Well, happy first week of fall, my friends!!! For as long as I can remember, this has been my favorite of all the seasons. Way before Instagram gave it hashtags and loving it became totally #basic. Ha! Chilly air, chili in a crockpot, pumpkin everything, chunky sweaters, the back-to-school flurry, the perfect time to snuggle up in, yes, Uggs, with a deliciously creepy book… It’s true! I simply adore all the #basics and I do not even care!
I also love the symbolism of old leaves falling, the beauty of letting the dead things go, clear change brought to color and life with an audible crunch. I feel the home stretch to New Year’s deep in my soul and begin to reflect on the past 9 months and consider what I hope to achieve within these last precious several. October 8 and November 8 are also Doug’s and my birthdays, respectively—fun fact: we were born exactly one month apart in the very same hospital!—and birthdays always seem to wash over me with old nostalgia and brand-new dreams.
But more on some of that later.
For now, as a genuine fall enthusiast, I wanted to share a whole bunch of things that are simply making me smile this autumn! Perfect jeans, sassy booties, five-star books, ridiculously delicious recipes. Details on my personal skincare regimen and a new favorite product. Some more stuff, too! All of it’s HERE, just for you, just for fun! All in the name of fall!
I hope you enjoy these gems, guys!
Big hugs and bottomless PSLs!
1. Snakeskin Booties—My love for #allthingsleopard is no secret to anyone—but truth to be told, I don’t discriminate when it comes to animal print! Snakeskin everything has slithered to the forefront of fashion this fall, and I seriously can’t get enough! When I set out to find the perfect serpentine bootie, I narrowed it down (after MUCH searching) to the Sam Edelman Hilty Bootie and the to-die-for Steve Madden Rookie Bootie. For pure personal taste, I went for the Steve Madden, but bonus?! They were cheaper! They are under $100! I am seriously so crazy about them! How cute is the sassy cut-out?! They come in both beige and natural. I went with beige. So flattering with jeans or a skirt or a dress!
2. White Tennis Shoes—I don’t know why it took me so long, but somewhere around Year Three of motherhood, I walked into a sacred and undeniable truth: I literally cannot live without at least one pair of white tennis shoes! I wear them at least half of the time during the week. My first pair ever as a grown woman were the never-failing, low-top, classic Chuck Taylor elastic-heel Converse, and I also have a pair of Sam Edelmans I really adore. But THESE Vans are the newest additions to my closet and I’m infatuated! They’re high-tops with a slight little platform, so stylish and flattering. I simply adore them. (Also highly recommend a good Scotch-guard job before taking them out on the town, to keep them looking so fresh!) They’re so crazy comfy, too!!!
3. Forever 21 Sweater—I picked out this thick, luscious sweater because it was JUST THAT SOFT to the touch, and also because I thought it looked like Madewell or J. Crew and frankly not anything cheaper! I can’t believe how many compliments I get when I wear it! It’s such a solid, high-quality basic for such a fantastic price at $32! I know so many people have an aversion to Forever 21 because, well, girrrrl, you gotta dig! But I’m happy to excavate for you. This beauty is such a treasure! It comes in cream and black, too!
4. Rodan + Fields Micro-Dermabrasion Paste—While we’re in the spirit of letting the old leaves fall: Why not also say farewell to the dead cells you might not even know are dulling your skin?! Right up front, guys: I do not sell Rodan + Fields. But I do buy it regularly and passionately from one of my besties, and enjoy firm (glowy! dewy! clear!) skin results thanks to her! I mean it when I say that their products have changed my skin and my life!
Their Unblemish line cured my acne several years ago when literally nothing else would; their Reverse line has dramatically eradicated almost all of my stubborn melasma. My recent obsession from their cornucopia of premier-quality products is the Micro-Dermabrasion Paste. I’d heard about it for years, but held off because their products aren’t necessarily the cheapest. But let me tell you—it’s worth every penny! Since adding this stuff to the mix, I don’t know that my skin has ever been softer. It’s like receiving a micro-dermabrasion treatment right at your sink, scrubbing away every dead scrap you don’t want and leaving your face aglow. Chances are you know someone who sells Rodan + Fields, so if you’re interested, ask that GF about it! I know she’ll be happy to help you! Those boss babes know their stuff!
5. Nespresso Pumpkin Spice Cake Pods—My morning (and afternoon and evening…) coffee routine was revolutionized forever last spring by the purchase of this international treasure, my Nespresso Vertuo machine, which is 40% off right now! I love it because it makes both coffee and espresso, and truly, I love both equally. Right now, my total JAM, especially for an afternoon pick-me-up, is the Limited Edition Pumpkin Spice Cake pod flavor! Holy fall in a cup, y’all. Plus, it’s half-caff, so perfect for a PM pick-me-up!
6. Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew—Speaking of coffee, let’s have a little talk about Cold Brew and where it’s been all my life! My trips to the Bucks have sky-rocketed way, way down since the purchase of my Nespresso machine. (This is an awesome fact if you are considering one!) But sometimes, you just need a treat out in the wild. Since Cold Brew is the one thing I don’t make at home, it’s become my Starbucks go-to and absolute favorite. The Cold Brew with Sweet Cream is a real winner, but lately I’m loving the brand-new Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew more than I’m loving most things on the earth! How is this drink so good?! And how much caffeine is in these puppies?! They leave me with a satisfied sweet tooth and undeniable motivation that I can conquer the world. ALSO I will definitely be testing some homespun dupes for this beverage and will keep you posted in my IG stories!
7. Favorite Chili Recipes—What even in the world is fall without pots of chili simmering on your stove?! Or in my case, more often, the Crock Pot. We love us some chili in our house, usually with Yellow Cake (cornbread) or Pumpkin Cake (bread… or wait… is it just cake?!) at this time of year! Just gonna go ahead and link you to three of my absolute all-times that I return to again and again. They’re all a little different and equally yum! All from Skinnytaste.com, my faves include: Crock Pot Chicken Taco Chili Recipe, No Bean Turkey and Sweet Potato Chili (though I usually add a few cans of white beans) and Turkey Pumpkin White Bean Chili (that’s right, pumpkin—DIVINE!).
8. Two Trader Joe’s Breakfast Winners—”I’m not like a regular mom. I’m a fall mom!!!” If you’re a TJ’s shopper, you know, ladies. You already know! You walk into the store right now and pumpkins practically barrel forth from the shelves, knocking you down and drowning you in their seasonal splendor! They have pumpkin-absolutely-everything-around-every-corner. To be honest? I love it all. At least just about everything Trader Joe’s Pumpkin I’ve ever tried. But this year, these two breakfast treats stand out as fan favorites for the three little Mack girls! Reese is obsessed with the Pumpkin Waffles, which will fill your whole house with the sweetest aroma, and my bigs are so into the Pumpkin O’s, which: warning, you might be, too! Do these possibly contain too much sugar for everyday eating? Yes, probably. So, they’re a treat. Plus, it’s a special time of year! Like I said. I’m a FALL MOM!
9. Current Fave Mom Jeans—Chocolate and peanut butter. Peanut butter and jelly. Rachel and Ross. A mom and her jeans!!!! If anything, my personal challenge should be to just STOP BUYING JEANS already, because I love them so much and can’t seem to quit. And yet, because I wear them most often, everywhere from daily mom life to date night to Bible study to Disneyland, I justify having so many! Right now, these two pairs are at the front of my closet, getting the most wear. They are both oh-so-flattering, super chic, ultra-comfortable and incredibly versatile, so easy to dress up or down! Great with a t-shirt or blouse, jacket or sweater, heels or booties or tennies or mules! The first pictured here are the Old Navy High-Waisted Distressed Power Slim Straight Ankle Jeans for Women (how’s that for a name?!) in Dark Destruction, currently $49.99 but often on sale! They run true to size, but they do stretch out just a bit after 3-4 wears, FYI!
The second pair are the one and only thing I brought from the Nordstrom Sale this summer, the Top Shop Jamie High Waist Ripped Hem Skinny Jeans in Washed Black. I got them at a killer price, but they’re still super reasonable at $75 and I honestly can’t get enough! They do, however, run SMALL! Like a size or two small! For reference, I’m a 26 in Madewell jeans and a 28 in these, and they’re still pretty tight but in a good way.
10. All Things Leopard—Most of you know I have long-loved my leopard print everything, a deep affection instilled in me by my Mama. To see this print gaining its rightful place in the world is such a deeply fulfilling pleasure! I’ve just been waiting for everyone else to get on it, guys! My closet is, well, kinda bursting with leopard, but I thought I’d share three recent standouts. And in the process, I’m also going to dish on my two favorite fashion bloggers in the whole wide world! Ohhhh, these GIRLS and their style!!! It’s hard for me not to buy every single item they post, because they rock it all with such sass and confidence! They are both so gorgeous and funny on top of it! Do I feel like they’re my BFFs? I feel like they’re my BFFs.
First shout-out goes to Jordan Underwood and this DARLING leopard beret I bought thanks to her! It is so leopardy-perfectly-extra and I can’t wait to wear it!
Second shout-out goes to Hollie Woodward, mayyyyybe the cutest human being on the actual planet and fellow girl mom of 3 who also makes me consider chopping my hair. She posted this KILLER NORDSTROM SALE DUPE of a leopard pleated skirt and I pounced right on it.
Last is this dreamy leopard bomber jacket I found at Nordy’s and SWOON. I’d been wanting a leopard jacket or coat of some kind for this fall and winter, and this one is my totally ideal balance of sporty and glam! I am BEYOND obsessed and you will see me wear it a LOT!
And now for the speed-round of final goodies I’m loving… 5, 4, 3, 2, 1!
11. Well, if this isn’t one of the best and creepiest books I’ve devoured all year!!! WARNING: Only for those who share my love for the extremely disturbing. Dark twisty plot turns and super deranged minds ahead!!! Then She Was Gone: it’s just crazy. But crazy GOOD! Curl up with this spooky tale and feel the chills up your spine by a crackling fire!
12. Two of my favorite eyeshadow palettes in the whole wide world—Chocolate Bar Eyeshadow Palette and Sweet Peach Eyeshadow Palette—both by Too Faced and both especially lustrous for fall. Would you take a look at those hues!!!!! Also? They smell like heaven. Which is to say like chocolate, and peach.
13. The adorable hat from Amazon that I’m wearing in the pictures above. IT IS SO GOOD, you guys!!! It comes in a million colors and costs only $15.99!
14. These mind-blowing, all-star recipes featuring the one-and-only fall front-man The Butternut Squash. My favorite quiche maybe ever, which I’ve been making for almost nine years, and this lightened-up version of butternut squash lasagna that takes a wee bit of time, but is worth every single step!!! I am no food blogger… but here’s a shot of the latter. Because I cooked something from scratch and actually snapped a pic!!!
15. I’m feeling so comforted and rejuvenated by this wonderful, encouraging, in-depth devotional, Always We Begin Again, by Leeana Tankersley, whom I love. If you’re looking for a new daily spiritual read in this fresh season of once again beginning again, if your soul is seeking refreshment, if your spirit is crying out for new water—well, look no further, my friend. This book has got your back and your heart.
All right, guys! That’s all for now! I’ll keep you posted on any more seasonal super-faves!
