The Best Bits: My October 2024 Favorites
The Best Bits is a monthly series where I tell you what I’ve been up to! Things I’m doing, media I’m loving, and products I recommend! Here’s a fresh batch of favorites for your reading pleasure!
DISCOVERING | Master Gardener Course
Over the summer I applied and interviewed to become a Master Gardener in my community. So far I have had four classes, and I am learning so much! The lectures on basic botany and soil structure have been my favorite, and I really look forward to learning more about growing flowers and vegetables! In about six months I’ll take a test to get my certificate and given how much I’ve learned already I definitely think I’ll have mastered a good amount by then!
READING | Slewfoot by Brom
I picked this book up on recommendation from my friend Natalia, and I have since been unable to put it down. Set in 1666, a young English woman is sent to a puritan village to be married. When one of the farm’s goats goes missing, it becomes clear to Abitha that something evil is lurking in a cave on their property. This book is delightfully spooky (enough that I avoid reading it right before bed) and I can’t wait to find out what happens!
WATCHING | Bridgerton
I’m about three years late to starting Bridgerton, but I’ve finally committed to watching it, and I loved the first season. The costumes are so beautiful, I love the modern music features, and it was so fun trying to guess who Lady Whistledown would be! I still need to watch seasons 2 and 3, as well as the Queen Charlotte spinoff, especially because she was one of my favorite characters!
LISTENING | Bad on Paper Podcast
This podcast has become an almost daily listen for me, as they’ve got a few years of back catalog I can dive into! The hosts, Becca and Olivia have a lot of the same interests as me – writing, books, traveling, and the occasional fun little things like knitting and home design. I highly recommend it!
PLANNING | Our Thanksgiving Menu
Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and David and I are hosting our families this year! I know for certain I’ll be making my Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake, and of course we’ll have the classics like turkey and stuffing. I’ll be sure to post any recipes that knock it out of the park! I would love to know your favorite Thanksgiving dish or tradition, so leave a comment below!
CRAFTING | Stripe Hype Sweater by Kutovakika
My friend Sabrina and I purchased yarn for this sweater pattern a few months ago, and I finally cast it on my needles last week! I’ve never made a sweater before so I’m very excited (yet nervous) to see it come together!
GROWING | Saffron Crocuses
Last year we planted a small handful of saffron crocuses in our garden and it was such a fun treat! You plant them in early autumn, and by the time it starts to get chilly out, the beautiful purple blooms start popping up! The best part, each flower has three vibrant red threads of saffron that you can dry and save in your spice cabinet! We bought more bulbs this year, and I’m looking forward to an even bigger harvest next year!
APPLYING | Fluffy Bunny Shea Butter Hand Cream
If you know me, you know that I have a thing about keeping my hands moisturized. I keep hand cream in my purse, on my desk, in my car, and usually in random places around the house. I also love variety, so keeping different “flavors” around brings me joy. My most recent love is the Fluffy Bunny hand cream by Farmhouse Fresh. The best part is that a percentage of every purchase goes to helping animals!
WEARING | Dazzle Dry Manicure
David and I took engagement photos a few weeks ago and I used that as an excuse to try out a new nail product. I had my nails done by a technician that specialized in the Dazzle Dry system, and I have been blown away by how long it has lasted! I’ve tried a ton of different manicures over the years but always found that gel and dip powder will damage my nails so much that I can’t get my nails done often. Dazzle Dry brings the versatility of traditional polish to the longevity of gel, and finally I feel like I’ve found something that works for me! AND I can take it off myself without ruining my natural nails! My current manicure has been going strong for 10 days. The game has absolutely been changed for me!
EATING | Ultimate Meat Lasagna with Béschamel Sauce
Since it’s been getting a bit colder out, I’ve found myself reaching for soups and stews and warm comfort meals. Lasagna was something we couldn’t get out of our head, so I took some time to perfect my recipe. This recipe features a meaty bolognese, a creamy béschamel sauce, and enough cheese to feel really decadent. I’m already eyeing the second pan of lasagna I froze to save for later! Do yourself a favor and make it!
SIPPING | Twinings Peppermint & Creamy Vanilla Tea
Speaking of cozy, this herbal tea is the perfect addition your evening wind down with a cozy blanket, a crafting project, a few episodes of Bridgerton, or a good book.
INDULGING | Chiaogoo Interchangable Knitting Needle Set
I saved up my pennies and bought this incredible set of knitting needles. I loved the Chiaogoo products I’d used previously and this set should last me an incredibly long time. They help me knit really fast, and I’ve been so pleased with them!
ADMIRING | GLDN Poet’s Garden Gradient Hoops
These earrings caught my eye when I was browsing the GLDN site for gifts for a friend, and I love how they are a unique twist on a simple, classic piece of jewelry!
OBSESSING | The Northern Lights
The Aurora Borealis was visible for a few hours in Pennsylvania on October 10th, and we managed to get a glimpse of it! It was easiest to see through our phones, and we got some lovely photos! We were able to see a pink tint with the naked eye, but not much else. It has been a dream of mine my entire life to witness the northern lights and this just fueled my fire. While it was incredibly exciting to have the Aurora in my back yard, I’m not crossing it off my bucket list quite yet!
CELEBRATING | Friendship!
We got to see a bunch of friends this month and it was so nice to spend time with them! We hopped in the car almost every weekend, visiting pals in all corners of Maryland and Virginia. We dressed up for the Renaissance Festival in Annapolis, I had a weeknight dinner in Fredrick, we spent a day at the Graves Mountain Apple Festival in Syria VA, and got another Virginia Tech Homecoming on the books in Blacksburg. If you ask me, it was well worth the mileage!
What are your favorite things this month?
