1. Who else feels like September is the best time to start anew?! I love it so much more than January. I will never think otherwise!

2. How to make exactly 4 big chocolate chip cookies. YES.

3. I also had my very first pumpkin cream cold brew which meant I instantly started planning my Thanksgiving table this year.

4. Motivation to minamilize! I did lots of closet clean outs this weekend.

5. Unfortunately (fortunately?) I am a maximalist. I cannot help it!!

6. See also: I’m stalking all my favorite sites to find the cutest holiday clothes for the kids. Already!

7. For a Tuesday that feels like a Monday: diane keaton cooking in a turtleneck.

8. TV things!! So freaking excited for The Perfect Couple this week!

9. Okay I am now convinced I have to try a chopped cheese.

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I can’t believe we’re winding down on summer reads! I feel like I still have so many to get through. But I loved what I read this month. So many great books.

I shared my giant summer reading list a few months ago – you can find it here.

Let me know what you’re reading below.

I do have a book of the month membership – I love it so much. That’s where I got a few books from this month. I get so many of my new releases and debut author books there. You can sign up for one here.

Most of these books are linked through bookshop (if available!) and I highly suggest shopping through there because it will support your local indie bookstore. You can choose the local bookstore to support! I support Penguin Books when I buy which is my fave here in Pittsburgh.

WHAT I READ IN AUGUST 2024

Not Another Love Song – 4.5 stars

Loved this one! So I was hesitant at first because this author can write some DARK characters. In her previous book, the guy was just so dark. This guy starts out like that but it gets a lot better. The story follows two people who are musicians and play in the manhattan pops. I loved this storyline so much – the author is extremely detailed in the musical world and it was fascinating!

The God Of The Woods – 5 stars

Loved the one so so so much! Ooooh it is perfect for a misty summer day. This story is about a camp set in the 70s, run by a wealthy family. A camper goes missing who happens to be from the family, and a decade earlier another child from the same family had gone missing. This is very good and does have some twists – I saw a few coming but in the best way possible. I loved how this ended even if it was a little heartbreaking!

So This Is War – 3.5 stars

I love a good Meghan Quinn book when I was to numb my mind, and I mean that in a good way! They are all fairly similar and the characters all play off each other. In this one we follow one of the hockey players who ends up living with the coach’s daughter as a favor to him. The premise is kind of ridiculous but it was a quick read and one that moves quickly. I did like the characters!

The Pairing – 4.5 stars

Ahhhh this was so so good. We follow Theo and Kit who are exs and had an awful breakup. They were supposed to take an amazing trip that never happened, so years later (once they are out of each other’s lives), they both decide to take the trip… at the same time! I live for a good second chance romance and this one does not disappoint. The descriptions of the vacation are INCREDIBLE and made me feel like I was there.

The Housemaid – 4 stars

I finally read this!! Both of my SIL’s have been raving about her books. Oh my gosh, this was like a drug. It was such a quick and enticing read. Very fast to read and suspenseful! We meet an ex con who is hired to be a maid for a woman who ends up bonkers crazy. Tons of big twists. I saw a few coming but only because I’ve read similar books – if you have too, you will get what I mean. This books moves quick and I read it in less than 24 hours. Already onto the next ones! I love that they are a mystery/thriller but not scary.

The Rom Commers – 4.5 stars

I love Katherine Center’s books SO much. They are the perfect rom com to me – which is funny considering the title of this one! Here, we follow two screenwriters (a famous one and one who is hustling to make it happen) and they end up working on a project together. Super cute, funny, love the writing and the characters. I love that she can write cynical characters without them coming off as dark or mean.

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As soon as school starts, it’s like we’re off to the races.

First regular preschool dropoff!! (like, when I don’t walk him in!)

Sheet pan lasagna was a winner.

Hot as heck for tennis this week! 95 degrees.

Those blonde braids.

House salad always. I put buffalo chicken on top of this. It was unreal.

I don’t feel complete unless I have sourdough pizza dough in the fridge, ready to go.

Loving school like a big kid!

In case you think my kids eat gourmet all week… they lived on pizza bagels all summer! Marinara + tillamook mozzarella.

She looks 16.

We celebrated my brother’s and niece’s birthdays and my SIL made these amazing pineapple chicken tacos.

Have moved onto pumpkin iced coffee at home.

Made a huge batch of pesto!

As summer winds down, once or twice a week I will get as much basil as I can and make batches of pesto for the freezer. I like to put in the souper cubes and store in the freezer too.

This is how excited we are for September!!!

These two are the cutest BFFs.

And yay SEPTEMBER!!!

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A peek at everything I loved in August 2024!

FOOD

My chickpea pasta salad. A repeat, but I can’t even tell you how many times I have made it this summer. Many, many times! It’s a family favorite and always a hit. Also very customizable!

Chocolate covered pistachios. I found these at costco and was in heaven. Pistachios AND milk chocolate? Hello, I’m in heaven.

Popcorn bar. This isn’t something specific, but more an idea. My kids have been LOVING this for movie nights. A big bowl of popcorn surroounded by add-ins, like nuts, salty snacks (cheese crackers, snap pea crisps), gummy candy and chocolate. So fun! P.S. mix those pistachios above with popcorn too!

HOME

Hulken bags. I cannot get enough of these bags, but especially this time of year with school supplies! They are the best way to drag everything we need into school. These also make such a great gift! They roll so easily that the kids can take them places too.

E. Frances little notes. I just discovered these and I am OBSESSED. I don’t even want to tell you how many I ordered. If you’re a stationary lover, these are a dream. I ordered a bunch for gifts too. All of the rest of the stuff is incredible too!

Amazon lazy susan. This is the BEST lazy susan I have bought. It’s melamine, the sections are removable (so 2 bowls in 1!), it spins so smoothly and it’s pretty enough for any holiday. Oh, it also HAS A LID!!! Best thing ever. I’ve taken it to parties already and have used it for after school snacks. Love.

Rifle paper Halloween platter. I am in LOVE with this rifle paper melamine halloween line! I know it’s early, but in my experience, this stuff always sells out by September or October! I got this, the bowl, plates and towel at the start of August. They are SO cute. If you love to celebrate these holidays for weeks with your kids, they are a must! Everything melamine is an instant win for me.

BEAUTY

Afternoon delight perfume. I can’t get enough of this perfume. I love it so much. Warm and delicious but not cloyingly sweet.

REFY lip gloss in blush. Loving this gloss almost as much as my laneige. The slight tint is so so pretty and flattering.

Pillow Talk Fair lipstick. I have never been able to get on the pillow talk bandwagon – I’m too cool toned and it looks too brown/warm on me. But!! This pillow talk fair shade is SO GOOD for my skin tone. It reminds me a lot of MAC creme cup which is probably my all-time favorite pink.

FASHION

Racerback midi dress. In.love.with.this!!! You know those tank tops I couldn’t stop talking about at the start of the summer? This is like that, but in dress form. Super comfortable too!

Cuyana La Toquillera hat. This has been my savior all summer. I never go in the sun (or basically, outside) without a hat, but I hate regular hats because they make me so hot. I always wear visors, but this find was truly my favorite all summer. The band is so easy and lightweight and it provides more coverage than a visor. It’s really comfortable!

Mini zip pouch. Another cuyana find. In my larger totes, it’s a mess of pouches. I mean, a good mess. I have everything pretty organized and separate in pouches. I grabbed one of these and it’s just as great as you’d thing – that super soft cuyana leather is just so good. I got the deep ocean color. I want all of their items in that gorgeous shade!

MEDIA

The God Of The Woods. Definitely my favorite of the month. I was sucked into this book instantly!

Lainey Wilson Whirlwind album. I love every song on this new album! Have been listening constantly.

Criminal podcast. Okay, still in my true crime era. Loving this one all month!

KIDS

GoBe snack spinner. I also really love the lunchbox, but it is too long to fit in my kids current school lunchboxes!

Kid’s Halloween mug set. Like the rifle paper tray above, I was so excited to find these for the kids. They’ve already been using them (just to even drink water, haha) and I don’t mind, they are so cute!

Animal magnets. I actually got these for the kids for their lockers and they love them – but Jordan adores them too! They are fun magnets to have for kids.

The post August Favorites. appeared first on How Sweet Eats.

1. Okay. I am ready to decorate for fall. I can’t help it!

2. Just a reminder that apple cider is the best fall flavor there is.

3. This lemon ice cream looks absolutely incredible.

4. Have you tried fruit riot grapes?! Just tried them and I am in.love.

5. I haven’t put a lemon in my dishwasher yet. I want to.

6. TV things!! We watched Twisters over the weekend, it was pretty good.

7. Cannot live without a chopped salad in my life. These salad scissors change the game.

8 Very into making my own giant snack mix. Basically mixing all salty snacks and nuts together (popcorn always) in a big bowl. People go wild.

9. Things we shouldn’t stress over.

10. Hello, I made a page of Halloween favorites.

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I can’t even believe it.

But first, cookies. Earlier in the week I made a double batch of chocolate chip cookie dough for the freezer. I like having this on hand at all times to make for friends, school, etc.

I flash freeze like this and then store them in large resealable bags.

A last playground day before school.

So fun!!

We had a teacher meet and greet a few days before school started.

I love this outfit she picked!!

How is this baby going to school?!

Favorite version of my house salad.

We went mini golfing before school started back up too!

They are so fun.

He loved it!

Mini BFFs.

Earlier in the week we had cool temps and it was AMAZING!!!

This is the 4pm “but I’m not tired” couch nap. Ugh.

How we entertain ourselves at cross country!!

They love it. And can’t stand it while doing it. But love it.

A little late night back to school decor.

And I made them blueberry pancakes for the day!

Eeeeep!

How are these kids so huge?!

After school activities and a goal.

Last bath before preschool!

Next day it was Jordan’s turn!!

He was SO EXCITED.

No tears at all!

Loved it!

I didn’t know what to do with myself for those first two hours so I had to get a pumpkin cream cold brew.

First day of school treat from friends!

On friday night we had a movie night with popcorn and cookies.

Weekend birthday parties!

A hockey!

The most colorful girl!

And then today I prepped a few more things! Pumpkin muffins for the freezer, roasted veg, hard boiled eggs and chicken soup. Time for routine!!

The post A Week In The Life, Vol 35. appeared first on How Sweet Eats.

1. My kids would flip over this ice cream sandwich cake!

2. Do you consider Sunday to be the start or end of the week? I’m on team end.

3. I’m just not sure if I can add sweetened condensed milk to red wine. I’d probably like it though?

4. I need your best countertop fruit storage ideas! I’ve mentioned before how we go though TONS of fruit. I already have a banana hanger, a large bowl… we still just have fruit hanging out everywhere.

5. Feeling very certain that this pickle holder was made for me.

6. Speaking of, so many of my new favorite kitchen items! How did I not know about these?!

7. TV things!! Emily in Paris was cute. I also finally saw It Ends With Us! Loved it and through it was so close to the book.

8. It’s our last day of summer so I’m surprising the kids with a popcorn bar! Popcorn and a whole platter of treats to add in, like gummies, nuts, mini oreos, pretzels, etc. And a movie day!

9. The benefits of being a patient person.

The post Tuesday Things. appeared first on How Sweet Eats.

Lots of fun for these two.

Not hurt, just loves to play with bandaids. Should be a hashtag.

Sourdough pizza for the kids!

“Take a picture of my water bottle!”

Cross country nights!

And a little summer treat after.

Loves to make his own peanut butter toast.

Very focused.

This lisa frank inside of me bought this for her.

Quick mall trip for back to school.

My girl.

Had to take our unicorn purse too.

Jordan walked in the room with Mr Potato Head glasses on.

Took these two to their first steeler game!

Ready!

Had to get a hat!

Look at the moon in the background!!

Fun fun fun.

Perfect shot!

I did a ton of back-to-school meal prep today. Sourdough, meatballs for the freezer, waffles for the freezer, etc.

We love it so much.

Something about the evening felt very fall-like tonight. Can’t wait!

The post A Week In The Life, Vol 34. appeared first on How Sweet Eats.

1. Gin and tonic granita!! um, hello I think I need this.

2. This week’s snack is sharp cheddar stuffed green olives! My fave.

3. Romance novels are good for us!!

4. TV things! Anxiously awaiting Emily In Paris. Also I want the new Simone doc episodes now.

5. We are in such a depression since the Olympics are over! We had such a fun time watching them every night… I can’t wait two more years!

6. 3 simple ways to recharge. I love this.

7. I can’t stop eating the chocolate cherry turtles I got on vacation and this makes me feel old. My grandma loved turtles.

8. See also: whyyy are you rise jeans even back? How are they a thing? I sound like my mother 20 years ago.

The post Tuesday Things. appeared first on How Sweet Eats.

The kids start school in less than 10 days. I can’t believe it.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES!!!

Splash camp all last week.

Took a little play date afternoon to urban air.

Emilia loves to climb, Max plays dodgeball the whole time and Jordan jumps!

Emilia and I found this popcorn bowl at target and we were SO EXCITED. She could live on popcorn.

My mom’s pretty window box!

Picking tiny flowers for us.

How we have fun at a rainy cross country practice!!

Mini BFFs.

Early saturday morning run with a cool breeze!! So nice.

Some of my usual tween playdate snacks.

Warm chewy cookies of course too!

Emilia, Jordan and I had a birthday party for her doggy. She’s been doing this since she was 2!

Saturday night we had the most fun surprise party for Lacy, her husband, BIL & SIL. They had no idea!!

Gave Emilia a little back to school hair cut. Four inches gone.

Swim day today!!

Cousin love.

Our summery weekends are coming to a close and I am so sad. Hard to believe!

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