It’s been a lovely weekend here in Raleigh as we enjoy the peak of autumn colors, but we also got our first real cold snap with temperatures dipping as low as 25 degrees too. The temperature is now back up to the low 60’s which is normal, but I enjoyed the preview of winter and actually enjoyed the cold weather while cozied up at home. I had off Tuesday from work for Veteran’s Day, so I took advantage to complete some tasks that have been on my to-do list for awhile. I do love the days where I relax at home, but I also very much enjoy the days when I am productive and accomplish all of those little tasks that stacked up over a few months. These are the little things that just easily gets pushed aside because they are not too important. Little things such as booking wellness check ups at the doctor’s office, dropping off donations, leaving books for the little free library, replacing the batteries in a couple of watches, and even deep cleaning the shower. Next weekend I will be putting up the Christmas tree to enjoy for the week of Thanksgiving and below is a lovely picture that I took last year around this same time. I am looking forward to the holiday season and hope that you too are taking some time to be a little productive, and to also make room to enjoy the holiday season as well.
MODERN CLASSIC FINDS
Getting a taste of winter this past week had me reaching for the thicker sweaters and I recently purchased this beautiful Garnet Buckled Cotton Sweater from Ralph Lauren. While an investment piece to be sure, this sweater is very warm and I love the buckle detailing which gives it visual interest. They also have it in this Mascarpone Cream color that I really liked too.
I love a pair of beautiful statement earrings and I recently saw this pair of Red Stone Double Drop Earrings from Ann Taylor which would also make for a beautiful accessory for the holiday season too.
One of my favorite slow hobbies to do is putting together a jigsaw puzzle and this New York Puzzle Company Puzzle Sorting Trays is a great idea to keep organized while putting the puzzle together. I also love that they are organized by color because that is often how I organize the various pieces of the puzzle.
I got some inquiries on Instagram this past week about the shoes I was wearing in a picture that I took of myself. I love these shoes and wear them often, especially when travelling. The shoes are The Double Bit Loafer Mule from Rothy’s. It’s an elegant modern classic shoe for everyday wear.
Everyday kitchen essentials become enchanting pieces of art when designed by the experts of MacKenzie-Childs and this Sterling English Garden Tea Kettle which is crafted of enameled steel and topped with a sparkling glass knob and wooden handle makes for a beautiful design. It’s also adorned with intricately detailed blooms which will add elegant style to any kitchen.
A tote bag is a great bag to have for many reasons, but I love them for when I am running errands or going to appointments. The extra room in the bag provides more convenance for storing extra things such as an extra scarf, a book, or tablet. That’s why this Suede Belted Tote from Ann Taylor caught my eye. It comes in several colors, but I personally love the timeless look of this navy option.
Make traveling a more elegant experience with these Zara Home Cotton Toiletry “Wash” and “Clean” bags. It’s a simple design marked with beautiful details which makes traveling a touch more luxurious.
BOOKS
A cute book that I came across while at the bookstore this past weekend was The Little Book of Winter: A Cozy Guide to a Season of Comfort and Happiness. Embrace the coziness of winter months with activities that promote peace, relaxation, and mindfulness, perfect for slowing down and enjoying the season. The Little Book of Winter is here to make it easier than ever with 70 activities to help you make the most of the magical winter season.
A book that came out this past week and looks to be a thoughtful read is Time’s Bounty: Rethinking Aging. Time’s Bounty offers a view of age that differs greatly from our preconceptions—surprising, emancipating, sometimes even joyful. In five brief chapters, the author takes us from the generative discoveries that age occasions to the freedom that comes in life’s late chapters, when no company or institution or cause any longer owns us. At last, we are our own, in ways we could not imagine when younger.
It’s always fun to cozy up to a mystery novel and this new release, The Christmas Clue looks to be a perfect seasonal read. A gothic, slow-burn mystery of betrayal, redemption, and revenge, The Christmas Clue weaves together the moral reckoning of The English Patient with the locked-room tension of And Then There Were None. As snow falls and secrets unravel, Ashcombe Manor becomes more than a house of mourning—it becomes a trap for the living and the dead alike.
For lovers of Christmas, romance, cozy, and books, The Secret Christmas Library: A Novel is worth looking into. A new holiday story set in the Scottish Highlands to warm booklovers’ hearts by Jenny Colgan. A treat for the cozy booklovers and treasure hunters alike, The Secret Christmas Library serves up a delicious mystery with a hint of romance, and plenty of holiday spirit.
One spot still on my list to visit in New York is the gilded mansion of The Frick Collection and so this book The Frick Collection: The Historic Interiors would be a beautiful way to learn more about it before I visit. After a multiyear renovation, The Frick Collection returns to its lauded Gilded Age mansion on New York’s Fifth Avenue. Spectacular photography by Miguel Flores-Vianna and insightful text by Xavier F. Salomon, the museum’s chief curator, unite to celebrate one of the preeminent fine and decorative art collections in the world.
MOVIES/TELEVISION/MEDIA
We officially have our first teaser trailer for The Devil Wears Prada 2 and I have already marked my calendar for May 1st for its release date.
With a description such as a spoof that crosses Downton Abbey with Airplane!, I was already intrigued. Fackham Hall follows loveable pick-pocket Eric Noone as he lands a job at a unique English manor house. He quickly rises through the ranks, and a forbidden romance with lady-of-the-house Rose Davenport blossoms. But when an unexpected murder occurs, Eric gets framed – leaving Rose and her family’s future perilously uncertain. In theaters on December 5th.
A movie that is getting some talk and just got a U.S. theatrical release of a 150 screens is Trifole. In this bittersweet portrait of a vanishing rural way of life, Dalia travels to Piedmont to care for her aging grandfather Igor, an expert forager. Armed with his loyal dog Birba, she hunts for a prizewinning truffle to save his home.
If you enjoyed Anatomy of A Scandal like I did, then you may also enjoy Little Disasters (by the same author). About a group of new mother friends that are torn apart when one is accused of injuring her baby, fracturing their bond and nearly destroying their families.
Enjoy this recent home tour of Interior Design Icon Nina Campbell’s London Home Defined by Everyday Luxuries and her exquisite China collection, treasured artwork, and recounting her extraordinary journey through the design world.
ARTICLES OF INTEREST
Looking for more Devil Wears Prada 2 details? Then here is a great article on Everything We Know About The Devil Wears Prada Sequel from Town & Country.
I do miss Queen Elizabeth II and if you, like me, are always interested in a good read about the queen then here are 23 of the Best Books About Queen Elizabeth II.
Ina Garten is the queen of easy Thanksgiving and The Barefoot Contessa is sharing Thanksgiving at her house along with her favorite Thanksgiving side dishes, desserts, and more.
Aerin Lauder is simply elegant and she always provides beautiful inspiration for living well, so I very much enjoyed reading the article, A Classic New England Retreat Is Being Transformed Into a Holiday Dreamscape by AERIN.
And if you too are a fan of Aerin lauder, then this article of The Style Lessons Aerin Lauder Learned From Her Grandmother Estée is also a lovely read.
And just another lovely 2025 Gift Guide from My French Country Home to peruse full of many great finds and of course all French inspired.
I very much enjoyed viewing this beautiful estate as Interior designer Joanna Wood returns a London apartment to its former beauty.
If you are planning a Friendsgiving this year, then why not gather inspiration from Tea Time Magazine for a gracious afternoon tea filled with gratitude and centered around a lovely table, seasonal fare, and copious cups of tea.
Dreaming of travel for 2026? Then here are some ideas from Travel & Leisure’s World’s Best Awards 2025 to get you inspired.
“Time’s Bounty” sounds like such an interesting read! Adding that to my Want to Read lost in Goodreads.
And that sweater with the buckle is so beautiful!
Hello Beth 🙂 I thought the same thing about Time’s Bounty too as I love reading books on ageing well. The sweater is even prettier in person too…I will probably end up getting it in another color because it’s just so timeless and elegant.