October Monthly Musings // From The Inspired Abode
It is officially fall! Living in Southern California (and Arizona before that), we don’t really get true seasons. But for the mild climate we’re used to living in, we think fall is definitely our favorite.
Maybe it’s because autumn is a season paired with fun and cozy holidays (Halloween & Thanksgiving, respectively), but the crisp fall air & falling leaves always makes us feel like it’s a time to settle in & enjoy life – even the little things like a hot cup of tea or watching a nostalgic movie once the sun goes down (way too early).
We’re so excited to spend this Saturday morning with you. Now, grab a coffee (or something off of your toddler’s plate, if that’s also your stage of life right now), and let’s catch up! 🤍
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links we can’t stop sending each other, products, links, current faves
We’ve had these cozy lounge shorts up as a saved tab for awhile now… they might just be the perfect way to transition from summer to fall around the house!
B was sooo sad to learn that Josie Maran discontinued her go-to SPF moisturizer she’s been using for at least the last 5 years. It was pregnancy & nursing safe, had a tinted version perfect for summer & non-tinted version perfect for winter, and it was SPF 47! While we don’t have a replacement link to share – we are asking you for your advice on what to buy instead as B gets every last drop out of the bottle.
While we haven’t fully decided if we’re ready for scary movies around Halloween this year (we went on a little scary-movie hiatus after having kiddos!), we love a lot of the autumn-inspired options on Camille Styles’ list of movies to watch this fall!
We’ve been putting a lot more effort into our Pinterest pins, so take a look around and follow along if shoppable home content + cozy inspiration interests you!
what we’re watching
We had a little sister night and watched The Map That Leads to You on Prime Video and actually loved it – such cute chemistry between the love interests, friends, etc. Def recommend for a fun watch that also makes you think a bit ✨
After listening to Bumble’s Whitney Wolfe Herd on Meghan (née Markle)’s podcast, we enjoyed watching her story unfold on screen with Swiped on Hulu! We also added a fun little “in date” activity with a would-you-rather game to swipe right or left on options!
After being reminded that we hadn’t ever seen Gilmore Girls after seeing the meme about it being the show for fall, we decided to take that as a sign to start watching. We’ve only watched the pilot but we are loving it! We love watching their relationship – especially after having kids of our own.
B and her husband just finished season 2 of Platonic and found it such a fun watch! Season 1 was fun, but season 2 was funny! We like to think we have a bit of Sylvia in us (and B is excited for Kel to know what that means if and when she finally starts it).
what we’re reading
We’ve been reading a lot lately – with three books going at once: a morning book (something inspiring after waking up), a day book (usually an audiobook to make it easier!), and a night book (a chapter or so before bed), which has been so fun!
After finishing Liz Moody’s 100 Ways to Change Your Life, Kel’s new favorite morning book is The 5 Types of Wealth by
Sahil Bloom – loving it so far & highly recommend in any stage of life. Will def be buying again to have the hardcover!
Our day book was Imperfect Women by Araminta Hall, which was actually our book club’s pick, and we listened to it in audiobook form. We have the inside scoop that it’ll be a show on Apple TV+ with Kerry Washington, Kate Mara, and Elizabeth Moss. It tells the story of three friends who met in college & revolves around a death, but it’s all told in three parts from each of their perspectives.
what we’re listening to
As huge fans of Liz Moody’s podcast, we loved this episode since it breaks down how to improve life with the tiniest of changes that make all the difference.
We’re also hitting play on a ton of autumn playlists to get in the fall feels (which is what our playlist will be called once we compile our faves from these Spotify favorites: gilmore girls fall, cozy & scarf season)
what we’re eating/drinking
We’ve been all about prepping some easy, make-ahead meals to make weeknight dinners easier for ourselves + the kids, and we’re loving the Cheesy Rice & Beans from Caroline Chambers’ What to Cook When You Don’t Feel Like Cooking and the Spinach Artichoke Pasta from By Heart!
Now that we’re in actual fall, we’re wanting to make these pumpkin protein muffins for the kiddos (and us too!). More banana bread too, always!
We are on the hunt for a delicious overnight oats recipe for quick, easy & fiber-filled breakfasts that we can pre-make – so please comment if you have one we should try!
little joys
We signed the kiddos up for soccer (a 50-minute parent-participation class just for 2-3 year olds), and it’s made Tuesday one of our favorite days of the week!
Getting together with the girls 💕 It’s crazy how just a few nights away can restore the balance in life – and some hiking, horseback riding, swing dancing, lounging, and fresh mountain air in Jackson Hole helped too!
Warm pool days with some of our faves, alfresco birthday dinners with friends & neighborhood walks with kiddos, pups & baby bumps.
Spending time outside & seeing a cute little baby praying mantis land on Kel’s daughter’s shoulder! That has to be good luck, right?!
Making a fall bucket list 🍂 It’s currently in the works, but we’ll share soon! We’ve already checked one of our boxes: watching Gilmore Girls for the first time!
We’d love to know what you’ve enjoyed watching, listening to, eating, drinking & what you’ve been eyeing and are looking forward to. Let us know in the comments section or send us a DM on Instagram – or better yet, join the group chat when you sign up for our newsletter! You can also follow us on Pinterest to see what inspires us & our abodes!