Friday, September 30, 2022

10 Cozy Books on My To-Be-Read List


Anytime is a good time to read a book but for some reason the end of the year just seems even better. It just feels so cozy to wrap up in a blanket with a cup of coffee and read the day away. At least that's what I plan to do... So, here are 10 cozy reads on my TBR. Are you dying to read any of these?

Practical Magic

This is one of my all-time favorite films. It gets me in such a fall mood (I've already watched it this year) so why shouldn't I read the book?

Getaway With Murder

Now that I live so close to the Blue Ridge Mountains, I feel like this mystery is perfect for me!

Cobble Hill

A bunch of people converge in this neighborhood and the book goes through their ups and downs — sounds like a cozy read to me!

Murder Most Fowl

I adore a "cozy mystery" and Donna Andrews' Meg Langslow books are the definition of them. They take place in this tiny town of Virginia where everyone knows everyone and they throw incredible holiday events. I want to visit the fake town so bad.

A Study in Charlotte

A murder at a school? Fall.

Aunt Dimity: Vampire Hunter

Another "cozy mystery" definition book. Aunt Dimity is a ghost (yeah...a bit odd for me but it's not a huge plot point) and her niece helps solve casual mysteries in the Cotswolds.

A Discovery of Witches

Did anyone else love the TV show? I feel like it's time to read it.

The Searcher

A horrible murder in a small Irish village with a fixer-upper home? Yep.

When Women Invented Television

For my non-fiction lovers, find out about some incredible women.

The Ex Hex

A romance novel involving ghosts? Perfect.

Want more?

Check out my 2022 book club >>
Fall decor to put out when you read these books >>

Wednesday, September 28, 2022

Hurricane Ian & My Childhood Home


If you've been watching the news you know Hurricane Ian wrought catastrophe on Lee County yesterday. My home for 18 years and where my parents, friends and family still reside. Fort Myers, Sanibel, Fort Myers Beach, Captiva, Boca Grande, Cape Coral and North Fort Myers were flooded. They're still flooded. And since my parents evacuated (as they should have) we know nothing. In the coming weeks I will be sharing resources on how to help the community — families have lost their homes meaning they'll need clothes, food, water, etc. I'm devastated and so incredibly sad that my beautiful home will be dealing with this destruction for years to come.

Donate to the Florida Disaster Fund >>

Tuesday, September 27, 2022

Best Fall Sweatshirts 2022

When I moved to Colorado I discovered how much I love a sweatshirt. I thought they were pointless when I lived in FL and TX...which makes sense, so here are a few of my favorites around the internet right now. What is your favorite?

J. Crew Navy with Dog, Oranges, Grey Gap, Burnt Orange Collared, Navy & White Stripe, Pink Massive Collar, Faded Blue, Tan, Polo Ralph Lauren White Bear, Pink Gap, VAI21Tennis

Want more?

Check out these fall sweaters >>
Fall decor for your home >>

Monday, September 26, 2022

Monday Links


Happy Monday!

As a Floridian, I am disgusted by what happened to the migrants. This was just plain cruelty.

Waffle House is so intrinsically part of U.S. culture and this is a cool photo series.

Are you registered to vote? Check now!

A very cool win for young people on the Boise School Board.

Disability activists speak about what more needs to be done.

The best brunches in Charlotte right now and a place that you should hike in North Carolina!

When can I move into this charming cottage?

Abortion laws by state: super important as a bunch have completely eliminated it.

Some cute fall tops, sweaters and jackets.

Thrilled that Russian House is opening a new restaurant!

Latinx businesses
to support this month (and throughout the year).

15 pumpkin recipes for fall.

Such a pretty Hill Country hike.

Want more?



Thursday, September 22, 2022

Day Trip from Charlotte, North Carolina with Fresh Apple Ice Cream


South Fork Rail Trail Trailhead
Take a Sunday roadtrip to some small towns west of Charlotte for good food, cute stores and a good walk.

Route: Charlotte > Lincolnton > Toluca > Lawndale > Fallton > Charlotte

Total Mileage: 120
Time: 2h30m

Stop 1: South Fork Rail Trail

Located along the south fork of the Catawba River, this 1.8 mile hike is a beautifully shaded path. You'll meet elderly couples out for their walk and maybe see some wildlife. It passes by ruins of a mill and I highly recommend this for your H.G.W.

Stop 2: Redbone Willy's Trading Company

Located on the corner of an intersection with very little around, Redbone Willy's is an oasis of comfy clothes and old-fashioned goodies. They have so much shoved into the store you could spend an hour shopping.

Stop 3: Knob Creek Orchard

The star of this roadtrip is Knob Creek. They sell all kinds of fruit — peaches, apples, etc. that are fresh off the trees but the best part is the fresh apple ice cream that comes out every September. It's incredible. Some of the best ice cream I've ever had. Grab a cone and eat it on their covered porch and watch the rain (it rains all the time in NC if you didn't know). I loved it.

I love a small-town museum, and Lawndale did not disappoint. It's only open in the afternoons on Sundays certain months of the year but the volunteers are super sweet and it's just a great little stop. Also, it's across from the second-empire library, so I had to grab a photo of that.


Stop 4: Johnny Ray's Smokehouse

Lunch should definitely be at this BBQ restaurant located in a historic old home. The wood floors creak as you cross them and they have some fun specials like a pulled pork quesadilla with homemade chips. It was delightful.

Want more?

Find more fall activities near Charlotte >>
Clothes to wear this fall >>

Wednesday, September 21, 2022

Week Re-Cap


Quite the roaring stream on a walk.
Happy Wednesday! It has been a while since I did a re-cap because work + life has been so busy! But here are a bunch of photos to assuage you.

Brunch with some of my new friends!

Eight + Sand Kitchen's Nashville Hot Chicken breakfast sandwich

This deer was following me on a walk!

My new "Welcome" mat

Pumpkin pancakes from Original Pancake House

Finished Dial A for Aunties & loved it!

Summer is fading...

and fall is coming!

Pumpkin spice swirl at Springs Fresh Market

Nachos from Old Pineville Premium Pub

Pumpkin spice latte from Mugs Coffee

Thai takeout from Fusion 108

Enderly Coffee's pumpkin pie latte

Did a bunch of apple picking in Hendersonville — will make a post about it later.

Renaissance Patisserie's pumpkin croissant

Ninety's pumpkin cheesecake milkshake

Fall menu at Duck Donuts

Pumpkin bowl from Clean Juice

Finished Iced and I liked it more than I thought I would!

Fall at Waxhaw Candle Company

Love Glen Powell!

Pumpkin pie from Cast Iron Waffle

Rosie's Coffee & Wine Garden

Went to Mecktoberfest at Old Mecklenburg Brewing

Park Road Books

The best sandwich from Sunflour's fall menu.

Want more?

My last week re-cap >>
Fall sweaters to wear this year >>


Tuesday, September 20, 2022

Fall Sweaters 2022

Fall is officially here, I'm calling it. And while I might not be able to rock a sweater outside yet...I can feel it in the air. I've been trying pumpkin flavored goodies all around Charlotte and it's making me so happy. So, I've rounded up some sweaters from around the stores for you to check out for the '22 season.

Want more?


Monday, September 19, 2022

Monday Links


Happy Monday!

Eliza Fletcher running shouldn't have made her the target for murder. People need to be safe when doing everyday activities.

I am desperate to visit Nantucket and now I want to go in fall (and next summer).

Fall porch decor ideas...bring on all the mums & pumpkins!

Literary TV & movies to watch this month — Devil in Ohio looks so interesting and 43 more.

Florence Pugh looked incredible in Venice!

I love a good general store and these look so cute.

Garden gnomes...ha!

Some cute fall neutrals.

These heels!! So good for holiday parties.

As a mirrorball aficionado, I agree.

Fall is coming! I was up in Hendersonville last week and the leaves were starting to change. Here is info on leaf peeping in North Carolina and a bit more info.

Food books to read this season, plus 15 cozy reads.

I want a nugget ice maker so bad...and I just cannot make sense of the price.

Will be making this cinnamon sugar swirled apple bread.

I will be signing up for one of these Black history of Charlotte walking tours.

Charlotte News: STK Steakhouse coming soon, get involved with political campaigns for the midterms, adding Franklin to my list of towns to explore and Camp North End looks real fun.

North Carolina's best suspension bridges, plus covered bridges around the U.S. to visit.

Have y'all seen J. Crew's fall campaign? I'm obsessed with the classics!

North by Northwest's architecture changed the game.

I want this shirt and all of these shirts.

Want more?

Last week's links >>
Buy some fall decor for your home >>

Monday, September 12, 2022

Monday Links


Happy Monday!

Charlotte news: New development rules sound interesting, new cocktail bar coming soon, North Carolina's 20 week abortion ban is a real problem, Charlotte's OG public park reopened, Book Club Madness sounds like so much fun, the international arts festival looks really cool and 11 fall festivals to check out this year.

McGuire Moorman Lambert make some of my favorite restaurants so I'm excited about this new development.

I think I need this sweater...

Thought this was an interesting look into some very popular books.

Welcome to September.

Some basics for your fall wardrobe and fall fashion for under $50!

Bulgaria would be a fascinating trip.

14 summer salads to try as the dog days come to a close.

Need the cozy cardi from this post!

Has anyone else noticed that rugbys are back in a big way?

Honoring Bessie Coleman.

I adore baby blue, so seeing this post made me happy.

We all know I love the Parent Trap, so seeing Carly's costumes was a joy.

Oh I want this dress real bad.

More than 80 fall decor items that need to find a home in your house.

32 things people find hot...for no real reason. So many of these I agree with!

The best back-to-school movies out there.

Real Housewives of Salt Lake City is the most unhinged, incredible, amazing RH series out there and I cannot wait for its return.

How to clean your microwave...because yeah, you need to do it.

Choose a big fall book to read with a helpful chart.

I NEED the blouse from Julia's recent post.

5 chocolate shops in Asheville, North Carolina that look delicious.