🎃 Friday Favorites – October Week 1

HELLO, OCTOBER…WE’VE BEEN WAITING FOR YOU! 🍂🎃

Okay, friends.

IT. IS. OCTOBER.

We have officially entered the month when buying pumpkins counts as decorating, eating soup three nights in a row feels completely reasonable, and somehow putting cinnamon in absolutely everything becomes a personality trait. 😂

October just hits differently.

The air feels crisper.

The sunsets feel prettier.

The blankets feel cozier.

The food tastes better.

And suddenly staying home on Friday night sounds approximately 900% more exciting than going anywhere.

We’re ready for football games, crunchy leaves, spooky movies, cozy dinners, pumpkin patches, fall drives, candles burning in every room, and desserts that contain entirely too much caramel.

Basically…

October, you had us at hello. 🎃❤️

And this week’s Friday Favorites might be one of my FAVORITES yet.

We’ve got something delicious to eat, something fun to drink, something to binge, something to listen to, something to read, a few seriously fun Amazon finds, and enough cozy October inspiration to make you want to cancel your weekend plans.

So grab your blanket.

Grab a snack.

And whatever you do…

DON’T blame me for what ends up in your shopping cart. 😂🛒

Let’s get into it!

 

 

 

🛒 Favorite Trader Joe’s Find

🎃 Pumpkin Spice Mini Sheet Cake

 

 

 

Excuse me, Trader Joe’s.

WHO gave you permission to make something this tempting?! 😂🎃

We love a good little sheet cake because it feels like you went to all the trouble of making dessert…

without actually going to all the trouble of making dessert.

And when pumpkin spice enters the conversation?

Game over.

Soft cake + fall spices + creamy frosting = the kind of dessert you buy “for everyone” and then quietly hope nobody remembers is in the refrigerator.

You know exactly what we’re talking about. 😂

Lou Lou Tip: Cut it into small squares and arrange them on a pretty platter for an instant fall dessert tray.

Nobody needs to know you didn’t bake it.

Your secret is safe here. 😉

💬 Tell us:

Are you officially TEAM PUMPKIN…

or are you already tired of pumpkin everything?

No judgment.

Okay, maybe a tiny bit of judgment. 😂🎃

 

🍽️ Favorite Lou Lou Girls Recipe

🍝 Brown Butter Pasta

 

 

 

Sometimes the recipes that look the simplest end up being the ones you make over and over again.

And our Brown Butter Pasta is exactly that kind of recipe. ❤️

Brown butter has magical powers.

Regular butter?

Delicious.

Butter cooked until it gets golden, nutty, fragrant, and ridiculously flavorful?

NEXT LEVEL.

This pasta is cozy without being heavy, easy without being boring, and fancy enough to make a random Tuesday night feel like you actually planned dinner.

Which, let’s be honest, deserves applause all by itself. 😂👏

Add Parmesan.

Add cracked pepper.

Add some crusty bread.

And suddenly everyone is sitting at the table asking:

“Why don’t we have this more often?”

Exactly.

🍝 Lou Lou Tip:

Let the butter get golden brown—but watch it carefully!

There is a very small window between:

“Ohhhh, that smells amazing!”

and

“Well…I just burned the butter.” 😂

❤️ Why We’re Loving It This Week:

October dinners don’t always need to be complicated.

Sometimes you just need something warm, buttery, delicious, and easy enough that you’re not still doing dishes at 10 p.m.

This is that dinner.

 

🥤 Favorite Fall Drink

🍎 Caramel Apple Cream Soda

 

Okay…

THIS is fun.

And yes—completely non-alcoholic. 🙌

We’re making a simple Caramel Apple Cream Soda with chilled apple cider, cream soda, a little caramel drizzle, and plenty of ice.

Top it with whipped cream if you’re feeling extra.

And obviously…

we are feeling extra. 😂

Drizzle caramel inside the glass before pouring everything in and suddenly you’ve made something that looks like it came from a cute little fall café.

🍎 Lou Lou Tip:

Add an apple slice and cinnamon stick before serving.

It’s ridiculously easy but looks VERY impressive.

Which is basically our favorite kind of recipe.

💬 Question:

Would you rather have:

🍎 Caramel Apple

OR

🎃 Pumpkin Spice?

Choose wisely. 😂

 

📺 Favorite TV Show

🍿 The Diplomat

 

 

If you love a show with smart dialogue, secrets, complicated relationships, and plenty of “WHAT is happening?!” moments, The Diplomat deserves a spot on your watch list. 👀

Keri Russell stars as Kate Wyler, a diplomat who suddenly finds herself thrown into a high-profile position while trying to navigate international crises—and a marriage that’s basically its own international crisis. 😂

It’s fast-paced, clever, and the kind of show where you tell yourself you’re watching one episode…

…and suddenly it’s way past bedtime.

Oops. 😂

Lou Lou Tip: This is definitely a phone-down show. There are enough twists, conversations, and little details that you’ll want to actually pay attention.

So grab a blanket, make some popcorn, and prepare to say:

“Okay…ONE more episode.” 🍿❤️

💬 Tell us:

What are you watching right now that you absolutely cannot stop recommending to everyone?

 

🎵 Favorite Song This Week

🎶 “The Fate of Ophelia” — Taylor Swift

 

October needs a soundtrack, and we’re adding a little Taylor Swift to ours.

“The Fate of Ophelia” is exactly the kind of song we’re adding to the playlist for fall drives, getting ready in the morning, cooking dinner, or those completely unnecessary concerts we perform alone in the car. 😂🎶

You know the ones.

Red light?

Concert paused.

Green light?

SHOWTIME.

Lou Lou Tip:

Start an October Playlist and add one song every week.

By Halloween, you’ll have your official soundtrack for the month.

 

 

🎙️ Favorite Podcast

🎧 Everything Is Alive

 

Okay, this one is DIFFERENT.

And that’s exactly why we’re putting it on the list.

Everything Is Alive is an interview-style podcast where the guests are…

objects.

Yes.

Objects. 😂

Think conversations with everyday things as if they were actual people with personalities, opinions, memories, and feelings.

It’s quirky.

It’s clever.

It’s unexpectedly thoughtful.

And it’s one of those podcasts you tell someone about and they immediately say:

“Wait…WHAT?”

Which obviously means they need to listen.

Lou Lou Tip:

Start an episode on your next drive.

It’s the perfect change of pace when you’re tired of listening to people tell you how to organize your life, fix your morning routine, or become a completely different human by Monday. 😂

 

📖 Favorite Book

📚 The Housemaid — Freida McFadden

 

 

October reading requires one thing:

A book that makes you suspicious of EVERYBODY. 👀😂

If you love twisty thrillers and books that make you say, “Okay, ONE more chapter,” this one belongs on your list.

You know the routine.

You start reading at 9:00.

You promise yourself you’re stopping at 9:30.

Then you look at the clock and it’s somehow midnight.

Oops.

Lou Lou Tip:

Don’t Google anything.

Don’t read spoilers.

Don’t ask your friend what happens.

Just READ.

And then immediately text somebody when you’re finished because you’re going to need to talk about it. 😂

 

🛍️ Favorite Amazon Finds

This week we have ONE rule:

NO BORING AMAZON FINDS.

We don’t need another spatula.

We don’t need another storage bin.

We want things that make us say:

“WAIT…Amazon sells THAT?!” 😂🛒

Here we go.

✨ 1. Pumpkin-Shaped Waffle Maker

 

Regular waffles?

Cute.

PUMPKIN WAFFLES?!

October breakfast just got an upgrade. 🎃😂

Imagine serving little pumpkin-shaped waffles on a Saturday morning with butter, maple syrup, berries, and whipped cream.

The kids will love them.

The grandkids will love them.

And honestly?

We’re probably going to be more excited than either of them.

Lou Lou Tip:

Use cinnamon-roll dough instead of waffle batter for a super easy fall treat.

✨ 2. Electric Marshmallow Roasting Stick

apparently we have reached the point in technology where even roasting marshmallows can be upgraded. 😂🔥

Some rotating roasting sticks help slowly turn your marshmallow over the fire so you can get that perfectly golden outside without accidentally setting the whole thing on fire.

Where was this during every childhood camping trip?!

Lou Lou Tip:

Use it for a backyard s’mores night before the weather gets too cold.

✨ 3. Couch Cup Holder Tray

Whoever invented this understands us.

It sits right on the arm of your couch and gives you a spot for your drink, phone, remote, snacks, or whatever else you’re constantly losing between the cushions.

Movie night just got approximately 73% more organized.

Again…

we did not scientifically verify that number. 😂

 

✨ 4. Heated Eye Mask

This sounds like something you wouldn’t care about…

until you try one.

A warm eye mask after a long day?

YES.

Use it while relaxing, before bed, or whenever you need ten minutes where nobody is allowed to ask you where something is. 😂

Lou Lou Tip:

Put your phone down.

Turn the lights off.

Ten minutes.

That’s it.

Sometimes that’s all the reset you need.

 

✨ 5. Tiny Smartphone Photo Printer

This one is SO fun. 📸

Connect it to your phone and print little photos right away.

Use them for:

❤️ Scrapbooks
📓 Journals
🎁 Gifts
🧲 Refrigerator pictures
✈️ Vacation memories
🎃 Fall bucket lists
👵 Grandma bragging rights

Because we take approximately 14,000 pictures and print…

three.

Let’s fix that. 😂

❤️ Why We’re Loving These:

They’re weird.

They’re clever.

They’re fun.

And they’re exactly the kind of things you send to your friend with:

“LOOK WHAT I FOUND!”

Which is basically the entire point of Friday Favorites. 😂🛒

 

💄 Favorite Beauty Find

✨ Heatless Curling Set

 

We love anything that promises cute hair while we’re literally sleeping.

Because THAT feels like efficiency. 😂

Wrap your hair around a soft heatless curling rod before bed and wake up with soft waves without spending the morning holding a curling iron.

Will every morning look like a shampoo commercial?

Probably not.

But we’re willing to try. 😂

Lou Lou Tip:

Use it when your hair is mostly dry—not soaking wet—and experiment with how tightly you wrap each section until you find the curl you love.

🏡 Favorite Home Find

🎃 Velvet Pumpkins

 

We’re officially allowing pumpkins to take over the house.

But this week we’re loving velvet pumpkins because they add fall color and texture without screaming:

HALLOWEEN EXPLODED IN HERE. 😂

Put a few on a bookshelf.

Add them to a bowl.

Mix them into your mantel.

Scatter a few down the center of your dining table.

Instant fall.

Lou Lou Tip:

Mix cream, rust, olive, caramel, and muted orange instead of using only bright orange.

It makes everything feel warm and collected.

🍪 Favorite Sweet Treat

🍎 Caramel Apple Nachos

 

 

This is what happens when somebody looks at an apple and thinks:

“You know what this needs? Chocolate.” 😂🍎

Slice apples thin.

Spread them on a platter.

Drizzle with caramel and melted chocolate.

Then add whatever sounds good:

🍫 Mini chocolate chips
🥜 Chopped peanuts
🍪 Crushed cookies
🥨 Pretzels
🍬 Toffee pieces
🤍 White chocolate

Basically…

it’s an apple wearing a Halloween costume.

Lou Lou Tip:

This is SUCH a fun after-school snack or movie-night treat.

Put out toppings and let everyone make their own section.

 

🎃 Favorite October Activity

👻 Have a Halloween Movie Night

 

 

We are starting October EASY.

Pick a Halloween movie.

Make popcorn.

Turn off the lights.

Grab blankets.

Add candy.

Done.

You don’t need an elaborate party.

You don’t need matching pajamas.

You don’t need a Pinterest-worthy snack board.

Although…

we wouldn’t say no to any of those things. 😂

The important part is getting everyone together.

Lou Lou Tip:

Write your favorite Halloween movies on little slips of paper and put them in a jar.

Every weekend in October, draw one.

No arguing.

The jar has spoken. 😂👻

 

🕯️ Favorite Little Luxury

🍂 Turning Off the Big Light

 

If you know…

YOU KNOW. 😂

October evenings require lamps.

Little lamps.

Candles.

Twinkle lights.

Anything EXCEPT that giant overhead light that makes the living room feel like a doctor’s office.

Turn it off.

Light a candle.

Switch on a little lamp.

Grab a blanket.

Instant mood change.

Lou Lou Tip:

Try this about an hour before bedtime.

It makes the whole house feel calmer and signals that the day is winding down.

Sometimes luxury isn’t expensive.

Sometimes luxury is simply:

NO BIG LIGHT. 😂❤️

 

🎯 Weekend Challenge — The October “YES” Challenge

This weekend, say YES to one little thing you normally talk yourself out of.

Go on the drive.

Bake the cookies.

Buy the pumpkin.

Call the friend.

Watch the sunset.

Try the restaurant.

Take the picture.

Wear the outfit.

Start the book.

Invite people over.

Sit outside.

Make the dessert.

It doesn’t need to be dramatic.

It doesn’t need to cost money.

It just needs to be something that makes you think:

“I’m glad I did that.”

Then come back and tell us what you chose!

💬 QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Okay, we need answers.

If you could only choose ONE October activity, what would it be?

🎃 Pumpkin patch
🍎 Apple picking
👻 Haunted house
🍂 Fall drive
🏈 Football game
🔥 Bonfire
🎬 Halloween movie marathon
🍪 Fall baking day

Drop yours in the comments!

And if your answer is “ALL OF THEM,” congratulations.

You’re our kind of person. 😂❤️

 

❤️ This Week’s Happy Thought

October always makes us want to hurry.

There are pumpkins to buy.

Recipes to make.

Decorations to put up.

Pictures to take.

Parties to plan.

Places to go.

And somehow we convince ourselves that if we don’t do EVERYTHING, we’re going to miss fall.

But maybe the secret isn’t doing more.

Maybe it’s noticing more.

Notice the cold air when you walk outside in the morning.

Notice how beautiful the mountains look.

Notice the leaves changing.

Notice the smell of dinner cooking.

Notice the people sitting around your table.

Notice the laughter coming from the other room.

Notice the quiet.

Notice the chaos.

Notice the ordinary Tuesday night when everyone happens to be home.

Because someday…

those might be the moments you wish you could have back.

Not the perfectly decorated porch.

Not the picture-perfect pumpkin patch.

Not the elaborate dessert.

The people.

The conversations.

The laughter.

The ordinary little moments that didn’t seem important at the time.

So yes.

Buy the pumpkin.

Bake the cookies.

Decorate the porch.

Take the fall drive.

Do ALL the fun October things.

But while you’re doing them…

look around.

These are the days.

These are the memories.

This is the good stuff. ❤️

Happy Friday, friends!

Here’s to an October filled with good food, cozy homes, ridiculous laughter, spontaneous adventures, and people we love.

Now go make a memory.

And maybe buy another pumpkin.

Because apparently we have absolutely no self-control in October. 😂🎃🍂

See you next week for another round of Friday Favorites! 💕