Notes from October
This essay originally appeared in the Monday morning newsletter on 11/7/22.
“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.”
― L. M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables
October! Always a magical month.
As one of the items on my 22 in 2022 list, I’m writing a quick recap at the end of each month with 10 things to remember.
I had a really fun time reflecting back on what happened last month, so if you are looking for an activity to pep up your Monday, give this a try. Scroll through your photos or reference your calendar from the past couple weeks and make a quick list of memories and ordinary moments. A lot can happen in four weeks!
Hope you have a great Monday. 
October’s 10 Things
- October started off with a bang – on October 1, my friends and I celebrated what we called “Falliday.” Falliday consisted of doing all the fun fall activities in a day. I’m talking apple picking, pumpkin patching, leaf pepping. It was so fun! A huge highlight of the month for sure.
- On Falliday, I also made this pumpkin bread recipe. LOVE this recipe! It’s incredibly easy to follow (no mixer required) and your kitchen smells wonderful while the bread bakes. One of my new favorite baking recipes.
- I’ve had my eye on this ottoman for a while and it went on sale in October! I purchased it and, can confirm, I love it. I’m using it as a footrest for one of my couches and it’s my new favorite reading nook.
- Speaking of reading, I read two books I really liked in October: The Paris Apartment was an easy-to-read thriller and Happier Hour was exactly the type of nonfiction book I needed right now. I would recommend both (depending on what you’re looking for!).
- My friend Leah stayed with me for a few days in October and it was so nice to have her here in Chicago. It was a work week, but it was fun to go to a workout class in the morning, walk after work and catch up over a few long dinners. Felt like we lived in the same city for a few days! So great.
- I also traveled home to Orlando and stayed a weekend in Gainesville, reuniting with a big group of college friends for a weekend. SO MUCH FUN! We went to the UF vs. LSU football game. Florida lost, but the weekend was so fun that it still was a win in my book (although I wish I could extend that win to UF’s record ;)).
- Speaking of traveling, I finally purchased a toiletry travel bag and filled it with travel-sized products. It makes packing SO much easier and is one of those things that makes me wonder, why didn’t I do this sooner?
- For work I attended a fancy event in October where I got to hear Martin Scorsese speak. That was really cool!! He is so fascinating that I could’ve listened to him for hours.
- I started going into the office more regularly in October and quickly realized some more work clothes for cold weather months. I’m only going into the office one or two days a week, so I don’t need a lot, but want to get some kind of capsule wardrobe together.
- I live in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago and it is so magical this time of year. Loved walking around the neighborhood and seeing many of the brownstones decorated for Halloween. So festive!
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