My September Favorites, From Practical to Decorative to Whimsical

Just a quick post today to share a few of my favorites that I enjoyed during the month of September.

Atomic Habits

I shared this book in a previous post but I wanted to share it again because it’s one of the few books I’ve read over the years that I can’t get out of my mind. I purchased it on Audible and listened to it during a long road trip a while back, but I think about it almost weekly, sometimes daily.

I know I’ll be listening to it again because, in addition to being inspirational, it actually provides simple steps/advice we can use to make small changes that create remarkable improvements in our everyday lives. I was already doing some of the things he suggests. Now I know why I was doing them and why they’ve always worked!

This book would make a great Christmas gift for anyone, especially that hard-to-buy-for person on your gift list. You’ll find it available in several formats here: Atomic Habits.

Atomic Habits by James Clear

 

A Place to Call Home

Another book I’ve really enjoyed going back through this past month is James Farmer’s, A Place to Call Home.

 

This is such a beautiful book and perfect for anyone who loves classic design.

 

You’ll find this beautiful book available here: A Place to Call Home. It’s definitely one you’ll pick up again and again. I love it and can’t wait until he writes his next one!

 

Mr. Coffee Iced Tea Maker

I love iced tea and drink it all year round. I used to prepare it on the stove, but not anymore. This iced tea maker is the easiest way I’ve found to make great tasting iced tea, plus it’s fast! It comes in a few different colors and you’ll find it here: Mr. Coffee Iced Tea Maker

 

Trash Bags

I shared these awesome trash bags a while back and I continue to love them! They are the perfect size for a 13-gallon kitchen trash can. When you order them, you get a huge amount. I took several rolls up to my son/daughter-in-law on my last visit and they loved them, too. I just repurchased them even though I’m nowhere close to being out. I just wanted to make sure I had another box on hand just in case they disappear from Amazon as products sometimes do.

They are very easy to get over the rim of a trash can, are nice and heavy duty and I love the handles which make them super easy to tie off. You’ll find them available here: Trash Bags

Trash Bags with Handles that tie easily

 

Greeting Card for Hermes Handbag Lovers

I came across these adorable greeting cards recently and ordered several for my handbag loving friends. I had the seller leave the inside blank so I could use them as regular note cards, birthday cards or for whatever I need. If you know someone who loves handbags, especially Hermes handbags, these are available here: Greeting Card for Hermes Handbag Lovers. The seller also had cards for the shoe lover, too.

Greeting Cards for Handbag Lovers, Hermes

 

Fall Wreath

In September I hung the wreath I purchased last fall.

White, Green Pumpkin Wreath for an Autumn Fall Door

 

I love how it looks on my front door and was thrilled to see it’s still in great shape!

Fall Wreath with Green & White Pumpkins, Autumn Colors

 

It appears they have it back in stock again this year. I think it’s the same wreath or one that’s very similar. You’ll find it here: Fall Wreath.

See all their wreaths here: Autumn Wreaths.

Green, White Pumpkins, Fall Autumn Wreath

 

Cutemol

Winter is coming so I’ve stocked up on my absolute favorite lotion for the winter season. This stuff is in one word: Amazing! It’s the only thing my daughter-in-law and I have found that prevents getting split fingertips in the winter. It will also transform your feet in the space of about a week if applied every night.

Note: When you apply it to your hands and/or feet, you won’t be able to use your hands or walk around barefoot for about 5-10 minutes until it fully dries. But it lasts a really long time on the hands, so it’s definitely worth the wait. You’ll find it here: Cutemol.

Cutemol Cream

 

Lip Repair and Protection

Love this for preventing dry chapped lips. I like to put it on at night before going to sleep. This size is super handy for carrying in my handbag. You’ll find it here: Aquaphor Lip Protection.

Best Lip Protection for Winter, for chapped lips

 

 

I have to include this guy in my roundup this month.

White Ceramic Pheasant for Thanksgiving Table or Centerpiece

 

I’ve loved seeing him in the center of my breakfast table this past month. He makes such a nice statement as a decorative piece when he’s not employed as a centerpiece/vase. If you’re hosting Thanksgiving at your home this year and need a show-stopper centerpiece or a beautiful statement piece for your entry or living room, you’ll find this handsome guy here: Pheasant.

Autumn Table Setting with Sunflowers

 

Back in December 2018, I purchased my first ever desk planner. I’ve always kept a large planner on my desk but I wanted one in a notebook form that I could take with me when I travel. I didn’t like any of the inserts that came with the planner but found an Etsy shop that had the cutest dashboards and calendar pages!

 

Louis Vuitton Inspired Agenda Calendar Pages

 

I bought quite a few and have sooo enjoyed them over the past year. It’s coming up to the time I’ll need to buy new calendar pages so I was checking out the new dashboards, too.

Dashboard Dividers for an Agenda, Including Louis Vuitton

 

There are so many cute ones for fall…

 

…and for Halloween. There are way too many designs to share them all here, but if you have a notebook agenda/planner, you’ll find all her cute designs here: Calendar/Planner Pages and Dashboards.

That link goes to all her new fall dashboards, check out her sidebar on the left for all the agenda/planner refills and the other items she carries.

It’s the little things that can brighten your day. I’m going to order this one below with the castle. It’s perfect for the month of October, romantic with just the right amount of mystery!

Planner Dashboard, Halloween Themed

 

See you tomorrow for Tablescape Thursday!

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Comments

  1. Susan!!

    We both have pink tennis shoes and we both love Atomic Habits! LOVE that book so much, I’ve read it three times. I keep my book collection in the library, but that’s one book I’m buying.

    The other awesome habit book that is every bit as good as Atomic is called The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg. It is fantastic. I’ve read it three times and need to buy it too. I keep checking it out of the library.

    Have a great fall!! — Wendy (in Suwanee)

    • Awesome! Love it! 🙂
      I’m going to listen to it again on my drive to Ohio in about a week. I’m looking forward to it. There’s so much information in there, I feel like I need to listen to it several times to really grasp it all.
      I’m going to look for The Power of Habit, thanks for telling me about it!

  2. Oh my gosh Susan – I LOVE Atomic Habits! I read it a while back and I totally agree with you – the suggestions really make sense and are easy to implement. A real game changer. Thanks for the reminder to reread it soon. Going to go check out the calendar pages and dashboards too. ❤️ Happy Wednesday!

  3. Could I just second how fabulous James Farmer’s book is? I have browsed it over and over. I received it as a Christmas gift last year along with his cookbook A Time to Celebrate. It is chocked full of great Southern recipes that are delicious and easy to make. And he has charming stories to go with each one! I should be his publicity agent. Love all of your great finds this month too, by the way!

    • I LOVE his decorating style! Roxanne, if you follow him on Instagram, you probably know that he bought a cabin/house up in the Highlands area. I can’t wait until he shares it…maybe he’s saving that for an upcoming book. I can only imagine how wonderful it will be!

      • I’m only about an hour down the mountain from Highlands and available for a home tour! I will be first in line if he writes a book on the house. If you get the cookbook, be sure to try the Sweet Tea Sangria! It is delicious on a hot day!!

  4. Do tell where you got the Louis Vuitton desk calendar pages etc.
    The Tiffany pages and Dior etc.
    I can’t find anything like them on etsy

    Thanks

    • I purchased those about a year ago from Mel at The Clever Planner here: http://bit.ly/2UUqxDh
      Janice, if you don’t see them currently on her page, just click on her “Contact” link and let her know what you’re looking for and she’ll make whatever you wish.
      These are the current planners/refills on her site: http://bit.ly/2pSS6iu
      If you don’t see any LV ones, just contact her and I bet she can make them up. You can see all her dashboards on the left-hand side of her Etsy page.

  5. I love all your posts but I will confess that your monthly favorites are my favorite posts!

  6. Cyndi Raines says

    Will call our library to see if they have the Atomic Habits book, sounds very interesting. Also made a note about the lotion as my finger tips split in the winter and those little cuts can really hurt! Thanks Susan!

    • Cutemol is amazing, it really does help if you apply after you’ve had our hands in water for very long, like washing dishes. Also, it helps to put it on at night before you go to bed. I didn’t get any split fingers this past winter at all.

  7. Thought you might like to see an item I saw on the JC Penny site. It’s called the JC Penny Tabletop Decor. It’s a white pickup Fall truck with pumpkins. It matches your red & green Christmas trucks!

  8. Kathy ORourke says

    Hi: I love the “dashboard” idea even though this is the first time I have heard that term in regard to a planner. They are beautiful and even though I am now retired, I love my planner. So, I have a Covey notebook; will the dashboards and fill pages (I assume she has daily calendar inserts?) work in Covey? I love your gold planner; looks like a Covey, is it? Love your ideas. Enjoy this Fall season!

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