Friday Favorites — October Week 2

🎃 Friday Favorites – October Week 2

🍁 OCTOBER CALLED…AND APPARENTLY WE’RE BOOKED WITH COZY PLANS!

Warning: This week’s Friday Favorites may cause excessive baking, spontaneous Amazon shopping, and an uncontrollable urge to decorate something with pumpkins. 😂🎃

 

Well, hello there, October Week 2!

Can somebody please explain how we’re already this far into October?

Because I swear we were just saying goodbye to summer, and now we’re standing in the grocery store debating whether we need another bag of Halloween candy.

Spoiler alert: We do.

For the trick-or-treaters, obviously.

And by trick-or-treaters, we mean ourselves on a random Tuesday afternoon. 😂🍫

October is officially doing what October does best.

The leaves are changing.

The mornings are cooler.

The sweaters are coming out.

The kitchen smells like cinnamon.

And suddenly, staying home on a Friday night with a good dinner and a cozy blanket sounds like the most exciting plan in the entire world.

Honestly, who have we become?

People with excellent taste. That’s who. 😂

But here’s what I love most about this time of year.

October has a funny way of making ordinary things feel special.

A regular bowl of soup becomes a cozy fall dinner.

A quick trip to the grocery store becomes an excuse to buy pumpkins.

A Saturday afternoon becomes a family adventure.

And a simple dessert becomes something everyone talks about for the next three days.

That’s exactly what we’re celebrating this week!

We’ve got a delicious Lou Lou Girls recipe, a Trader Joe’s find, a fall drink that deserves its own fan club, something fabulous to watch, a song worth turning up, a podcast, a book, and FIVE unique Amazon finds that might make you question your ability to resist online shopping.

Plus, we’re throwing in some beauty, home inspiration, a sweet treat, and a little challenge that just might make your weekend extra special.

So grab your favorite snack, get comfortable, and prepare to find at least three things you suddenly need in your life.

Let’s do this, girlfriends! ❤️

 

🛒 Favorite Trader Joe’s Find

 

🍁 Maple Leaf Cookies

Trader Joe’s really needs to stop making seasonal treats this cute.

Because HOW are we supposed to walk past maple-leaf-shaped cookies and act like responsible adults?

We’re not.

And frankly, we don’t want to. 😂

These adorable sandwich cookies have a sweet maple-flavored filling tucked between crispy cookies shaped like little autumn leaves.

They’re crunchy, sweet, and absolutely perfect for this time of year.

The best part?

They look fancy enough to put on a fall dessert tray without doing any actual baking.

Lou Lou Tip: Arrange these cookies on a pretty wooden board with apple slices, chocolate squares, and a few caramel candies for a quick fall dessert platter.

Or just eat them straight from the package while hiding in the pantry.

Both are acceptable. 😉

💬 Reader Question: Are you a maple lover, or does pumpkin spice still have your heart?

🍽️ Favorite Lou Lou Girls Recipe

🧀 Million Dollar Ravioli Lasagna

 

 

Move over, ordinary lasagna. There’s a new cheesy superstar in town, and she’s worth a MILLION BUCKS! 😂🧀

Okay, girlfriends, if there’s one thing we love around here, it’s a dinner that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen without actually requiring you to spend hours in the kitchen.

Enter our Million Dollar Ravioli Lasagna!

We’re talking tender ravioli, savory meat sauce, layers of creamy, cheesy goodness, and all the comforting flavors that make lasagna one of the best dinners EVER.

It’s hearty.

It’s cheesy.

It’s family-friendly.

And it’s exactly the kind of dinner that makes everyone magically appear in the kitchen asking:

“Is dinner ready YET?!” 😂

The best part? Using ravioli makes this delicious comfort-food favorite so much easier to put together.

Because October evenings should be spent enjoying your family, not wrestling with lasagna noodles!

👩‍🍳 Lou Lou Tip

Serve it with buttery garlic bread and a simple green salad for a dinner that feels like Sunday supper—even on a Wednesday.

And make sure you save a little extra cheese for the top.

Because if we’re calling something Million Dollar Lasagna, we certainly aren’t skimping on the cheese! 😂

❤️ Why We’re Loving It This Week

October is officially comfort-food season, and this recipe checks every single box.

It’s warm, filling, delicious, and perfect for feeding a hungry family.

Plus, it’s a great recipe to bring back from the Lou Lou Girls archives!

💬 Tell Us!

Are you TEAM EXTRA CHEESE 🧀 or TEAM EXTRA SAUCE 🍅?

And don’t even try telling us you don’t have a preference. 😂❤️

Find the full recipe: Million Dollar Ravioli Lasagna

 

🥤 Favorite Fall Drink

🍊 Cranberry Orange Fall Fizz

 

 

Move over, ordinary soda.

We’re making something PRETTY this week! 🍊✨

Our favorite fall drink is a Cranberry Orange Fall Fizz, and it might be the easiest fancy-looking drink ever.

And yes, it’s completely non-alcoholic!

Here’s what you need:

• ½ cup cranberry juice
• ½ cup orange juice
• ½ cup chilled ginger ale
• Ice
• Fresh cranberries and orange slices for garnish

Fill a pretty glass with ice.

Pour in the cranberry juice and orange juice.

Top with ginger ale.

Give it a gentle stir.

Add a few cranberries and an orange slice.

DONE!

It’s bright, refreshing, bubbly, and looks like something you’d order at a fancy restaurant.

Except you’re drinking it in your kitchen while wearing slippers.

Which makes it approximately a thousand times better. 😂

Lou Lou Tip: Freeze cranberries and use them instead of ice cubes for an extra-pretty presentation.

💬 Let’s Settle This

Are you a fancy-drink-in-a-pretty-glass person?

Or a drink-it-straight-from-the-can person?

We’re a little bit of both. 😂

 

📺 Favorite TV Show

🍿 Only Murders in the Building

 

Okay, this show has EVERYTHING.

Mystery.

Comedy.

Suspicious neighbors.

Ridiculous situations.

And three people who somehow make solving murders look like the world’s most entertaining hobby. 😂

Only Murders in the Building stars Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez as neighbors who become amateur detectives and true-crime podcasters.

And honestly?

The chemistry between these three is reason enough to watch.

It’s clever, quirky, funny, and full of those moments when you think you’ve figured everything out.

And then…

NOPE.

You were completely wrong.

Again. 😂

It’s a fun choice for October when you want a little mystery without watching something that makes you afraid to walk down the hallway afterward.

Lou Lou Tip: Make a big bowl of popcorn and turn it into a mystery night. Everyone has to guess the culprit before the reveal.

Winner gets bragging rights.

Loser makes the snacks next time.

Seems fair to us! 🍿

💬 Question: Do you love a good murder mystery, or are you more of a romantic comedy girl?

 

🎵 Favorite Song This Week

🎶 “Man I Need” — Olivia Dean

 

 

Okay, girlfriends, THIS is the kind of song that makes you stop what you’re doing, turn up the volume, and suddenly feel like you’re starring in your own music video! 😂🎶

“Man I Need” by Olivia Dean has that perfect mix of soulful vocals, catchy rhythm, and feel-good energy that makes it impossible to sit still.

It’s smooth, a little sassy, and has just enough attitude to make you want to dance around the kitchen while dinner is cooking.

And honestly, isn’t that what a good song should do?!

We’re talking windows-down fall drives, spontaneous kitchen dance parties, and singing into your hairbrush like you just sold out an entire stadium.

No judgment here, ladies. We’ve ALL done it. 😂💃

Lou Lou Tip: Add this one to your October playlist! It’s perfect for getting ready in the morning, running errands, or adding a little extra fun to an ordinary afternoon.

💬 Tell Us!

What’s ONE song you can’t stop playing right now?

Drop it in the comments because we’re always looking for something new to add to our playlist! 🎶❤️

Because life is just better with a great soundtrack—and a little dancing in the kitchen! 💕

 

🎙️ Favorite Podcast

🎧 Normal Gossip

 

Friends.

Sometimes we want to learn something.

Sometimes we want to feel inspired.

And sometimes?

WE JUST WANT THE GOSSIP. 😂

That’s why this week’s podcast pick is Normal Gossip.

The show shares anonymous, everyday stories about ordinary people getting themselves into hilariously complicated situations.

We’re talking friendships, misunderstandings, social drama, questionable decisions, and all those moments when you find yourself saying:

“WAIT. SHE DID WHAT?!”

It’s funny, entertaining, and exactly the kind of podcast that makes a long drive or a pile of laundry feel a whole lot more interesting.

And the best part?

It’s not about celebrities.

It’s about the kind of everyday drama that somehow becomes ten times funnier when it’s happening to someone else.

Lou Lou Tip: Put this on while cleaning the house.

You’ll be so distracted by the story that you might actually finish folding the laundry.

MIGHT.

We’re not making promises. 😂

📖 Favorite Book

📚 The Wedding People — Alison Espach

 

Sometimes you want a book that makes you laugh.

Sometimes you want one that makes you think.

And sometimes you want one that somehow manages to do BOTH.

That’s why we’re adding The Wedding People to our October reading list.

This novel mixes humor, complicated relationships, unexpected friendships, and some genuinely heartfelt moments.

It’s the kind of story that reminds you how surprising life can be—and how the people we meet along the way can change everything.

Perfect for a quiet Sunday afternoon, a cozy evening, or those glorious moments when nobody needs anything from you.

You know.

The rare ones. 😂

Lou Lou Tip: Start a little book exchange with your girlfriends. Everyone brings a book they’ve loved and goes home with something new.

Free books.

Good conversation.

Possible snacks.

What’s not to love?

💬 Reader Question: Are you reading something AMAZING right now? Tell us the title!

🛍️ Favorite Amazon Finds

FIVE CLEVER FINDS YOU PROBABLY DIDN’T KNOW YOU NEEDED!

Okay, this week we went looking for the FUN stuff.

Not another blanket.

Not another candle.

Not another random kitchen utensil that ends up living in the junk drawer.

We’re talking unique Amazon finds that make you stop scrolling and say:

“WAIT…THAT’S ACTUALLY BRILLIANT!” 😂

And these five definitely caught our attention.

✨ 1. Automatic Toothpaste Dispenser

 

 

Okay, WHY is this so satisfying?

An automatic toothpaste dispenser mounts near your bathroom sink and dispenses toothpaste without having to squeeze the tube.

No toothpaste-covered counters.

No mysteriously flattened tubes.

No arguments about who left the cap off.

Well…

Maybe fewer arguments. 😂

This would be especially fun for kids or grandkids who are learning to brush their teeth independently.

Lou Lou Tip: Look for one that’s easy to disassemble and clean. Anything that makes the bathroom routine easier gets bonus points in our book!

 

✨ 2. Mini Electric Donut Maker

 

 

 

Hold everything.

WE CAN MAKE MINI DONUTS AT HOME?! 🍩

This little countertop gadget makes small baked donuts that you can decorate with glaze, cinnamon sugar, chocolate, sprinkles, or whatever your dessert-loving heart desires.

Imagine a Saturday morning donut bar.

Little bowls of toppings.

Warm donuts.

Happy kids.

And approximately 47 sprinkles on the kitchen floor.

Worth it. 😂

Lou Lou Tip: Make cinnamon-sugar donuts for a fun fall breakfast or Halloween brunch.

 

✨ 3. Magnetic Levitating Moon Lamp

 

 

Okay, this one is just COOL. 🌙

A magnetic levitating moon lamp appears to float above its base while glowing softly.

It’s part lamp.

Part conversation starter.

Part “HOW IS THAT EVEN POSSIBLE?!” 😂

It would look amazing on a desk, bookshelf, or nightstand.

And honestly?

It’s the kind of gift that makes people stop opening presents just to figure out how it works.

Lou Lou Tip: This would make a fun gift for a teenager, science lover, or anyone who appreciates unusual home décor.

 

 

✨ 4. Automatic Card Shuffler

 

 

 

Game night just got an upgrade! 🃏

If your family loves card games, an automatic card shuffler can make the whole process quicker and easier.

No more bending cards.

No more arguing about who’s shuffling.

And no more watching Uncle Bob spend seven minutes attempting to shuffle a deck like he’s in Las Vegas.

Sorry, Bob. 😂

Perfect for family game nights, holidays, and weekends with friends.

Lou Lou Tip: Pair it with a couple of favorite card games for a fun family gift basket.

 

✨ 5. Mini Thermal Label Printer

 

 

Okay, THIS might be our favorite little find of the week.

A compact thermal label printer connects to your phone and prints labels without ink cartridges.

Use it for pantry containers, craft supplies, school items, gift tags, storage bins, and all those random things you swear you’re going to organize someday.

And yes, making labels is strangely addictive.

You start with the flour container.

Then the sugar.

Then the spice drawer.

And suddenly you’re labeling things that absolutely did not need labels. 😂

Lou Lou Tip: This is especially handy for holiday gift tags and organizing seasonal decorations.

❤️ Why We’re Loving These Amazon Finds

They’re different.

They’re clever.

They’re fun.

And they’re the kind of discoveries that make Friday Favorites feel like a treasure hunt.

💬 Which one would you actually buy?

1, 2, 3, 4, or 5?

Tell us in the comments!

And if your answer is ALL FIVE…

Welcome to the club. 😂🛒

 

💄 Favorite Beauty Find

✨ Tubing Mascara

 

Ladies.

Can we discuss the emotional damage caused by mascara that ends up under your eyes by lunchtime?

You leave the house looking fabulous.

And by 2 p.m.?

You look like you’ve been crying through a dramatic television finale.

Not ideal. 😂

That’s why we’re loving tubing mascara.

Instead of simply coating your lashes with traditional pigment, tubing formulas create little tubes around individual lashes.

Many are designed to resist smudging and remove with warm water and gentle pressure.

And anything that makes makeup removal easier?

We’re interested.

Lou Lou Tip: Try a tubing mascara on a busy day and see how it wears for you. Different formulas perform differently, so finding the right one can make all the difference.

Because we want dramatic lashes.

Not dramatic under-eyes. 😂

 

🏡 Favorite Home Find

🍂 Vintage-Inspired Amber Glass Vases

 

 

This week’s home favorite is simple, beautiful, and perfect for October.

Amber glass vases!

There’s something about that warm golden-brown glass that makes everything feel instantly cozy.

Fill them with dried stems.

Add a few branches from the yard.

Use faux fall flowers.

Or leave them empty and let the glass do the decorating.

They’re gorgeous on kitchen counters, dining tables, shelves, and entryway tables.

And the best part?

You don’t need to completely redecorate your house to make it feel like fall.

Sometimes one little detail does the trick.

Lou Lou Tip: Group three amber vases in different heights and add a few simple branches for an inexpensive fall centerpiece.

Bonus points if you already have the branches in your yard.

Free decorating?

YES, PLEASE. 😂

 

🍪 Favorite Sweet Treat

🍫 Halloween Chocolate-Dipped Pretzel Rods

 

 

Okay, we’re keeping dessert FUN this week.

Because sometimes the cutest treats are also the easiest.

Enter: Halloween Chocolate-Dipped Pretzel Rods!

They’re sweet.

They’re salty.

They’re crunchy.

And they’re ridiculously adorable.

Here’s the idea:

Dip pretzel rods halfway into melted chocolate or candy melts.

Add orange, black, purple, or green sprinkles.

Lay them on parchment paper until set.

DONE!

You can even drizzle them with contrasting chocolate for a little extra Halloween magic.

They’re perfect for parties, classroom celebrations, neighbor gifts, or a family movie night.

Lou Lou Tip: Package a few in clear treat bags and tie them with Halloween ribbon.

Instant cute gift!

And if a couple happen to disappear while you’re making them?

That’s called quality control. 😂🍫

 

🎃 Favorite October Activity

🍂 Have a Fall Backyard Dinner

 

 

Okay, this one might be my favorite idea of the week.

Take dinner OUTSIDE.

That’s it.

Nothing fancy.

Nothing complicated.

Just move your regular dinner to the backyard or patio while the weather is still nice.

Bring out a few blankets.

Set the table.

Turn on some string lights.

Make something warm and delicious.

And suddenly an ordinary family dinner feels like an EVENT.

You don’t need matching plates.

You don’t need elaborate decorations.

You don’t need a three-course meal.

You just need food and people you love.

Lou Lou Tip: Make a big pot of soup or chili and let everyone serve themselves. Add cornbread, rolls, or baked potatoes for an easy fall meal.

And don’t forget dessert!

Because we’re Lou Lou Girls.

Dessert is basically part of our personality. 😂

 

🕯️ Favorite Little Luxury

🍁 Fresh Sheets on a Friday Night

 

I know.

I KNOW.

This sounds ridiculously simple.

But hear me out.

Freshly washed sheets.

A clean bedroom.

Your favorite pajamas.

A cozy blanket.

And absolutely NO alarm clock the next morning.

Is there anything better?!

Sometimes we spend so much time looking for fancy ways to relax that we forget how wonderful the little things can be.

Lou Lou Tip: Make Friday your fresh-sheets day. Add a favorite pillow spray if you enjoy one, turn down the lights, and give yourself permission to relax.

No elaborate self-care routine required.

Just clean sheets and the knowledge that you don’t have to go anywhere.

Pure happiness. ❤️

 

🎯 Weekend Challenge — The October Memory Jar

 

 

Okay, friends.

This week’s challenge is one I really hope you’ll try.

Because it’s EASY.

It’s FREE.

And it might turn into something your family looks forward to every year.

Find a jar.

Any jar.

It doesn’t have to be cute.

Although if you want to tie a ribbon around it, we’re certainly not stopping you. 😂

Every time something fun happens this October, write it on a little slip of paper.

Maybe it’s:

• A funny thing your grandchild said.
• A delicious dinner everyone loved.
• A beautiful sunset.
• A family game night.
• A spontaneous drive.
• A good conversation.
• A silly Halloween moment.
• A random Tuesday that turned out to be wonderful.

Drop the paper into the jar.

At the end of October, gather everyone together and read them.

Imagine how much fun it would be to remember all those little moments!

Because here’s the thing.

The memories we treasure most aren’t always the ones we planned.

Sometimes they’re the ones that happen while we’re busy living.

💬 Your Challenge

Start your October Memory Jar this weekend.

And tell us:

What’s one little moment from this week you’d put in yours?

 

💬 QUESTION OF THE WEEK

 

Okay, girlfriends.

We’re settling something VERY important today.

Which fall smell is the absolute BEST?

🍎 Fresh apple pie

🎃 Pumpkin bread

🍪 Chocolate chip cookies

🍂 Cinnamon and cloves

🥖 Fresh homemade bread

🍁 Maple syrup

Or are you the person who says:

“Whatever somebody else is baking!” 😂

Because honestly?

That might be the correct answer.

Drop your favorite in the comments!

 

❤️ This Week’s Happy Thought

🍂 The Best Things in Life Usually Aren’t Things

 

 

You know what I’ve been thinking about lately?

How easy it is to get caught up in all the things we think we need to do.

We need to clean the house.

We need to finish the laundry.

We need to make dinner.

We need to answer messages.

We need to run errands.

We need to get organized.

We need to plan the holidays.

And somehow, in the middle of all those things, life just keeps moving.

Another day.

Another week.

Another month.

And suddenly we’re looking at the calendar wondering how October got here so quickly.

But here’s something I’ve learned.

The moments that matter most rarely announce themselves.

They don’t show up with balloons.

They don’t send invitations.

They don’t tell you to grab your camera.

Sometimes they look like a child asking you to read the same book for the fifth time.

Sometimes they look like your husband making you laugh when you’ve had a long day.

Sometimes they look like your family sitting around the dinner table, talking about absolutely nothing important.

Sometimes they look like a friend calling just to check on you.

Sometimes they look like a quiet drive with someone you love.

And sometimes they look like everyone gathered in the kitchen, sneaking bites of dessert before dinner is even finished.

Those moments?

THOSE are the good ones.

Not because they’re perfect.

But because they’re real.

And I think October is such a beautiful reminder of that.

Everything around us is changing.

The leaves.

The weather.

The daylight.

The routines.

And in the middle of all that change, we’re reminded that nothing stays exactly the same forever.

Our kids grow up.

Our grandkids get bigger.

Our schedules change.

Our homes get quieter.

Life moves forward.

And that’s exactly why we need to enjoy what’s happening RIGHT NOW.

Not when the house is cleaner.

Not when the schedule slows down.

Not when everything is perfect.

Right now.

Make the cookies.

Take the pictures.

Invite the friends.

Go on the drive.

Say yes to the adventure.

Stay at the table a little longer.

Laugh until your stomach hurts.

Tell people you love them.

And don’t be afraid to make ordinary days feel special.

Because one day, you might look back and realize…

The ordinary moments were the extraordinary ones all along. ❤️

So this weekend, I hope you find something that makes you smile.

Something that makes you laugh.

Something that makes you feel grateful.

Something that reminds you just how good life can be.

Even when it’s messy.

Even when it’s busy.

Even when nothing goes exactly according to plan.

Because sometimes the best memories begin with the words:

“Well…that wasn’t what we planned!” 😂

And honestly?

Those are usually the stories we tell the longest.

Happy Friday, friends! 🍂❤️

Here’s to cozy kitchens, full hearts, happy homes, delicious food, spontaneous adventures, and all the little moments that make October wonderful.

Now go do something fun.

Make something delicious.

And maybe check out those Amazon finds.

Because apparently we’re still pretending we have self-control when it comes to online shopping. 😂🛒

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