Before I wrap up what little work I’ve got lined up today at the office and prepare for both tomorrow’s holiday feast and a much-needed long weekend ahead, it’s about that time for me to share some of the odds & ends, fun finds and splurges that have brought me some joy throughout these past few weeks. From seasonal snacks to body care and a big purchase I never anticipated I’d be making – you know it’s another installment of my “Favorite Things” as this month winds down and we get ready for December!
As always, I’m going to save the miscellaneous stuff for the end of the post since there’s a few things I couldn’t quite snap photos of when compiling this month’s assortment – but I’ll share pictures and links for as much as I can.
Let’s get right into it!
I’m kicking off November’s “Favorite Things” installment with a couple of limited edition snacks and treats I’ve been obsessed with and keeping in my desk drawer for when I’m starting to crash while working and in need of a pick-me-up. The first are these Thanksgiving stuffing-flavored kettle chips from Trader Joe’s. I know a lot of the flavored potato chips don’t often taste like whatever they’re being advertised as – but these are the real deal. As someone who loves stuffing at the holidays – these are incredible and taste exactly like a heaping portion of stuffing.
Someone recommended crushing these up and using them in a casserole, which sounds like it very well may be life-changing – so that’s going to be my next kitchen adventure!
The other, more decadent and sweet treat – are these peppermint cookie-flavored chocolate truffles from Lindt. These are essentially a thin mint cookie in truffle form that melt in your mouth, and they are absolutely divine for an after dinner delight. I’ve stocked up on bags of these – both for myself and to give with the gifts I’m putting together for friends and loved ones!
Products from Native often make these lists because they smell amazing and do wonders for my hair and skin. Shortly after Halloween, they’d dropped their holiday collection of shampoos, conditioners, body washes and deodorants – and I’d held off on purchasing anything new until I was out of my current rotation of products and any remaining Fall fragrances so they wouldn’t go to waste.
When I finally ran out of conditioner a couple of weeks ago, I grabbed this sugar cookie-scented pump bottle during a Target run and my goodness does it smell delicious. Sure, it makes my hair really soft and smooth, too, but I can’t get over how delightful the fragrance is. If I wasn’t in the holiday spirit before – then I sure am now!
I’m petitioning for this to be a year-round product that’s available for purchase, if anyone wants to join me.
Finally, I never in a million years thought that I would find myself in a situation where my Hyundai Elantra that I’ve had for years was totaled and I’d be faced with buying a brand new vehicle right before the holidays. Every car I’ve ever owned has been a hand-me-down or pre-owned, which I was fine with as long as they started up without issues and got me to my destinations in one piece!
And now I’ve officially purchased my first new, never-been-driven-before car all on my own – a 2025 Toyota Corolla with a gorgeous exterior/color and a futuristic, sleek interior. Everything connects to my phone, so I can monitor mileage, start or shut off the car from the comforts of my apartment, and track it’s location should it ever go missing.
After a lot of paperwork and processes, I was able to take my new wheels, which I’ve affectionally named Cordelia Chase after one of my favorite fictional characters, home once and for all – and driving it has been a dream so far! Is that what being an adult feels like?
And now, with those purchases and finds in the books – let’s take a look at a few other things that made the list this month!
– MOVIES/MUSIC/TELEVISION –
‘Gladiator 2’ – I’m not going to pretend that this highly anticipated and long-awaited sequel isn’t just a regurgitated version of the original, save for different character names/faces being swapped out or in. I wasn’t in love with this movie by the time I walked out of the theater after seeing it, but it’s worth a watch for incredible performances from Pedro Pascal and Denzel Washington – so it made this month’s list for that reason alone. Also? I’m all about holiday season blockbusters. This is a nice way to escape the craziness of the stores or your family if you need to!
Interpol’s ‘Antics’ – Much like The Killers did with ‘Hot Fuss’ earlier this year, one of my other favorite bands, Interpol, are celebrating 20 years of their sophomore album. I’m seeing them perform the album live in it’s entirety this upcoming weekend, and have recently revisited the album in preparation for the show. It’s still incredible from start to finish, and definitely takes me back to my teenage years and all the broody, moody days that came with them.
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And that just about does it for this month’s installment! I’ll be back later on this coming Friday with a look back on the month of November from start-to-finish before we head into the final stretch of the holiday season and of 2024 (if you can even believe we’re almost at the end already. I know I can’t!)
For those of you celebrating, I hope you have a wonderful, peaceful, and fun Thanksgiving holiday – filled with great food and an even greater time spent with your loved ones!
xo
Coffee & Chiffon 