Friday Things #344
1. Happy Halloween from my three little pumpkins! Our trick or treating was moved from last night because we had nasty weather yesterday, but Joseph had a Halloween parade at school, Dominic had an orange and black day for a school Halloween party, and Isabelle wore her sparkly Halloween best :)
2. Christmas music kicks off on Sirius radio today – do you listen this early or wait until after Thanksgiving? I totally can’t help myself and love Christmas music and movies as soon as I can listen and watch!
3. Such great tips!! >> How to Start a Conversation
4. I’m pretty sure I asked this last year, but give me allllll of your recommendations for an awesome winter jacket! I never ended up buying one last year and would like to get one to start the season this year. I already have a long wool “dress” jacket, so I’m looking for something a little more casual. I don’t want it to be too bulky or too long (I’m so short!), but something that will keep me plenty warm. What do you have and love?
5. Absolutely obsessed with the Pasta Grannies YouTube channel. It’s every bit amazing as it sounds.
6. I am a HUGE Kerrygold fan and buy it exclusively, so I was excited to read this article – lots of really interesting tidbits! >> How Irish Butter Kerrygold Conquered America’s Kitchens.
7. This Food52 x Epicurean Precision Cutting Board looks awesome and would be a great Christmas gift for a new cook!
8. Gahhhh I sort of feel this already, and I can’t even start to think about Joseph going to school full-time next year or I become a blubbering mess.
9. And then there’s this Hallmark commercial that will do you right in.
10. TGIF! I hope you have a fun and festive weekend!
I would check out Columbia. I got a coat from them last year. About $100 and very warm. I love Lands End, but their prices can still be a little high even with discounts. L.L.Bean has excellent quality, but their prices are too high in my opinion. Good luck! Oh and keep an eye out on the deal site Hip2Save.com That is where I found my Columbia jacket for a good price.
I LOVE the Pasta Grannies!!! I found them after I came back from Italy last year and have been obsessed ever since. I even received my Pasta Grannies cookbook on Oct 30th, but sadly haven’t been able to dive into it as I had to head back to work the following day! (I work away from home) I have no idea even where to start with it!!!
Thank you for sharing the Kerrygold butter article. It is quite the article. Definitely going on my grocery list next week. Since you love their butter, you should try their cheddar cheese. So much better than the other brands! I’m looking forward to trying the butter.
I love my Eddie Bauer winter jacket. Â So warm!!
I remember shedding a few tears when my eldest went to school all day for the first time. Â But that was it — a few tears. Â She was so excited to go that I couldn’t be unhappy. Â I waited until the bus pulled away before I let the tears come. Â By this time next year you may be ready for Joseph to be gone all day! Â
The warmest jacket I own is a black North Face. I purchased it while working PT at Dicks Sporting Goods. They aren’t cheap…. but definitely worth every penny. Very light weight because I hate puffy, stuffy coats that make you look abd feel like the Michelin Man! Â
Love your little super heroes’ outfits. Our Halloween was cancelled here also due to torrrential downpour all evening and night and today we have 100km winds with very cold air that feels like snow is coming!!! (I’m in Canada).
Thanks for all the friday things…so interesting, although some are so heart wrenching, I go through tons of tissues!
Love Duke and Judith, so lovely together. Enjoy the candies and chocolates you didn’t give out!
I would recommend the Squall Parka from Land’s End. I am on my second Stadium Squall, but I am quite tall and that is a knee-length coat. They have a good size range and lots of petite stuff as well. Good luck!!
I got the Rock Rridge PrimaLoft Jacket from Athleta and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it! I am not short…but it does come in petite sizes. I got the olive; it is a dark gray green color that goes with everything! Packs surprisingly well too…just got back from a trip to Nova Scotia with it :)
https://athleta.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=350851012&cid=1068123&pcid=1017102&vid=1&grid=pds_60_117_1#pdp-page-content
Your kids are adorable! I don’t know you do it all. You’re obviously a great mom, and you have a great blog. Oh, and the dogs are adorable, too. I really enjoy your blog.
The WARMEST jacket I have ever owned is from Soia and Kio. Eight years running and it’s still holding up great. They are pricey but so so worth it. I bought their down filled coat and living in a very cold part of Canada meant doing everything I could to stay warm in the winter because I hate being cold!
Last year I bought a ‘puffer’ jacket at Kohls and LOVE it. It’s so comfy, it’s like wearing a robe. I’m buying another one this year in a different color. Theirs might be too lightweight for your winters (I’m on the central coast of California), but Lands End has lots of options for different cold ratings.
Love reading your Friday Things post!
I have to recommend the Northface Arctic jacket . . . love it!
https://www.thenorthface.com/shop/womens-arctic-parka-ii-nf0a35bq?variationId=11P#hero=0
Have a great weekend!
I have a Marmot Montreaux coat: https://www.marmot.com/womens-montreaux-coat-78090.html
It’s filled with down but not bulky – I’m short, too, and hate looking like a tiny Michelin man. The coat is stylish yet versatile. I live in southern MN, and it’s made it through two winters (including the Polar Vortex) without a hitch. Blocks wind wonderfully. Good luck with your search!
Beautiful babies, all of them. Love all of their outfits…Joseph’s made me smile. Looks like he has superhero muscles😊 Dominic’s shirt is too cute and of course miss isabelle is just as pretty as can be. As for the jackets, I’m not a good feedback person for that lol. I live in ca and we just rarely need anything more than a sweater or a gym jacket usually will do. But it’s kind of cold here this morning..its actually 45 degrees and that’s cool for us. Have a good weekend. Adorable pic of doggies too. So sweet when they carry those ring toys together.
Hi Michelle
. I am short also and have had great luck with coats from Land’s ‘s End in petite sizes. Lots of lengths and weights available. Great customer service and product guarantees. (used to love their tough pants for boys too, when mine was little.)
That commercial had me sobbing too!
The best coat I’ve purchased lately was actually from Costco. It’s an Eddie Bauer down jacket, but easily can be shoved into an attached pouch. It’s amazingly warm. I went to Sam’s Club this week and they had a longer version from Lo don Fog also, which I love. I’m 5’5″ and it comes to about mid thigh on me. I love that they aren’t bulky at all.
I have purchased many winter coats and jackets from Lands End. I really hate putting on a winter coat and feeling all bulky, but I have found stylish options on their site. They usually have a great Black Friday sale. Your children are adorable and getting big! Have a great day.
Athleta for winter coats! They are really nice quality and I love their aesthetic.Â