My Favorites from October 2024

Another great and busy month! There were no flops this month so it’s ALL about my favorites for October, and there were lots. I don’t know how I found time for all of it. Between all the TV shows, the new puppy, and travel, it’s no wonder I’m so tired. The only thing that I didn’t do in October was dress up for Halloween, but there really was no time. Keep reading to find out all the things I loved from this month.

• Puppy – Copper is here and he is precious! Beagles are special dogs and he’s no different. He already howls with us, like we’re apart of the pack. He’s picked up potty training and crate training like a champ. Thankfully, since we work from home, Copper doesn’t go in the crate except for bedtime and when we leave the house. I set up a playpen for him to safely explore while I work and it’s been a great set up. I’ve linked everything I purchased for Copper here. Chewing is our biggest problem but he’s a teething puppy so we’re working on it. Everytime we take him somewhere, we’re stopped, because he’s just so darn cute! For Halloween we were going to be ketchup and mustard while he was a hotdog but I audibled last minute to a dinosaur costume because we call him a little monster.

• Just The Nicest Couple by Mary Kubica – This story is about a couple who are desperately trying to keep a secret, that the wife may have killed, in self defense, her coworker/friend’s husband. The story is told from the husband’s and friend’s POV. The entire time I was reading this book I was screaming at the characters: what are you doing?! They continued to make bad decision after bad decision, but that’s what made it so enticing. I thought I knew what the twist would be but there were still many pieces missing and i was very surprised with the ending and how it all eventually played out.

• You Are A Badass Every Day by Jen Sincero – I’ve read You Are A Badass by Jen Sincero and enjoyed it so I purchased her other 3 books. I picked this one next and already from the first few pages I’m taking something away. This book is similar to 101 Essays That Will Change The Way You Think in that it’s a chapter or 2 here and there kind of book. I’ll update with final thoughts once I’ve finished it.

• Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story on Netflix – I’ll start by saying I read all the criticisms of this show and I agree: the implication that the brothers were incestual, when it’s fact that they were not, was uncalled for and damaging. However I credit this show for opening my eyes to the horrors of the abuse these brothers suffered at the hands of their parents. The acting was phenomenal but i think it’s really important to do your own research on the case and know the facts. Netflix also had a documentary on the brothers that I haven’t watched but plan to.

• Aaron Hernandez American Sports Story on Hulu – This is another one where I felt a little iffy watching because the story is based on true events but not everything shown happened. So again, I think it’s important to do your own research and know the facts from what’s exaggerated or made up for dramatic effect or to add to the story. The acting in this one is also great! The actor portraying Aaron Hernandez does so very well. I feel like I’m able to sympathize with Aaron. Obviously what he did was wrong and there is no excuse for it but seeing how he was raised and the adults in his life who failed him over and over again, made me understand how he ended up the way he did.

• Shrinking Season 2 on Apple TV – We only have the first 4 episodes of the new season but so far, it’s continued to give the same feel as season 1. I loved the twist we got at the end of the first episode and I’m very interested to see how the characters, specifically Jimmy and Alice, deal with this reminder of the past. I’m excited to see how the characters and their relationships grow and evolve this season. Harrison Ford is giving comedy gold, who knew he could be so funny! I could be biased tho, I’ve been in love with Harrison since I was 6 or 7.

• Boston – My second big American city of the year! I went to Chicago in March and absolutely loved it. Because I grew up an Air Force kid, I traveled a lot but mostly in Europe. If we went of vacation to the states, we usually went to Disney World. Building up my visitation of US cities is a big to-do for me. Boston and Chicago are 2 iconic American cities and I really can’t say which is better than the other because they were so different! Boston was so historical, but the kind of history I haven’t seen much of. Seeing the exact locations where our country’s history was made, was surreal. I’ll need to write a whole post on just Boston but I’ll give a couple highlights. The first big stop was The Green Dragon Tavern, a historical bar where the Boston Tea Party was planned. We visited Harvard, where I got to have my Elle Woods moment and we did the famous Duck Tour, iconic for a reason. The environment was amazing, fall in the Northeast is beautiful! 10 out of 10 will go back!

• Inside Out 2 – I have put off watching this movie because the first one was very special to me. I related to Riley so much and I can’t get through the movie without bawling. I was afraid this one would have the same-ish effect and I was right. As someone that struggles with anxiety, I had no idea that this movie was going to make me feel both seen and relieved. I thought anxiety was going to be this cute little emotion, like they all are, but they really truly showed the seriousness of it. I really loved this sequel, somehow Pixar knows how to make the best sequels.

• 2025 Artist of Life Workbook from Lavendaire – I’ve been waiting for the new Artist of Life workbook to show up so I could start planning 2025. When I purchased the workbook last year it took me 2 months to put it together. I haven’t started yet but I did get a chance to flip through it. Nothing has changed from the previous year except the theme. I got the color turquoise, the other choice was sand; both solid choices if you ask me. I also picked out the Weekly Reset Planner. It’s the exact kind of planner I was looking for to get the week started. Once I start using it, I’ll give a full review.

• Grey’s Anatomy Rewatch – Shonda Rhimes writes GREAT tv and nothing else will ever compare to the first 3 seasons of Grey’s. I’m not caught up with the show currently. I’m several seasons behind but I can’t just start where I left off, you know? It’s Grey’s, I have to start at the beginning. It’s the perfect background show while I’m working since I’ve seen it so many times. Also, shoutout to the person/people that chose the music because it’s top tier.

• Cracker Barrel Havarti and Dill Cheese – I found this at Kroger and it is so good! Ever since I went to the Finger Lakes in New York last year, I’ve been obsessed with trying different cheeses. I had a dill one then, that I enjoyed, plus Cracker Barrel is my favorite cheese brand so this was a score!

• Wednesday Gushers & Tony’s Chocolonely Everything Bar – I’m known for having the best recommendations for candy, desserts, and all things sweets. These are my finds from October. I discovered both at Target. The Gushers are blueberry grape despair flavored. The Everything bar is milk chocolate with caramel, pretzel, almond, nougat, and sea salt, HEAVEN right?!

• Makeup and Skincare – Obviously makeup and skincare are huge loves of mine and I have a few products to review. First, my La Mer dupe discovery: I’ve done some research on La Mer dupes because, while it is a decadent and wonderful moisturizer, it is hundreds of dollars. I’m not in the right tax bracket to be spending hundreds of dollars on face cream, no matter how good it is. Most reviews say Nivea Creme is the best la mer dupe so I did some additional research on the ingredients of both. The main ingredient Nivea Creme is missing is also the first ingredient in La Mer: algae extract. Next I looked up serums with algae extract. The Ordinary has one, Marine Hyaluronic Moisture Lock Serum. I mix the 2 and voila, I have the perfect La Mer Moisturizing Soft Cream dupe for a fraction of the price. I picked up a few makeup items this month that are working great for me. First a TikTok inspired purchase, L’Oreal Burgundy Mascara. It didn’t disappoint, I do think it helped my green eyes pop as promised. Right now, I’m loving the sparkly nude eyelid look and Urban Decay’s Shimmery Cowboy eyeshadow palette and eyeliner pencil are perfect for that look. These shimmer products are perfect for the upcoming holiday season.

• Supplements – Habit Energy and Olly Focus – I’m always tired and have a hard time focusing on one task at a time. These supplements paired together have been a lifesaver! I don’t like coffee and caffeine pills give me the shakes to the point where I can’t even work, so finding something that does the trick is, well, tricky. So far, these have been the only thing that help me. I also love the Stress Relief as a natural supplement for anxiety.

• Anatomy of Lies on Peacock – A great documentary! Holy cow, I didn’t know this woman lied about more than having cancer and being sick. The lies she told, the stories she stole, the people she hurt, it was never ending. And she’s responsible for Alex Karev’s exit storyline!!! In a single episode she managed to kill 15+ years of character development. There is so much to this story, I highly recommend watching, even if you’re not a Grey’s Anatomy fan.

That’s it, those are my favorites from October. I cannot believe that there are only 2 months left in 2024. I am looking forward to traveling to State College, PA to see my family for Thanksgiving next month and hopefully snagging one of The Eras Tour books from Target on Black Friday. Stay tuned for next month’s favs and flops post; I’ll let you know there if I get the book and how the trip went. Until then, let me know your favorites from this month in the comments. If there’s anything out there you want me to try and review, comment or reach out to me here.