Curated Weekly

As we move into the second week of November, we are still holding strong onto the fall colors here in Raleigh. It is such a joy to get out each weekend and enjoy the foliage and cool weather. We are also only a couple of weeks away from Thanksgiving too, so I am marking the sales that I will be interested in, planning our Thanksgiving menu as well as already contemplating Christmas decor and things that I would like to do this holiday season.  This time of year is my favorite time of year and I always try to be present as well as plan for the things that I would like to experience. For now, I will be enjoying these last few weeks of autumn as well as a few days off of work to savor these colorful trees, the pumpkins and the autumn scents before transitioning into Christmas.  Now let’s cozy into another curated weekly and explore some ideas for style, home and lifestyle.

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SHOPPING, BOOKS, MEDIA, ETC.

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One type of sweater that I find to be so elegant for this time of year is a cable knit sweater. I found some great options on Land’s End with first this half sleeve version which is great for those warmer autumn days and also this long sleeve version for the colder days ahead.

If you plan on entertaining for the holidays this year, then this set of 7pc Stainless Steel Cocktail Picks with Holder from Target would be a chic bar cart accessory to have for this season and at only $10.00, it’s also at a great price point too.

A chic accessory for the fall/winter seasons that I found recently is this crocodile embossed leather crossbody bag from Banana Republic. I especially love the classic Burgandy color for this bag, but it also comes in black too.

I love being able to wrap up in an oversized scarf or poncho when it’s cold out, but not so cold that you need a heavy coat.  This Barbour Montieth Scarf is a classic piece to have for such days and reminds me of the English countryside elegance that I simply adore.

If you’ve been here long enough then you already know that one of my favorite hobbies is to cozy up with a jigsaw puzzle and this John Derian Dancing Butterflies puzzle was one that is now on my list to purchase.

If you have been on the hunt for a copper tea kettle, but haven’t found one due to the exorbitant price, then look into this English Copper Tea Kettle – 10 Cup from French Mercantile for only $136.00 which is a great price considering I have seen some go as high as $400.00.

If you’re a fan of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, then you will love this cute mug that Macy’s came out with this year in celebration of their annual parade. A very nostalgic piece that lends itself to the childhood memories of waking up excitedly on Thanksgiving Day and enjoying the parade with a warm cinnamon roll.

Anglophiles will be happy to hear that the London based store, Marks & Spencer will be back at Target again this year for the holiday season. This year they will have everything from food gifts, home items such as mugs and Christmas ornaments.

I am excited for this new cookbook that won’t be released until April 8th but can be pre-ordered now. French at Heart: Recipes That Bring France Home looks to be not only a book of delicious recipes, but beautiful photography and stories as well. From the founders of The Cook’s Atelier, a cooking school in Burgundy, France, comes a cookbook about living well the French way.

 

Another new book to look forward to coming out on December 3rd is LifeStyled: Your Guide to a More Organized & intentional Life. By the same author of Minimalista and Organized Living, Shira Gill, you know this will be another beautiful book full of inspiration. Transform your entire life by cutting mental clutter, reducing overwhelm, and simplifying your daily routines with this inspiring and comprehensive guide.

 

Another French cookbook that caught my attention and was released this past October 1st is French Kitchen Lessons: Recipes & Stories from Normandy’s Rabbit Hill Farm by Cat Bude. With rich and transporting photography, a back-to-basics approach to French cooking, and an inspiring story of starting over, French Kitchen Lessons is your passport to the abundance and beauty of the French countryside.

 

And since I mentioned Hygge in my last post on Wednesday, here is a book to cozy up to this season on the subject, Hygge: How to Enjoy Life’s Simple Pleasures with The Danish Secret to Happiness. Let Hygge show you the path toward a general sense of happiness, peace, and comfort without even leaving your home. 

 

Virgin River fans will be excited to hear that this cozy show returns for Season 6 on December 6th. I am excited to follow along on one of my favorite small-town romances, and just in time for winter too.  See a preview of the new season below.

I love how this designer decorated her one-bedroom apartment in central Paris. I took away a few ideas of my own after getting to see the cozy chic design in this new apartment tour.

If you are looking to elevate your winter wardrobe, here is some inspiration for elegant coats to help create a timeless wardrobe.

And if you are looking for inspiration on holiday decorating this year, then let McGee & Co. provide some tips. Drawing from the elegance of classic hotels and festive storefronts, this year’s holiday collection celebrates the joy of the season while encouraging you to infuse your own personal touch to your home’s celebratory styling.

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articles of interest

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If you are planning entertaining for Thanksgiving but will maybe have some guests who cannot drink alcohol, then here are 18 Thanksgiving mocktails you can serve this year, and each one looks so good too.

A new month means a new mystery book and recipe shared over at The Cozy Corner from Teatime Magazine.  Enjoy this month’s Secrets and Scandals Unfold in Murder in Highbury by Vanessa Kelly as well as a decadent recipe for Queen Cakes.

And if you missed it this past weekend, here is The Simply Luxurious Life’s Annual Holiday Gift Guide for Francophiles and Anglophiles full of beautifully curated items to peruse for the season.

Another gift guide worth perusing is Victoria magazine’s Holiday Bliss Shop which consists of books, teas, linens and more. A great gift for the tea lover in your life (or yourself) would be this Simple Moment of Bliss Bundle where they pair their signature blends of tea with a patterned porcelain from Vintage English Teacup and a French Dreams Live Your Bliss hardcover journal.

I know artificial Christmas Trees can be expensive, but if you are on a budget this year then you’ll save a fortune with these 15 deals—from $21.

While I am already planning for Thanksgiving in a few weeks, one aspect that I love just as much as the holiday itself is the leftovers. If you too love reusing the leftovers, here is a recipe for turkey cranberry sliders and honestly, I am already dreaming about them.

If a charcuterie board is on your planning agenda for Thanksgiving this year, then check out Jenny Cipoletti’s article, Perfecting Your Harvest Charcuterie Board where she shares the meats, cheeses, nuts/crackers, and sweets that can be incorporated as well as some styling tips.