Did anyone else recently re-organize thanks to a particular new show on Netflix? Nah? Just me? Martha Stewart Organizing: The Manual for Bringing Order to Your Life, Home & Routines is a delicious treat. Even if some of the advice can be a bit much (does anyone’s house look like this all the time?) I still enjoyed some of the tips and tricks. Plus, Martha lays out a schedule month by month so you don’t blink and miss all the fun stuff that each season can offer—for fall that means apple picking, pumpkin carving, and some delicious baking.
Fall Reading Guide: Day Two
The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune
This jewel of a book is so cozy and welcoming and heartfelt that I actually reread the final four chapters over again, just to savor it. If you like magical realism with a touch of whimsy, may I suggest you get to know all the delightful characters here—but especially Lucy, who was my favorite.
Happy Fall! The Falloween Reading Guide is here!
I love fall because it is just magical to me. The changing leaves, the crisp air, the smell of woodsmoke and apples, the cozy sweaters and blankets—all of it is so wonderful. I wanted to make a reading guide with some of my favorites to get you ready for the season—ranging from spooky horror to the most touching love story with magical whimsy—from romance that will have you wanting to bake pumpkin muffins and drink oat milk lattes dusted with cinnamon to gorgeous organizing books that will make you think a pantry overhaul is in order. All this week and next I’ll be posting every day with suggestions and reviews and I hope you’ll stick around to see what’s to come.
The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix.
I listend to this on Audible and boy, was I pleasantly surprised. I’m not usually someone who loves horror but something about this book really struck me. The casual racism, sexism, and classism that imbues this quiet Charleston suburb is the perfect formula to attract a confidence man/vampire in the early 1990s. None of the main characters are painted in a flattering light and yet I found myself rooting for them anyways—rooting for them to break free of society’s expectations as much as rooting for them to defeat the monster at their door. Are you feeling the chill in the air and immediately thinking of flickering jack-o-lanterns and dark and stormy nights? Do you enjoy a touch of the ridiculous and macabre in your reading life—or a great audiobook to listen to while raking leaves this weekend? This book is for you.
August Round Up of Favorite Things
This is a few days late because I still needed to get a few things in the mail but oh my gosh, I’m obsessed with these August finds!
The Simple Wild
First up, one of my new favorite contemporary romances. The Simple Wild by K.A. Tucker I found via the Read It or List It podcast (my fave! And it returns this month, wheeee!) It’s a slow burn for Jonah and Calla but boy is it fun. The sequel Wild at Heart is equally enjoyable and after you finish both, go and listen to the Read it or List episodes (one spoiler-free and one spoiler-filled) all about both of them!
Happy Go Lovely Sleeves
And do you see my awesome book sleeve in this gorgeous green plaid? That’s directly from Happy Go Lovely Sleeves and the amazing Rachel. It’s so soft and well made and I can’t recommend it highly enough. Who doesn’t want to have their book tucked safely away in something pretty?
Lovecraft Country
Image Credits: HBO
Lovecraft Country premiered on HBO in August and boy is it a visual feast. There are plenty of fantastic reviews and even an awesome podcast called Lovecraft Country Radio but I wanted to talk about the stunning design here in the third episode “Holy Ghost”. Leti played by Jurnee Smollet is just transcendent in this role and this particular moment when she takes a baseball bat to the cars belonging to the white neighbors on her street after they put a burning cross in her yard? It brought chills to my spine. She was the dark to Beyoncé’s iconic light in her video “Hold Up” and I cannot get over how this moment made me feel. Everyone: watch Lovecraft Country if just for the incredible production value. Seriously. Notice how the car color complements her dress (instantly iconic!) and how the lights burning in the house—and the fire burning on the cross—represent her anger and ferocity in this moment. Protected by the armed men standing watch (as still and commanding as the trees in front of her new house) she’s a force to be reckoned with.
Image: HBO
Hello Teddy Earrings
Hello Teddy Co is a new shop with the most adorable clay earrings. I had to have these cloud ones for my girls and I can’t wait for them to wear them in their new photo shoot we have planned. Kelli still has several pairs available and I would highly recommend snagging some for yourself.
Bonus favorite: this gorgeous book that has me wanting to travel again so bad! The photography is phenomenal.
You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson and Skyward by Brandon Sanderson
You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson was the very first Reese’s Book Club YA pick and after reading it, I can say it definitely deserves it. It’s the best senior year prom rush novel I’ve read in a very long time—maybe ever? Likewise, Skyward by Brandon Sanderson was a favorite of the eldest teenager this month and and I’m so glad he’s been so invested in reading this summer. I love seeing him enjoy the same books I do.
Avery Flynn’s Ice Knights series—on Audiobook
I’m completely addicted to contemporary romance—this is known. But I never thought I would enjoy the audiobook versions so much! Avery Flynn is a very popular novelist but her Ice Knights series is just the best of the best—her characters are well-developed and sexy as hell and I just adore the sports angle. Granted, hockey players aren't everyone’s ideal sports figures but man, she makes me want to watch a few games now. My husband is an old school Toronto Maple Leafs fanatic so it won’t even take much convincing! I found a bunch of her books available on audio through Hoopla but I also ended up buying the kindle versions to read at my leisure, too.
Other Favorites and Links I Loved
Bonus audiobook mention: Beowulf: A New Translation by Maria Dahvana Headley is just magnificent. I’ve loved Beowulf for close to twenty years now and I even collect old editions of any translation I can find. This version is modern and just gravely and deep enough to cut to the bone. I love love love it.
Speaking of Beowulf, I just ordered a new Beowulf shirt from Out of Print and I can’t wait to get it in. They are having a fantastic sale this weekend but their shirts are totally worth it even when they are full price.
This oil control serum just came back into stock and I smashed that order button so fast.
My son wanted this unicorn float for his late August birthday and it is fabulous. This is the best price I’ve seen on it this summer!
These sea salt caramels are my favorite dessert in the entire world currently.
July Favorites
I’ve decided to try something new! A monthly recap of my favorite things I’ve encountered in July. Let’s get started, shall we?
The Babysitter’s Club
Images: Paramount Pictures and Netflix
The Babysitter’s Club on Netflix has been my favorite, favorite show adaptation I’ve come across in a while. I adored the books growing up and begged my grandmother to buy me new ones every weekend at the used bookstore in town. And the styling and costume design is A+++, with plenty of homages to my beloved nineties (Alicia Silverstone!!!) The twins and I flew through all ten episodes and I’m so excited to see what comes next.
Image: Netflix
And did I immediately go on Etsy and order the twins’ Claudia’s watermelon earrings? Most definitely. And if you want the full experience, The Bookshelf, a sweet bookshop in Thomasville, Georgia, is offering a The Babysitter’s Club online book club experience. I missed out on the first round but I’m seriously considering joining the second round starting in September!
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before Series
Thanks to the awesome ladies at Read It or List It Podcast, I am now an avowed Peter Kavinsky-stan. Yes, I know, I JUST now read To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han. It’s about time, right? I inhaled all three of the Lara Jean books within a week and I’ve promised myself time out to finally catch the movies on Netflix. In the meantime, I had to have chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting with Reese’s Pieces, just like Lara Jean’s recipe in P.S. I Still Love You.
Jenny Colgan’s Newest Release
Speaking of things I love like cake, Jenny Colgan is one of my fave British authors for closed door romance. My husband and I adore Scotland after visiting in our early twenties, and especially Loch Ness in the Highlands. Most of Jenny Colgan’s romances center on this gorgeous village that is near the Loch and her imagery is spot-on—I always feel like I’m right back there alongside the protagonists. Her newest novel 500 Miles From You is my favorite of hers yet. She’s really grown into herself as an author and I’m so enjoying the journey!
DIY Cupcakes from The Chocolate Moose Bakery
The decorate your own cupcake kit from The Chocolate Moose Bakery was the PERFECT way to spend a hot afternoon. Highly recommend!
Lightning Round
Just quick fire links to lovely things.
She-Ra is fabulous and fabulously gay and it makes me so happy!
Tula Sunscreen is my go-to this summer.
I made Chrissy Teigen’s spicy miso spaghetti every single week of July.
I don’t think there’s been a Jeni’s Ice Cream collection I’ve wanted more than this one!
So what do you think? I really, really want to share here more and I would love for anyone to let me know what you’d like to see!