A Few of My Favorite Things (Fall 2025)

So far this Fall, I have been all about the crisp mornings and watching the leaves change, making Halloween costumes for the entire family, and of course, baking. It’s truly the best season to bake. You’ll notice lots of new Fall recipes on my blog because I’ve been so inspired this year and have also had the privilege of enjoying a better work/life balance in this particular season of life. 

Here are some things that are making my world go round, both in and outside of the kitchen: 

Everyday Things that are Bringing Me Joy 

• Halloween costume making. I have spent the majority of October making elaborate Halloween costumes for my whole family! We don’t have a matching family costume this year, but each person wanted to be something and let’s say it has taken over my life in the best way. I made a giant cake costume for myself, which is honestly the Halloween costume of my dreams! 
• Homemade PSL syrup. I’ve been making my own Pumpkin Spice syrup for my coffee which has become my favorite way to use leftover pumpkin puree. This and the seasonal Cinnamon Bun oat creamer from Trader Joe’s have saved me a small fortune on seasonal lattes at the coffee shops! And always drinking from my ember mug because mom life (and cake life). 
• My Lore Pemberton calendar. She’s one of my favorite artists and it brings me joy to see her paintings every day. The pre-order just opened for her 2026 calendar so be sure to snag one asap (they sell out FAST). 
• Cozy footwear. My favorite Doc Marten boots + these cozy girlfriend socks are my wardrobe staples when the weather changes to crisp mornings and eventually, rain. 
• Exercise. I’ve been weight lifting with my husband twice a week, which is honestly something I never thought I’d be saying. I’ve always been a runner, but now with the sun going down earlier + hearing all about how good weights are for women’s health has changed my exercise routine and I’m honestly loving it. I did get a small treadmill for cardio because I still love to run. 
• Pretty + functional bakeware. I recently got this 11-piece bakeware set by Caraway and I love the colors they come in! The pans heat up so well, are non-toxic and free of PTFE and PFOA, and I love that the whole set comes in storage organizers that take up minimal space on my shelf. 
• Taper candles. Specifically this bundle of taper candles in Fall colors! So pretty. 
• MAC Liquid Lipstick. I just picked up the color Bodacious and it’s the perfect neutral for Fall. 
• My new short hair! I know I was trying to grow it out but I think I am just a short hair person, y’all. 

What I’m Reading

I’m the kind of girl who always needs a good book in her life, and here are a couple good reads from this season + ones I’m about to start: 

• I’m currently reading The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver and it’s been so good! It’s a fictional story about an American missionary family who moves to the Congo, which ends up being calamitous. Then the book follows what happens to each member of the family in the fallout. She also wrote Demon Copperhead and it’s one of my favorites that I’ve read all year. 
• Men Have Called Her Crazy by Anna Marie Tendler. I love a memoir, and although this one didn’t get the best reviews I enjoyed it. I’ve been following Anna since before her tumultuous split with John Mulaney and I think the biggest complaint with the book is that she isn’t able to talk about that really at all (she probably had to sign an NDA). Still, I think she did a good job of writing this book about her experiences in the mental institution, in past relationships, and her healing process after trauma. 
• I’m looking forward to reading Mother Mary Comes to Me by Arundhati Roy, a memoir about her complex relationship with her mother, and Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry, which I honestly don’t know much about other than people loving it. 
• As far as cookbooks go, I’m loving Sally’s Baking 101 by Sally McKenney which seems to be a super comprehensive baking book with all kinds of recipes. I’ve always loved Sally for her tried-and-true recipes and I know she put a lot of work into this. Mali Bakes by Patty Chimkire is a cake book that has been super inspiring. Her retro cake designs are just phenomenal! 
• I’m looking forward to Alison Roman’s upcoming cookbook Something From Nothing that is currently available for pre-order as well.

You can follow me on Goodreads to see all the books I’ve read and want to read, if you’re into that kind of thing! 

What I’m Listening To 

Music: 

• The new Hayley Williams album is the best new music I’ve heard in a long time. I cannot stop listening and singing along! 
• Artists I always gravitate toward in the Fall, which are usually Bon Iver, Feist, Jose Gonzales, Gregory Allen Isakov, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, etc.  

Podcasts: 

• Heavyweight is my favorite podcast of all time and after a long hiatus THEY’RE BACK! It’s truly the best storytelling ever, just take my word for it.  
• Good Hang with Amy Poehler. She is just the best and such a natural at hosting a podcast. I might even love this more than Smartless (which is still a fave). 
• Modern Love. People read compelling essays about love, which can range from romantic love to family love to grief about losing love. It’s always so thought provoking. 
• This American Life. I’ve listened to this one for as long as I’ve listened to podcasts. It’s journalism at its finest. 
• The Daily. For the most important news condensed into 20-30 minutes. That’s the most news I can take these days. 

Fall Baking

Here are a handful of recipes from my own blog I love for this cozy season:

Easy Pumpkin Sheet Cake

This pumpkin cake is so moist and delicious, amazing with cream cheese frosting, and uses an entire can of pumpkin! 

Apple Spice Cake

Layers of deliciously moist apple cake with warm spices and cinnamon-vanilla buttercream to amplify all the flavors.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars 

These are so moist, chewy and delicious. And so easy to whip up at the last minute! 

No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake

The dreamiest mousse-like pumpkin spice cheesecake with buttery Biscoff cookie crust, absolutely no baking necessary!

Spice Cake with Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting

Extra tender and moist spice cake made with five warming spices for the perfect flavor, paired with brown butter cream cheese buttercream to make it beyond delicious!

Cranberry Orange Cake 

The perfect cake for Thanksgiving or any holiday gathering! It’s layers of light and zesty orange cake with fresh, whole cranberries folded in, topped with orange flavored buttercream to give it extra zing.

What’s been influential in your world these days? Let me know in the comments below! 

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