What I’m Into: October

General Highlights:
In October I hosted an annual gathering of out-of-town friends; hung out with one of my favorite high school teachers who’s now a published YA author; and played a Halloween concert at a real concert hall while dressed as a Frappucino. I also did some volunteering with my company (which I didn’t post about here), and did a lot of intentional thinking about rest and how to make more space in my life.

Read and Reading:
The monthly book list will be posted tomorrow. Spoiler alert: it’s short.

TV/Movies:
My Tuesday nights are currently devoted to watching the How I Met Your Mother I missed the night before, then New Girl and The Mindy Project. That’s all the TV I’m committed to, although I did start catching up on Revolution last night (crazy developments there!!)

I didn’t go to the movies at all in October. That should change big time next month!

Music:

My top three musical obsessions this month: “Say It, Just Say It” by the Mowglis, “Anything Could Happen” by Ellie Goulding, and of course Katy Perry’s new album Prism. If you were a teenage girl in the 90s, you will love Prism. Trust me.

You can listen to my entire 2013 So Far playlist on Spotify. I traditionally narrow it down in December.

Video:
When the SIPsters get together, YouTube videos are always involved! My two favorites from our weekend:

Late Night Lip Sync Battle: Jimmy Fallon vs. John Krasinski.

Todrick Hall and Pentatonix present: The Wizard of Ahhhhs. “You’re just a lion on the cold hard ground.”

Things I Love:
Myla told me about the Food on the Table app. I haven’t used its recipe feature yet, but the shopping list feature alone has made my life much easier. For years I’ve made multiple shopping lists on Post-Its and frequently lost them or left them at home. Now I have an in-process list that’s with me all the time and automatically categorized! Plus, you can sync it with your local stores and it’ll alert you if an item on your list is on sale. LOVE.

I played Telestrations for the first time at my friend Sophie’s house. On our very first round, my secret word went from “boa constrictor” to “vacuum.” So hilarious. I bought my own set and can’t wait to play this again!

I bought my cowboy boots in Texas back when I was still line dancing regularly. I don’t know why I hesitated for so long, but I just started wearing them NOT for dancing, and it’s a whole new world of fun fashion options!

On The Blog:
My relationships post, He’s Just Not That Into You (Or Is He?), became my most-viewed post EVER within 48 hours. Thanks to all who read, shared, and commented! I’m happy that it’s resonated with so many.

I also talked about my September trip to Colorado for the Soulation Gold Gathering, and I’m working on another reaction post now that I’ve had more time to process.

Blog Love:
How to Be Kind to an Artist. I should just print this out and hand it to everyone I know.

As always, I could link to a million Storyline posts, but this was my favorite of the month: Why I Quit Being Nice. Especially relevant to me after I took a spin through my old middle and high school yearbooks.

From September, but I really needed it: Flatter the Figure or Flatter the Soul? In October I’ve wrestled with the concept of not owing prettiness to the world, and I think this post is what got me going.

The Scars on My Couch were an opportunity for Eileen Knowles to stop beating herself up.

More great thoughts about grief from Leanne Penny: Here, With Holes.

So much truth in this Jennifer Fulwiler post: Shadow Beliefs and Giant Centipedes.