2015 Obsessions

As the end of the year draws ever closer (three more days, including this one!), I like making time to look at the months that have already come and gone. I change, and I grow, and I learn every single year. I also fall in love with all sorts of things as the year passes, whether it's experiences or tangible items I can acquire. I thought it'd be fun to share twelve of this year's obsessions, in no particular order, with all of you today!

fandom merchandise | I realized that I was sorely lacking in merchandise for all of my fandoms, and I set about remedying that this year. I've amassed quite a sizable collection of shirts, candles, jewelry, prints, bookmarks and pins that represent all of my different fandom loves - and I still don't think it's nearly enough. I'm most obsessed with collecting shirts (and I have one for nearly every single fandom I'm a part of), and jewelry comes a close second (because I bought a ton of it this year). / recommendations: Novelly Yours • Evie SEO • The Art of Young Adult • The Melting Library • Cris Unplugged • ThinkGeek • Hot Topic • Trilogie 

Folio Society editions | I really love how beautiful Folio Society editions are in person. Hannah describes The Folio Society wonderfully (with photos!), so you can look to that for more details. Once I found out about them, I was in love! As of the moment, I have the Hans Christian Andersen fairytale collection, the Perrault fairytale collection, The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien (a gift from Hannah!), and the Lord of the Rings trilogy. I'm still on the hunt for a copy of Grimm's Fairytales and The Little Princess.

FoxyDori | This is another wonderful thing that Hannah introduced into my life, and it's been a life-changer. I didn't know about the existence of traveler's notebooks prior to Hannah telling me about them. They've upped my organization game, allowing me to keep multiple notebooks, crafty things (like post-its and washi tape and pens), and bookmarks all tucked away into one package in my bag. And I love that you can modify them to personally suit whatever your needs may be. I'm so obsessed that I actually have two of them at the moment - a blue one with a pink strap, and a brown one with a mint-colored strap (which I use everyday). / recommendations: FoxyDori

washi tape | I'm Alexa, and I'm obsessed with washi tape. No, really, I am. I love all the cute designs that you can find, whether it's prints or patterns or a spectrum of colors. In order to attempt to curb the obsession a bit, I decided that my BFF Danica (you may know her as the girl who did the lettering for all my new blog graphics) and I should collaborate to create a collection. It's been growing steadily, and I love that our different aesthetics combine to create a lovely mix of tapes to choose from. / recommendations: Michaels / The Washi Shop

magnetic bookmarks | I recently re-organized and snapped a photo of all of the magnetic bookmarks I own, and have come to the conclusion that I am obsessed. I collect the fandom ones, mostly, whether it's TV/film/book fandoms. But I love them. I try to alternate using them to justify purchasing them all, and I try to make sure to take very good care of them so that they last for a good long time. There are some very talented designers out there, and I'm eager to get my hands on more next year! / recommendations: Happy Hello Art • Magic Bookmarks

socks | The sock obsession has gotten even more intense now that cooler weather is upon us! I am devoted to finding cute socks everywhere I go, and I'm loving the crazy collection of patterns, colors, prints and fandoms that make up my little sock collection now. I'm so looking forward to acquiring even more next year, especially a few fandom designs I've got my eye on! / recommendations: Sock It To Me • Hot Topic

TV shows | I've told people this before, but I was never much of a TV gal. I generally prefer binge watching shows when the season is completed, which is why I'm often on Netflix or Amazon Prime. While this is still generally the case, I've been watching way more TV than I expected. It really helps that there are so many appealing shows that are on the air now, from superhero sagas to fantasy-inspired tales. While I don't foresee myself developing a full roster of shows to watch weekly, I'm kind of pleased to embrace entertainment wholeheartedly in this new medium. / recommendations for currently airing shows: Doctor Who • Supergirl • Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (I've only linked to trailers for the first seasons of each show!) / recommendations for finished TV show: Avatar: The Last Airbender

movies | It's been a great year for films, y'all. I've really enjoyed getting the chance to watch more movies, whether at home or in theaters. I've seen a pretty decent amount of movies (more than in the last three years, for sure), and there were so many for me to choose from! I'm definitely biased towards loving animated films, but I also love that I didn't limit myself to watching films in my usual genres and watched all sorts of things this year. (If you want to know what I've seen, definitely check out Screens & Scenes). / recommendations: Inside Out • Wreck-It Ralph • Star Wars, Episode VII: The Force Awakens

music | According to Spotify, I've listened to 23,000 minutes of music, which is roughly 382 hours. (I'm pretty sure I've listened to more than this, since I also use Apple Music!) That being said, I've had some clear favorites when it comes to musical artists and albums this year! As always, I'm most drawn to pop music, though I'm also into alternative and a little bit of country. (If you want to see more of my favorite albums, definitely check out Tunes & Tales!) / recommendations for artists: James Bay • Ed Sheeran • Taylor Swift • Jana Kramer • Ariana Grande • Adele • Gabrielle Aplin • Selena Gomez  • Pentatonix • Michelle Branch (These links will take you to YouTube videos with my favorite tracks from these artists!)

bargain bookstores | I'm a fan of bargain bookstores, particularly because I often find unexpectedly awesome books (specific editions from childhood, different editions of favorites). I visited quite a few of them this year, and I'm pleased to report that I've been very lucky indeed with what I've managed to acquire. The ability to buy secondhand books is a blessing, for certain, and to find them in great/like new condition is even better. It's addictive, and I look forward to indulging this addiction more next year! / recommendations: Book-Off (NYC) • Book Barn (CT) • Second Reading (PA)

ice cream | Rachel & I ate a lot of ice cream this year (1,2), though we've officially taken a break for the winter season. I really enjoy accompanying her on her quest to eat at different ice cream spots in New York. I get to hang out with one of my best friends and we get to eat as much ice cream as we can possibly stand and I get to discover and try new places with her. It's really a win-win situation for everyone involved, and I can't wait to get back to doing it next year. / recommendations: Wooly's Ice Cream • 10Below

road trips | I've been so lucky to be able to go on a bunch of road trip adventures this year! From Boston to Philadelphia, Cape Cod to Connecticut, it's been one set of trips after another. The best part? I got to hang out with some of my favorite people in the whole entire universe. Playing games to pass the time, making pit stops just because we can, curating the perfect playlist, planning future shenanigans... It has just been so. much. fun.

What are your 2015 obsessions?