September Favorites: A Little Fall Wishful Thinking
It doesn't exactly feel like fall in Colorado yet. The days are still quite warm, and sweater weather feels a ways off.
But I've had my first pumpkin spice latte of the season, so mentally I'm there.
I'm ready for brisk mornings, golden aspens, fall candle scents, and that first day when you walk outside and realize you need another layer. In the meantime, here are a few things I'm especially loving as September gets started.
1. The Toast pants I spent way too much on
I splurged on these Toast pants while I was in San Francisco over the summer.
Honestly, just walking into a Toast boutique was an experience in itself. Everything was so beautiful and thoughtfully put together. I'd wanted to see the clothes in person for a long time, so browsing the shop felt like a treat.
I love the shape of these pants. They're roomy, a little unusual without feeling fussy, and the olive color feels especially right as I start wishing for fall.
2. Senka Perfect Bubble body wash
One of my cousins had this body wash in her guest bathroom. After trying it, I was hooked.
I already have a soft spot for Asian beauty products, so this was an easy sell. It smells sweet and floral without being too much, and makes an ordinary shower feel a little nicer.
It's one of those random little discoveries I probably never would have found on my own, which makes me like it even more.
3. A Lore Pemberton print
This Lore Pemberton print from the shop has been feeling especially lovely to me lately.
Maybe it's the baskets, dried plants, flowers, or warm, quiet colors, but it gives off such sweet autumn vibes without actually being an autumn print.
I also think it would make a good baby shower gift, especially for a first baby, since a print can be hung in the nursery. It feels a little more lasting than something the baby will quickly outgrow, and this one could easily stay on the wall for years.
4. Red Nike high tops
I am not a red shoe person, so these are a bit funny for me. But I needed new high tops, and the discount was enough to talk me into red.
Turns out, I love them. They're much louder than anything I'd normally pick, and my kids think that's exactly what makes them cool. ;)
5. An old autumn cookie recipe
This recipe has been sitting in the Brimful blog archives since 2015, when my husband made a batch of cookies with the kids one Sunday while I was away.
The gluten-free white chocolate cookies were already good, but the orange zest made them memorable.
Ten years later, white chocolate and orange still feels like such a good combination for this time of year.
6. Blackwing Pearl pencils
These are my favorite pencils, currently getting plenty of use while I sit beside my youngest, working through fractions and decimals.
There's something very satisfying about a really good pencil. Blackwings write beautifully and make those kitchen table sessions just a little more pleasant.
Can a pencil improve PEMDAS? I'm going to say yes.
7. The Pirate Queen by Ariel Lawhon
I've been really looking forward to the release of Pirate Queen, Ariel Lawhon's new book. If you loved The Frozen River, this one sounds just as exciting. It is inspired by Grace O'Malley, the legendary Irish sea captain known as the Pirate Queen. Sixteenth-century Ireland, ships, storms, and a formidable woman at the center of it all sounds like perfect fall reading.
I usually put myself on the library holds list for new releases, but I went ahead and bought a copy the day it came out. Does that count as splurge #2?
For now, I'll keep pretending it's fall. The aspens will catch up eventually.