You may remember one of my favorite series called 'Monday Link-Up', where I would share a few of my favorite finds from the past day, week or month. They were links that were fun to read, watch and shop from a variety of different online sources. Now that we're in a new year, I decided that it would be fun to switch the name up a bit since everything else for Mostly Lisa has done so. The new series is going to be called 'Monday Reads.' It will still be the same format - links to things I've found interesting + unique, but just a little cleaner for this new layout. I realized I hadn't put together a Link-Up since September, so please enjoy this new edition and these intriguing new reads.

• Women's March Minnesota (and around the world): I was unable to go to the March yesterday, I was working at my job the ENTIRE event, but I was tuned in on every social media platform to see coverage on it. It was probably the most inspiring thing I have ever seen, the comradery of women (and even men) around each March brought me to tears. My heart was so full to see women band together for such a great cause + movement - no matter their skin color, sexual or gender identity, age, ethnicity, etc. Everyone was there to support one another with the chance to have their voices heard, and boy, was it heard. We can't stop there, we have to keep pushing forward and strive to have equality in this country. Look at these beautiful photos from Marches around the world, they have me feeling so inspired. Let me tell you as well, he's #NotMyPresident.
• Danielle Brooks: She's killed it on the red carpet, has an absolutely powerful voice and is an activist for women no matter their age. I had to reference her in today's post because I came across this article on Teen Vogue that features her cover of the feminist song - "I Am Woman" and it is mind-blowing! 
• Spring 2017 Couture Shows: Patiently waiting for the Haute Couture S/S '17 shows to begin. They have already started out with a bang via Alberta Ferretti Limited Edition, so many beautiful embellished sweaters and pants. 
• Five Hair Trends for 2017: I am a huge fan of Brit.Co and constantly read their articles of various subjects like; beauty, creativity, current events and recipes! One of their current articles - supplied by The Barefoot Blonde - sparked my interested since it is talking about the current hair trends for the year. If you've seen any photo of me, you know that I normally keep my hairstyle pretty neutral, but I'm really digging the Bardot Inspired Hair! 
• Breaking Down 32 Different Accents: Tumblr can be a source of bad + good, so I was generally happy when I came across this video of a dialect coach analyzing actors' accents. I could definitely watch hours of this, it comes with such ease for him! 
• Conversations With Creatives: I am apart of a great local blogger group called Twin Cities Collective and they recently re-branded everything - including the content that they create. They just announced they would be starting up a podcast featuring local creatives around the Twin Cities, and I wanted to feature it because it just sounds like such a unique way to get to know fellow bloggers and smaller brands that live in the Midwest. We're all really aiming to express our passions, so I really hope that I get to go on it sometime in the future.

Let’s face it – winter is here, and it’s here to stay! If you have that mentality, like myself, then you’re sure to be set for the cold days ahead. There are so many ways to be prepared for the snow + cold, but in my opinion the most important one is to keep your feet warm + protected while you’re outside. The best way to do so is with the proper pair of winter boots to keep the frozen tundra from actually freezing your feet! Not only do winter boots become a necessity, but they can also be a must-have item for anyone’s wardrobe that lives in an area that has four seasons. The best part of being ‘required’ to wear something is to find the fun in making it stylish. Since your winter wardrobe will not be complete without them, I rounded up twelve unique and fashionable boots that will transform your layered winter outfit into one snazzy ensemble!

1. Deliee Wide Calf Riding Boots ($80): When I began my hunt for the boots in this post, I instantly started with wide-calf options. Since mine are fairly wide, it was so refreshing to find pairs that are fashionable and have unique fabrics. I just so happen to be looking for a new pair, and these are definitely at the top of my list.
2. Nytroo ($75): Obsessed with these day-to-night booties from Steve Madden! Order through Zappos and you'll get free shipping.
3. Women’s Pilasien ($90): I'm oddly obsessed with these? They have water-repelling soles, so they'll be great for those snow days.
4. Contrast High Heel Ankle Boots ($30): These ZARA boots may not be necessarily winter-friendly, but they're so cute! The heel is low enough that you could probably walk your way through the snow and ice.
5. Northside Bishop ($53): I just had to include a pair of boots that were more just for winter and that could easily go with anything. There is so much product information for this boot that I highly recommend you check them out! That quality though.
6. Holster Bootie ($70): A velvet bootie. Need I say more?
7. Bella-Vita Adriann II Plus ($81): Decorative boots in a black/burgundy color combo, that also offer a wide-calf option? BLESS!
8. Stride Tall Boot ($62): These just look so comfortable and the sale on them is insane - 80% OFF!
9. Tieana ($90): I can't believe I chose a boot from shoedazzle (their commercials annoy me so much) but these are pretty cute! If you sign up to be apart of their club, these boots actually turn into only being $12. 
10. Original Short Quilted Lace-Up Boot ($90): I couldn't do a boot post without a pair from Hunter Boots, they're quintessential for this season! I love these because they have so many different details on them - nylon upper, fleece foot lining, traction grip and pristine finish. 
11. Women’s 1964 Premium CVS Boot ($140): Another brand that I couldn't forget was SOREL, as they are known for their quality boots. These calf-high boots are definitely more for function, but if you switch the colors up, you may just have a pair of fashionable ones as well. 
12. Tillis-S ($80): These all came down to the faux fur lining and rib-knit collar. So adorable!

It's that time of year again! There's a buzz in the air, an excitement that can't be contained, a thrill up the spine of everyone who enjoys pop culture and fashion - it's officially the start of red carpet season y'all! The movie, television + celebrity marathon is off to a grand start with the Golden Globes last night, but there is so much more to come! This is the first time in awhile that I've been THIS excited to see what everyone is going to be wearing during award season, and I'm so ready to play my own fashion critic from the comfort of my own bed. The glitz, glamour and trends that I saw last night were exactly what I wanted from the first show of the season. Sit back, relax and enjoy these favorites of mine from the 2017 Golden Globes! Let me know who YOUR favorite fashionista (or fashionisto) was last night in the comments below.

BEST DRESSED // THE WOMEN
Ruth Negga in Louis Vuitton

I feel like January is always a great month to start goals for myself- ones that I can actually maintain and don't feel pressured to complete! The best goal I like to set during the month of January is reading and reading as many books as I possibly can throughout the year. I did this last year with the help of Goodreads, who has a great way to track how many books you read + even helps you set a goal number for how many you want to achieve. I had made a goal to read twenty-five books for 2016 and sadly only made it to about ten, mostly due to health problems, but I've decided to do the same 2017. I already feel like I'm on a good track to reach this, with several books already on my radar to get through. I'm currently reading 'A Man Called Ove' by Fredrik Backman and am actually about 88% through it after only a week or so, it's just that good. Highly, highly recommend you read it! Anyways, I figured I would share the other books I'm already lining up to read next. You'll find a wide variety of books in this list, so I had to narrow it down to just ten. Let me know what books you're reading this year!

Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly
Genre: Historical Fiction
Inspired by the life of a real World War II heroine, this debut novel reveals a story of love, redemption, and secrets that were hidden for decades.

The Ballroom by Anna Hope
Genre: Historical Fiction
1911: Inside an asylum at the edge of the Yorkshire moors, where men and women are kept apart by high walls and barred windows, there is a ballroom vast and beautiful. For one bright evening every week they come together and dance.

Far from the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy
Genre: Classics
Independent and spirited Bathsheba Everdene has come to Weatherbury to take up her position as a farmer on the largest estate in the area. Her bold presence draws three very different suitors: the gentleman-farmer Boldwood, soldier-seducer Sergeant Troy and the devoted shepherd Gabriel Oak.

The Hating Game by Sally Thorne
Genre: Romance
Nemesis (n.) 1) An opponent or rival whom a person cannot best or overcome; 2) A person’s undoing; 3) Joshua Templeman.

Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher
Genre: Nonfiction
In Wishful Drinking, Carrie Fisher tells the true and intoxicating story of her life with inimitable wit. Born to celebrity parents, she was picked to play a princess in a little movie called Star Wars when only 19 years old.

America's First Daughter by Stephanie Dray
Genre: Historical Fiction
In a compelling, richly researched novel that draws from thousands of letters and original sources, bestselling authors Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie tell the fascinating, untold story of Thomas Jefferson’s eldest daughter, Martha “Patsy” Jefferson Randolph—a woman who kept the secrets of our most enigmatic founding father and shaped an American legacy.

Sweetbitter by Stephanie Danler
Genre: Fiction
A lush, raw, thrilling novel of the senses about a year in the life of a uniquely beguiling young woman, set in the wild, alluring world of a famous downtown New York restaurant.

The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman
Genre: Fiction
After four harrowing years on the Western Front, Tom Sherbourne returns to Australia and takes a job as the lighthouse keeper on Janus Rock, nearly half a day’s journey from the coast.

Talking as Fast as I Can: From Gilmore Girls to Gilmore Girls, and Everything in Between by Lauren Graham
Genre: Nonfiction
In this collection of personal essays, the beloved star of Gilmore Girls and Parenthood reveals stories about life, love, and working as a woman in Hollywood—along with behind-the-scenes dispatches from the set of the new Gilmore Girls, where she plays the fast-talking Lorelai Gilmore once again.

The Gilded Hour by Sara Donati
Genre: Historical Fiction
The year is 1883, and in New York City, it’s a time of dizzying splendor, crushing poverty, and tremendous change.

This is super belated, but I just wanted to wish everyone a Happy New Year! I hope that it was an easy transition this weekend into what is sure to be a very interesting year ahead. I guess it's now back to work and the doldrums of what January has to offer! I'm still thinking of how I spent the weekend - traveling around the Twin Cities with a very good friend, eating good food and forgetting ALL my worries while they were sipped into a wine glass. It's pretty crazy but I didn't even get a hangover, so lucky me! After a few Uber rides back and forth, we found ourselves at a regular spot underneath a net of balloons and country music playing in the background. Not where I had imagined the night to end up, but it was still such a great evening! It's probably the best NYE I've had in a really long time.

While it is time to move forward and I don't necessarily want to look back at how horrible 2016 was in general, this post wouldn't be complete without a tiny review of some of the personal highlights that I had over the course of the year. There were definitely a lot of lows, more so than I had expected, but there were some rays of positivity in there. Those rays included: visiting two of my oldest Livejournal friends in Chicago for a weekend in April, hosting two different holiday shopping parties at the Mall of America in December, collaborated with Caribou Coffee for a few different holiday posts, created the most successful #mostlylisagiftguide week I've ever done along with the biggest giveaway at the end of it, purchased a new pair of glasses after eight years! I also got to see Adele at the last minute (thanks to my brother-in-law) and it was beyond epic, worked with some lovely local photographers + creatives for a few style posts and got more into finding new beauty products to incorporate into my daily routine.

So what do I want to do in 2017? Mostly I just want to maintain being content and happy with who I am as a human being, and not taking things too personally. I'd like to also find a new path or journey that will lead me to a new career; whether in fashion marketing, customer service or social media. I don't want to get as down as I did last year during these first few months, so I'm making a goal to read more, watch different movies and find more ways to keep active during days when I'm not working. There's also room to blog more often - now that I have a brand NEW layout - so look out for fresh content coming soon. Finally, I obviously want to travel more often this year. There may be a chance for me to go to Florida next month, but I'd also like to go to New York or even London again for a bit of inspiration. Guess we'll just have to wait and see what I can make happen for myself this time around.

What were your goals for last year? What about this year? I wish all of you health, happiness and love.