October Favorite Things
Of all the new things about the evolution of Spirit Element, sharing my favorite things is probably what I’m most looking forward to. If I could shop all day, I would! I love discovering new things, especially home finds and clothes and more than that, I love to curate things. Putting together this list is like me being a kid in a candy store. Plus, you’ll get to see more of my everyday aesthetic, rather than what you say with just my brand.
Everything on this list is either something I’ve already purchased or plan to purchase very soon and every place is a store I’ve purchased from, know and love. This month, I’ve put together a selection of things that are all Halloween inspired. I love this time of year but I’m not a big fan of cartoony Halloween things. I like things that are a little more chic or interesting so I go out of my way to find unique goods.
You’ll also find a selection of clothes, foods, beauty care and books! I’m especially excited for the cocktail book but more on that later. And if you enjoy this list, please be sure to leave a comment and let me know what you like about it. It really helps me to understand what you enjoy so that I can offer more of what you want to see.
Xoxo Lorriane
Decor
First up is foliage. I love preserved mushrooms and I have them in many different colors but I’ve never seen this dark, wine, plum color from Terrain and I am obsessed. Wreaths are my favorite things to switch out for the season and I’m loving both this trailing leaf wreath and this cool snake wreath. Definitely putting the snake wreath on the front door. And I never need an excuse to buy house plants but I’ve been wanting to do a black house plant nook; Halloween seems like the perfect time and starting with this ZZ plant, Alocasia, and Colocasia which reminds me of Little Shop of Horrors.
For decor pieces, I’ve had my eye on Terrain’s spooky chapel for a couple of months so I think it's time to go ahead and bite the bullet. I already have an entire bin of similar structures, enough to make a whole village but the metal on this one makes it the star for sure. I bake A LOT but somehow, I’ve never had a cookie jar so when I saw this in Cost Plus the other day, I knew it was a winner. Halloween cookies, here I come. P.S. Anyone watch Halloween Cookie Wars on the Food Network? I’ve just discovered it.
Sign me up for anything velvet, as long as they are in neutral colors like these velvet pumpkins from Food 52. They’re pretty expensive so here’s a cheaper option. And these plates from West Elm are giving me all of the Beetlejuice vibes. I’m going to save these for my Halloween dinner party in a couple of weeks.
This Hamsa pillow isn’t really Halloween like but I love this folk style so much and had to have it. And finally, Edgar Allen Poe, anyone with the Raven Lamp? So cute.
Clothing
I have had this Dolman Quilted jacket in a dusty rose color for many years now and it is still one of my favorite jackets ever. It’s so soft and perfect for throwing on for a quick run to the store or lounging when it's chilly. But this year, I am loving dusty silvery blue color tones and they have that exact color so I’m getting that one for this year.
Many of us are still working from home and even though I have a warehouse, I work from home on Wednesday and Fridays to write my books and decks so loungewear is a must for me. Right now, I’m loving these joggers from Harvest and Mill. I really wanted heirloom cotton ones but those are sold out. I also love these cheaper lounge pants from Target and this sage green linen jumpsuit and Twill overalls because it's still pretty warm in LA and is usually hot during October.
Jackets and cardigans are a must for air conditioning or if you’re lucky, cooler fall weather. I love this chunky knit from Spell and this Shacket and Teddy Bear Jacket from H & M. Both are lightweight enough to wear while I work but also cozy enough to keep me warm. And this Buttercup Thermal from Free People is going to be perfect for slow weekend days.
Fun fact, I hate having dirty feet, it drives me crazy so I always have on shoes inside. I love these leather flats from Madewell as ‘around the house’ shoes. Finally, I love all things Doen. It is one of my favorite shops but I’ve never gotten a dress which is one of the things they’re known for because they are so expensive. But my birthday is next month and me and my bestie (our birthdays are 3 days apart) are planning a very fancy dinner at Gucci Osteria and I’m thinking I might splurge for the occasion.
Foods
Tea is one of my favorite things and I’m pretty sure I bleed coffee so this list will never be free of either of these things. I just discovered Bones coffee over the summer and they have recently launched their Nightmare Before Christmas collection. I have Rough Weather and The Pumpkin King and I think I enjoy the latter just a bit more. Tea Leaves is one of my favorite tea places but what I love most is their powders, specifically the Golden Turmeric Chai.
Club Magic Hour is the cutest tea shop based on spiritual intentions which is right up my alley. They’ve recently launched a gemstone collection so I ordered the Carnelian flavor because that is my favorite stone for Samhain. And these Hot Cocoa cauldrons are so cute and are going to make excellent party favors for my Halloween party. Also making an appearance at my party are these Tombstone pans. I’m thinking of making a gingerbread chapel to go along with them or maybe I’ll use the chapel from Terrain. What do you think?
Fun fact, I am a baker and the amount of pans and kitchen ware I have should be illegal. So what's a few more like this mini Pumpkin Waffle maker which is going to take me right into Thanksgiving which is almost always the same as my Dad’s birthday, just a week after my birthday (which I shared with my grammie before she died) and about two weeks after my grandfather’s birthday. So it's a big deal for my family.
Bath & Beauty
My perfume love language is woodsy with floral top notes and Scent of Woods is like my perfume soulmate, outside of the perfumes I make for myself. They have a perfume subscription which I got for my dad’s birthday two years ago and I loved the packaging and experience so much, I ended up getting on for myself. They open the subscription up at the end of October through the first of the year I believe but you can buy the full sized bottles all year long. In the meantime, the Plum in Cognac is one of my all time favorites.
Another of my favorite perfume brands is For Strange Women and oakmoss is one of my favorite scents but it's pretty hard to capture in a pleasing way. I think you’ll be pretty pleased with this one.
I’ve painted my nails twice a week since I was a teenager but I’m not one to switch up my colors very often and I only wear neutrals. Fun Fact, I have a color palette for my style but that’s a conversation for another day. Actually, I change my polish color once a season and this fall, I’m really into Ghost Ranch by J.Hannah.
It took me a while to try Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez but I was hooked when I did and one of my favorite products is the Kind Words Lipstick in shade Strong. Finally, Flamingo Estates is such a beautiful brand. I love really well done brands and even though they struggled for a while, they have found their footing and reaching skyrocketing success. They’re recently upgraded their bath and body collection including the Garden Essentials hand lotion. It's a splurge for sure but the consistency is so good and packed with nutrient goodness.
Books
And finally books. As a published author, books are near and dear to me and I’m always on the hunt for a new one, especially cookbooks. I’m really getting into kitchen witchery books and have been loving the Witch’s Feast recently. I also love a great cocktail and what I love most of all is unusual ingredients. Spirits of the Otherworld combines both and offers a refreshing take on old time classics.
The Orishirishi is something I’m super excited about. Like many african-americans, I don’t know a lot about my african heritage and have slowly been learning. This Nigerian cookbook is my first venture into upscale African cuisine which I’ve been so eager to try. While Dinner in One is here because one pot meals are my absolute favorite kind of meal and who doesn’t love that for fall and winter?
I had a really challenging summer so Calming Magic has been my bible of sorts over the past weeks. Even though I make my own potions, sometimes it's nice to have someone else do the heavy lifting and I usually learn a thing or two which I’m not mad about at all.
And finally, let me introduce you to the Black Dagger Brotherhood. A friend of mine introduced me to paranormal romance books about eight years ago and I have been hooked ever since. Each series has like 30 books so you’ll be busy for a while. And another fun fact, one day I’m going to work up the courage to write a paranormal romance book myself.
Ok, that’s my list from October. What was your favorite thing on the list? Did you end up buying anything? Be sure to leave a comment down below.
