“October is the fallen leaf, but it is also a wider horizon more clearly seen. It is the distant hills once more in sight, and the enduring constellations above them once again.” ~ Hal Borland
October
Hello friends! I am posting this a week early BECAUSE I had to share my excitement! Hallmark Christmas movies start today! I know! I know many of you are like it is to early, but is it? Is it really? And I know you will all say that up until a month ago, I was fighting fall hard, and you would be correct. I was NOT ready for fall. I am not even sure I am ready for Christmas. BUT, and there is a but, but there is something about Christmas that makes me so happy. Who is to say we shouldn’t celebrate Christmas whenever the heck we want? After all it IS the spirit of the season that I think resonates and brings so many of us joy and that is what I am channeling!
Now if it was eighty degrees and on a beach, that would be perfect, BUT I will take what I can get! And while it might seem early this year – though really I feel like 2021 has flown at warp speed – with production shortages, and just one week until November it is the perfect time to start thinking about Christmas, which is why I have already started sharing my gift guides on my Shop LTK page. Again, I KNOW, but IF you are thinking about getting a jumpstart on holiday shopping, I urge you to go check them out for ideas or some Inspo, and if you shop through my links, I am eternally grateful! 🙏🏻
October, as I mentioned went at warp speed. It was a crazy, admittedly stressful month, but there were a lot of good points, including work vacays and getting to spend time with my best friend, doing absolutely nothing, but catching up and binge watching tv and movies. I also got to do some fun Autumnal activities, before diving into all things Christmas, which I will be breathing from now until December 25. DON’T worry, I won’t be spamming you guys just yet. But I am preparing!
As always this post contains affiliate links where I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you, but it does help support this blog and my coffee addiction, and my Christmas shopping this year! Thank you for your support! <3
Hallmark Christmas Movies
As I mentioned Hallmark Christmas movies started and I am super excited for them! I know they are cheesy and predictable, but that is part of the magic. You can watch them and get lost. You don’t have to give serious thought to them, but they are feel good, and honestly I feel like we can all use some feel good given the last couple years!
iPhone Kickstand Ring
You know those things that are made popular, but you re like they are cupid I don’t need it? Well this kinds apple to it. I thought the pop ups on the phone were stupid. (I know, I know) And I refused to get one. I thought about Loopy cases, but they don’t give full coverage so again, gonna pass. Well friends, I had to buy a new phone case (yay Amazon!) AND my phone case came with a kickstand ring, I thought why the heck not, and friends now I am obsessed! Unlike the pop up holders, this is a ring to slip your finger through, so you can hold your phone much more easily. In fact being a multi talker it helps me, carry even more things. (Like I needed too!) It is definitely an accessory I never knew I needed!
Cozy Patio Days
There is literally nothing better then being able to sit on a patio and watch a Maine sunrise and sunset wrapped up in your Chappy Wrap sipping from a Melsy Mug (I know shameless promoting, but they are two of my favorite brands and they will make amazing gifts this holiday season!) but seriously that was my life the last few weeks and it was heaven! Even the chillier temps couldn’t keep me from enjoying the fresh ocean air, and it was so inspiring. I felt rejuvenated afterwards and the creative juices were definitely flowing, more then my fingers could fly across the keyboard!
Spanx Season
I know I talk a lot about Dudley Season, but friends it is officially Spanx Season! And I have been living in my Spanx faux leather leggings for the last couple weeks. Seriously it is a good thing that I own multiple pairs (and I asked Santa for some more!) because they have been getting some serious usage and it isn’t even November! But they are the comfiest while still being super chic. I love that they come in petites so I don’t have to worry about hemming them. I do find that they run on the smaller side and sized up in them. They really are a must in every fashionistas wardrobe!
Apple picking
I wasn’t sure if I would be able to go apple picking this year, but I ended up going with my Madre, which was the best! It was such a fun mother-daughter date and my Mom got right into it! We ate pizza and drank apple cider while looking at the foliage. Afterwards, when I got home I made all the apple crisp. Some for now and some for the holidays. It was the perfect autumnal activity.
Ashwagandha
While I have discussed mental health and mentioned my anxiety and depression, along with my ED, and I have talked a lot about it on Instagram, which included treatment, I haven’t gone in depth about it on here. First and foremost I highly recommend you consult with your talker first. I have taken prescription medication, as well as done therapy. (oh the therapy!) For me it was more eastern medicine practices that have helped the most (yoga being a huge one, and part of the reason I became an instructor.) A couple years ago, I started taking Equilibria, which is a CBD company for women, which helped tremendously, but during the summer, I decided to add Ashwagandha which was a game changer. It is a natural supplement used prominently in Ayurvedic medicine and helps to calm the mind as well as give you more energy, while I haven’t noticed more energy, I have noticed that I am MUCH calmer and less high strung then I use to be. I especially noticed it when I was driving and my GPS wasn’t working, (I hate driving!) instead of freaking out, I handled it calmly and rationally. I swear by it, and wanted to share because treating mental health can be so frustrating and such a process, but definitely talk to your doctor first!
New Laptop
Friends, I got a new friend and I am so excited! The last couple months were hard, because my old laptop was limping along, I couldn’t even go to a coffee shop, because it would crash, after ten minutes. The pandemic life was harsh on it friends and it did not fair well so I decided to upgrade. Or rather go back to my tried and true. When I bought my last laptop, I had tried to save some money and got a MacBook Air. It was also appealing because it was lighter and smaller than the MacBook Pros at the time. Alas, it was not able to handle all the things I needed it too, so this time around, I went back to the MacBook Pro. The BEST decision I made! Not to mention it is actually SMALLER then the MacBook Air. Go figure. It is a huge upgrade, so incredibly high tech and much faster not to mention that battery life! Much like my phone, I bought my case off of Amazon and it also included a blue light screen protector. I am so happy with it, not to mention it has arrived just in time for NaNoWriMo. Now all I need is a name for it. Any suggestions?
What I am Listening and watching
Speaking of new laptops, I know Squid Game is the hottest thing, but friends I can NOT get into it, it is to gory for my tastes, that said I have been watching Power and Heels as I had a free Starz subscription, and they are SO good. They are gritty, but intriguing and I can’t stop watching them. I am super excited for Yellowstone which starts in a few days! I can not wait! I also may or may not have started listening to Christmas music. It is never to early! Kelly Clarkson just released ANOTHER Christmas album and I am obsessed! And lastly, I finally got to see Black Widow and friends it was SO good! I also definitely shed a few tears at the end, I am still bitter for what they did to ScarJo in Endgame, and I hope they some how bring her back! I am also super excited for Eternals which also comes out in a week!
How was your October? What were some of your favorite things you did? Have you started Christmas shopping yet?
I’m not ready to think about Christmas. This year is flying by so fast! I need to upgrade my mac as well but I can’t believe how expensive they are now 😭 my 13″ was 1k back in the day and the 15″ is over 2, my wallet is crying!
Hope the holidays treat you well this year!
Such a cute blanket! But I can’t hop aboard the Christmas train just yet, Halloween celebrations are still calling my name!
I am hoping apple picking will come across to the UK soon because it seems like such a great Autumn activity. Great post xx