Good morning and happy Monday!
I have no idea how it’s already the end of September, but it’s fine by me. I can’t wait for Halloween, October Bookclub, and fall foliage. I love that everyone in the neighborhood is bringing out the Halloween decorations. Fall just makes me so happy! Being able to sit outside in tolerable weather is what I look forward to all summer. I have a lot to do today before my parents come over for my dad’s birthday dinner tonight. I have my coffee, an egg sandwich, and it’s time to get this recap post written!
On Monday, after getting a filling done (OUCH), I got all of my filming equipment out (dusted it off since it’s been a while) and filmed a cook with me for my YouTube channel. It was so much fun, and good practice before Vlogmas starts in just a few months! It was also really fun to chat with some of you during the premiere, so I’ll have to do those more often! 
After cleaning up the kitchen and editing a bit, I headed to the garage for my Sweat App workout! I’m still LOVING it and officially on week three. Many of you have been asking which program I’m doing, and right now, I’m just doing the beginner 12-week. It’s still challenging, and I’m feeling the burn. I don’t want a workout that makes me feel like I got hit by a bus for a week. 
And for dinner, butternut squash and turkey chili! 😋 
Almost every single morning (around 6 am) starts this way. Most evenings as well. I love diving into the book club picks to end or start my day. Leo always makes me move my feet when I’m sitting on this little sofa so he can snuggle up with me. It’s the cutest thing.
Two products that I’m loving and you should look out for at the grocery store are the Apple + Ginger Aha sparkling waters and the pumpkin spice Cheerios! The sparkling water tastes like apple juice! It’s so delicious, and I go through three cans a day. The pumpkin spice Cheerios have always been a favorite of mine, and they are back! 
The rose bushes that I planted in April have reached six feet. The ones out front are not too far behind this one as well, and they are producing so many roses! Can’t wait to plant more next year. I think they do the best in this clay soil. 
Of course…
One of the best reasons to have a gym at home is you get to work out with your pets. 😉
On Friday night, I made delicious homemade healthy ice cream! This had two bananas, 1 can of coconut milk, 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, stevia, and a splash of vanilla. In the end I mixed in a spoon of creamy peanut butter. 
I was up bright and early on Saturday morning to do Yoga with Becca. We did two hours of super relaxing yoga, and it flew by so fast that it felt like we were only there for five minutes. It was so relaxing by the river, especially with the cool breeze. We will be doing this again! 
We grabbed lunch together afterward since we were starving! We had Yummus salad bowls at clean juice with protein shakes. I kept the fall theme and ordered a Pumpkin shake with hemp protein. It was delicious! 
After stopping in a few of our favorite shops together, I headed home to clean, and then relax on the couch with coffee while watching Hocus Pocus! This movie never gets old. I picked up Crumble Cookies for the house since we had our friend Steve over for wine that evening. 
We had the most gorgeous foggy Sunday morning. I felt like it was a painting, and photos do not do it justice. Not only were the skies foggy, but they had a tint of pink coming through with the sun. I spent my entire morning out there with my coffee and book. 
I’m also still working on my Halloween decor, but I’ll share a post o nit all when I’m done! I still haven’t gotten my pumpkins or mums yet! 
Our neighbor was so sweet and brought us over mac and cheese in this dish, so I thought I’d send it back with some pumpkin bread! It made the house smell so good. 
I also made her my FAVORITE pumpkin spice ice cream to go with it. I will do a separate blog post for that one! It’s delicious. 
For dinner, Kyle and I had chicken with Thai Peanut sauce over rice. 😋 
We ended the week outside reading while the sunset! ♥️
This week was so relaxing! 💜 I hope you have the best week and stay tuned for the October Book Club announcement!
Questions for you!
- Describe your week in one word.
- Did you do anything festive for fall over the weekend?
- What is your favorite Halloween movie?
Cosy feels! I normally don’t like it when the weather gets colder (I really dislike winter!) but you’ve got me looking forward to allll the fall activities! 😀
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
I just get excited for all the holidays and zero humidity lol
Hello Taralynn!
It looks like you had a very nice and relaxing week😊 yoga at the river must be super fun!
This last weekend we went for a road trip with my boyfriend. We headed to some rocky Mountains about 3 hours driving from Barcelona. I could really feel the Fall there, it was so cold! But very, very beautiful😍
My week in one word would be intense! A lot or meet ups with friends, shopping and other things to do 🙂
I don’t really know a lot of Halloween movies because here in Spain it wasn’t so popular until only few years ago, so maybe you could recommend me some good movies?
Have a nice week! ❤️
Hi, Milena!
SO good to hear from you again 💜
I bet that was such a gorgeous trip!
You should start with Hocus Pocus and Halloween Town!
yum I have to make your ice cream recipes and that pumpkin bread
YES YOU DO! 😉
love Hocus Pocus! Cant wait to watch it this year! Crumbl cookies are sooo good~ Your pink tights are so cute! Loving all the fall vibes here 🙂
Thanks, Steph! ♥️
Oh I love foggy mornings, its so good to catch up on your blogs again, and yes how is it October this week? its like we blinked and September is over! plus I haven’t even stated my September book club book yet, I’ve been studding like crazy for my 4 exams so lets just say I have no life at the moment. My week in one word: Crazy!! it went from 0 to 100 in a spilt second. We are going into spring now (could totally rewind back to fall), so I took a break from work and study on Saturday to go to my CrossFit’s, spring spectacular inhouse comp to compete, I didn’t get any placings but won most inspirational which was a total surprise. and I placed up our Halloween decorations, lets just say my driveway looks like spiders have taken over. my favorite Halloween movie is hocus pocus. please post you pumpkin load recipe it looks so good. Hope you have a great week
Arent they the best?
Great job on your win! You’re always working so hard and I’m so proud of you. It amazes me how determined you are with EVERYTHING you do!
Have fun! ♥️
Hi Taralynn- happy fall!
Describe your week in one word.
FATIGUED. Sorry to be such a debbie downer with this one but I’ve been feeling more and more tired for weeks. I reduced my walks this month to let a foot injury heal and I’m maintaining my weight but slowly I’ve been letting more and more “treats” and alcohol creep in and I think the reduction in exercise, the increase in calories and treats, and maybe a bit of allergies are catching up with me and I really feel more tired instead of rejuvenated and have started gaining. I just don’t feel good. I think refocusing on steady long walks daily in October and strength training/online workouts several times a week with a healthful, but not over the top all day everyday diet, is needed to get me feeling healthy and energized again.
Did you do anything festive for fall over the weekend?
I tried pumpkin bark granola and maple oat milk as creamer, both from Trader Joe’s. Neither impressed me.
What is your favorite Halloween movie?
Anything on Hallmark LOL. We did rewatch the purge movies back to back (during the day) last weekend which were scary though.
Here’s to a great October for both of us.
Hi, Jenny!
No need to apologize! Sounds like you’re going through a lot. When I start feeling like that, I focus on drinking plenty of water, getting a lot of sleep, hot baths, and long walks with a good podcast or music. Most importantly, deep breathes.
I don’t know how you can watch those Purge movies. OMG they scare me 😂
Keep your head up! You got this!
xo
We love watching Halloween Town, Addams Family, Goosebumps, and ALL the Tim Burton movies. My kids are little, and already love Nightmare before Christmas, Corpse Bride, Beetlejuice, and Coraline.
My daughter also started soccer last week, so I’m looking forward to Saturday morning soccer games with a hot coffee cheering my girl on!
Such great movies!!!
Sounds like the perfect Saturday morning! 💜
Hi Taralynn,
I loved your vlog sooo much! Can’t wait for vlogmas!
1.) this week in one word was busy! My husband surprised me with a trip for our baby moon, and then the rest of the week I got ready for my new job. Busy is much better than being bored so I am all for it!
2.) Publix FINALLY got their pumpkin pie ice few, back in stock so I made a fall festive sundae…SOOO good!
3.) Hocus Pocus and Halloweentown take the cake for Halloween movies lol
Busy, but exciting! I bet your trip was so much fun and just what you need before a new job! Congrats!!
Can’t wait to watch Halloweentown!!
I would describe my week as hectic. We just adopted a dog and are adjusting to having 2 dogs in the house!
Over the weekend I watched some spooky movies and we got fall family photos done in a sunflower field!
My favorite Halloween movie is definitely Hocus Pocus but Nightmare Before Christmas is a close second! 🙂
Aww, hectic, but I’m sure your other pup will love having a companion. Two dogs are tough but rewarding!
such a great movie!
Describe your week in one word: Crazy been with out internet since Sunday morning and that makes having online school for my kids real interesting. We figured it out and its all calm now.
Did you do anything festive for fall over the weekend: Nothing really just enjoying the cold crisp fall days and reading. Starting out 31 days of spooky movies tomorrow.
What is your favorite Halloween movie? hmm… that one is hard I don’t know for fun cheezy: Hocus Pocus – for kids: Halloweentown and you can never go wrong with all the Halloween movies!!!
Can’t wait to see what books you’ve picked out for us to read in October!
Oh no!!! Hang in there. Hopefully, it’ll get easier soon or safer back at the schools!
We live in Alabama and this week has been so fall like! Loving the weather and spooky season! We watched Hocus Pocus last night! Still think Practical Magic is by far my favorite fall time movie!! It is the best!
Question, who makes your pots and pans? Love them!
LOVE PRACTICAL MAGIC!!
I get them at home goods and they are master class i think!!
Oh my gosh that yoga date with Becca looks so idyllic! Fall is so dreamy to me and my favorite time of year. One word for this week: busy. I’m answering/reading a few days late but I got out all of my Halloween decor last night and watched Hocus Pocus, which is always a classic and definitely my favorite Halloween movie. I agree with you, it never gets old!
It never does!!
Hi Taralynn! Hope all is well! Can you tell me where you got your gym equipment? My husband is asking for the same thing for Christmas and I can’t find it anywhere. Hoping you can save the day! And love reading your blog, you’re the best!!!