So a few weeks ago, Sara did the first of what we hope will become a semi-regular thing on the blog–a post of her favorite healthy snacks. I was planning on doing one this Friday (you know, in keeping with the whole “Friday Faves” thing), but let me tell you about my weekend and hopefully you’ll understand why I’m doing it today. Even if it means no recipe today.
Last Friday, Sara told you all about our adventures from the last few months. To say we’re exhausted is an understatement. We’re grateful for all of these crazy-amazing opportunities that have popped into our lives, but we are perpetually rotating things in and out of suitcases, getting WAY too little sleep, and trying to keep what’s most important at the forefront of everything: our families.
This past weekend was my last free weekend before Halloween, so if we were going to do something Halloweenie as a family, this was it. I had lots of intentions to photograph (and blog) what I was cooking over the weekend, but by the time we spent a day at the pumpkin patch…
and had burgers and hand-cut fries at a little old-fashioned diner in a little town an hour away, it wasn’t happening.
And then on Sunday, after church, I was rocking a sleeping baby. And I could have put him down to go whip something up, but you guys…he’s getting bigger. And it’s so bittersweet. And he was so soft and squishy and nuzzling into me and completely, totally content to let me hold him that I just couldn’t do it. Because I know these moments are fleeting and, when it comes down to it, when I can help it, I’m always going to take snuggling my babe over optimal food photography light.
So this past weekend was all about my family…I felt like it had to be in order for me to stay sane. I hope you guys understand. And that means I’m flip-flopping my plans and sharing some of my favorite things I’ve fallen in love with this fall. It’s a little smorgasbord of everything, from my favorite TV shows to the candles I’ve started hoarding. As always, our favorite things posts are nevereverever sponsored–all of our favorites are things that we’ve purchased and use and love and want to share with you guys.
Favorite New Music
I’m a huge fan of Mumford and Sons and I’ve been waiting for their new album for a long time.
And I wasn’t disappointed. I’ve pretty much listened to it non-stop since it was released last month.
This is my favorite song, “Below My Feet”:
and I seriously think it’s one of the most perfect songs ever written.
I really don’t think there are any songs that IÂ don’t like, although some of my other favorites are “I Will Wait,” “Ghosts That We Knew,” and “Not With Haste.” As a warning, just like on their other album, while all the other songs are completely free of anything offensive, there’s one f-bomb-dropping song (“Broken Crown.”) Just so you’re not riding along in the car, blasting British folk-rock in your minivan (you know you’re cool when you have banjos going at full volume) and are suddenly blindsided.
Favorite Fall Candles
I’ve talked before about my tendency to hoard Bath and Body Works candles. I know, I know, Scentsy is what all the cool kids use, but I’ll let you in on a little secret: I have about 3 Scentsy scents that I like, but IÂ love so many Bath and Body Works candles that I have had to forbid myself from buying any more candles this fall and winter.
Now…scents are a totally personal thing, so there’s a very good chance that people are going to hate what I love (and love what I’m not so keen on). I’m not crazy about overly sweet scents like straight-up vanilla or coconut. I like citrus-y scents, but I’m not crazy about other fruity scents. I like kind of “manly” scents, but I don’t like things that are musky or smell like incense. Yes, I do get that that makes me sound like an overly-picky freak and that it’s unlikely that I’d like anything, let alone have the desire to compulsively hoard on-sale candles.
So…drumroll please…here are my favorite candles from Bath and Body Works this fall:
Fresh Balsam smells like Christmas trees, only not as heavy as straight-up pine.
Leaves has been my favorite for a few years now. It’s fresh and fall-y and spicy and I wish I could burn it all year long and not be judged.
Twisted Peppermint is pretty straightforward–it smells like sweet peppermint and reminds me of our last snowy winter in Utah before we moved to Louisiana.
Autumn smells a lot like Leaves, only with a little bit of apple and pine. It’s like heaven in a candle.
Vanilla Snowflake is very subtle. It smells like vanilla and peppermint and coconut, and I know that sounds weird and unsubtle, but it’s light and fun and not overwhelming at all.
Marshmallow Fireside smells just like that–a little smoky, like a wood-burning fireplace, and marshmallows. It’s very cozy. I will say that the small candles have a VERY light fragrance, so I’d go for the big candle here.
White Barn No. 2 Chestnut & Clove smells like heaven. Christmas and fires and coziness. I kind of turn my air conditioner way down and pretend like it’s freezing outside.
Anthropologie Under $35
I have a complicated relationship with Anthropologie. My husband hates going into their stores with me. Some stuff I think is ridiculous (hello,  nearly $100 headband). But they also have some really cute, unique gifty ideas that are fairly reasonably priced. Here are some of my faves:
Spade Measuring Cups, $32
Milk Bottle Measuring Cups, $24
Inside Out Bowls, $8
Tea and Crumpets Apron, $32
Favorite TV Shows
Y’all know (or maybe you don’t) how much Sara and I love our TV shows. I think I stopped going to movies when my oldest was born (at least stopped going to a lot of movies, and stopped going to movies that weren’t animated).
My favorite non-kid-friendly dramas (at least in shows that are currently still on TV) are Mad Men and The Walking Dead. (Yes, I do know that Mad Men isn’t on this fall, but I love it so much that I had to include it.) Once Upon a Time, on the other hand, has become something we can watch as a family. Actually, probably the only show we can really watch as a family on a regular basis.
My favorite comedies are Parks & Recreation, Modern Family (although…I kind of don’t think it’s been as funny since the second half of last season. Am I off here?), Happy Endings, and Suburgatory. Of course, there’s also the obligatory The Office and 30 Rock, but I feel kind of like they’ve been off their games for awhile now…
I really wanted to post some clips of Suburgatory because I swear, there are so many people who haven’t even heard of it, but it’s so weird and off-beat that out of context, most of the clips were just ridiculous. But it’s like a little 30 minutes of Mean Girls every Wednesday, which is like 30 minutes of greatness.
Favorite Quick Breakfast & Snack
To say mornings are hectic at my house would be a major understatement, but if I don’t eat within an hour or so of getting up, I get really grumpy and mean. These have been my go-to breakfast of choice, as well as a snack when I need something a little more substantial:
They come in all sorts of yummy flavors like berry, banana nut, granola, chocolate cherry, and s’mores. And I love all of them.
I have other little miscellaneous tricks and treats, like the stack of books I’ve been trying to read since Will was born in June, but I think I’ll save them for another day. Like a real Friday for real Friday faves…
I hope this gets your Monday off to a fun start! Stay tuned this week when we post some actual food. Promise.
Family time is the best! I love Mumford & Sons too!
I like your post. A little of this and a little of that. I like Once Upon a Time too. Found it on NetFlix or Amazon Prime. I like the cleverness of it. Found a good one for families called Dance Academy that is Australian. Sadly it got taken off but it was a good show with good characters and the Aussie color makes it even more fun.
And I had to listen to Mumford & Sons. Got started listening to them a couple of years ago when I heard their song on the Grammy’s and it seemed to be playing everywhere and got in my head.
Totally aside but since I mentioned it on another site and got it removed, is there a way to remove the annoying banner that now rests at the bottom of your site page? I realize I can hit close to get rid of it but it’s very intrusive. At least the ones on the side can be avoided. This one just waits to spring on you!!
There’s a small x in the top left-hand corner of the ad. Hit that. 🙂
These measuring cups are so cute!
http://www.modcloth.com/shop/kitchen-gadgets/owl-accounted-for-measuring-cup-set
Snuggling babies ALWAYS takes priority over everything else 🙂 I love these kinds of posts–it’s always fun to see what other people like & use. I definitely want to try the on the go breakfast–looks super yummy!
I love that you took a weekend for just family. Family is what it is all about, if that falls by the wayside your not left with much. You and Sara are amazing. It is fun to see the side of you that isn’t cooking (not that I don’t adore your recipes because I do and so does everyone that I make them for). I agree that 30 Rock and The Office have lost it. I love Parks and Recreation! I haven’t heard of any of those others aparently I need to have control of the remote more often.
Love bath and body works candles.. and am sooo with you about scentsy…. Sorry all you scentsy fans. I love bath and body work Christmas candle Spice… All time favorite!
Oh, I LOVE candles.. though I usually splurge on Yankee Candles. I may need to try and find the Marshmallow Fireside, though! 🙂
Dang it Kate! I am supposed to be OFF B&BW candles! Now I need to go through the closet and pull out all the fall ones I have from last year and inventory what I’ve got… And you are so right about Modern Family. Ned and I dropped it from our tv show lineup last season because it just wasn’t as funny anymore. I loooove the Mumford and Sons album! I’m still cranky with myself for not making it to their concert when they were in SLC this past summer. Blah.
I love that I’m commenting on my previous comment but anyway…. Am I totally terrible for still listening to Little Lion Man man full blast even with all the f-bombs? (although of course when there are no kids in the car) My seriously most favorite Mumford song is Timshel. I seriously cry at least 50% off the time that I listen to it. Ugh.
If you’re bad, I am, too, haha! And I love, love, love Timshel. And After the Storm.
I totally agree about Suburgatory! I hope it lasts awhile even though I don’t know anyone else who watches it. It’s so funny and random and weird. I love all the characters, but my favorite is Lisa. My favorite guilty pleasure shows are Revenge and 666 Park Ave. And Leaves is my definite favorite candle. Fun post!
Oh, my gosh, I love Lisa!! “I’ve taken Malik as a lover…”
I’ve been dying for Suburgatory to show up again on hulu! I LOVE that show so much!!! Once Upon a Time has kind of lost me this season…
I have never been to Anthropologie or to their website (I see a lot of knock off stuff, out there though). But your picks are super cool! I might have to check them out!
Reminds me of this lovely poem.
The cleaning and scrubbing will wait till tomorrow,
For children grow up, as I’ve learned to my sorrow.
So quiet down, cobwebs. Dust go to sleep.
I’m rocking my baby and babies don’t keep.
They do get big so fast and mine are only 1, 3, 5. Thankfully my 5 year still lets me rock her 😉
I LOVE Mumford and Sons. I Will Wait is one of my favorite songs right now.F-bombs are such a bummer, yeah? I’ve been looking for a radio edit version on Little Lion Man, but I haven’t had any luck.
Also, I’m so jealous of your snuggle baby. My baby is just starting to crawl and she won’t sit still for one minute.
Weirdly… I don’t think I had heard of Mumford and Sons before this. A quick search on YouTube, though, and I really like them! Anyone love Peter Breinholt? Since you mentioned it, and in case anyone is wondering, the song Little Lion Man definitely has the big F in it, several times. (Unless I’m not understanding the Brittish accent- ha!)
Yeah, Little Lion Man is the song from the other album with the Big F in it. 🙂
My husband was Peter Breinholt’s scout leader when Peter got his Eagle award. Peter’s music is very original. Kate, I love that picture of Meredith- and if you had put Will down to go to “work” we would have had to disown you. Good choices! And I think we have the exact same preferences for candle smells.
I love those spade measuring cups. You ladies have impeccable taste!
Mumford and Sons!!! We saw them in August in Salt Lake and they were incredible! Hopeless Wanderer is my favorite, perhaps of all time!
Fun post! I love Mumford and Sons too!
Life is too short to not take time to enjoy! So happy you got to have some much needed family time! Every Sunday we watch Once Upon A Time as a family, but then it’s bed time for the kids and then my hubby and I watch our favorite show Revenge! Please tell me you’ve seen it? Last year I was so anti a show about revenge, but then I watched it and can’t stop!
I have become addicted to Once Upon a Time! It’s fun to see a twist on all those fairy tales we grew up with.
I totally agree with you about Modern Family. There’s a reason why Eric Stonestreet keeps winning awards though. The man is hilarious. I love Suburgatory too! That at Community are seriously 2 of the most underrated shows on television. Who says TV shows can’t be totally outrageous and completely unrealistic. Isn’t that why we watch TV?
I did the same thing rocking my almost 2-year-old last week. We were out of town and he let me rock him to sleep! Twice! Those are the moments we have children for aren’t they?
I totally love this post!! Life is too short (especially with kids) to not enjoy it and blog instead. I can’t wait to try some bath and body works candles now.
Good for you for taking some time to enjoy what matters most! I share your love of BBW scents, but we buy the oils and use those instead of the candles. In fact, Leaves is burning right now and doing a great job of hiding the stinky trash smell in my kitchen! Maybe I should quit trying to plan my weekly menu and just go take out the trash!
I love the oils, too! It seems like they went through a phase where they were only stocking a few scents, so I got out of the habit of buying them, but I think they’re a much better deal than the candles.
Kate, I would actually feel GUILTY if I knew that you had stopped rocking your baby so that I (and all your other regulars) would have a recipe to read today. Have you ever read this poem?
http://www.eaganwestmomsclub.org/Poetry/SongForChild.htm
Since I’m on my fifth (and last) baby, it’s become something of a motto for me.
Go read it and then frame it or something. 🙂 Thanks for the non-Friday faves!
Oh, my gosh, yes, and I can’t read it without getting all teary.
Great Poem!
Snuggling a baby is always most important. Mine is 10 months old and the other night my husband asked me if I was going to try to put her down for the night and I said no because she’s growing so fast and she was snuggling into my neck and so content and precious and all too soon it will be over. Thanks for being an inspiration and a great example to others in all areas of your life.
Kate, good for you for snuggling and having a Halloweenie weekend with your kids. That’s why I love both you and Sarah, because you remind us that your family does come first :). Plus…holy cow, those milk bottle measuring cups…hello! Those are awesome! Plus (okay, I use that word too much), I love Suburgatory too. I love Tessa and George and Dahlia and even though I don’t like her per-se, the name Kamantha…so funny.
Ha! Kamantha! It makes me laugh every time. And I love Dallas. She’s so ridiculous and yet you can’t hate her.
I just have to say that I am totally on board with your taste in candle scents. I don’t want to burn a candle that smells like something I’d want to eat or that my grandmother or 12 year-old neighbor would wear as perfume. I burn a lot of PartyLite candles and find that they have a lot of scents that I enjoy. The only downside is that you have to go to a party to test them all out.
I am so with you on the baby thing. Mine turns 1 next Sunday and it is killing me! Thanks for the candle overview. I am always trying to find ones that aren’t over the top smelly, but are lovely blend of heaven.
I love that you took time to snuggle your baby this weekend. It made me tear up. These are the tiny moments you will remember. Thank you for the reminder of how important family is.
I can’t wait to expand my music collection! Time stops for no one….you must make time! So glad you did that for yourself! I blinked and my sleeping baby is in kindergarten. One day at a time!
Good for you taking a weekend off! No need to be apologetic. This is your blog! You can do or not do whatever you want!
I LOVE Leaves. It smells amazing burned with Creamy Pumpkin. I am going to have to try the White Barn No. 2. I also am a BBW candle hoarder. I buy them when they go on sale and then have trouble actually burning them because I don’t want them to be gone! Issues much? 🙂
Love your blog. You girls are great!
I’m glad you got some ‘normal’ time with your family! We’ve got a whole cookbook of new, fun recipes to experiment with–go snuggle that cute baby again:)