Friday Favorites~a weekly series where we share our favorite books, decor, fashion finds, recipes, podcasts, articles and more.
Friday Favorites No. 658
Good morning friends! How are you? Did you have a good week? It was a quiet but busy week here. I’ve said that the last few weeks but the last quarter of the year is always busy for us. We do most of our traveling in the fall, have lots of family visiting and of course there is work, social activities, end of the year appointments and the holidays.
This is one of the reasons that I put my Christmas trees up early, then I can focus on family, friends and all of the fun stuff that I love.
Not to mention that by this time of the year I am in my nesting mode, more time reading, less time on social media. More time enjoying “alone-time” and time at home.
Speaking of home, we have a tentative start date for our fireplace, mid-December. While not ideal with the holidays and guests, hopefully it will not take more than 1 day for the build and installation. Fingers crossed.
The only plans I have for the weekend are a going away party for a friend. Other than that I will be enjoying the beautiful Fall weather and life.
What about you? What are your plans this weekend?
Ok, on to our favorites.
FOOD
It’s soup season, why not make some Roasted Red Pepper Soup?
I cannot wait to make this Pumpkin Lasagna Rollup dish, creamy pumpkin and cheese filling topped with béchamel, more cheese and crispy sage.
Pizza is my favorite meal ever, I literally could eat it every day. This week I came across a recipe for Classic Canadian pizza with bacon, ham and mushrooms, finished with a maple chili drizzle! I have never heard of Canadian pizza but I cannot wait to make it!
If you are baking this weekend why not make a Pumpkin Cranberry Chocolate Chunk Loaf?
LINKS TO READ+WATCH+LISTEN
How to Keep on Decluttering When the Motivation Fades
How America’s Elite Colleges Breed High-Status Careers
16 Vegetarian Dinners That Aren’t Rice and Beans
Diane Keaton Was Effortlessly Original
What’s the deal with weighted vests?
What the French Taught Me About Enjoying Life
9 Best Pumpkin Carving Hacks for Your Halloween Jack-O’-Lantern
10 Spots in Europe that Are Overshadowed by Other Towns
The Scientific Reason You Love Sleeping With One Foot Outside Of The Sheets
BOOKS
London, 2024: American expat Margo Reynolds is renowned for her talent at sourcing rare antiques for her clients, but she’s never had a request quite like this one. She’s been hired to find a mysterious book published over a century ago. With a single copy left in existence, it has a storied past shrouded in secrecy—and her client isn’t the only person determined to procure it at any cost.
Havana, 1966: Librarian Pilar Castillo has devoted her life to books, and in the chaotic days following her husband’s unjust imprisonment by Fidel Castro, reading is her only source of solace. So when a neighbor fleeing Cuba asks her to return a valuable book to its rightful owner, Pilar will risk everything to protect the literary work entrusted to her care. It’s a dangerous mission that reveals to her the power of one book to change a life.
Boston, 1900: For Cuban school teacher and aspiring author Eva Fuentes, traveling from Havana to Harvard to study for the summer is the opportunity of a lifetime. It’s a whirlwind adventure that leaves her little time to write, but a moonlit encounter with an enigmatic stranger changes everything. The story that pours out of her is one of forbidden love, secrets, and lies… and though Eva cannot yet see it, the book will be a danger and salvation for the lives it touches.
The Open Door Bookshop
For generations, the Lane family has been ensnared by a dark and relentless curse. Desperate to end this ancient affliction, Pippin Lane Hawthorne has turned to the most unlikely of allies: the literary giants Tolkien, Homer, and Dickens. Through the mystical art of bibliomancy, Pippin can decipher cryptic messages hidden within the pages of classic literature, revealing secrets and guiding her toward her ultimate goal.
A Message from the Past
When Pippin discovers a mysterious note from her late mother within an old copy of The Secret Garden, hope flickers anew. Could this beloved book hold the key to unraveling the curse? The hidden message leads her to a vital clue, but just as she begins to piece together its meaning, she stumbles upon a chilling scene—a dead body.
A Death Shrouded in Mystery
Though the authorities quickly rule the death as natural, Pippin’s unique gift tells her otherwise. The books scattered around the corpse whisper a different tale—a tale of murder intricately linked to her family’s dark history. Determined to uncover the truth, Pippin must delve deeper into her family’s troubled past, unearthing secrets that have long been buried.
An Intricate Web of Danger and Discovery
As Pippin navigates this perilous journey, she finds herself entwined in a complex web of amateur sleuthing, multiple suspects, and the ever-present shadow of the curse. With each new discovery, the danger grows, and Pippin must summon all her courage to face the threats lurking in both the past and the present
Elements of Timeless Style
It’s never too soon to start buying Christmas gifts. The latest book from Erin Gates, Elements of Timeless Style would make a wonderful gift for the design lover in your life.
Erin Gates is beloved for her unique blend of American approachability and elegance. The author of the bestselling classic Elements of Style, Erin now broadens her lens by looking at nine homes to learn how each homeowner approached the space to make it livable, versatile, and beautiful. The first home in the book is hers—and, in true Erin fashion, she shares her process, fumbles and all.
Your home is your sanctuary—a safe space that nurtures your emotional, physical, and mental well-being. In Elements of Timeless Style, Erin shares her decades of expertise to guide you in making thoughtful choices, big and small, that enhance your living space. She empowers you to make confident investments, so you and your home evolve together.
Organized by the nine home projects, Erin anticipates and answers every remodeling and decorating question, from the mundane to the material. Each home showcases a unique approach, shunning cookie-cutter solutions in favor of personalized, imaginative designs that celebrate individuality and personal taste. With insights on budgeting, decision-making, and design phases, Elements of Timeless Style is for anyone who wants a thought partner in design, whether you’re overhauling your entire space or making intentional, gradual changes.
Looking for more books?
If you have already read these books or missed something I have featured before on the blog check out My Bookshop on Amazon.
SHOPPING~OUTFIT OF THE DAY
Brown suede is a great color for Fall and winter, it’s warm and cozy and not too dark like black. It is a neutral that works with many other colors, cool or warm toned. This week I paired brown corn, a brown sued bag and boots with a pink sweater and a beautiful plaid coat. You cannot tell from the photos but it’s a pink plaid not purple as it comes across.
Click the images to see the outfit separates
Follow me on LTK for more outfit inspiration.
UNTIL TOMORROW
I hope you enjoyed the recipes, links and books I discovered this week on Friday Favorites. Don’t forget to come back tomorrow for Weekend Meanderings with Kim and Juliet!
I hope that you have a wonderful day, thank you for spending part of it with me.
Before you go, tell what is your favorite Fall sweet treat?
Don’t forget to follow us on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook. And last but not least, if you like Pinecones & Acorns share it with a friend!
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On My Radar~Christmas
