Before I get into it, can I just give props to the weather this month? I don’t think I have ever experienced a more beautiful October here in Northern Pennsylvania.
No, seriously. Blue skies, cool temps, plenty of sunshine, leaves like out of a postcard. I am so grateful. It’s made the shorter days less sad. And even if it all goes to shit next month (which it will), well, at least we had a stellar October.
Sweater Weather
I broke out my sweaters this month.
I have this cozy, brown cashmere sweater I bought from Quince last year that I love and live in all winter. It’s my hanging-around-the-house sweater.
When I first bought it, though, it sat in my drawer because I thought it was too good to wear. It felt precious. Because it was a bit expensive, and cashmere, you know, I saved it for special occasions. But every time I wanted, or needed, a sweater, I yearned for this one. But I’d reject it as “too good.”
But one day I just decided to designate this brown cashmere sweater as my Everyday Sweater.
If it got dirty or it pilled, so what. I’d save my other sweaters “for good,” but this one would be my designated Artist Sweater.
I’d drink my morning coffee in it, and write my journal in it. I’d read novels curled up on the couch in it. I’d fall asleep in it; I’d throw it on over my pajama top and walk the dogs down the yard in it. I’d make my lunch in it and feed my sourdough starter in it. It feels like wearing a teddy bear: soft, brown, and fuzzy.
All this to say: Don’t save all your best stuff for good. Wear your clothes. Maybe treat yourself this winter to a soft, delicious everyday sweater?? Call it your Artist Sweater. Your Coffee Drinking Sweater. Your Book Reading Sweater. Your Napping In Front of The Fire Sweater.
This is mine. It’s from Quince. It comes in so many wonderful colors, not just brown.
Reading
I got spooked out of reading The Disappearers by Marlon James. Reviewers were saying things like: Warning! This book’s middle section is brutal. I wouldn’t recommend this to everyone. But it’s also amazing (once you get through the brutality).
I decided to ditch it. Nope. No brutality for me. Life is brutal enough.
I’m reading May We Feed The King by Rebecca Perry now. Much more up my alley. I won’t finish all the Booker Shortlisted books before November 9th, but 5 out of 6 isn’t bad. I’m pulling for Black Bag, but I’m sure it won’t win.
Eating
Still protein-obsessed. This Blueberry Chia Pudding is one of my go-to favorite breakfasts.
Blueberry Chia Pudding
Recipe
2 Cups Greek Yogurt
1 Cup Milk
1 Cup Frozen Blueberries
1/2 Cup Chia seeds
2 Tbsp Maple Syrup
1 Tsp vanilla
Blend, sprinkle chia on top and refrigerate overnight. You can divide it up into small cups or just keep it in a large bowl.
Lotions and Potions
I have to be careful what I put on my skin. It’s sensitive, especially in winter, when the indoor air is dry and the outdoor air is cold. I always wear a basic moisturizer, but when I go out, I also put on blush and mascara. Maybe a bit of eyeliner, too.
I’ve never found a mascara I loved until recently. Here’s the best mascara I’ve ever found. It’s called 19/99. It has a thin wand. It separates. It doesn’t clump or flake, and it stays on until you take it off.
Another product I recently discovered is Jones Road Miracle Balm. I’ve been using the Clear Balm on my face, and it seems to moisturize plus give my skin a little glow. I also bought a few small mini sizes in pink tints to use as blush and lip gloss. Big fan.
Yoga
My daily Ashtanga streak is still intact (today was Day 115), but starting this week, I’m going to take one day off each week. I’ve been dealing with wrist and knee issues, and I’m not sure whether they’re from yoga or lifting, so I’m scaling back on both. I’m going to cut it to 4 days of lifting and 6 days of yoga.
I’m a big fan of yoga props, especially my Dharma Wheel. I especially love it for support in half shoulderstand. I have a 13-inch wheel, but I recently bought a set of smaller ones, and I also got a new set of Yoga grips. A few of my students have wrist issues, too, so I hope they like these.
Here’s what I bought:
The World
This will be my last post before the Midterm elections this Tuesday. I will vote in person on Tuesday. My county is deep red MAGA. In past elections, there have been A LOT of Republican yard signs. This year, practically none. We shall see.
Please.
Read.
Think.
Vote.
