Fjallraven Raven 20L Backpack - I use a backpack everyday for my work life, but my 3-year-old
Fjallraven Kanken backpack (which I've loved and think I featured on a previous edition of FF) was starting to be a bit too worn and stained for professional use. Since I've loved the back-friendly features of Fjallraven in the past, I decided to try the Raven and purchased it in the “Port” color, which is a lovely deep purple. It's a minimalistic backpack in all the best ways so still looks professional but has plenty of pockets and space to carry a laptop and the other everyday essentials with ease. It's easy on my back and so far, I'm a big fan!
First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston - This book was DEFINITELY not something I woul dhave picked up on my own, as suspense/thriller is not usually my genre of choice. BUT, it was a recent book club pick and I found myself counting down the minutes until I could dive back into this page-turner. It was universally enjoyed by every member of my book club too, so it might be a good choice for yours too! Highly recommend!
Able Merly denim Jacket - I've never owned a denim jacket before. Yes, I know, that's shocking news. They've always felt too stiff to me, or too short (I have a longer torso), or just, somehow, wrong. But that all changed when I bought this jacket a few months ago. It's a bit pricier than similar jackets from Gap or J. Crew, yes, but I love that this company is committed to ethical products and fair wages. Plus, this is not something that will wear out, so I feel good about spending my $$ on a long-lasting item. But guys, this jacket is SO SOFT. I'm not sure how they did it, but it's so comfortable and doesn't feel stiff at all. I got the “clean wash” in a size small, and I've been wearing this on repeat this fall! Highly recommend.
Brooklyn Swenson 2025 Bucket List Calendar - I've followed Brooklyn on
Instagram for awhile now, and I love her whimsical folk art style. Her new “bucket list” calendar is a great reminder to savor the season that we're in. I haven't ordered this yet, but I'm going to!
Creamy Sausage Pasta - I recently discovered Simple Home Edit's treasure trove of recipes, and have slowly been working my way through a bunch of her family-friendly meal ideas! This one is simple and fast to throw together after work and is a huge hit with the whole family. I couldn't find fresh lasagna sheets at my grocery store, so I bought fresh linguine, and it worked just as well! This is now on regular rotation in the meal plan at our house.
Goochland Drive In Theater - It had been YEARS since I'd been to a drive-in movie, but we took the whole family a few weeks ago to see Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory at this drive-in theater just west of Richmond, and it was such a lovely, nostalgic experience. They have a playground for the kids prior to the movies, and their prices are very reasonable. They announce their schedules on Mondays for the upcoming weekend. Such a fun way to spend an evening!
The Economics of Everyday Things - I have a lot of driving time with my “real” job, so I'm always on the lookout for interesting things to listen to while I'm behind the wheel. I recently discovered this unique podcast, made by the people behind Freakonomics, which I've always found fascinating! These short episodes profile industries or everyday items that I'd never previously thought about and dives into them in a very interesting way. Some of my favorites have been the episodes on firefighters, Little League baseball, and used hotel soaps.
Sanders' Milk Chocolate Sea Salt Caramels - This was an impulse purchase in the grocery store the other day, and whoooaaaa… these are amazing! But I'm warning you, make sure you have some serious willpower if you plan to purchase these; salty + sweet + caramel = my perfect treat!
Rosemary Sage + Lavender 10 oz. Soy Wax Candle - I mean, I've got to rep one of my own, right? Though I LOVE fall, the classic Rosemary Sage + Lavender is what I've been burning in my kitchen for the past few weeks. Deep and complex, this best-seller exudes “welcome home” to me so it's been burning almost nonstop to help me unwind in the evenings after a busy day. Not overwhelmed by the lavender, but just enough to balance out the herbs for a touch of luxe in your everyday.
