October felt like a blur, and now somehow it’s November and I have a 7-year-old and a 4-year-old. While Violet is still a challenge, behavior-wise, it feels like we’re moving out of the toddler years and I now have two real kids on my hands. Crazy. One kid who doesn’t like to listen and will still throw a big fit, but still.
Anyway, I’m rounding up my monthly list of favorites and things we’re currently up to.
{appreciating} my local bookstore and book club community. I found Bliss Books and Wine this summer and decided to give their (virtual) book club a try. I’m an introvert, so a book club with a bunch of people I don’t know was a risk for me. Yet I’ve grown to love this community and the smart, awesome women in it. I look forward to each month’s book club–and hope that one day we can all get together and talk books and drink wine in person!
{ordering} Christmas presents! I’m not usually an early Christmas shopper but this year planning ahead for the holidays has been comfort to my soul. Of course, my kids are the easiest to buy for and they’re the only ones I’ve shopped for yet, but getting started now motivates me to keep it up.
{perfecting} my outfit flatlay skills. Because I’m crazy about both books and clothes, I decided to start creating outfits inspired by book covers on my Instagram. When I finish a book, it gets an outfit. Is this extremely dorky? Yes. Do I love it anyway? Yes. I used to do (non-book) outfit flatlays regularly, but it’s been a while, yet it’s fun getting back into it.
{planning} our Christmas budget and gift list. I’m not exactly sure when Christmas planning went from a simple list of who to buy for to a giant spreadsheet, but with multiple teachers, coworkers, and lots of cousins–not to mention Christmas cards, a tree, and other expenses, having it all planned out keeps me sane.
{wearing} comfy sweatshirts and sneakers. Spending more time at home than anywhere else means the “comfortable” section of my wardrobe has grown considerably. I do still like to get dressed in real clothes on work days (it’s a mental thing for me), but on some of the coldest days we’ve had lately all I want to wear is a cozy sweatshirt. And sneakers have been my go-to shoes for taking a quick walk around the block whenever I can.
October favorites
- book: Writers & Lovers by Lily King. I loved this novel about an aspiring writer. She faces real challenges yet this book felt more hopeful than heavy.
- children’s book: Thank You, Omu! by Oge Mora. The majority of what we read last month were Halloween books, but I’m so glad I picked this one up too. It’s a sweet story of a woman who shares her stew with the people in her neighborhood, and we’ve read it so much Violet practically has it memorized.
- outfit: I’m embracing the flannel this year–I loved this look with a graphic tee and plaid flannel shirt.
- new (to me) recipe: Chipotle Chicken Skillet Enchiladas from How Sweet Eats. These were so good!
- purchase: my Old Navy plaid flannel shirt.
- podcast: I started listening to Best Laid Plans, a podcast all about planning and planning tools, last month, and it’s making my nerdy, planner-loving heart so happy.
I’d love to hear some favorites or what you’ve been up to lately too!
Linking with In Residence.
