall leaves, coffee in a small town and maybe a little Rory Gilmore energy, but with prices that actually make sense. These are the affordable finds I’d use to build the wardrobe myself.

If you’re shopping for someone who starts thinking about sweaters, pumpkin coffee and cozy nights the second September gets close, this is the gift guide for her. I wanted this to feel less like a traditional holiday shopping list and more like a collection of things that make fall feel special: cozy clothes, coffee and tea for slow mornings, home finds for making your space extra inviting, beauty for a little seasonal self-care, books for quiet nights and baking essentials for when you inevitably decide you’re going to make an apple pie from scratch. Basically, everything I’d want to find wrapped up and waiting for me at the beginning of fall.

If I could disappear to a Vermont cabin for a long fall weekend, this is exactly what I’d want to pack. I’m picturing crisp mornings with coffee on the porch, little towns to wander through, cozy dinners, changing leaves and evenings spent by the fire. My ideal fall wardrobe is all about warm neutrals, rich browns, classic denim, chunky sweaters and practical layers that still feel put together. Basically, everything I love about fall, packed into one very cozy weekend.

I think transitional jackets might be my favourite part of fall dressing. I’m not quite ready for heavy coats, but I’m also not willing to leave the house in just a sweater when it’s 10°C in the morning. I love pieces that make a simple outfit feel intentional, so these are the jackets I’d want in my closet for everything from coffee runs and farmers markets to weekend drives and dinner out. Give me jeans, a sweater, a good jacket and my favourite shoes, and honestly, I’m set.

As a woman in her 30s, I’ve learned that simple really does work best. Give me a great sweater, jeans, a jacket, good shoes and a few thoughtful accessories, and I’m set. This is my idea of the perfect fall weekend wardrobe: classic, comfortable, practical and easy to actually live in.

If I were booking a cruise this fall or winter, this is exactly what I’d want in my suitcase. Think breezy dresses, coastal stripes, matching sets, woven accessories, easy sandals and plenty of swimsuits for those warm-weather port days. Basically, my ideal vacation wardrobe in list form.

If you need me between September and November, I’ll probably be rearranging a charcuterie board, lighting another candle, and convincing everyone to stay just one more hour. I love hosting because it’s never about making things perfect. It’s about creating a table that feels warm, welcoming, and lived in. These are the pieces I’d slowly collect over time to make every fall dinner, football Sunday, soup night, and Thanksgiving gathering feel a little more special.

I love a good investment piece, but sometimes you just want the look without the price tag. H&M has been quietly putting out some beautiful classics lately, and these are the pieces that caught my eye. Timeless silhouettes, rich autumn colours and effortless basics that make getting dressed feel easy, all at a much friendlier price point.

I’ve lost count of how many Madewell pieces have made their way onto my wish list over the years. They somehow always get fall right with timeless denim, cozy knits and accessories you’ll reach for season after season. If I were placing one very irresponsible order today, these are the pieces I’d be adding to my cart.

I blame What Not to Wear for this list. I grew up watching Stacey London and Clinton Kelly transform wardrobes, and I still half expect them to show up one day and tell me it’s time for an overhaul. If they did, these are the pieces I’d be adding to my wardrobe with the $5000. Timeless, versatile and the kind of wardrobe I’d happily wear every fall for years to come.

Fall is on its way and there is nothing better than a cozy boo basket for someone you love. This list is full of little things I genuinely love and would be so happy to receive. Think cozy slippers, sweet treats, and small everyday favourites that make a night in feel special. It is simple, fun, and just a small way to show you care. Keep it cute, thoughtful, and a little over the top.

I’m declaring burgundy one of my fall colours this year. It’s rich without feeling too dark, looks ridiculously good with denim and brown, and somehow makes even the simplest outfit feel more autumnal. I went looking for a few burgundy pieces and ended up with everything from cozy layers and everyday shoes to dresses, coats, bags and little accessories. Basically, if it came in that perfect wine, oxblood, plum or deep berry shade, I was probably adding it to the list.

August is that in-between mood where I still want summer but start craving brown, denim, stripes and structure. This cart is everything I’m loving: easy transition pieces, beauty I’m curious about, staple accessories, and books I don’t need. I’m also starting a book club with my cousin, so our August pick is in here too. Basically, anything that makes late summer cozier or fall feel closer made the cut.

This is basically a collection of things I would either already own, have in my cart, or have convinced myself I don’t need yet but will probably buy at 11:47pm. It’s beauty things I’d use on a slow Sunday night, cozy pieces I’d never take off, and little home upgrades that make me feel like I have my life slightly more together than I actually do.

As someone who genuinely loves a cozy night at home, I think the best gifts are the ones that make staying in feel even better. Think skincare, slippers, candles, coffee, books, puzzles, snacks and a few things that turn your living room into a tiny spa. Basically, everything a homebody could want for a very good night in.

Some people are happiest in the kitchen, so I wanted this list to feel like wandering through my favourite kitchen store looking for the sweetest gift. From pretty little upgrades and specialty ingredients to personalized pieces, cookbooks and a few serious splurges, these are the things I’d genuinely love to give to someone who loves to cook.

The best White Elephant gifts are the ones everyone immediately wants to steal and somehow those are the hardest to find. I’ll be honest, I usually hate being told I have to bring a White Elephant gift because finding something that’s actually fun, useful, and worth stealing is harder than it should be. So I went straight to Uncommon Goods, because their gifts are unmatched when it comes to unique ideas, and found 21 gifts I’d genuinely be excited to unwrap. Even better, everything on this list is under $25!