Reader MVPs of 2025: your most clicked and most loved (so far!)...
Reader's choice awards, lol!
I find it fascinating to try and understand what you like. You constantly surprise me: pieces I write that I’m sure are my best-ever work get three likes and long, blathering letters with pictures of my in my pajamas with no makeup on picking up a matcha become my highest performing posts. You simply make no sense to me!!
Part of this is that there is nothing more interesting to me than learning about what is interesting to you! Part of this is that I thought you might also be interested and surprised too…
So here we are: First Rodeo readers’ favorite reads, clicks, and purchases of 2025 so far.
I removed the paywall on some of these so free subscribers could give them a whirl. In order of your favoritism…
What intrigues you and what you like to shop are actually wholly different things, and often I play detective to figure out what it all means!
My silk navy pants are the most clicked link of the year! A few of you took the plunge yourself, but not a lot of you… so did you hate-click my navy pants? Or are silk pants just too high maintenance for you?
You know what does make sense to me? That you also gravitated towards my no-makeup beauty favorite. That’s just practical!
I upgraded to designer Katie Kime’s phone cases— I opted for the Hamptons toile and customized it!— and it seems like her cool art and design options delighted you as much as they delighted me.
This also doesn’t surprise me— a lot of us seem to be intrigued by cooking utensils that have no metal or plastic elements.
My favorite beach sweater (now on super sale albeit in limited colors).
Sustainable soap refills in scents that rival (or “dupe”) Loewe, Le Labo and Aesop… another no brainer to me, and from a small business.
One of the coolest bracelets in my always-on stack, from Dorsey.
The tee of the summer!! (Proclaimed by me but also bought and worn by me, so I’m biased.)
An affordable plastic free cutting board, no questions in my mind why you guys were as interested in this as moi.
Like I said: what you like to click and what you actually buy and love are totally different beasts!
A comfy matching set for working from home or weekend days that sort of looks denim-y but isn’t: a button-up (or shacket?) and matching pants. There are shorts too! This is actually the matching set that unites us all, it is the most purchased (and kept— no returns!) link in First Rodeo history.
This gorgeous, delicate tank— I get it, I am obsessed too.
My preferred sleep aid, Earlybird CBD gummies. You guys have good taste, I love these.
It’s no secret that I love books and you do too! So far, the “most ordered” books of the year have been Done and Dusted by Lyla Sage and One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune. Great taste. Extremely well done. Can’t go wrong with either this summer.
J. Crew’s most classic button down: I own it in monogrammed blue and pinky red and those are the two colors you gravitated towards too. You also liked this red striped version, now on clearance. I’ll tell you if you don’t already know— size down!!
Speaking of prep, we all agree that a classic pair of boat shoes is the best. You prefer the most classic of the classic— Sperry.
The protein craze has seized us all: y’all were particularly interested in my protein iced coffee and my protein lemonade! I’ve just ordered the “peach tea” flavor of the latter and will report back soon.
Last but never least, looks like we all share an affinity for having soft, smooth skin. The Soft Services Buffing Bar is the best in the game when it comes to exfoliating, and it looks like many of you agree!
These are some of the reads, clicks and buys that I think didn’t get the love they deserved so far this year! (What, you thought I could resist the opportunity to get my own opinion into the Reader’s Choice issue somehow?)
I got back to my roots as a shopkeep and presented you with 3 creators I thought should be on your radar, all of whom are making things with care and integrity.
My exploration into the world of fine jewelry— and the Instagram-famous female founders whose personas make the category what it is.
On rookie mistakes, big fat F-ups, credit card debt and finding purpose as a "failed" founder...
That guide to finding a job in a brutal market that I actually published on accident….
My POV on/guide to selling a “distressed” business having worked in the space.
There are SO MANY good books that should be on your summer reading stack linked in this recent summer reading recap!
I am really loving independent jewelry designer Alice Marcuz’s work, and I feel like a lot of you would too… it’s a nice intersection between beachy shell motifs and a crisp, modern look.
I’ve been shouting from the rooftops about my new hair towel— a step above the classic one that Crown Affair debuted years ago. Brunettes and color-treated folks, I think this deserves more of your love!
I’m sure you’ve heard me chatter about this too, but this sustainable, chic toothbrush upgrade really made me feel like an adult… and it looks SO much nicer in my bathroom.
What did I miss? Anything you’ve been loving that didn’t make the rankings due to some sort of editorial oversight (ahem) or that merits a mention despite not being a statistical standout?
What I’ve learned from this:
My writing about business and my time as a founder used to be what interested you the most. These days, you care less about that and more about reading recommendations, day in the life posts, and content that is generally more relatable to folks regardless of their day jobs.
This is definitely an adjustment and a mental shift for me, since I still feel silly and vapid when I write about what shoes I like. I’d really love more reader input here, it’s a juggling act I’ve been struggling with pretty much since day 1!
Ooh, love this (and I just tried Earlybird and it almost works too well, ha).
fwiw I appreciate the mix of your business and brand reflections, + your life updates / general recommendations. It's what helps me get to know you better, and the mix helps you stand out! But I know this is not helpful when you're trying to determine a "focus." I struggle with this too. Am I optimizing for reader reach and growth, or am I optimizing for engagement? Or something else entirely? Questions I've had to ask myself recently. I think you're doing great, and I always love reading your posts!