The end of October meant the start of CHRISTMAS – and the first draft submission of my BOOK. This fall has been fast and furious, but I’m choosing to cling to hope and peace and gratitude and strength in this season.
Better late than never with some favorites, right? Right off the bat, a few unpictured additions…
1.) This new Andy Grammer song. It SLAPS. On repeat x10000. The chord progressions, the beat, it’s a VIBE.
2.) The Penguin. A new series on HBO Max about the Batman villain…when I tell you this is the show to watch in the next Emmy’s, I kid you not. The character development, the storytelling, the acting…all absolutely phenomenal. J + I are HOOKED. It’s so, SO good and so very well done. Collin Farell plays the Penguin and his transformation from Irish hearthrob to Jersey-Italian mobman is unreal – he’s unrecognizable and deserving of all awards.
3.) The Golden Bachelorette. Even if you’re not a fan of The Bachelor/Bachelorette franchise, there’s just something so heartwarming and wholesome about this version of the show. I cried in the very first episode. (You can catch up on Hulu!)
These were a spontaneous in-person decision that soon became one of my favorite finds of the season. (And heads up, they’re on sale online only right now!!!) They’re a soft, stretchy-waistband track pant that’s just SO comfy. I’ve been personally challenging myself to wear things other than leggings or sweats when parked at my desk working from home all day or chasing around the Jonah man, and these have done just that. They’re comfortable, functional, practical…but also cute and look SO trendy and fun styled with adidas or other cute sneakers and tee combos.
Again, on sale now. In XS-XXXL and three colors!
2.) Quilted work tote (discount code: ERICA10)
A good work tote is a non-negotiable. Even better if it’s a versatile tote that works not just for the office, but running errands or bebopping with the kids, etc. And this bag is THAT! She’s chic! She’s functional! She’s durable! She’s a favorite for both Mimi and I (isn’t Mimi so cute omg).
She’s got pockets all over in very practical places (including zippered inside, varying sizes, and two great exterior pockets that fit your drink tumbler!). A padded laptop sleeve, a removable crossbody strap…and the luxe quilted nylon wipes down for easy cleaning, bless up.
This would also make a FAB Christmas gift for her!
OH AND before I forget, code ERICA10 will take 10% off!!!
I got this cute little gold charm bracelet with my name on it, and it’s just darling. I just did a pearl spacer on either end of my name in gold bubble letters – super simple, chic, versatile. It’s an adjustable chain link for sizing and easy on/off!
Another great gift option for her for the holidays – including the teens/tweens as a fancier option!
4.) Cranberry fizz holiday poppi
I mean, it’s poppi. Of course I’m drinking it. 😉 Finally got my hands on their holiday flavor and YUM. Delish as is, but also delish as a mixer! Mocktail (slash cocktail) recipe coming to Instagram soon…
In the meantime, another carline snapshot to share. HA.
5.) Wooden tray
The second I saw this cute tray, I added to cart! I had been on the hunt for something for our island to help organize a few essentials and seasonal decor pieces – I landed on this one. It’s now the home for a cute Christmas piece, a candle, and a napkin holder so that napkins are easily accessible to the OG. 😉 I got this Mackenzie-Childs napkin holder before realizing it fits cocktail-size napkins…but then realized I can get funky cocktil napkins from the TJMaxx checkout queue to help celebrate each season, and I’m obsessed.
6.) Our Shutterfly Christmas cards
For years, I got our family Christmas cards through Minted. They always came out GORGEOUS, but I forgot how expensive they can get…ooof. I’ve only been Shutterfly’s biggest fan for years and years (and years), so I felt so silly forgetting they do Christmas cards, too?! Shutterfly runs sales AND has stackable coupons literally all the time, so I spent literally HALF what I did at Minted going through Shutterfly instead. Last year was my first year ordering through them, and they were good.
But this year? They’re GREAT.
I’m SO impressed. I opened the package and gasped. The foiling is stunning. The photo colors and crispness are top notch.
10000% recommend for your holiday card needs this season!!!
7.) Mackenzie-Childs courtly check pieces
Both the napkin holder above and the platter below are from the Mackenzie-Childs courtly check collection – and there’s just something about the black and white checker print that feels really classic and fun for fall especially. Since I do have quite a bit of black/white going on in our house, it definitely fits in…but it’s also a fun twist on classic pieces that still feels like it stands the test of time.
Here’s everything I’ve collected so far through the years (+ a few new pieces for this season…)
I know no one’s making BOO-schetta right about now…but swap out the ghost cutters for your favorite Christmas cookie cutter shapes and you’ve got a FABULOUS bruschetta recipe for a holiday party, and it’ll still be super seasonally adorable and festive-feeling!
10/10 recommend this recipe we whipped up…it just tastes so fresh and phenomenal.
9.) Poshmark for buying AND selling
ICYMI, I made a Poshmark! While doing in-person closet sales is SO fun and I absolutely lovelovelove nothing more than getting to hang out in person, it’s just sadly not realistic or feasible right about now. But, I have waaaaaay too much stuff and feel like I’m constantly behind on purging – the stuff’s gotta go, ya know?!
Enter, Poshmark. I’m trying to upload items weekly (but more realistically it’s coming in “drops” that I’m trying to theme sensically…like all jeans, all fall, etc!) and price everything affordably. If you get 3 or more items in a bundle, you automatically get 20% off – but of course, Poshmark allows you to “make an offer” and just offer whatever amount you’d like to pay for something, too, to negotiate what feels fair mutually, which I really like.
LOTS of NWT items (that’s “new with tags!”) or things only worn once or twice that are looking for a new home!
Here’s the closet to shop from – feel free to make an offer on anything ya fancy. 🙂
10.) Costco serving bowls (3 for $15) + shatterproof glasses ($4.97 for 8)
Costco has been on FIRE lately…but no surprise there, really. Wanted to share both of these things in case you find them in yours…they’re GOLD!
These serving bowls were only $15 for the set of 3…they’re big, they’re beautiful, they’re classic, and I lovelovelove the mix-and-match patterning.
Then these shatterproof glasses caught my eye – $4.97 for a pack of 8. And they’ve held up great through the dishwasher, which was important to me because the last shatterproof plastic-ish cups I grabbed from Amazon ended up getting all cloudy and weird from going in there. These are great!
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!
