Hi! It’s September tomorrow!

I know this little corner has been quiet for a few weeks- August was a whirlwind! We traveled to Boston, then I went to San Francisco & Napa, and then I got sick, and now somehow tomorrow is September!

Although these monthly coffee date posts are a little different than my usual recipes, they’re one of my favorite posts to write because I get a chance to get real with y’all and share what I’ve been loving.

If a new life hack makes my life easier, I want it to make your life easier, too. If I try a new recipe that’s out-of-this-world good, I want you to try it too!

Okay- let’s get to it!

Favorite Eats

Since this is primarily a food blog, after all, I thought I’d first share recipes we’ve loved this month: (P.S. you can follow along with my daily eats on Instagram here!)

• These pb&j overnight oats (pictured above)- different from my usual but I’m so glad I branched out!
• These paleo chocolate chip cookie dough truffles. y’all. it’s a wonder the whole plate wasn’t gone in 5 minutes (yes just from me)
• While I was sick, my energy levels and motivation to cook was at an all time low (hence the radio silence here). I ate this muesli for breakfast for about 10 days in a row because all I had to do was add almond milk, fresh fruit, and ground flax. I switched up the fruits and add-ins so it didn’t get boring.

Favorite Reads

I’ll be writing a separate post on unemployment later, but when you don’t have much to do for four months, you get a little stir crazy. On a whim I decided to go get a library card (they’re usually free if you live in that city) and it was such a good decision!

I’ve been checking out books like crazy and I love that it gives me a way to unplug and get lost in another world. I love a good self improvement book (it’s the Type A in me) but I try to get those feel-good girly fiction books too so that I have a healthy balance. Sometimes when you read too many “self help” type books, reading isn’t really relaxing.

Here’s what I’ve read and loved:

• Girl Wash Your Face – this is similar to the book You Are A Badass (How To Stop Doubting Your Greatness And Start Living An Awesome Life) but I would say it’s…nicer to you. You Are A Badass kicked my butt, gave me the push I needed to leave a job that was making me extremely unhappy, and start going after what I really wanted. Both books are worth the read!
• Bread & Wine – technically a cookbook but it has so many good stories woven into it. It’s rare that I read a book and want to go out and purchase a hard copy, but this one was that good! It also inspired me to start a monthly dinner club with some girlfriends. I’m also re-reading Present Over Perfect by the same author.
• Let Your Mind Run – I read the majority of this book on the plane to San Francisco and LOVED it. Deena Kastor is an Olympic runner and her book talks about training and the power of positive thinking. This is another book that I will probably go out and buy!

I always love adding more recommendations to my list, so let me know if there’s any books you’ve read and loved!

Favorite Purchases

I love a good list of favorite buys! Here’s a few things I picked up and loved this month:

• This rug from RugsUSA (pictured above) for our living room! I literally chased after the FedEx driver because I was convinced he wouldn’t leave it without me being there. Don’t you love when they say they’ll deliver by 8 p.m. and you wait all day, and they finally come at 7:45? At 7:40 I had given up and decided to go for a walk. I see the driver turn onto my street and I’m like GOD BLESS IT and I take off running back to the house. The driver was like “…didn’t I just see you walking on that other street?” Yes. Yes you did.
• These cheetah print loafers (also in the picture above) were my one purchase from the Nordstrom Sale and they make me happy. Sometimes you just need pretty shoes that make you feel like you can take on the world when you slip them on.
• When we were in Boston I made my first purchase at Outdoor Voices, and I’m obsessed. It’s good quality workout wear at an affordable price! I got this crop top and I’m waiting to pull the trigger on this set.
• Lastly, this is hilarious, but I finally got myself a set of glass food storage from Sam’s and I’m so happy. I’m really impressed with the quality and it’s on sale for $20! If you’re not a Sam’s member, here’s a similar set by the same brand.

Reader Faves

Last but not least, here’s what y’all loved the most on ASL in August!

• Lightened Up King Ranch Casserole 
• Poblano Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas 
• BBQ Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

I’m excited about what’s to come in September, y’all! My fall decorations are already up and I lit my pumpkin spice candle for the first time yesterday (#notsorry). Usually I wait until September 1st but once Starbucks released their PSL, I just couldn’t wait!

If you’re in need of a little encouragement on this Friday, I wanted to share this post that I kept as my lock screen for weeks to help me through some hard days. It’s long, but worth the read. If you’re in a difficult season, just know that God loves you and has your best interest at heart, and someday you’ll understand why He does all the things he does.

Enjoy your Labor Day weekend!