Before we launch into the last days of September and get ready to kick off what is undoubtedly my favorite month out of the year (I’m a Halloween Queen, after all. I think we all knew that by now!) I wanted to take some time to look back at some of the purchases, gifts, unexpected finds and miscellaneous odds & ends that I was particularly fond of these past few weeks with another installment of “Favorite Things!”
As is tradition with these monthly posts, I’ll share the things I could snap photos of before I talk about the things that couldn’t quite be captured successfully with my camera phone – and my full recap of the month of September and all it’s busy, beautiful moments will be up on the blog next week!
Let’s get right into it!
After years of maintaining “dip” manicures and harsh bi-weekly filing, grinding and chemicals – I decided to give my fingernails a break this Fall season, meticulously and painstakingly removing the dip powder and gel-like top coat I’d previously had in exchange for 10-Free polishes and nail hardeners to build strength as they start to grow out on their own.
Troy, knowing I was embarking on this nail and cuticle healing journey, bought me a set of gorgeous jewel-toned polishes from mooncat as a surprise for when I arrived in Vegas earlier this month – and I’ve been obsessed. The colors are fascinating, changing hues in different lighting and with the perfect amount of shimmer, and they’re long-lasting and chip resistant – even with all the typing I do each day!
Right now, my favorite is ‘Weeping Willow’, a magnetic emerald green that looks so striking from every angle.
On September 1st, I’d woken up in desert temperatures but very much in an Autumnal state of mind. While I was in the gym that morning, Troy tried to bring a little of the New England seasonal charm to his apartment and decorated the bedroom with a bunch of Fall and Halloween décor to surprise me for when I got back. One of the decorations was this disco ball pumpkin that he’d placed on my nightstand – and it captured the sunshine beautifully!
This is now on my nightstand at home here in Massachusetts, and for a brief period every morning – it makes my ceiling and my walls sparkle brightly as the sun is coming up! It’s one of my favorite things to see each day.
Trader Joe’s has been knocking it out of the park with their seasonal selections in recent weeks, but one of my favorite purchases after a grocery store stock-up earlier this month was this apple pie spread – which I’ve used on everything from toast, bagels, in yogurt or on sliced fruit, and even when preparing some pork chops (instead of just using apple sauce!)
This and their maple butter are must-haves in my kitchen this some of year! They make baking extra delicious.
One of my favorite things about one of my best friends having a farm is that I get to sample all of the things she makes – from salsas and hot sauces, to relishes and pickled vegetables, and depending on the time of year – soaps and candles, too!
Stef has been whipping up a batch of Fall-inspired soy candles in recent weeks, and she’s put aside a few for me to try out at my apartment – including this incredible apple bourbon one that smells heavenly. I’ve asked her for a bigger jar candle version when she makes more of this scent because it’s that good.
And finally, since I do a lot of writing/blogging, another gift Troy picked up for me during our recent stay together were these inspirational “matchsticks” (they’re not actually matches – but the design and the case are so cool!) which feature a number of prompts and ideas for creative and therapeutic writing. Whenever I start to feel burnt out – no pun intended – I can grab one of these and start drafting and writing without limitations again.
It was such a thoughtful present! Everything he gave me was thoughtful, really!
And while that is just about everything for photogenic favorites this month, I have a couple more things that made the list, too!
– MUSIC/MOVIES/TELEVISION –
‘Unknown Number: The High School Catfish’ – I was able to sit down for this absolutely insane roller-coaster of a documentary shortly after September kicked off and, like many others, had been left with my jaw on the floor when the twist of all twists was revealed.
This movie made me feel so grateful to have the wonderful mother that I do, but also that cell phones and social media weren’t really a thing when I was in high school – because I couldn’t imaging having to deal with that on top of just trying to find my own way as a teenager!
‘A.P. Bio’ – Troy and I started watching this series during our dinners and evenings together in Nevada. I’m a big fan of ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’ and Glenn Howerton, and had always wanted to catch up on this one but just never got around to it.
And now, nearly done binging the entire show, I’m kicking myself for not getting into it sooner because it’s so, so funny – but also really heartfelt – and everyone shines in it from the cast who play the teachers/faculty to the cast who play the students themselves. There are no weak performances. Everyone is spectacular.
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Okay, now that’s everything!
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend ahead, and I’ll be back on Monday to bid a proper farewell to this loveliest of lovely Septembers!
See you then!
xo
Coffee & Chiffon 