Five Friday Faves for September 2019

Time for my random Friday faves that I am trying to do monthly! Frankly, I enjoy doing these because it allows me to share favorites that don't fully fit in with my monthly beauty faves. I love beauty, but obviously I like a whole heck of a lot more than that and this allows me a good place to talk about some of those things that took the spotlight that given month.

This month is brought to you by autumn, it seems like. I know it is not official until Monday, but the temperatures have been dropping here. Pumpkin spice has invaded your local coffee spots and bakeries, Halloween decor is taking over the stores, and sweaters are out on the clothing racks. So yes, I've basically hit full fall mode and I am not ashamed of it. It's my favorite season with all of my favorite holidays! If only it lasted longer. Granted, every season seems to be flying by this year. Somehow we're nearing the end of September already? How did that happen?!

If you love Harry Potter, you need to look into the illustrated editions. They add so much to the series and it is such a fabulous new way to take in the story. My favorite book in the series The Goblet of Fire is the next to be released and comes out next month. They are releasing one a year!

I love fall issues of magazines! They always seem to be the thickest and have the best articles. Also, I just want all of the fall fashion, decor, and comfort food. Just give it all to me. And to add to the reading topic, I'll share two books I recently read and enjoyed. For a lighter romance read, When August Ends by Penelope Ward. It's kind of like a "falling for the neighbor" type of story. For a heavier read, I say that based on the topic covered, I thoroughly enjoyed Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup by John Carreyou. It's about how everything started and came crashing down with Theranos and Elizabeth Holmes by the actual reporter who first ran the story. To see more of what I am reading and to share with me what you're reading, you can find me on GoodReads.

It's honestly no surprise that the majority of my month has been spent listening to Taylor Swift's Lover. Good grief, that album. I am still on the fence if it tops Reputation for me, but that's a good thing. I just can't stop listening to it. I am so happy it came out in August to allow me the dedicated time to listen to it before I switch over to Christmas music in November whereas when Reputation came out, it was a daily battle to determine which would get airplay. Besides TSwift, I'm loving Camila Cabello's Liar and Shameless, Normani's Motivation, and Tegan and Sara's I'll Be Back Someday. And I am so pumped for Celine Dion's upcoming new album!

Obviously. I usually make a pumpkin spice coffee at home, as I have a few different pumpkin syrups to add. The one above was a nice little surprise, though. We were at the mall and decided to splurge with a Starbucks stop and the power went out and voided their system for a short while. Because of that, they couldn't ring up our drinks and gave them to us for free. I was pretty pleased with myself that I had decided that a venti was in order. :)

Besides wanting to put pumpkin in everything and decorate everywhere with them, I'm also obsessed with that color right now and warm colors in general. I'm usually drawn more to cooler tones, but there is something about jewel tones and dark colors the minute the temperature dips below 70F. I am not usually one for orange anything, but I'm really feeling it at the moment.

Sorta. It's getting there. It's at that point where they work during the morning and evening, but layers are absolutely needed for the daytime hours. I've already made a sweater and sweatshirt purchase or two and I can't wait to wear them. I mentioned being attracted to warmer colors, but I'm also head over heels for leopard. Oh, that's not a thing that is only this year. That's been a whole life kind of obsession. I just picked up this amazing cardigan from H&M, except in the leopard pattern which seems to be sold out online (check your local stores). It's so soft and warm and I wasn't sure how I'd feel about the length but I don't mind it. I'll probably be showcasing it on my Instagram soon!

Bath and Body Works had a candle and soap sale. When do they not?! I couldn't pass up $12.95 candles and $3.50 soaps, plus a $10 off coupon. Not when the fall scents were out and staring me right in the face! I did a candle inventory on what I had at home first and determined what I was lacking. Pumpkin Apple is new and the best way I can describe it is that it's like two of my favorite scents Leaves and Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin got together and had a baby. Oh yeah, it's good! Speaking of Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin, I did grab a soap.

As for the Frosted Cranberry, it is such a perfect scent for Christmas! I usually get it in Wallflowers and I just love the way it smells fruity but not overly sweet. This is my first time getting it in candle and soap forms, but it is so addictive once you smell it! I think the hardest part will be waiting until mid-November to pull these out, but that gives me time to appreciate the pumpkin scents first. It's a win-win.

I hope you all have a great weekend! We'll be pulling out our fall decor from storage and doing our best to make our place look like autumn threw up all over it in time for Monday. I've at least held back in that regard! Barely. :)