Another month flew by. Time seems to speed up even more just about now with days getting shorter and inevitably feeling that end of the year creeping by. We still have time though…

WHAT I/WE DID

September is an important month for us and our relationship, and it’s also the month we got married. 11 years of marriage under our belts now with unforgettable memories, a whirlwind of ups and downs, many lessons learned, and many to learn still, no doubt…

We took some time off to celebrate, though ultimately, decided to have a staycation since Enzo’s been having quite a few sickness episodes these last few months, and we didn’t want to stress him by changing his environment. We managed to have a really good time around here so zero regrets there.

This past month, we discovered a few great restaurants in the area, cooked some amazing meals at home, and just focused on doing things that bring us joy, and spending time in nature whenever the weather allowed us to.

It was a good month…

SEPTEMBER BLOG POSTS ROUNDUP

Fall fashion has been the main focus this month on the blog. While it still feels like summer, I have been slowly curating my “cool season” wishlist and wardrobe and sharing all about it.

Here’s what I posted on BloomingMagnoliasBlog.com this September:

Timeless fall pieces you'll wear year after year. I am more and more looking to build a timeless wardrobe and these pieces are just what every woman needs for effortless and timeless style.

What's on my fall shopping list. The items I have been eyeing this season. Some I already purchased, others, I’m still working on.

The perfect dress from Target. This is my dream style in dresses, and I purchased this one as soon as I saw it! Runs small.

The ballet flats you need this season (and beyond). I have a weakness for the “Natalie” bow, and I’ve wanted these flats from the moment I saw them. And they’re mine now 😊. *Note that code SARAHFLINT-CCMARINA1 will save you 15% off your first order.

Amazon blazers and jackets for fall. A roundup of cute jackets and blazers I found on Amazon, most of them quite affordable.

5 things that bring me joy. Still going strong with my weekly series of highlighting the small things in my day-to-day that bring me joy. Join me anytime!

WHAT I BOUGHT

I will say it once more — I’m not a huge fan of online shopping, especially when it comes to certain items like shoes, blazers, not to mention any sort of trousers or jeans. The sizing is crazy and I just don’t have the time or desire to make returns. It is why I still like shopping “offline” and have to say that I stumbled upon quite a few gems lately (like these shoes). Sadly, I can’t link them because I haven’t found them online [yet].

I bit the bullet though and I think I did well. Here’s what I purchased online in September:

These mules. I haven’t worn them yet but I do love how they look and feel (from trying them on around our place).

These two-tone pumps. Based on the recommendation chart, I got them in my normal size, but if you have wide feet, you’ll need to size up. I haven’t worn them out just yet, but they seem comfortable? I see how the sling might need adjusting after a while, so keep that in mind. These similar ones seem like a good option as the strap is adjustable — I just wanted them in leather, hence, purchased these.

This dress. I think I talked about it plenty already…

These earrings. I now have them in both colors and adore them!

This blazer. I just purchased it and can’t wait to receive it! I decided to go down a size for a less oversized fit and we shall see.

These and these sunglasses. Oversized but cute. I got them in white and in A1 orange leopard, but they come in such a good color variety!

Click on the image to shop.

What I read

September continued to be a busy month for us, but I prioritized reading whenever I could “squeeze” it in:

The Winter Garden by Nicola Cornick. “Sweeping across generations from the 1600s to the present day and inspired by the true story of the leader of the infamous Gunpowder Plot, Nicola Cornick’s latest historical mystery combines past and present storylines that fans of Philippa Gregory and Susanna Kearsley will devour”. — It took a while for me to get into the book, I’ll admit; it opens slowly and I wasn’t sure where it was going at first, but it got my undivided attention shortly after. I recommend this book!

An American Beauty by Shana Abe. “The New York Times bestselling author of The Second Mrs. Astor returns with a spellbinding new book perfect for fans of HBO’s The Gilded Age and readers of Marie Benedict, Karen Harper, and Allison Pataki. This sweeping novel of historical fiction is inspired by the true rags-to-riches story of Arabella Huntington—a woman whose great beauty was surpassed only by her exceptional business acumen, grit, and artistic eye, and who defied the constraints of her era to become the wealthiest self-made woman in America.”. — No surprise that I wanted to read this book (and explore more from this author) as soon as I saw Marie Benedict’s name being mention, an author that has become a favorite. And what a story this is! I am more and more looking to read books that are based on real people, even if some fiction is involved — I find these stories fascinating! I recommend this book!

What we watched

In case you’re new here, we don’t have a TV and have no desire to get one, so whatever we watch, we do it on our laptops or iPad. Generally, we watch stuff during dinner and once in a while, later in the evening. We like to watch shows once the seasons end, and since the series we want to watch aren’t finished yet, we turned to movies (and plan on continuing this until we run out of them as well, haha).

Here’s what we watched:

Mister Winner. What a delight this show is!!! We laughed and laughed, and were genuinely sad that they only made one season of it. If you’re looking for something funny to watch, this is your show!

The Bear. We LOVED this series, even if some episodes were too much (talking about you, S2.E6). Overall, the show is pretty intense but it’s good. I mean, how can I not love it when it inspired my husband to get in the kitchen and make a truly amazing meal?! Do I need to look for more food-related shows? Hubby says no, haha.

Grumpy Old Men. Loved this old movie and definitely had some good laughs while watching it.

Grumpier Old Men. Obviously, I enjoyed this one, too! Plus, watching Sophia Loren is always a delight! I recommend her book if you haven’t read it — I for one, really enjoyed it!

Practical Magic. Somehow I’ve never heard of or watched this movie before, but I loved it.

No One Will Save You. I’m not one to watch horror or suspense movies but with the Halloween spirit already alive, and at my husband’s insistence, I let myself be convinced. The movie isn’t really scary, but it does have suspenseful moments. I’d say, overall, it isn’t bad.

Father of the Bride and Father of the Bride Part II. The good old movies! I didn’t remember these though I am sure I watched at least one of them some good years back. Needless to say, I enjoyed them both.

Amsterdam. It was a little too much to handle at first with very graphic details of war consequences on a human body, but it gets less gross and more interesting as it goes on. Enjoyed it overall.

Song of the month

WHAT CAUGHT MY EYE ON THE INTERNET

Low-key loving these boots that would go with everything, though these shoes would be more appropriate for Florida weather!

The Scariest Bridge in Florida Is Not for the Faint of Heart. A fascinating read about the history of a bridge in the Tampa Bay area considered the highest point here.

Dalí Alive 360° - Salvador Dalí Museum is on our list to experience ASAP!

AccuWeather's 2023 fall foliage forecast. Yes, there’s still time.

25 Best Things to Do in Florence, Italy. I fell utterly in love with this bustling Italian city and can’t wait to be back to experience things that we might have missed after 4 continuous months of travel.

8 Best Fall Foliage Train Routes With Amtrak. I am actively dreaming of scenic train rides, and while the timing isn’t right for us, maybe it’s right for you? These sound pretty nice.

Sofia Richie Grainge on Her Wedding, It-Girl Status, and Fashion. I don’t follow celebrities as their life and styles are majorly different than mine (and frankly, not something I aspire to), but this was an interesting read.

Another month gone in the blink of an eye… Goodbye, September. Welcome, October!