It seems odd to say fall in December because it FEELS like winter, but we’re not quite there yet. This has been such a beautiful fall season for me with warm temperatures, removing a lot of the stresses from my life, and experiencing our first full fall in our own home. Today I am going to share some of the things I have been loving this season in several different categories.
Fall Favorites
Makeup/Skincare
LANCÔME Énergie de Vie The Smoothing & Purifying Cleansing Oil – I tried this on a whim when Sephora had it as a weekly wow and I needed cleanser. I have never used an oil cleanser before and I was skeptical, but the price was right and it sounded like it would be good for my skin type.
Wow, I love this stuff! My skin did go through a little “getting used to” period where I had a breakout in my chin area, but other than that this has transformed my skin. Even though we are in the cold and dry months of the year my skin feels soft, hydrated and has a more even texture.
This has a very light scent that I love. It leaves my skin feeling clean, but not stripped. My skin looks soft and smooth, and is the most even it has been in a long time. I don’t know if I will like this as much during the warmer months, but I am loving it for fall/winter!
Books
The Ladies of Ivy Cottage by Julie Klassen – I have been reading my way through the historical fiction section of my library ebook offerings this year. A couple weeks ago I stumbled upon the first book in this series, The Innkeeper Of Ivy Hill. I was totally sucked into the story and finished the book within a couple of days; I had to know how the story ended! It was a bummer to discover that the second book hadn’t even been released yet. I checked out some of my publisher connections and was able to snag a review copy of this second installment, The Ladies of Ivy Cottage.
The first book followed the story of Jane Bell who was recently widowed and left her husband’s crumbling inn. She navigated complicated relationships with her mother and law and friends and managed to pull the Inn back from the brink of ruin. I liked that there was no knight in shining armor to save the women in this book, they pulled themselves up by their own bootstraps.
The second book focuses more on the personal relationships of the characters. Jane’s friends Rachel and Mercy have to discover how to make their way as women in the world, as well as decide between several potential suitors. The most disappointing aspect of this book, to me, is that you are still left hanging about Jane’s fate by the end of the book. While I enjoyed the first book more, the second book was a good read as well. If you are a fan of Jane Austen you will enjoy this series!
Art/Planner
Tombow Dual Tip Brush Pens – I have bought a few of these Tombow Dual Tip Brush Pens here and there, but my husband surprised me with an early Christmas present and gave me the entire set. You see these used a lot for hand lettering (which is not really my jam) but I love them for doodling and even writing in my planners and bullet journals. They are water-based, so you won’t get bleed through on most of your planner or journal pages.
If you follow me on Instagram you have seen me use this in my weekly bullet journal spreads quite a bit lately! The range of colors is great and I love, LOVE the blender pen. If you have been curious about these just take the plunge and buy the whole set. it’s a lot cheaper in the long run than buying them one by one.
Household
Squirrel Feeder – Our last house was in a heavily wooded area, and we loved watching the wildlife. Now our house is in a little more urban area, and while we still see a random squirrel or bird, it’s nothing like the old house. A couple of weeks ago I finally bought a squirrel feeder to put up here! (We had one at the old house but the squirrels ripped off the lid and raccoons stole the windows)
I have had SO much fun watching the squirrels slowly find this feeder! It does wonders for the spirit to spend a little time appreciating nature, and these little creatures are absolutely hilarious. If you have kids a squirrel feeder will provide hours of entertainment, but even if you don’t you’ll enjoy watching them, too. We fill this up with a critter mix that contains corn and seeds, and sometimes we will even put out un-salted peanuts in the shell as a little treat for them.
Food/Drink
Tazo Chai Latte Mix – Tis the season to Instagram yourself with a Starbucks cup, but that is not in my budget right now! I quit coffee a couple of years ago, but I LOVE a good chai latte when it is cold outside. I picked up some of this Tazo mix and it is delicious! It is creamy and spicy, and a great dupe for Starbucks. I add a cup of the mix and just a touch less than a cup of almond milk, and if I am feeling really decadent a spray of whipped cream on the top. I have tried a couple of different brands of mixes and I think this one is my favorite. It feels like an indulgence and a treat, but is less than 1/5th of the cost of getting the same drink in a drive thru.
So there you have some of my fall favorites! What have you been into this season?