October Faves
just my favorite things from October 2023
Welcome to the October 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.
Fall in New England is truly incredible, and this month did not disappoint. The foliage has been incredible. I’ve enjoyed many long, scenic walks through the walking trails and conservation land in my town. There is a whole group of moms on maternity leave right now and we all strap our babies on our body and get together to walk regularly - today we were 6 moms deep! It’s pretty fun & great for my mental health.
We have experienced the widest variety of weather that I can remember for this time of year. Just this past Saturday we were outside all day shedding layer after layer as the thermometer hit nearly 80 degrees. It was weird, but also divine.
We have done all the fall things, including partaking in over a week of Halloween celebrations. I survived another couple nights solo with the kids when my husband had to take a quick work trip to New Jersey. The baby is (mostly) sleeping through the night (KNOCK ON WOOD!) A local restaurant establishment is closing in our town and we dined in at least 4 times this month to get our fill of their famous Mai Tai’s & kids Shirley Temples. I went out to an insane Omakase dinner with my roommates from college and it was so nice to be all together and enjoy such a special meal.
It was a heavy month too. The news is hard - both local and international. And yet, as adults, as a parent, you have to continue with life “as usual” even when you have a very bad day, or something terrible happens in the world. You still smile at your kids, make breakfast, ask about how everyone slept, sing songs, get everyone and everything ready for the day. You might have to go to work and give that big presentation, or lead a major meeting. It’s incredibly hard.
Since I have become a parent, my empathy has become super charged. I am profoundly connected to the emotions and experiences of my children, and also more in-tune with the emotions and experiences of others. When something terrible happens in the world, I am more affected by it than I was before I was a parent. I am always thinking about how something impacts a child, a family, how they must be feeling. And I feel it too. It is hard to shake, hard to get a break from. So to see media coverage of the initial attacks in Gaza and now the escalating conflict, as well as the mass shooting in Maine, I have had very few minutes when I am not thinking about all the people and families who have been impacted.
And at the same time that all this is happening in the world, I am focused on my family unit. I am currently in a mild state of panic over the fact that my maternity leave is coming to an end. Having done this twice before (ending maternity leave and going back to work, I mean), I know that the anticipation of the return to work is harder than the actual return, and so I am reminding myself of that in earnest. There is really something about this third time. It has been so special. On so many levels - for me, for my big kids, for the baby, for our whole family! I’m clinging on to this time with Willa and being able to be so present with and focused on my family.
Transitions are just hard. I will have to relinquish a little bit of control over my baby’s days, and turn things over to our beloved nanny. It will mean a shift in schedule for my older daughter who has had our nanny to herself for the past couple months, and will have to adjust. I have to get my brain back into working condition. I will have to figure out how/when I am going to keep writing this newsletter & what that will look like! My husband and I will have to figure out how to make our household run with both of us working. It will be a lot. But, I know that we will figure it out and eventually it will feel normal (or, as normal as it can feel as we start hurtling headfirst into the holiday season and end of the year!)
On to my favorite things, in no particular order…
Gap Mini Rib Crewneck Tee - This is the perfect long-sleeve tee. The rib knot makes it extra luxe, it’s extremely soft and a little silky. It’s thick enough that it’s not totally see through, but thin enough to be a great layer under sweaters and blazers and really anything. Plus, the price is right. I have it in white and black and love both.
J.Crew Italian Leather Belt - I found this belt via
and it sat in my cart until it was finally included in a J.Crew promotion a couple weeks ago (this is how I do most of my J.Crew shopping, TBH). I love the gold hardware, it adds a really special little detail. And while I wouldn’t describe the belt as skinny, it’s not so wide, either. So it looks really good with pants and also skirts, dresses, etc. I sized down, it runs a little bit.Sex Education on Netflix - This show is so great! When the final season was released last month, my husband and I decided to re watch from the beginning and I’m so glad we did. It’s witty, it’s heart wrenching, it’s relatable - it’ll make you laugh and cry. So fun to watch!
Motif Abundance Cleanser - I had seen a little buzz about Motif on my Instagram feed and was so excited to have the opportunity to try out their cleanser! I have been trying to keep my skincare routine pretty simple, but a regular cleansing habit is always part of my nightly routine. The Abundance Cleanser is a cleanser for all skin types that repairs and enhances your skin, and doubles as a brightening mask. I have pretty sensitive skin, but also am a recovering St. Ives Apricot scrub addict, and I love that the cleanser has a teensy bit of grain to it, but is so gentle on my skin. I typically use it after my favorite oil cleanser (which gets off all makeup), and leave it on for a little bit while I brush my teeth. If you’re interested in trying any of Motif’s products, (I’m excited to try their new serum next when I finish up my current Vitamin C product) you can use my code CHRISTINA62324 for 15% off.
Merit Lip Oil - I picked up this tinted lip oil on a whim when I went into Sephora with a friend a couple weeks ago, and it has quickly turned into a go-to color. It’s just the tiniest little bit of color, and the texture is really nice - not sticky. Reminds me of the Nars lip gloss I was obsessed with in college, but in a better formulation! The rest of my makeup favorites from Sephora are here.
Glossier You - Also discovered on that Sephora trip, this perfume. My friend decided she wanted to try it in an effort to start wearing perfume again and I didn’t want to be left out. I know there was a ton of buzz around it awhile ago, and even though I haven’t used perfume in YEARS (like, since college probably!), I am loving this nice little ritual of rolling on a little scent. Doesn’t hurt that it smells great! The rollerball especially is the perfect size to try!
Mrs. Nash’s Ashes by Sarah Adler - I usually share my monthly reading haul on instagram with little mini reviews, but I can’t tell if anyone actually wants to see that from me, or if they are just clicking through too many stories! If you have thoughts, please let me know! I’m a huge reader, and I love seeing what other people are reading. Maybe I should share more as I go? I’m not sure yet, but, I couldn’t not share this book, because I loved it so much! Millie, a former child TV star, is on her way to Florida to reunite the ashes of her former neighbor/roommate Rose Nash with the love of her life, and runs into travel problems. She ends up traveling with Hollis, the arch nemesis of her ex-boyfriend, a grumpy, rude & pretty unfriendly writer. In the face of weather that is not on their side, they embark together on their trips to Florida. Cuteness ensues. Highly recommend!
Amazon Socks - So, this is probably the clothing item I have been asked about the most…ever. These simple athletic socks bring me so much joy - they are perfect to wear with sneakers & bear legs, or poke out between the hem of your pants & the start of your shoe, plus they also work great with boots. I generally do not shop for clothes on Amazon, but for socks, (that are $16 for a pack of 6), I make an exception. They bring a lot of joy!
ICYMI, I had a lot of posts this month, including:
(Practical) Styling tips for some of the biggest fall trends
A more personal post about what I’m trying to do with this newsletter
An update on getting dressed postpartum & my postpartum uniform updated for fall
A round up of all the fall boots I have been browsing (and thoughts on finding my personal style sweet spot)
Thank You For Reading!
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All products highlighted are chosen by me, and some may be affiliate links. Your support is appreciated!