It’s been a minute since I’ve composed a blog post. Busy season has been, well, busy! And for that, I’m so, so grateful. I decided to carve out a little time to throw together an October Favorites post to spark some fresh creativity and share what I’ve been loving lately with you!

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Catan 🎲

I hadn’t played Catan in nearly ten years until my sister and brother-in-law brought it back for game night a few months ago, and I forgot how much I love this game. Don’t knock it ’til you try it 😉 Target had it on sale a few weeks ago, so I picked it up and taught Brett. It’s been such a fun one to break out for cozy game nights lately!

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Dirty Olipop 🍒🥤

Next up, my dirty Olipop obsession. A cherry cola Olipop with a splash of vanilla cream on top. It’s creamy, delicious, and gives just the right little caffeine boost to beat that afternoon slump. Basically the grown-up version of a float, and I’m not mad about it. 😉

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JLab AirPop Headphones 🎧

Another favorite this month has been my JLab AirPop headphones! My AirPods quit working earlier this year, so I grabbed these $25 ones as a quick replacement, and honestly, I’ve been so impressed. The sound quality is great for the price, and I love using them while doing chores or editing during nap time. Plus, the charger’s built right into the case, which feels like such a win in this season of motherhood.

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Antique Candle Co. Pumpkin Spice Candle 🕯️

My favorite fall candle from Antique Candle Co. has to be Pumpkin Spice! It’s definitely a splurge, so I only snag one when they’re running a sale and I can stack coupon codes. But truly, nothing beats a cozy fall-scented candle as the weather cools off and the days get shorter. It’s like instant cozy in a jar.

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Just Ingredients Chocolate Bone Broth Protein 🍫

I mentioned this one on my stories the other day, but we’ve been loving the chocolate bone broth protein powder from Just Ingredients! It’s dairy-free and packs 23g of protein per scoop, and my kids think it’s chocolate milk, so that’s a win in my book. We’ve been ordering from Just Ingredients for over a year now and use their protein, supplements, toothpaste powder, and mouthwash daily. Truly one of my favorite clean brands!

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Crunchi Nightlight Moistruizer ✨

If you’ve been following me for a while, you know I’m obsessed with Crunchi skincare and makeup! I’ve been using it for several years now, and it’s completely transformed my skin (and several of my friends’ and family members’ too!). With the season changing and the air getting drier, this is my top skincare recommendation. The nightlight moisturizer leaves my skin feeling nourished and hydrated, and my makeup goes on like butter when I use it.

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Kirkland Single Origin Coffee ☕️

We’re big Costco fans over here, and one of my favorite finds is their Kirkland single-origin organic whole bean coffee. They rotate regions every so often, and my favorite, Ethiopia, is finally back in rotation! Needless to say, I’ve already stocked up on a couple of bags. If you’ve ever wanted to learn more about coffee beans, processing methods, roast levels, or regions so you can find what you love best, you need my Brew Like a Barista guide (linked in my bio!).

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Rutavala Oil 💜

And finally, in a season where I’ve struggled to quiet my mind and get quality sleep, this has been such a blessing. I don’t post about oils much these days, but we still use and love them daily in our home! Rutavala oil (nicknamed “lavender’s crazy cousin”) works so well for deep, restful sleep. It’s been something I’ve been reaching for often lately, and I’ve definitely noticed the difference.

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That’s a wrap on my October Favorites! Links to all of these items can be found above & here. 🫶🏼 But, before I go, I wanted to share a few un-linkable favorites – the simple, ordinary joys that have filled my heart this month and reminded me what life’s really about 🤎

🎃 A trip to the pumpkin patch with my family to celebrate 5 years of marriage
📺 Watching Survivor with my parents on Wednesday nights
🍷 Wine club meetings with the Zaigers on Thursdays
💇🏼‍♀️ Hair appointments at Divine Salon
🫶🏼 Hosting playdates at home & making coffee for friends
🛒 Grocery shopping with my littles who think a Costco trip is a vacation :’)
🎧 Podcasts while editing the dreamiest fall photos

Sometimes it’s the things we can’t link that bring us the most joy. 🍂 Here’s to slowing down, savoring the small stuff, and soaking in the sweetness of this season! Hopefully it won’t be so long before you hear from me again. 🤎

Warmly,
Lauren