Hello, hello! In case you missed my announcement, I got a part-time job working remotely doing consulting for a company in Minneapolis that needed some help with a few projects before year-end. It’s a 3-month contract, which is perfect to get my feet wet and see how working part-time fits into our family.
This week has been a bustle of activity with halloween celebrations at school, work, and everyday family stuff. The wind gusts this week emptied our tree of leaves. This fall has been absolutely beautiful – the most colorful leaves of red, yellow, and orange that we’ve seen in our 4 falls in Colorado. The past few years we’ve had early October snowstorms that turned all the leaves brown, which made this fall particularly beautiful.
I’ve come to the point in my life where it’s time to accept that readers would be a helpful accessory. I ordered 5 pairs from Warby Parker to try on. I read a stat that over 80% of people over the age of 45 need them so I guess I’m right on track. Honestly, readers are one mid-life change that is much easier to accept than some others.
I made a couple of new to me recipes this week – creamy vegan corn chowder for some friends that recently had a baby and Smitten Kitchen pumpkin bread (I added chocolate chips for an extra indulgence). The soup smelled and looked so good that I’m making it for us next week. As for the pumpkin bread, make at your own risk. It is so good and hard to resist. The cinnamon sugar topping is delightful!
The gift guides are so early this year! It makes sense with all the supply chain delays and TBH I’m already holiday shopping. I’m still figuring out if I’ll do gift guides this year – I’m leaning towards no. They are a lot of work. In lieu of gift guides with fancy graphics, I’ll likely do a post with Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales of items I own and love and then maybe some quicker posts on the blog or newsletter with ideas I’ve been gathering all year.
I connected with Sheena Marshall on Instagram a few months ago. One of my passions is discovering small businesses. It’s a bonus when they are local! I placed an order for her Bexley necklace and when she saw my order come through, she very graciously offered to send me a pair of earrings too. I chose the Essential Hoops as an alternative to the diamond studs I wear daily. I absolutely love both pieces!
This weekend we are hosting our neighbors for a pumpkin carving party tomorrow. I’m making this fall harvest salad and slow cooker black bean pumpkin turkey chili. I wanted to make this spiced cranberry rose spritz, but can’t find cranberries at the store yet. Bookmarking it for Thanksgiving instead! On Sunday we’ll be answering the question about how much longer until trick or treating for approximately 10 hours, give our kids a sugar high all while combating the Sunday scaries. Sounds fun, right??! Ha! I’m kidding (kinda).
Have a fun and safe Halloween weekend!
In Case You Missed It On the Blog
+ Lawson’s fall and winter wardrobe
+ A few Banana Republic new arrivals that caught my eye
+ How my views on sharing my kids on social media have changed over the years
+ A fall capsule wardrobe filled with items I own and love
+ Our favorite chapter book series for elementary school kids
+ 10 pieces I already own and am excited to re-wear this fall
+ The last 7 books I’ve read complete with ratings and recommendations
+ Our favorite Vuori pieces for women and men
+ Some resources and tips for starting Whole30