October Favorites

Happy Monday and happy November! 

October was such a lovely month here... I always love the crisp fall weather and seeing the leaves change every year, and this October was no exception! This past weekend was probably the most chill Halloween weekend I've ever had, but I kind of loved it. It was nice to just soak up one last fall weekend before it inevitably gets cold here soon. This October I really loved quite a few things, so I am particularly excited about this installment of monthly favorites!

L I S T E N I N G

I've been addicted to this jazz playlist on Spotify. I have had it going nonstop recently, whether I'm working or just hanging out at my house. I don't usually like to sit in silence, but sometimes I get sick of listening to "regular" music, so this jazz playlist has truly been the perfect background music for me!

W A T C H I N G

I watched three TV shows in October!!! If you know me, this is huge. I rarely ever watch TV but for some reason this month I was pretty into it... it started with Emily in Paris, and after that, I just wanted to keep watching shows! Haha. I thought Emily in Paris was kind of dumb, but it definitely kept me entertained, so I have to admit I enjoyed it. After that, I started Younger because it's also a Darren Star show, but I didn't get super into it... I enjoyed the first few episodes but then was just... over it. 

The most recent show I've watched is The Queen's Gambit! I started it this weekend and it's incredible. Truly the best TV show I've watched since Money Heist this summer (aka Case de Papel in Spanish if you watch the original!).

W E A R I N G

My recent outfits are all linked on my liketoknow.it page here! 

This sweater set I got in October has been my favorite thing. I have worn both pieces together and separately and couldn't be happier with them. So plush and soft and comfy... I just am so pleased. Honestly, I wore it so much that I don't even think I remember wearing anything else in October.

R E A D I N G

Last week I shared this blog post featuring the best book I've read recently, but that was in September! Currently, I am reading The Thousandth Floor, and up next I picked up The Vanishing Half and The Last House Guest, both of which I am very excited about!

S K I N C A R E

Oh my gosh, by far my favorite skincare product in October was this Josh Rosebrook exfoliating mask. I've been discovering some little bumps/clogged pores on my face lately, and this handles them like nothing else. You scrub it on your face, leave it for a bit, and then when you wash it off it's like you have a brand new layer of soft, smooth, glowing skin. I am so obsessed with it. I have been trying to use it once a week, and it is a game-changer. I am super inconsistent about masks and literally never do them, but this one I couldn't love more. I genuinely look forward to using it because it just makes my skin look and feel amazing!

I discovered the mask because it was recommended to me in my Haldi Skin customized skincare routine. I talked a bit about Haldi last month, but basically, the company builds out a routine for you based on your skincare concerns and the products you already have in your routine. If a product you have is a good fit for your skin, it won't tell you to go get a new one! But, if it's a product that probably isn't the best option for you, it'll suggest something else. Haldi also tells you when and how to use your products, and in which order... which is so helpful!

If you try it out, you can add my name (Fran Acciardo) as a referral!

W E L L N E S S

I have continued to use my Hush & Hush capsules, including the Mind Your Mind capsule for sleep and the Time Capsule as my daily vitamin. I love both of them... a lot. I didn't take vitamins or capsules of any sort before the company sent me these to try, but I have truly been loving them so much that I am planning to repurchase on my own when my current bottles run out. 

The Mind Your Mind capsule does a great job of calming me down and diminishing the racing thoughts I usually have before bed. I notice a huge difference in my ability to fall asleep on the nights I don't take it. 

As for the Time Capsule, I just feel that it's such a great combination of essential vitamins for someone around my age, and I feel good knowing that I've been giving my body a little boost of good things every single morning. Some of the benefits listed on the website include: acts as a beauty supplement for the skin; protects against environmental damage and blue light damage; reduces redness and breakouts; boosts immunity with zinc, vitamin C, and ginseng; and replaces the need for a daily multivitamin!

H A I R

Still obsessed with the Revlon! What's new! I actually influenced my manager to try it during one of our meetings last week... hahaha. She complimented my hair and I was like "omg thanks I used the Revlon! You need it." It's under $50 and will probably change how you style your hair forever.

E A T I N G

For the first two weeks of October I think I ate an apple cider donut for breakfast everyday... so my truth. 

I made my favorite recipe for avgolemono soup a week or two ago and have been eating it every single day for lunch! It is so delicious and satisfying, while also being quite healthy! I love having it in my fridge and heating it up every day for the perfect WFH lunch.

D R I N K I N G

Last but not least, now that cold brew season is over for me (simply too cold in Wisconsin for cold brew / iced coffee in the winter), I bought this French press last week for hot coffee szn! And... I love it so much more than I was expecting!!!

It's seriously couldn't be easier and I actually notice a difference in the "smoothness" of my coffee; no grit or grainy-ness that I've noticed before with our automatic coffee machine, which is totally wild because (1) our coffee maker is a really nice one, and (2) I don't usually notice things like this... coffee is coffee to me, but apparently not anymore!

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What were you loving in October?!

xoxo