Following my spring and summer favorites posts, I’m back with a roundup of fall favorites! Once again, I’m rounding up by category. My plan on the timing of this post ended up being particular good given that my birthday was just a couple of weeks ago and I was able to delight in a number of things!

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Crafts

Stitched Modern embroidery kits

I’ve been itching to try something new creatively and embroidery has come to mind a few times…so much so that I took out some library books for inspiration but then got totally overwhelmed by the prospect of figuring out what to get for supplies and how to transfer pattern ideas onto cloth, etc. I wanted an easier entry point to embroidery so for my birthday I asked for the Take Good Care and Show Up kits from Stitched Modern and goodness, they are WONDERFUL. I’m working on the Show Up kit right now and it’s so lovely to pick it—instead of a device—up when I have a few moments here or there.

Stitched Modern “Show Up” embroidery kit (image via Stitched Modern)

Stitched Modern “Take Good Care” embroidery kit (image via Stitched Modern)

Kitchen

KitchenAid Immersion Hand Blender

I originally wanted a hand blender so I could easily break down coconut milk chunks, but this KitchenAid Immersion Hand Blender is fantastic for making one-off smoothies!

Vitamix Professional Series 750

I have been thinking about getting a Vitamix for a while but goodness, they are an investment. However, given my current nutritional needs, crazy word of mouth (I have a friend who actually said, "If my house were on fire, the one thing I’d grab is my Vitamix!"), and the fact that I have been dealing with some seriously hard stuff lately, I bought myself the Vitamix Professional Series 750 for my birthday. And yes, it is amazing.

Bigger Bolder Baking by Gemma Stafford

I keep a super minimal cookbook shelf so I'm usually hesitant to add new cookbooks, but Gemma Stafford’s Bigger Bolder Baking is a delightful addition. I made Gemma’s (baked!) churros to top Laurel’s birthday cake and recently made the devil’s food cupcakes.

Books

The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang

I was admittedly a little shy about reading The Kiss Quotient once I realized it is categorized as romance (albeit contemporary romance), but WOW, I’m glad I got over myself because what a beautifully written story. And it was so illuminating to have a window into the experience of an autistic lead character.

The Farm by Joanne Ramos

Perhaps especially given the Asian immigrant perspective and deep dive into class disparities (both of which were cornerstones of my upbringing), The Farm by Joanne Ramos moved me deeply.

A Spark of Light by Jodi Picoult

Given my ongoing rage over the war on women’s reproductive rights, I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to handle reading A Spark of Light but wow, I devoured this book over a weekend and deeply appreciated the perspectives shared from both the pro-choice and pro-life sides.

A Woman Is No Man by Etaf Rum

A Woman Is No Man by Etaf Rum was my first entry into a novel written from the Palestinian perspective and let's just say the bar has now been set very high. Also, let's just say I have even further amplified feelings about the patriarchy.

Food

Bakerita’s Homemade Apple Pie Larabars

I recently made Bakerita’s Homemade Apple Pie Larabars and they are fantastic. In fact, I offered Laurel some without telling her what they were and she said, “Are these apple pie Larabars?” BOOM.

Bakerita’s Apple Pie Larabars (image via Christine Koh)

Local

Branch Line, Watertown

I definitely tend to obsess a little when I find a food I love but the charred broccoli and crispy potatoes at Branch Line in Watertown are so delicious that I had them twice in two weeks. Watertown has evolved a ton since the football rivalry days of my youth, and the uptick in food options is solid.

Toraya, Arlington

Toraya is a tiny little Japanese restaurant that my friend Morra introduced me to and every single time I go, I order the agadashi tofu, it’s that awesome. In fact, I’m headed there for lunch tomorrow!

Agadashi tofu at Toraya in Arlington (image via Christine Koh)

Jordan Truong at James Joseph Salon, Medford

If you’re looking for a badass hairstylist and color expert, look no further than Jordan Truong at James Joseph Salon at Station Landing (Medford). To celebrate the change in seasons, at the end of the summer I spent all of the time and money with Jordan (no joke, I was at the salon for 5 HOURS, people) so he could work his balayage magic on me. Worth every penny.

Balayage by Jordan Truong at James Joseph Salons (image via Christine Koh)

Body work by Heather Becton Hunt, Arlington

When you’re busy doing all the things and taking care of all the people, it’s just pure magic to have someone take care of you and Heather Becton Hunt is just an incredible blend of professional expertise and warm, kind, caring human being who will make you feel completely OK about surrendering. I wrote about the magic of Heather Becton Hunt 8 years ago but I need to re-up this recommendation since I just saw her recently. Basically, every birthday and holiday I ask for a visit to see Heather.

My Therapist

OK, I can’t disclose who my therapist is for obvious reasons but I wanted to make a note of it here because I reunited with her this month and it has been crucial both to help me get unstuck and deal with my anger, while giving give me a window of time where it’s all about me.

Personal Care

Tea tree oil

Whether it’s for boo boos, dandruff, or aromatherapy, I cannot even begin to tell you how much I use tea tree oil.

Neutrogena Moisture Smooth Color Stick

I bought this Neutrogena Moisture Smooth Color Stick in berry brown and it's the perfect shade for everyday, feels great on the lips, and smells fantastic!

DivaCup Menstrual Cup

I recently started using the DivaCup Menstrual Cup and OMG I AM OBSESSED and I want every woman to try it. Read my Instagram post for 6 observations about menstrual cups.

Style

J. Crew Factory resin-coated twill jacket

Seriously, if you buy one layer this fall, buy this J. Crew Factory resin-coated twill jacket. It goes with absolutely everything. I have totally gotten my dollars per use out of it!

OOFOS recovery sandals

I was dealing with a ton of foot pain at the end of the summer and my friend Sarah recommended these OOFOS recovery sandals and OMG they’re like walking on clouds. I bought a pair just to wear inside around the house but next summer I’m also going to get an outdoor pair!

OOFOS recovery thong sandals (image via Amazon)

Harper Wilde The Bliss Bralette

I recently finished flipping my entire bra collection to Harper Wilde. I just love them that much! And part of this process involved ordering their The Bliss Bralette. This is basically the bra you want to wear when you don’t want to wear a bra but kinda should. I do wish it had a little padding for nipple coverage but really, I’m mostly wearing it on weekends when I’m lounging in sweats anyway!

J. Crew Factory Utility Raincoat

I seriously hope J. Crew Factory brings back their utility raincoat in yellow because every time I wear mine it’s like a massive dose of happy color therapy.

My Favorite Things: Fall Edition