Custom Book Embosser
Let them make every book their own with a personalized embosser.

Spilled Coffee Bookmark

Just One More Chapter Embroidered Sweatshirt

He Sees What You’ve Been Reading Candle

2026 Reading List Bookmark

Reading Is My Favorite Spot Sweatshirt

Romance Book Stickers

It’s Too Nonfictiony Outside

Looking for even more ideas? Visit the Etsy Gifting Hub for more gift ideas for everyone on your list!

Ceramic Dinnerware Set

Pumpkin Shaped Candles

Fall Watercolor Print of Edinburgh, Scotland

Mushroom Sunset Night Lamp

Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice Print

Ceramic Candlestick Holder

Tan Stripe Linen Tablecloth

Black and White Checkered Cheese Board

Ceramic Pumpkin Coffee Mug

Herb & Flower Drying Rack

Mushroom Night Light Lamp

Halloween Haunted House Set (Handmade with artisan paper)

Looking for even more ideas? Etsy also has great additional Fall Decor Essentials and Halloween Guides, with picks from Etsy curators including everything from decor to Halloween costumes. Happy (almost) Fall!

The Lizzie Borden House – Copyright US Ghost Adventures

If you know me, you know just how much I love spooky season! One of the activities I always put on my October list is a ghost tour. It’s a spine-chilling way to learn about local history and get in the spirit of the season. If you’re looking to elevate your Halloween plans this year, why not step into the shoes of a ghost hunter on a tour of Boston’s haunted sites or at the infamous Lizzie Borden House?

First up, a tour of Boston’s dark past. As one of America’s oldest cities, Boston has witnessed its fair share of ghastly events. You’ll uncover chilling stories at some of the city’s most haunted locations (did you know that the Boston Common was once the scene of hundreds of hangings?)

The “In Cold Blood: True Crime Experience” tour is an adults-only tour that’s the perfect mix of history lesson and ghostly encounter that’ll take you through key Boston sites. Prefer to enjoy spirits of both kinds? They also offer a Haunted Pub Crawl called “Boos and Booze.”

Have kids in tow? No worries! There are also family-friendly tours too, offering the same spooky atmosphere, but toned down for younger ghost hunters.

If you’re looking for something truly unique, head about an hour outside of Boston to Fall River’s Lizzie Borden House. The home is the site of a historic gruesome and unsolved double murder that took place in 1892. Tours are offered at the house, and if you’re especially brave you can even stay overnight in the same rooms where the victims were found.

Whether you’re wandering Boston’s eerie streets or sleeping with one eye open at the Lizzie Borden House, these tours are perfect for anyone with a love for spooky history. So book your tickets, lace up your walking shoes and get ready to experience something truly unique this October.

Happy Haunting!

Boston Ghost Tours
Meets at 139 Tremont Street
(entrance to the Boston Common)

Lizzie Borden House
230 Second St, Fall River, MA 02721

Ahhh, Halloween, the time of year when everything feels a little more magical. I’ve been in love with this bewitching holiday for as long as I can remember and look forward to decorating every year. I do my best to skip big box stores and stick with either making decorations (like the black bats cut from construction paper, above) or supporting independent businesses. Etsy is my favorite source for unique decorations and I’ve put together a few of my seasonal favorites – from throw blankets, to garlands, & more – to help you get ready for spooky season.

If you’re looking to enchant your space with a touch of Halloween magic, these spellbinding Etsy finds are sure to add an extra layer of spookiness to the holiday. So, grab your broomstick and let’s dive into these Halloween home decor finds!

Spooky Things Are Coming, Acrylic Halloween Sign
Simple and chic sign that would elevate any shelf or display. I love everything from this shop!

Porcelain White & Black Dot Pumpkins
Beautifully handmade white porcelain pumpkins. The touch of gold on each stem is such an elegant touch. These could easily serve as decor all fall long.

Handmade Halloween Throw Blanket
Part spooky and part cute. This is the best Halloween throw that I’ve come across.

Mini Adopt a Ghost Figurine
My friend Jess makes these adorable minis and they’re perfect for the season. Adopt one for yourself or gift to the kids in your life, who will love them!

Black & White Skull Throw Blanket
A minimalist throw blanket in black & white. If you’re into skulls, this could stay out year round.

White Flying Ghost Garland

It’s All A Bit of Magic, Crystal Ball Acrylic Halloween Sign

Black Cauldron Galaxy Mug
The ideal mug for mixing up magic (caffeinated) potions.

Halloween Boho Wreath with Black Flowers
A year round wreath with a Halloween vibe. Make sure to select Black Peonies as your flower choice.

Halloween Floating Witch Hats, 12 piece set
Such a fun touch! Add them to an entryway or outdoor space.

Ghouls Just Want to Have Fun, Acrylic Sign

Modern Halloween Wreath with Bats
Do you decorate for the season? I’d love to hear how you make your home come alive for Halloween festivities.

P.S. For even more fun decoration and gift ideas throughout the year, keep an eye on the Etsy Editors’ Picks page.

Disclosure: As an Etsy affiliate, the links in this post are affiliate links and I earn commission (at no extra cost to you) if you click these links and make a purchase. I only promote products and services that I believe in and would use myself. Thank you for supporting the brands that support me.

Photo credit: @quebeccite

Hi, it’s me. A terribly delinquent blogger who likes to pop back up just for new year’s resolution posts. I love list-making so putting together a resolution post always appeals to me. This year I’m keeping it to a minimum to leave a little more breathing room and time for spontaneity.

1. Donate blood at least 3 times.

I used to be really great about going consistently, but covid tripped me up. This year I’m aiming to visit the Red Cross at least 3 times. It’s free, easy, and feels great to know you’re potentially helping to save a life. According to the Red Cross, “Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood. It is essential for surgeries, cancer treatment, chronic illnesses, and traumatic injuries. Whether a patient receives whole blood, red cells, platelets or plasma, this lifesaving care starts with one person making a generous donation.”

If you’re inspired to join in, you can make an appointment here.

2. Visit Quebec at the holidays

Celebrate the holidays early with a trip to Quebec! We’re planning an early Christmas trip to Canada (Kyle has never been, and it’ll be another country off of his list). Every year the holidays come around and Quebec looks like a winter wonderland, and we’ve always wanted to go – so this is the year! If you’ve been and have any recommendations about what to do or where to eat, I’d love to hear them.

3. Organize my passwords.

This is a project that’s been on my list for a long time, but is *happening* in 2023. Currently my passwords are scattered throughout various notebooks and computer docs and I’ve wasted so much time searching every time I need a login. I went with this password book, and I absolutely love it. It has alphabetized sections and is spiral bound, so that it lays flat for easy writing. I went with the largest width, ⅞” – so that I can fit all of my info in one book.

Photo credit: @annee.gl beach in Costa Rica

4. Plan a 2 week trip with Kyle.

As a part of his job, Kyle has to take a full 2 weeks off back to back. Every year we use the opportunity for bigger trips, like our 2022 trip to Berlin, Munich and Croatia. We’re having a really difficult time settling on a destination for 2023 so if you have recommendations, I’m all ears. A few contenders right now are Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Portugal.

5. Max out my IRA at $6,500 by July 1st, 2023.

Boring, boring, but it makes the list every year. In 2023, contribution limits are increasing from $6,000 to $6,500 for IRAs (and from $20,500 to $22,500 for 401k’s if you have one). I like to challenge myself to hit the limit within the first half of the year for the double benefit of more time in the market and that’s it’s checked off the list early. 

6. Hang photos & artwork.

Admittedly, our walls are pretty bare. I like to keep things clean, minimalist, and simple but it feels like we need to add a little something. Right now I have my eye on this Good Day print, and something from the shutterandframe etsy shop, like their Forest Photo Print or . I’ll definitely be adding in some family photos too, and I like to use Framebridge for framing (especially since now they have a physical location in Boston).

Tell me, what’s on your list of resolutions for the new year? Let me know so I can cheer you on!

Earlier this month, a friend and I enjoyed a girl’s getaway on Cape Cod in partnership with VisitMA and the Cape Cod Chamber. We had picture perfect weather that showcased the beauty of shoulder season on the Cape! In my opinion, shoulder season offers the best of both worlds – gorgeous weather and much smaller crowds. My favorite months for a Cape trip are May, June, September, and October.

The home base for our weekend away were two Bluebird Hotels – the Bluebird Parker Beach Lodge and the newly opened Bluebird Dennisport. The Parker Beach Lodge is bright, airy, and coastal with a pool and an incredible location within walking distance of Parker River Beach (which we took full advantage of). The Bluebird Dennisport has a cozy retro vibe and offers both individual rooms and standalone Cape cottages. The cottages come with full kitchens, private patios and fire pits, and are perfect if you need a little more space. They also have an outdoor pool, an indoor greenhouse pool and jacuzzi, and larger fire pits across the property. Both hotels are beautifully and thoughtfully designed and are the perfect home base for Cape adventures. 

Once we were checked in, we spent time exploring, starting at the mid-Cape and making our way to Provincetown. We found some wonderful new-to-us spots, like the Lighthouse Keeper’s Pantry. We made a quick stop in Wellfleet at BOL for a healthy grab & go lunch, and then continued up Route 6. Once in P-Town we strolled Commercial Street, stopping into a few shops like Three Graces and Puzzle Me This, and enjoyed the free outdoor Bob Gasoi Memorial Art Alley.

The highlight in P-Town was our afternoon Dune Tour with Art’s Dune Tours. We took a 1 hour driving tour of the spectacular Provincetown dunes. It was a great way to see a really unique landscape and learn about the local flora & fauna as well as the history of the area. Our guide drove us along the beach where we saw a seal bobbing in the water, and through the picturesque dunes, pointing out historical beach shacks nestled in the hills. Sections of the dunes are for driving tours only, so it’s the best way to get the full experience.

On our drive up the Cape we also made several stops along VisitMA’s Lighthouse Trail! The Lighthouse Trail links together must-see lighthouses that dot the coastline of Massachusetts, and several of them are on the Cape. We visited the Chatham Light, Nauset Light (the iconic lighthouse pictured on the Cape Cod Chips bag!), and the unique Three Sisters Lighthouses. On our driving tour we listened to a Morbid Podcast episode all about spooky lighthouses which made the drive that much more fun – and also ended up being a great history lesson!

Fall is a beautiful time to visit the Cape & if you’re planning a trip, head to VisitMA for inspiration and resources. Interested in stopping at one of the locations I mentioned? I’m linking them all below, along with addresses. Happy exploring!

Disclaimer: This trip was hosted by VisitMA and Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Bluebird Parker Beach Lodge
192 S Shore Drive, Yarmouth, MA 02664

Bluebird Dennisport
426 Lower County Road, Dennisport, MA 02639

Lighthouse Keeper’s Pantry
173 Main Street, Yarmouth, MA 02675

The Pheasant
905 Main Street, Dennis, MA, 02638

Chatham Light
37 Main St, Chatham, MA 02633

Nauset Light
120 Nauset Light Beach Road, Eastham, 02642

Three Sisters Lighthouses
Cable Rd, Eastham, MA 02642

BOL – Wellfleet
317B Main Street, Wellfleet, MA 02667

Art’s Dune Tours
4 Standish Street, Provincetown, MA 02657

3 Graces Boutique
261 Commercial St, Provincetown, MA 02657

Bob Gasoi Memorial Art Alley
290 Commercial St, Provincetown, MA 02657

Puzzle Me This
290 Commercial St, Provincetown, MA 02657

Snowy Owl Coffee Roasters – Sandwich
161 MA-6A, Sandwich, MA 02563

Which rental is your favorite? What spots are you looking forward to visiting during the coming months?

Whenever we book getaways we make sure to use our credit card to maximize our rewards points. The SoFi Credit Credit card gives you 2% unlimited cash back when you redeem to save, invest, or pay down an eligible SoFi loan and has no foreign transaction fees. Learn more about their credit card rewards here. *Please note that SoFi pays me for every referral using this link. #SoFiCreators #SoFiCreditCard 

“The secret to your future is hidden in your daily routine.” – Mike Murdock

“Draw the art you want to see, start the business you want to run, play the music you want to hear, write the books you want to read, build the products you want to use – do the work you want to see done.” – Austin Kleon

“Clutter smothers. Simplicity breathes.” – Terry Guillemets

“Unsuccessful people suffer from a mind-deadening thought disease. We call this disease excuistis. Every failure has this disease in its advanced form. And most average persons have at least a mild case of it.” – Mr. Money Mustache

“I’m restless. Things are calling me away. My hair is being pulled by the stars again.” – Anaïs Nin

“Maybe it is time to stop defining ourselves as “consumers” but as members of a community. A member of a community strives for “better,” not “more.” When we stop buying more we suddenly find ourselves with time on our hands for the important things in life.” – Shia Su

“We live on a blue planet that circles around a ball of fire next to a moon that moves the sea, and you don’t believe in miracles?”

“Save money in order to work less, not buy more.”

“There is a voice that doesn’t use words. Listen.” – rumi

“The more you love your decisions, the less you need others to love them.”

“With freedom, books, flowers, and the moon, who could not be happy?” – Oscar Wilde

“Be nice. The world is a small town”

“It takes just as much energy to wish as it does to plan.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

“Anything that gets your blood racing is probably worth doing.” – Hunter S. Thompson

I’m including art pieces for each quote below in case they resonate with you and you’d like to print them, add them to a Pinerest board, or jot them down in a Moleskine notebook. Do you have any favorite quotes that you carry with you?

Every summer we grow a small and super humble kitchen garden. I’m always so amazed at how much food it provides and it’s soooo satisfying to pick something from the garden every.single.day. It might be kale and lettuce for salads and green smoothies, cilantro to add to burrito bowls, or mint for mocktail mojitos, and soon….juicy tomatoes to go in everything! The garden combines my love of so many things – fresh produce, getting my hands dirty, saving money, and living low waste. It’s so deeply satisfying to pick a handful of herbs and not have to buy a small plastic package of herbs which somehow seem to always go bad in 48 hours.

I think growing your own food is one of the most incredible things that you can do, and NOW is the perfect time as we’re seeing how the pandemic can affect the food supply chain. Here’s what we like to include in our tiny garden:

– tomatoes
– cherry tomatoes (double win, because these are on the “dirty dozen” list meaning they’re typically grown with high amounts of pesticides)
– kale
– lettuce
– red + green peppers
– jalapeno peppers
– basil
– mint
– cilantro
– rosemary
– chives
– & lavender for the bees!

Do you have a garden in the summer? And if you don’t I’m peer pressuring you – DO IT!

October is the month that I feel most alive, and I love the creepiness of the Halloween season. Luckily I live in a city where plenty of people feel the same way, and celebrate the season by decorating their doorsteps. Last October we spent Halloween night in Beacon Hill, and their decorations are over-the-top! Truly no one does Halloween like this neighborhood, and the excitement is palpable in the days leading up to October 31st.

I’m sharing some favorite entryways from Beacon Hill as we start the countdown to Halloween!

Do you have a favorite? I’d love to know in the comments! I think mine is the entryway with the ravens. Edgar Allen Poe would be proud. Looking for some more inspiration? Head over this post for some favorite photos from last October.

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