November Faves
just my favorite things from November 2023
Welcome to the November 2023 installment of my monthly series highlighting favorite things that I am loving and overall obsessed with. There is no scientific method (or really any method or process to speak of) that I use to select the pieces that I highlight — just things I really liked and used a lot in the past month. This originally started as a sporadic series in 2022 — you can read all previous editions here.
Well. Here we are. Holiday season is in full swing. My brain cannot compute the fact that at this time last year we were sharing the news that we were expecting a baby, and now she is 6 months old! Time!
Thanksgiving being so early this year turned November into a weird time void/warp. It’s like we forgot that the last week of November existed, but then somehow when we were in the last week, it was the fastest week ever. I also got laid on my a$$ with strep throat (hadn’t had that in years!), which totally knocked me out (the pain was EXTREME). Thank goodness for antibiotics. Once I finally got my butt to urgent care, I felt noticeably better after just one dose!
We are finding our footing in our holiday traditions. It is still surprising to me that it is my job (well, mine & my husband’s, but hopefully you know what I mean!) to orchestrate the special holiday experiences for my kids. I always like to keep things simple, but the timing for scheduling things always creeps up on me! There is such a push pull in my mind about what I want us to do as a family, balancing what I will enjoy and what my kids will enjoy, and also a full-body resistance to overbooked weekends (especially in the holiday season, but also, always). It’s a process to figure out what we will lean into and what we won’t!
One thing that my kids absolutely DELIGHT in this time of year (like every child, I think) is seeing Christmas decorations. We spend many December evenings walking or driving around our town to see the best houses. And the past couple years, we’ve made an evening about going to see a full Holiday Light display. We’re not married to a particular location, so this year ticket availability & proximity drove our choice, and we went to see them a couple days after Thanksgiving. My parents and sister came with us, and we made a whole evening out of it, and it was great. My big kids loved it, and the baby gazed at many sparkling lights in wonder. After, we went out to eat dinner at a pizza place with my family. As we sat eating dinner, my oldest was crying about having pizza (the gall of the pizza restaurant to ONLY have pizza on the menu!), the baby was crying that she couldn’t have any pizza (I eventually gave in to that and she gnawed crust like a champ!), and my middle child was going to town on her pizza, everyone else’s pizza, and her soda. And I thought to myself, “yep, here it is.” This is the moment that I will remember as we hurtle through this holiday season. This is the moment I’ll write down in my Notes app, and smile about next year too.
A good reminder that it’s not the grand events that make the memories, necessarily, but the little moments that fill them up - the joy my five year old had in his eyes this morning when he remembered he gets to open another door on his advent calendar. The look of my oldest daughter in slightly-too-big red plaid pjs. The mornings spent drafting and re-drafting letters to Santa. The stranger on the street who stops to look at the baby in a full-body fleece suit with animal ears and says, “man, that’s the best thing I’ve seen today!”
However you are spending this December, I hope you find time to soak up those little moments.
On to my favorite things, in no particular order…
Chaos Dinner: This is not a product, it’s an event. A dinner where everyone is invited - kids, babies, adults. Can be at home, but ideally it’s out at a restaurant (outsource the clean up, you know?). It usually lasts 60 - 75 minutes MAX. Meals for kids should be ordered the second you sit down, accompanied by a special drink for them to enjoy. The restaurant should offer french fries. And a kid-friendly dessert. All adults should enjoy a cocktail/glass of wine/beer (if they choose). Everyone will talk a mile a minute, at the same time, for the full 60 -75 minutes. Babies might cry - no problem. Kids will act a fool - no problem. Stickers & coloring utensils should be on hand. Everyone leaves happy and ready to be poured into bed. We met friends for a dinner out on a Monday night this month, and I can’t recommend it enough. Who has something to look forward to on a Monday? It was such a nice change of pace! In December, we’re squeezing it in a little bit before Christmas, and definitely going for middle-of-the-week again.
Fresh Lake PJs: I treated myself to a new pair of Lake PJs in their Cyber Week sale and man, having a fresh new pair of PJs is just…THE BEST. I love Lake PJs, I have a nice little collection that I have slowly built up over several years (I usually buy a pair every time they have a sale!) Their holiday selection for kids is really special this year too, so that’s where our X-Mas PJs are from this year (definitely size up for kids!) I size up for myself because I finally realized - why would I ever want PJs that are too tight!?
Loafer Socks: It’s time to cover our ankles, and in an effort to not have to wear boots every single day from now until May, I got some socks that am wearing with my loafers, and even with sneakers if I want a less athletic vibe.
Some great books I read this month:
The Celebrants by Steven Rowley - I loved this. About a group of college friends who make a pact to celebrate their funerals while they are still living after one of their friends dies unexpectedly before graduation. The details about their friendships, about how their lives move away from each other and then back again, how they can pick back up wherever they left off, and how they love each other - I loved it!
How to Fake it in Hollywood by Ava Wilder - This was just fun. A little steamy, but a great story & plot. The fake relationship trope will suck me in every time.
None of This is True by Lisa Jewell - This was fantastic, and it was a fully produced audiobook (multiple voice actors) - almost as if this book was meant for audio. A twisty-turny mystery/thriller about two women who meet one night in a pub and discover they have the same birthday.
You, With A View by Jessica Joyce - I am also a sucker for enemies to lovers! This was a delight. I soaked up every second of it and didn’t want it to end. Noelle discovers old keepsakes of her grandmother’s after she passes, and discovers that her grandmother was engaged to someone else - who happens to be the grandfather of her long-time rival, Theo. They find themselves on a trip all together (Noelle, Theo & Theo’s grandfather), honoring her late grandmother.
Filthy Food Olive Brine: I kid you not, this is the most popular product I’ve ever shared. I am on a big martini kick - somehow, I can have 1.5 dirty martinis (maybe two!), chug a giant water bottle, take 2 Advil, a half dose of melatonin, drink my Calm drink, and wake up feeling on top of the world (provided none of my kids wake up, which is a pretty big provision, but STILL!) Whereas, some nights, a glass of wine will screw up my entire night of sleep. So, martini’s it is, baby! And I like them very, very, very dirty. Like, a full jar of olive juice dirty. So we were moving through olive brine at a rate significantly higher than we were consuming the olives. Enter this delicious and ingenious product. Each pouch makes about 15 martinis (maybe a little less if you like it prepared like I do). This would be a great stocking stuffer, the full set would make a great gift (I did include it in this gift guide) for any cocktail lover on your list. Add in a jar of blue cheese olives to really top it off!
Frame Jeans: Barrel-leg jeans are trending hard right now, and while I admire the trend on many, I was unsure whether it is for me — I prefer a (very) high-rise wide or straight-leg jeans. But, then I tried these jeans on a whim when they were on sale and have been so incredibly pleased by how much I love them. I think the cropped length and dark color help - they are easy to dress up, but they also make just a simple jeans and tee feel a little extra polished. I really love them! Additional sizes here and here.
Tigi Bed Head Hair Wax Stick - My sister got me this little stick that she uses to style the perfect slick pony or bun, and it is AMAZING. Especially amazing for those postpartum baby hairs that seem to crop up NO MATTER WHAT!
Cocokind Resurrection Polypetite Cream: I have used Cocokind products on and off in the past, so I am familiar with the brand, but this is a product that is new to me - I discovered it via the InKind Magazine Newsletter. Winter weather equals dry skin for me, and I need to infuse as much moisture as possible into my skin. I’ve been using this constantly - always at night, but sometimes during the day too, in a thin layer, and it feels amazing! It is friendly to my sensitive skin, has a nice thick feel without being too heavy, and leaves my skin feeling plump and hydrated.
Bow Barrette: My new personality is my hair bow. It’s my most festive accessory, and it sparks so much joy and brings a little fun touch to the simplest outfit this time of year. It’s one of my favorite ways to dress for the season without dressing for the season! There are a treasure trove of options to be found on Etsy as well!
Holiday Movies: It’s good/bad Christmas movie season! Normally, my husband and I are hard pressed to watch a movie ever, but come December 1, we try to watch as many festive things as possible, to make sure we are also enjoying the season. We have our old faithfuls (The Holiday, The Family Stone, Love Actually, Home Alone) that we will get to, but we also love a great kind-of bad Christmas flick. We kicked things off this year with EXmas, and it didn’t disappoint!
ICYMI, I had a lot of posts this month, including:
A little postpartum closet refresh - how you can create 30+ looks with just 13-ish pieces
Going back to work after Maternity leave, and how getting dressed made it a teensy bit easier
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