The year 2025 was not the easiest for me. I testified at an attempted murder trial — big yikes! I worked to ensure my mom could get an experimental surgery covered by insurance. I got my second book deal (exciting but also — signing a book deal means you have to actually write a book!)
I also did a lot of things that made my life better — things that were essential in 2025 because it was otherwise pretty heavy for me.
Some of these may seem relatively minor or even kind of materialistic, but I assure you they are not. One concept that resonated with me this year was the idea of being high maintenance to be low maintenance. In other words: investing in something on the front end so you don’t have to invest in it later. Investing in your health and wellness is a great example because it means you’ll be healthier in the long run. Tailoring your jeans is another great example (yes, it’s expensive at the front end, but it’s less expensive than buying a new pair of jeans every season or every year — you’ll wear these for a decade+)
I am sharing these little and not-so-little things not because they are sponsored mentions but because they literally made my life better in 2025 and I will be bringing them into 2026.
Onward.
xx,
Virginia
Got My Jeans Professionally Tailored
Yes, I have had jeans tweaked in the past (hemmed, mostly) but this year I splurged and got one pair of my jeans tailored to perfection. They look so good I actually got complimented on them by a straight man at one point. Not in a “your butt looks good way” but in like a, “These jeans seem like they were literally made for you” way. And they do look like that, because they were!
Here’s my tip: If you are a Nordstrom card member, buy your jeans at Nordstrom and you can get free tailoring on site (I had a $200 tailoring credit I never used from earning points on the card). Otherwise, just go to a great tailor and ensure they take them in at the waist and hem — and add darts if they can, which means they take the excess fabric at the waist and pinch it in with two angled points at the back … makes your butt look good.
Started Working Out With a Body Builder
This is the most life-changing thing I did all year and here’s why: it is efficient. I am spending less time working out and somehow look better than ever. I went down three pants sizes. THREE. I wear jeans smaller than I wore in high school currently. I’ve lost some weight, but mostly I’ve just gained muscle and gotten tighter…everywhere. So my weight has gone down but the real difference is in my body. My arms look entirely different. My stomach is flat even though I barely do ab workouts (I am also using my core on leg and arm days, though, so by default I’m getting a core workout).
Working out with my trainer, Alex, been life changing in the best way. I feel like I’ve unlocked The Secret: You do not have to kill yourself or starve yourself to be in great physical shape. I barely sweat at the gym (I used to leave the gym drenched and be unable to walk the next day). Now, I focus. I lift heavier, and ensure my form is excellent. I build with time. I’ve never felt better.
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Took a Road Trip With a Best Friend
In August, my best friend Blair (who is an incredible artist) and I took an E/V Chevy Silverado from Florida up to the tippy top of Tennessee and back for The World’s Longest Yard Sale. We had the BEST TIME. I don’t think we caught our breaths or stopped talking for a single moment. We ordered plates of fried okra and ranch in multiple states, we went to a wonderful lesbian bar in Chattanooga where cocktails come out of a tap in a large sculptures nipples. We ate room service cheeseburgers while binging Overcompensating (one of my favorite shows of the year). Mostly, we deepened our friendship and gathered so many memories and inside jokes we will refer to for years to come. I cannot say this enough: female friendship is so important. Friends can be soulmates, even if you have a partner!
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Ate Carbs, Protein and Creatine
I feel like this is an important one that few women are talking about but you should be eating carbs. I stayed away from carbs for years — eating burgers with no buns, or turning down rice in favor of cauliflower substitutes. Then I started working with my trainer and he was like, “you gotta eat carbs to fuel your muscles.” And he was right.
I swear to god, I have lost weight and my skin has cleared since eating more rice and since adding protein (I add this protein powder to either a smoothie or oatmeal every single morning) and this creatine (which also has tons of benefits for your brain — look it up) to my daily routine.
Organized My Closet
I delved into this at length but here’s the quick and dirty version: Get these nifty boxes, which fit in your drawers and work exceptionally well for bras and undies. For socks, use this under-$10 honeycomb drawer organizer. For other folded items (t-shirts, workout clothes), these expandable drawer organizers are incredibly useful. This clear adjustable shelf divider is also great.
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Booked a Rage Room
Women contain multitudes — and a lot of rage, as my best friend and I figured out within minutes of entering a rage room. It was cathartic and extremely fun (there was an Alexa in there, so we danced and sang and smashed a television, radio, blender, and dozens of mugs and plates). 10/10 highly recommend.
Grew My Hair Several Inches
My hair has grown several inches in the past year and is thicker, too. And that’s because of my haircare routine which seems intense but most of the items on the below list are just once-weekly habits.
Here’s the routine:
Omega-3 fish oil daily (I am convinced this has helped with my hair growth, even though my doctor recommended it to keep my genetically high cholesterol in check.) I don’t take any other hair vitamins, like collagen or anything like that.
Hair serum, every other day: I add a full dropper of this all over my scalp, and rub it in and sleep with it. VIRGINIA15 for 15% off
Hair mask, once per week VIRGINIA15 for 15% off
Pre-shampoo bond treatment, once every two weeks VIRGINIA15 for 15% off
Scalp scrub, as needed
High quality shampoo and conditioner, daily or every other day
Started Taking Magnesium and Stopped Having Headaches
I used to get crippling headaches once a month (around my period) that would last two days and include a migraine aura. They were scary and debilitating.
I have not had a single headache on my period since adding magnesium (per my OB/gyn’s instructions) about seven months ago. She told me you can use any kind of magnesium (there’s citrate, glycinate, and oxide). I use this triple-blend formula and I absolutely love it. It has truly changed my life in many ways (digestion is better, skin is clearer, etc.)
Changed All the Doorknobs (and Doors) in My House
I hated the doors that came in my house when I bought it. They were just the standard, 1990s cross and Bible doors and they made me shudder every day. So I got plain, solid, one-panel doors and had a handyman swap them and paint them white. Then, he added these absolutely gorgeous marble knobs. It is a small swap that has made a huge difference.
The last thing I did in 2025 that changed my life? Watched Heated Rivalry (the gay hockey show everyone’s talking about). YOU GUYS. If you haven’t watched it, prepare to have your life changed.
Happy New Year!
I just did a mini road trip with my two best friends when we were all back in Florida right before Christmas and it was the best! Planning to make it an annual thing now
Happy New Year! So much love to you, Virginia ❤️