MONTH AHEAD // NOVEMBER 2024
MONTH AHEAD // NOVEMBER 2024
A SMALL TASTE OF WHAT'S COMING UP THIS MONTH
EDITOR’S NOTE //
Happy November and happy start to the holiday season!
We’ve just returned from our trip to Europe (a few of the pictures below are from our travels) where we essentially ate our way through 6 countries. I’m currently in a state of mourning for my daily pastries, my last pant size and the fact that I somehow still don’t live on my favorite continent. Of course I plan to do in-depth guides (which will essentially be lists of where we ate) on the site this month, but in the meantime, I’m sharing recaps over on Instagram if you want to see more bits and bites from our travels.
Ok, now for the serious stuff. Did anyone else immediately start playing holiday music this morning? No?! Just me?! I used to adamantly insist on waiting until after Thanksgiving, but, I don’t know, life’s short. Play the holiday music.
But also me…savor the season. Stay present. Be where your feet are.
I am nothing if not a walking contradiction.
You know what it is, this season can feel like a lot. I swear Halloween hits and everything- work, travel, life- just hits me like an avalanche. Every year I say I’m not going to let it, and yet every year, October 31st rolls around, and well, here I am, buried under yet another avalanche.
All that to say that listening to Christmas music earlier than usual is my coping mechanism of choice while I dig myself out of my avalanche aka to-do list.
So if you need to listen to Christmas music, or watch holiday movies, or bake festive cookies, or any and all of the above, to cope with whatever is currently in avalanche in your life, take this as your sign to do it. See above mention of “life is short”.
In somewhat related news, you might have noticed in the site header that the THANKSGIVING and HOLIDAY pages are officially live for the season! Of course, I’ll be updating them and adding fresh content over the course of the season, but in the meantime, take a peek for anything holiday related and feel free to reach out if you’re looking for any specific holiday recipes, gift ideas, etc.
xx
HAPPENINGS //
WORDS TO LIVE BY //
“Live where your heart finds life.”-Kavya Dixit
WHAT I’M PINNING //
Check out my NOVEMBER BOARD to see what’s inspiring me this fall
WHAT I’M COOKING //
After our recent trip to Europe, I’m so inspired by all of the mushroom, chestnut and squash dishes to get in the kitchen and whip up some new things. But in the meantime, below are some of my own squash favorites from my site, along with a few other seasonal (and holiday) favorites-
NO-BAKE SALTED CARAMEL PUMPKIN PIE- with a pretzel crust and salted caramel whipped cream. Dare I say this is better than regular pumpkin pie?!
CREAMY PUMPKIN PASTA WITH ‘NDUJA + CRISPY SAGE- I’m just gonna go ahead and say it, this is the reigning elite pasta of the season. It’s so creamy and decadent and full of flavor and if you don’t make it, you are seriously missing out.
SPICED PEAR, HONEY + THYME COCKTAILS- Sweet, spicy and herbacious and perfect for fall. And did I mention that it’s made in a pitcher so it’s perfect for hosting??!
APPLE SPICE CAKE WITH MAPLE BROWN BUTTER BOURBON MARSCAPONE FROSTING- I mean, need I say more??!
HARVEST GRILLED CHEESE- Delicious cheesy goodness that’s packed with fall flavors and just begging to be made on a cozy fall afternoon
FALL SALAD WITH DELICATA SQUASH- This salad is loaded with all the best flavors of fall- roasted squash, apples, hazelnuts, dates and a creamy maple dressing
ONE-PAN APPLE PORK CHOPS- Apple pork chops made in just one pan but with three times the apple flavor; trust me when I say you’ll never want to make any other apple pork chops again
5-INGREDIENT BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP- Creamy, comforting and so simple; an autumnal weeknight staple in our house
DELICATA SQUASH WITH JIMMY NARDELLO AGRODOLCE- An absolute banger of a side dish for any fall meal; agrodolce is essentially Italian for preparing something “sweet and sour”, which is perfect for this squash and pepper combination
GOUDA, BACON + BUTTERNUT SQUASH PIZZA- This pizza is a little smoky, a little sweet, a little salty and a whole lot of perfect for fall Friday nights!
KABOCHA SQUASH WEDGES- Paired with a maple tahini dressing, these wedges are quick and easy, hearty and healthy and perfect for a fall side dish.
WHAT I’M LOVING //
I wore this coat almost every day of our recent Europe trip and I got so many compliments on it. Not to mention that it seemed like it was THE COAT of the season in Europe. I swear every other gal we saw was wearing one. I sized up a few sizes, a few too many to be honest as it’s already a bit over-sized, so I’d suggest only going up a size or two if you want the ability to layer.
We picked up these mugs from Pophams, a favorite spot in London, while we were in London and we’ve been using them every morning since we returned. They’re such a cozy size and I, of course, love the color. Fun fact- Pophams use these same mugs, which are handmade by a local London artisan, in their London Fields location to serve cappuccinos and tea.
Speaking of travel, as we head into what is typically a heavy travel season for many, I wanted to share this little tool that has been a travel game changer. It’s a mini massage gun. It’s so small it can easily be packed in a carry on and it’s so nice to have when traveling, especially after long haul flights and days spent on walking and exploring.
Ok this might be the best thing I’ve put on my face…ever??! It usually takes a lot to wow me when it comes to skincare and make-up because there’s such an inundation of products on the market these days, but this hydration spray is unreal. It’s so moisturizing and leaves your skin absolutely glowing in the best way possible. I’ve been using it as my last step in my skincare routine, and, while we were in Europe, it was great for quickly reviving my face, after a day spent out and about, when my skin would be looking a little dry and worst for the wear. I’m telling you this stuff is desert island status. Yes, it’s that good.
WHAT I’M LISTENING TO //
Holiday music, obvi. This particular playlist is always one of my favorites.
WHAT I’M EYEING + BUYING //
