Issue #51: September 2024 Favorites
Mormon wives, a heartwarming movie, and the simple joy of switching scents
I’m one day late in posting this monthly recap, but we were lucky enough to have my sister-in-law and nephew in town this weekend. Over the busy weekend, we covered many of the city's top spots, including the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, Ballard Locks, Golden Gardens, and a day trip to Mount Baker. We scootered around and ate a lot of pizza. It was an absolute blast, but I needed a night to rest before finishing this up. So here we are today, on the first of the month.
September is the end of summer and the beginning of fall, so it’s usually filled with a bit of panic to enjoy those last sunny days before they are gone for a few months. We spent lots of time outside, so I’m still not stocked on book and TV recs, but I have a few. I also just picked up six books from the library that I’ve been excited about all summer, so hopefully, I’ll be in a reading mood for the next few weeks.
Let’s jump in.
Reminder: Some of the links included are affiliate links. Purchasing through them may give me a few pennies, but it won’t cost you any extra. The pennies help me justify the amount of time I spend watching bad TV to share with all of you. Another way to help is to share this, hit the like button, or even drop a comment with something you have loved this month. And if you’re really inspired, you can pledge your support.
🎥 Will & Harper
We watched this last night, and I was instantly happy that I had delayed this email until today to include it. Will Ferrell takes a cross-country road trip with one of his closest friends who recently transitioned. Many people, myself included, don’t have a trans woman as a close friend, but they allowed us all a window into their intimate conversations about this change and the challenges that Harper faced in her life up until now. I laughed and shed a few tears. It simultaneously restored my faith in some humans while also making me hate the internet and the ability to troll people without having to look them in the eye. It’s on Netflix, and I highly recommend it.
📚 The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife
This new book by Anna Johnston has really stuck with me. I finished it early this month, and I can easily say it’s my favorite of September. The main character is an elderly man who is facing an uncertain future with no money and nowhere to live. Through a wild series of events, he finds himself in someone else’s shoes (literally) and a new lease on life. It was heartwarming, and I loved the characters. If you loved A Man Called Ove, you will likely love this book as well. Buy a copy here and support your local indie bookstore (or grab one on Amazon.)
*Free copy provided by Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
🍎 Back to School Updates
In September, all the niblings return to school (or start Kindergarten). I absolutely love seeing all the first-day-of-school pictures and hearing about the adventures of these kids during their big transitions to new classrooms, schools, and activities.
🎫 Live Music
We saw two incredible concerts in September. The Last Revel played at Tractor Tavern, which is a small venue in our neighborhood. Abby Webster opened for them, and the whole show was magnificent. We had the best time and have been listening to our favorites on repeat since then.
The following week, we had tickets to see Kacey Musgraves. It was one of the coolest shows I’ve ever seen. The backdrop was stunning, and each song had a unique vibe in the arena. This is the fourth time we’ve seen her, and she keeps getting better. If you can see this tour, I cannot recommend it enough.
🕯️ Myrtle Mint Candle
I picked up this candle at a little gift shop the other day, and it’s my new favorite scent. It was cozy, clean, and comforting all at once. ‘Tis the season for candles, and you should make sure you have at least two or three ready to go.
📺 The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives
Did I want to like this show? Absolutely not. Could I stop watching once I started? Absolutely not. I don’t know if I can list all eight women featured in this show, but I was invested in the phenomenon “MomTok,” and I could not look away. It’s like a miniature version of the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City. These women might have less money, but they have the same amount of drama and wild lifestyles that the housewives offer.
🥤 Ridge Rush
Olipop is our go-to for a non-alcoholic drink that tastes more interesting than water. They released a new flavor this month called Ridge Rush, and we love it. It reminds me of Diet Mountain Dew, but better. Green tea provides a caffeine kick, and we’ve already added it to our subscription, which comes every other month. We have been alternating between this flavor and Apple Crisp. Use this link and get $15 off your first order if interested.
🧴 Switching Scents
I recently swapped my shampoo and conditioner to a different scent and it was a day-maker. No changes to the brand, but I just grabbed a new scent. I think you just become accustomed to your products, and changing them is a treat for your nose. This is the shampoo and the conditioner at Target. One thing I love about this brand is the metal containers, which can be recycled, and you can purchase new ones without a pump. A seasonal transition is the perfect time to change (even though I did not choose a fall scent for my hair.)
That’s just a random picture from Mount Baker because it was so pretty this weekend.
If you have extra funds, consider helping the Asheville community and surrounding areas as they deal with the aftermath of a hurricane that reached the mountains. Here is a link for a local nonprofit helping the community and Baby2Baby, which is a great option for helping families. Jump in where you can.
I just finished this book, and while it wasn’t my favorite of the month, I definitely wrote down a lot of lines that I loved. It would have been better on a beach somewhere, but if you want to be transported to the magical island of Ibiza, give it a try.
My desktop background is updated monthly because I love these free options and enjoy changing the look of the object I stare at for hours every day.
Does anyone else have one of these? I’m considering it for the winter, but I need to know if I’ll use it. We don’t have a microwave, and I like the idea of this for leftovers too.
We did so much geocaching with our nephew this weekend, and I really feel like it’s an underrated activity for kids and adults alike. Have you tried it?
This great piece linked below on whether or not there’s such a thing as “too much self-help.”
Did you catch my guide to podcasts last week? I hope to do more like that in the upcoming months, including Substack, social media, calendars, and photos. I love seeing people organize and utilize different things because I’m always looking to optimize my life and time. Comment and let me know if there’s anything you’d like me to share my strategy on.
I hope your October is off to a good start. I’m heading to the kitchen to make some tater-tot hot dish and get ready to support Gov Tim Walz from my home state in tonight’s debate.
Cheers!
Steph