October Favorites | 10.2020

Hello, Lovelies! My apologies for being MIA this past month. To be honest, 2020 caught up with me in the form of a month-long pity party. Between the fires, horrific air quality, Rick and I working from home while the teens do their school (and their lives) online, my senior daughter knee-deep in college apps, and my son doing sports – then not doing sports (it changes day to day), friends struggling with their businesses, coming up with healthy eating options … every day seemed like an all-new adventure on Mr. Toads wild ride. Look, I love to cook – but I’m over it. I have always enjoyed the calm that results from a 90-minute yoga class – but lately, a quick 30-minute session seems like a chore.  I know we are all on this crazy ride together – but sometimes it’s all just too much, and that was September for me.

“It’s the days you have every right to breakdown and fall apart, yet choose to show up anyway that matter most. Don’t diminish the small steps that others can’t see.”
― Brittany Burgunder

An extrovert, I draw my creative juices and energy through spending time around others –  and those interactions have been limited during these challenging times. As I rally myself up for a new month, I’m getting back to something that’s been a constant for me over the past 6 years which is blogging and enjoying being a part of a fabulous group of creative, supportive women in the 40+ blogging community.

Being it’s October 2nd, I thought we’d kick the month off with an all-new round of picks featuring a must-have $48.00 topper and my latest Target Buy, to a Clean Beauty Tea and a few seasonal recipes to try – welcome to an all-new October Favorites!

Over the past 7 months, I’ve come to realize that I truly only wear 20% of what I own. Now, if I could move about freely, as I did pre-Pandemic, I’m sure the percentage would go up. But it is interesting to see what I gravitate toward these days. Pre-Pandemic, I may have chosen to wear something uncomfortable, just because it was chic. No more. Aside from a MASK, if something pinches, itches or is simply too much work to put together, it sits, untouched, in my closet. The same goes for shoes. Looking at my footwear, I can’t believe some of the kicks I’ve put up with, in the name of fashion. My favorite shoes right now are BIRDIES slides (I have 3 pairs!), flip flops, (THIS PAIR) of slippers, (THIS) Mephisto wedge sandal, and my Birkenstock Gizeh’s (HERE) – that’s pretty much it. My Gizeh’s are cracked and in desperate need of replacement, so when I saw my pal Christy wearing (THIS) Madrid Sandal from Birkenstock, I set out to find a pair of my own. With Nordstrom pretty much sold out, I did find the tan and black version of this cute Birkie update over at Anthropologie – PRESS HERE to read reviews.

It’s been 7 months since I set foot in an Anthropologie store, so you can imagine the sensory overload I experienced while doing a quick online return earlier this week. Oh, how I wanted to stick around and browse. While my return was being processed, I spotted (THIS) adorable bucket hat and asked the sales gal to ring up a black leopard print for me – without even trying her on. The dot print was not in the store, but I did see the tiger print version and she is very chic as well, though a bit too close to the color of my hair. I see this topper replacing my Eric Javitz summer hat, and plan to wear anywhere from the beach with a cozy cashmere sweater to cocktails al-fresco with jeans and a black tunic. Can’t you just see it? PRESS HERE to browse the FINN COZY BUCKET HAT  – such a deal at $48.00, from Anthropologie.

One of my favorite things about fall is the anticipation of sweater weather, and there’s nothing a Pandemic will change about that. Y’all know I can’t resist a cozy cardigan and (THIS) tie-dye beauty caught my eye as I was leaving my 5-minute stay at Anthro. Love yourself a little leopard? Take a peek at (THIS) fresh take in a not-so-basic, everyday cozy cardi.

Spending more time at home along with working and schooling all under one roof, has forced many of us to switch up how we live day to day. And in addition to re-imagining our living space, a new season brings on a natural inclination to change things around the household. Around the Bell home I’ve been busy moving furniture around, ordering new sheets for the beds, having our rugs professionally cleaned, getting rid of clutter and dusty house plants. Sometimes all it takes is fresh white towels (I love THESE white Turkish towels from Costco) to make a room feel new again. Another easy way to change the “feel” of a room is to switch out the drapery. Annoyed with the Nov 30 ship date of a pair of linen curtains I’d hoped to order from Pottery Barn, I came across (THESE) Blackout Linen Look Curtains at Target, in stock, for a fraction of the price. Perfect for the kids room, I purchased the color “Sour Cream” which is a very soft, neutral off white. Available in 4 lengths, 5 colors, PRESS HERE to learn more and read the reviews.

Meal prep can be exhausting – especially if you want your family to eat healthily. Lately, come Monday, I’ve had an excess of peaches. I hate letting things go to waste, and after trying out multiple recipes, I came across a real winner in (THIS) Easy Peach Cobbler from TidyMom.net. For a quick easy dinner, I made (THIS) Baked Lemon Artichoke Picatta, served up with broccoli and (THIS) yummy Parmesan White Wine Risotto. For breakfast or snack, (THIS) Chocolate Zucchini Spring Mix Smoothie from the Earthbound Farms Blog, is a quick way to get in your greens – you won’t believe what’s inside this one!

Looking for more? You’ll find over 1000 pinned recipes on the Ask Suzanne Bell Let’s Eat Pinterest Board by linking (HERE).

You had me at Clean Beauty and can we talk about this pretty packaging? An anytime tea, I love sipping a cup of Republic of Tea’s Clean Beauty Berry Aloe Tea before bedtime. With a promise to make my skin and digestive systems happy – how could I resist? Found on Amazon (HERE). For Blueberry Lavender (PRESS HERE).

So fall is here. A new season with new opportunities. I’m thinking I may visit a Pumpkin Patch or visit our beautiful coastline. Whatever your plans for the upcoming week are, make the best of it, taking time to pause and to enjoy the beauty, the change of a season brings!