COOL SH*T I LOVELOVELOVE – Monthly Favorites, October 2021

Anyone else…SHOOKETH that Halloween is this weekend?! This means Christmas officially begins on Monday. Who’s ready? This girl. Yes, I’ll most certainly be breaking out the boxes to deck the halls come November 1st and I cannot actually wait. Let me live. 😉 In the meantime, we’ve got some Cool Sh*t I’ve loveloveloved all October long – lots of food/drink favorites this month, folks! And of course, gifting favorites – catch up on all published Gift Guides so far right here!

COOL SH*T I LOVELOVELOVE - Monthly Favorites on Coming Up Roses

1.) Ted Lasso

This was OUR SHOW for October and man…what a delightful show it was (slash is because it was renewed for two more seasons, I believe…bless up). We hadn’t paid it much heed – although I had heard rumors about how great it was – until its 7 Emmys, at which point J and I mutually agreed to try it next. And let me tell you, it was surprising in all the best ways. A total feel-good, funny show that has just as many witty one-liners as it does inspirational quotables. The character of Ted Lasso is like a hug. If you have Apple TV, absolutely give it a go!

 

2.) ABLE dress

At first I wasn’t sure how I would feel about this dress, but I tried it since it’s a.) adorable for fall and b.) from one of my favorite female-owned brands. We’ve got a winner winner chicken dinner, folks! It’s a lovely 100% cotton dress that’s easy + breezy for the season in a great versatile print and fun cut. I’m into the flowy silhouette, I’m into the slightly exaggerated sleeves, I’m into the hemline being just low enough to work for the office/church/etc. It looks hella cute with booties, it’s ridiculously comfortable (it feels like a fall dress, if that makes sense…it’s thicker!), and…IT HAS POCKETS.

I’m in size small, but I’d say you could comfortably size down one without worry. 

BONUS: My 20% off code should work on it! Try ERICA20 for a friendly lil’ discount. 🙂 Support this empowering, ethical fashion brand – they’re working hard to help end poverty for women worldwide, and I lovelovelove them so much for it.

ABLE Nico Swing Dress - Cool Sh*t I Lovelovelove

 

3.) Singing at church

So ICYMI…I joined our church’s music ministry! Long story short, it had been on my heart for *awhile* that I was meant to do this. God had been pretty clear about it, actually, so I knew that it was a Divine Direction – but honestly, I just put it off. I shared a bit of the story on Instagram, but I had every excuse in the book including “now’s not a good time.” But really…God is always on Time. 😉

Eventually I emailed the Director of Music Ministry and figured ALRIGHT GOD, I took a step — your turn. The director read my email and didn’t write back.

“Okay God…I did my part. Guess it’s not meant to be.” 

But coming from a girl who teaches an entire course on the importance of FOLLOWING UP & persisting to get what you want, the joke was truly on me. 😉 A few more interactions and months happened until I finally auditioned and did the dang there, and here we are with two weeks in the books! So if you, too, have been hearing a call…listen.

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Erica Ligenza Gwynn // PHILLY (@ericaligenza)

 

4.) Botanic Tree self-tanner

This stuff is currently my *favorite* self tanner. It’s near-effortless. Coming from someone who didn’t brave self tanner for YEARS in fear of turning out Oompa Loompa orange, this is huge. I’m no self-proclaimed pro – I’m just your average Josefina who has found the self-tanner golden ticket. This stuff applies white like lotion, making it super easy to see where/how you’re applying. It’s a gradual development that can be easily darkened with an additional application, and it is truly STREAK-FREE. My go-to for any/all special events, or when I just need to look less ghost-like in winter – ha!

Botanic Tree Self-Tanner - COOL SH*T I LOVELOVELOVE - Monthly Favorites on Coming Up Roses

 

5.) Target skeleton

“OMG I’M LIKE LITERALLY DEAD” – Mr. Bones and my favorite fall coffee mug. 😉 I’m not one for Halloween decor – I’m not really one for Halloween, pointblankperiod – but something about the cute skeletons just hits my heart differently. I hate tacky decorations, but these just feel…fun! Especially when folks put a few in their yard and change their positions throughout the season…A+ for creativity. Mr. Bones has been keeping watch of our porch all month long, and Olivia especially loves that he “sings” to her…he’s known to break out in Remember Me from Coco and the Bones song from Elmo Says Boo. Two classics, I tell ya.

Definitely our fun Halloween decor find this year! He’s sold out now but I’m linking a few other skeletal finds. 🙂

 

6.) Poppi prebiotic soda

I freaking LOVELOVELOVE Poppi! We had tried a different prebiotic/probiotic soda before and were honestly disappointed…they felt flat and not as flavorful as we were expecting for the price point, so we weren’t going to be repurchasing. (Note, I’m not a soda drink typically!) But then I spotted these bright cans on a random Target run and grabbed a few flavors to try in the hopes they best the competition…and I was NOT disappointed. They’re flavorful AND good for you. Poppi has apple cider vinegar in every can for gut health, but also natural sweeteners + fresh fruit for yummy flavor. And while they’re carbonated, they’ve got NO chemicals or empty calories like your Coke, and they’re linked to everything from lowering cholesterol levels to refining your complexion, stabilizing blood sugar and naturally detoxifying your body.

So far my favorite flavor is Raspberry Rose and I have to actively stop myself from drinking more than one a day. The love(lovelove) affair is strong, folks.

POPPI Prebiotic soda - COOL SH*T I LOVELOVELOVE - Monthly Favorites on Coming Up Roses

POPPI Prebiotic soda - COOL SH*T I LOVELOVELOVE - Monthly Favorites on Coming Up Roses POPPI Prebiotic soda - COOL SH*T I LOVELOVELOVE - Monthly Favorites on Coming Up Roses

 

7.) Tula SOS lip balms

ICYMI, Tula just launched LIPPIES! I have been so into good lip treatments lately (like this other favorite of mine), and when these arrived on my doorstep I near squealed in excitement. Wasn’t sure what to expect since Tula hadn’t yet launched lip products, but man…they don’t disappoint. They’re actually totally fabulous and I’m so, so impressed. They’re loaded with superfruits, peptides, fruit oils and extracts to be super smoothing and deeply hydrating with antioxidant protection. The shades are sheer, subtle, and universally flattering, and they smell (slash taste? ha!) fabulous. ALSO makes a great giftable – a perfect stocking stuffer for her!

As always, code Tula discount code COMINGUPROSES gets ya 15% off anything + everything!

Tula's SOS lip treatments - COOL SH*T I LOVELOVELOVE - Monthly Favorites on Coming Up Roses

 

8.) Mush oats

After seeing a few fellow bloggers talk about Mush, I was intrigued. They happened to reach out asking if they could send some samples my way, so I was stoked to give them a go myself. And y’all…YUM. For YEARS I’ve been a big fan of overnight oats for breakfast; I found a recipe in the newspaper nearly a decade ago that’s been my protein-packed go-to! These remind of that. It’s like individual servings of overnight oats in totally delicious flavors (fave so far is coffee coconut!). Plus, the motivational message on each lid is a plus!

MUSH oats - COOL SH*T I LOVELOVELOVE - Monthly Favorites on Coming Up Roses MUSH oats - COOL SH*T I LOVELOVELOVE - Monthly Favorites on Coming Up Roses

 

9.) How Great Thou Art acrylic sign

This is a pretty small shop find that was such a sweet surprise this month! I first found the shop on Instagram on another blogger’s recommendation and instantly fell in lovelovelove with this little acryclic sign. It’s got a little double-sided card inside with the lyrics to one of my favorite hymns. For a chic accent on a bookshelf or tabletop, it’s beautiful – and for anyone who also loves this song, it’s a meaningful gift idea. Also, it’s only $25!

As an aside, I briefly chatted with the girls behind the shop via Instagram DM in raving about the piece, and they are just SO sweet. If you’re looking to support small businesses this season (please do!) and want more to add to your consideration list…Home with Hechart!

Home with Hechart How Great Thou Art sign - COOL SH*T I LOVELOVELOVE - Monthly Favorites on Coming Up Roses

 

10.) Jeni’s ice cream

We first discovered Jeni’s on our last trip to St. Louis, when Taylor and Adam treated us to their favorite local ice cream joint. I got Brambleberry crisp, J got salted dark chocolate peanut butter, and it was lovelovelove at first taste. J made so bold a statement as to say it’s his “favorite ice cream of all time, ever.” Fast forward to end of September and I got an Instagram DM saying that Jeni’s is coming to Philadelphia, could they send us a box of some favorites to test out? I mean, is the sky blue? Fast yes. Absolutely. Now accepting all ice cream deliveries.

If you caught that live taste test on Instagram Stories, you know. YOU KNOW. Mindblowingly good. I was honestly expecting the at-home pints to be lackluster compared to the in-shop experience, but I don’t think that was the case. Every single flavor is just so spot on; my neighbor even taste tested with me when she came over one night and she just about lost her dang mind – ha! 

Jeni's Ice Cream - COOL SH*T I LOVELOVELOVE - Monthly Favorites on Coming Up Roses

Jeni's Ice Cream - COOL SH*T I LOVELOVELOVE - Monthly Favorites on Coming Up Roses

 

HAVE YOU TRIED ANY OF MY MONTHLY FAVORITES YET?

And what have been YOUR Monthly Favorites? Would lovelovelove to know! 

P.S. ICYMI and wanna get caught up on or last month’s favorites, just click here!