Then Ten List: September 2024
Then Ten List: September 2024
Finally Back to School, Skinny Jeans, Car Candy, a Quick Trader Joe's Dinner, and More ...
Everyone is finally back to school! While I absolutely love summer, I’m ready for the structure and coziness of fall. My older girls went back early—nearly a week and a half before Labor Day—and today, Vivi started Kindergarten. 😭
When we returned home from the beach, it was just Vivi and me. I found myself trying (and failing) to catch up on work while we exchanged glances. With working from home feeling more like navigating a chaotic video game than a productive space, I decided to channel my energy into getting the house ready for the new season.
What I initially thought would be a simple tidy-up quickly turned into a full-blown overhaul and purge.
Over the past ten days, I tackled every drawer, corner, and storage container in the house. I ended up filling nearly 50 contractor bags and moving boxes with trash, donations, and items to resell. It was a real eye-opener—despite my usual organizational habits, I was shocked by what had accumulated over the past year.
I essentially approached it as if we were moving. If it wasn’t something I’d pack, it was out the door.
I made a bit of a mess and added a few new projects to my list, but the house feels lighter, like a breath of fresh air. It’s just what I needed to kick off the season.
Today is my first day working in quiet in months - and it’s a dream.
I hope your September is off to a great start. There is a lot to look forward to!
2. POLISHED: Espresso Your Inner Self
If you’re seeking a refreshed manicure, I highly recommend OPI’s Espresso Your Inner Self. It offers a rich hue that's elegantly understated—not too dark, yet distinctively sophisticated.
3. SWEETOOTH: Squashies
I can’t quite recall how I came across these, but they’ve become my go-to indulgence for solo drives—my personal secret car treat that I savor when I’m alone and not sharing with the kids
4. UPDATE: Skinny Jeans are Back in Style.
For the record, I never told you to get rid of them. 😉
5. WATCH: We Need Venmo Moms.
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6. READ: The Wedding People
I’ve just begun reading this, but it comes highly recommended by my best friend, an avid reader with impeccable taste in pretty much everything, especially books.
7. SCENT: Capri Blue Pumpkin Clove Jar Candle
The scent of the season, makes a great hostess gift too for upcoming parities and get togethers.
8. KEEP: Recime
ReciMe brings all your favorite recipes together in one convenient place. Effortlessly download recipes from websites, Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, and Facebook, or scan recipes directly from cookbooks. With ReciMe, you can also create grocery lists and plan your meals with ease.
9. MAKE: Trader Joe’s Crispy Sweet Potato Gnocchi
Easy to make, bursting with flavor, and ready in no time. The whole family LOVES this dish, and it makes fantastic leftovers for lunch the next day.
Quote:
“How smartly September comes in, like a racing gig, all style, no confusion.”
-Eleanor Clark
OMG! I’m doing the same method of cleaning out my house. If I were packing to move today would this item go in the box. If not - out it goes.
Honestly, this year has been rough. Purging is good for my brain, my soul and my house. We have a huge house (24 rooms) and it’s a real challenge to get to each one but I’m being a bit methodical about it and tackling one room at a time. I just cleaned out my mom’s apartment after she passed last month. That gave me really good practice for deciding what to keep, sell, donate, trash. Now that I’m back home I’m taking on our house doing the same thing We are going to put the house on the market next Spring so I’ve got all snowy winter to work my magic (or at least put a good dent in it). I even have some friends coming to “shop” my house.
Thank you for all your insight and being so willing and great at sharing.
As always, you touched on some of my own feelings, experiences and projects with this post. Fall marks a turning of the page and starting a new chapter for me every year but especially grateful for it this year. Looking forward to these recommendations!