Long time no talk, you guys! The blog has been on my mind lately and I’m going to dip a toe back in and start with these monthly posts again. I have loved looking back on them for recipes and ideas over the last year or so, and had been wishing I’d kept up with them in 2021. So we’re back! For a little while, or forever. We’ll see where the wind blows us. Hope you guys enjoyed your last month of “summer” and are ready to settle in for all the fall coziness and these (somewhat) slower months. Without further ado, here’s September!

things read:

  • The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren
  • A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
  • They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera

things baked:

  • this focaccia bread has been on my “to bake” list for so long and I don’t know what I was waiting for. It was SO easy and the most delicious bread that’s come out of my kitchen to date. 10/10 would recommend.
  • these sheet pan chocolate chip cookies are another Grossy Pelosi favorite. Perfect for when you want to bring something to a party but don’t have time to be rolling out individual cookies. They were 11/10 taste to effort ratio.
  • these strawberry cobbler bars that are always a hit.
  • and my first ever apple pie!!!! – I used Alison Roman’s pie crust and this filling recipe with just a few tweaks. And I will say it was delicious. Definitely needs a bit of work, in my opinion. But A Very Good First Pie Ever, for sure.

things did:

  • walked Manhattan!! – this was seriously SO MUCH FUN! We had the absolute best day walking the length of the city – from 215th Street all the way to Battery Park. And of course we stopped for snacks and some cocktails along the way. 45,000 steps, 10 hours and 18 miles later, we’d never felt more accomplished. Highly recommend! See our TikTok of the whole day here!
  • walked, a lot, in general – back to non-stop walking all day, everyday. It is honestly crazy what a few long walks a week can do for your mind/body. So cliche, but I never feel better than when I’m getting my 10K steps every day. Plus, perfect walking weather season is almost upon us!

things loved:

  • NARS Audacious Lipstick in Mona – found this buried in the bottom of a bag, put it on, and hardly took it off all month. A perfect shade.
  • Emily Mariko on TikTok – am I constantly waiting for her next upload? Yes. But aren’t we all 😜

things watched:

  • The Sopranos – we FINALLY finished!!! This was one of our longest tv endeavors yet and I am so glad it’s over. While we enjoyed some of this show, I have to say, I really don’t understand what all the hype was about. Perhaps it was a groundbreaking show “for it’s time,” but for 2021… Hot Take: kinda snooze… And don’t even get me started on the ending scene.
  • Outer Banks, Season Two – we absolutely cannot help but love this show. We sat down to watch one episode the first night post-Sopranos finale, and ended up binging three in a row. It just does not disappoint.
  • Ted Lasso – started this and really enjoying it so far! I personally am waiting to get to the level of obsession that the rest of the world seems to be on, though.
  • Dancing with the Stars – first timer! I will admit that the stars this year totally sucked me in and we are really enjoying it! I will follow Cody Rigsby anywhere. 💘

things listened to:

  • And speaking of Outer Banks… the Season 2 playlist on Apple Music was just IT for me. So many Shazams.
  • Hozier – went on a binge this month and basically only listened to his self titled, Hozier album and Wasteland, Baby! for 3 full weeks. The most immaculate fall-esque vibes. While I’m not new to his music, I am certainly new to the level of appreciation I suddenly have for it.
  • No Doubt – was reminded this month (mid-Peloton ride) how fun they were. Can’t stop blasting Just A Girl and Spiderwebs 24/7. The 2000s are back, baby.
  • Turn Off the Light by Nelly Furtado – speaking of 2000s, I also heard this one on a Peloton class and literally played it non-stop for three days following. Listen, and thank me later.
  • Harry Styles – ALL the self titled Harry Styles and Fine Line in preparation for Love On Tour.

things made:

  • this tomato soup was the perfect addition to a night of crazy rain and binge watching The Sopranos
  • these stuffed zucchini boats for week one of back-to-eating-like-a-human
  • a healthier version of this barefoot contessa maple roasted carrot salad – really enjoyed it!
  • these baked garlic chips were the perfect salad topping
  • this dumpling sauce from Snack Qween on TikTok changed my life. Made it a bunch of times this month and it’s good every time. So perfect with the Chicken Cilantro Mini Wontons from Trader Joe’s.
  • these carrot fries were SHOCKINGLY good. They weren’t fries, per se, but they got the job done. And I’m not gonna lie to you, I made the suggested dip but we also dipped them in a buffalo sauce packet we had kicking around from McDonald’s and THAT was the move.
  • a very delicious lemon vinaigrette.

things ate:

  • Fall Harvest Bowl with Maple Sage Dressing – on repeat, non-stop for almost two weeks. Made it for dinner one night, totally rediscovered my love for sage and haven’t been able to stop making some version of it since. Also, just a general round of applause for rotisserie chicken.

things drank:

  • Minna Lightly Brewed Sparkling Tea – I picked up one of these on a whim at Whole Foods for my walk home, and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about them since. As someone who *hates* artificial sweetener, (thanks, Mom) this unsweetened sparkling tea is the perfect mid-day pick-me-up when you don’t want a ton of calories, but need something that isn’t just plain water. My favorite is the Pineapple Passion Fruit!
  • In a shocking turn of events, I switched up my cocktail du jour, if you will, this month and drank mostly tequila – and loved it. An important reminder that sometimes it’s fun to drink something *different*
  • and a 5 star cocktail recipe for y’all, these “spicy ranch waters” were A+++++, ty KB!

things celebrated:

  • Labor Day Weekend – our last Fire Island Beach Day of the season and it was so bittersweet! We had the best day full of Zippys, munchkins, dancing, disposables and chicken fingers. So many laughs and so much fun. We took the late ferry home (to some’s dismay LOL) to watch the sunset on the beach, and it was the most perfect end to the summer. Truly no place like it, and I’m already counting down the days until the first trip next year.
  • Ed and Mel’s Wedding – we had the very best time celebrating one of our favorite couples. It was an absolutely perfect day, and a night to remember. Not that we expected anything else!!!
  • T-1 year until our wedding!!!! – so crazy that we’re less than a year out now. But also kinda crazy that we’re still a year out. And still so much to do 😅 About to turn the wedding planning into high gear these next couple of months.

And that’s September in a nutshell. I’ve SO missed this little space!! I hope you’re as excited that it’s coming back as I am. And a special thank you to anyone who has asked me “what happened to the blog!!!!” over these last handful (er, big handful) of months. Your inquiring is what’s gotten the wheels to start turning again. What have you guys been loving these last few weeks?!

Big hugs to you, as always. with love, jak