Friday Favorites: Faux Flowers, Thrift Finds & a Creepy Read
Another week has come and gone! This one was a good one for me. It felt productive, but it also had some genuinely fun moments mixed in too, which always makes for the best kind of week. While this week’s favorites list is a little shorter than usual, these were real bright spots for me over the past few days.
Sometimes it’s the small things that end up feeling the most exciting. This week’s favorites are simple, cozy, and very “me”: a little home decor refresh and a book that kept me turning pages late at night. Honestly, those are two of my favorite kinds of comforts lately. Give me something that makes my space feel cozy and a suspenseful book to curl up with, and I’m happy.
Faux Flowers + Thrifted Vase
Last week, I decided that I wanted to get some faux flowers for my desk. Up until now, I’ve always been more of a real flowers person, but fresh flowers can get expensive fast, especially when you’re trying to stick to a budget. I figured faux flowers would be a good alternative because I could reuse them over and over again instead of replacing them every couple of weeks.
Once I started thinking about it, I realized all of the vases I already own are clear glass. Since faux flowers don’t really have realistic-looking stems, I knew I wanted a vase that wasn’t see-through.
I ended up finding the prettiest white vase at the thrift store on Sunday morning. It was only $5.50, which honestly felt like such a steal. There’s something so satisfying about finding exactly what you’re looking for right away at a thrift store. Usually you have to dig through shelves for ages before finding anything good, but this vase was sitting right on the end cap waiting for me. It felt meant to be.
Then on Tuesday morning, I headed over to Michael’s because they were having a huge faux flower sale. I managed to get two bunches for $20, which I thought was a really good deal. I was hoping they’d fill out the vase nicely, and thankfully they did.
I already knew I wanted peonies because they’re one of my favorite flowers, but I also spotted some hydrangeas that I loved too. I ended up going with pale pink peonies along with a bunch that had blue hydrangeas and a pink rose in it. I honestly think they look so pretty together. The colours complement each other really nicely, and the whole arrangement ended up looking even better than I pictured in my head.
The best part is that the whole setup only cost me $25.50 total, and I can keep using it season after season without worrying about the flowers dying a week or two.
I’m really loving how everything looks on my desk now. It makes the space feel brighter, cozier, and a little more put together. I love little affordable home touches like that because they can completely change the feeling of a room without costing a fortune. Plus, I don’t have to remember to water faux flowers, so they’re incredibly easy and low maintenance, which is definitely a bonus.
My Darling Girl by Jennifer McMahon
I was really in the mood for a book that I knew I’d probably enjoy, so I finally picked up My Darling Girl by Jennifer McMahon from my bookshelf. Admittedly, it had been sitting there unread for quite awhile, so it was definitely time.
The book is a psychological thriller with horror and paranormal elements mixed in, which is one of my favorite combinations when it comes to books. I feel like that’s where Jennifer McMahon’s writing really shines. She’s so good at adding just enough paranormal creepiness to make everything feel unsettling without going completely over the top.
The main character is a children’s book author and illustrator who is struggling to work on her newest book. Early in the story, she finds out that her estranged mother is dying and wants to stay with her family while receiving hospice care. Their relationship is extremely complicated because her mother struggled with alcoholism and abused both her and her brother during their childhood.
Once her mother moves into the guest room, strange things start happening around the house. The main character slowly starts to wonder if her mother might actually be possessed by something sinister.
I don’t want to say too much more because I think this is one of those books that’s best going into somewhat blind, but I really enjoyed it. While it’s not my absolute favorite Jennifer McMahon book (that title still belongs to The Winter People), this one was still such a fun read.
Jennifer McMahon did a great job creating a creepy atmosphere throughout the book. There were lots of suspenseful moments, eerie scenes, and just enough paranormal elements to keep things exciting while still making the story feel grounded in everyday life. That balance is something she does really well. The story felt unsettling in a way that sticks with you after you put the book down.
There were also several nights where I stayed up way too late reading “just one more chapter,” which is always a sign that I’m genuinely enjoying a book.
If you like psychological thrillers, slightly creepy or spooky books, thrillers with supernatural elements, or “cozy but creepy” reads, I definitely think this would be worth checking out. Especially if you like books that feel atmospheric and unsettling without being full on horror.
Overall, these favorites felt especially cozy and comforting this week. There’s something about combining little home decor updates with a suspenseful book that just feels like peak comfort to me lately. I’ve really been appreciating simple things that make everyday life feel a little brighter, whether that’s freshening up my workspace with flowers or getting completely pulled into a good story at the end of the day.
I think those small moments and little joys can make such a difference during an ordinary week. They don’t have to be huge or exciting to matter. Sometimes a thrift store find, a good book, and a cozy evening at home are enough to turn an average week into a really lovely one.
I’d love to know what you’ve been loving lately too! Let me know one of your recent favorites in the comments below because I’m always looking for new books, cozy finds, and little everyday joys.
