The perfect color for warmer weather. It's on the coral side of watermelon: in some lights it looks orange, in some it looks pink, and in others it looks red. Because of that, no pictures I've seen can really do it justice, but this one from Amazon might sell you on how pretty it is.

Nordstrom's Zella Brand 'Live In' Leggings

I have a bunch of these, including two pairs of the crops (these and these), which I wear and wash at least once a week each. I used to do yoga in them regularly, and now I row in them regularly. I'm climbing in and out of a boat, which means more chance for catching and tearing and salt and sand and grime. I sweat in them, trudge through salt water in them, and despite all that (and being over a year old) they are, quite literally, no worse for the wear. Every time I pull them out of the dryer (are they supposed to go in the dryer?) I'm amazed that they look exactly the same. I am tough on clothes I don't work out in, so I'm impressed that these have held up so well.

Don't tell anyone, but I've also worn the black leggings under dresses. They act like super comfortable Spanx, and no one is the wiser.

Speaking of Nordstrom (and ModCloth), I'm in a vintage-slash-Anthropologie-style wedding in a few months, and we're wearing hairpieces of various sorts. I've bought three and I can't decide. If you need a sweet retro headband, giant hair flower, or fascinator (the one I bought is no longer available, but imagine something similar in cream) look no further. (Help me come up with an argument for keeping all three.)

We're wearing different shades of green and gold. This is my dress. Isn't it darling?

This Eat Smart Sweet Kale Salad kit from Costco. I went through two all by myself last week. It comes with a tasty poppyseed dressing that I understand is very similar to Brianna's. I am not generally a fan of creamy dressings, but this does go well with the kit and it's a nice change for me. However, I thin it out by dumping it in a mason jar and adding apple cider vinegar at a ratio of almost 50/50. Then I add more poppy seeds, a bunch of pepper, and a pinch of salt and give it a hearty shaking. This suits my preference and cuts the calories and sugar as well. Doing the dressing from just one kit this way gets me through almost two bags of the salad.

For staying power I need a bit more fat and protein (with the thinned out dressing on this, the calories are pretty low for a meal), and I've added all kinds of stuff to that end: bacon, avocado, Aidells chicken & apple sausage, salmon burgers. It's excellent with any of the above, plus the addition of a chopped Honeycrisp apple.

Speaking of those salmon burgers, I can't recommend them enough. My friend Sarah recommended them a while back, and as I think I've said before, I will always take her food advice. They are so convenient to have on hand to throw on a lunch salad, or to help make a quick dinner. They aren't simply straight salmon, but they're super convenient and the ingredients aren't many or terrible, so I'm calling it a win.

Photo from Costco.com. The packaging may look a bit different from this, so just keep your eyes peeled. Costco's website says they aren't available any longer, but I'm guessing that's just online as I saw them in my store last week.

Aussie bites. Another Costco find. A sort of hybrid of granola-cookie-breakfast biscuit with wholesome, simple ingredients that you can pronounce, and lots of staying power. On mornings when I row, I need something in my stomach, but due to the early hour and hard workouts it needs to be small, healthy, energy-sustaining, quick, and easy. Sort of a tall order. I was having a granola bar, with mixed results, until I discovered these. I eat two with my one cup of coffee at 4am, and they hold me so much better than granola bars! I no longer suddenly feel in the middle of practice like my stomach is going to collapse on itself. There's no crash. When I come home, I'm hungry but not hangry. I can get a shower and a second cup of coffee before I start to feel in dire need of my second breakfast of oatmeal. My husband Zach has had the same experience when he eats two before running.

One note, I don't really like the taste of honey, and I cannot taste any honey in these.

Terrible Food Photography by yours truly.

What are you eating, wearing, liking lately?

1. I love a breakfast smoothie, but also I love toasted things. These cranberry orange morning rounds, toasted with delicious Kerrygold butter, are delightful. The muesli ones are also delicious. I don't really like apple cinnamon flavored things, unless it's actual apples and cinnamon, or pie, or applesauce, so I can't speak to those.

2. Kids & babies in Halloween costumes. I can't get enough. Parents, please keep the photos coming.

3. Thanksgiving planning. At least thinking about Thanksgiving and talking about recipes and exchanging tips. I could do it year-round, honestly. This will be the first year since 2009 that we haven't hosted or been in our own home. Back in DC we hosted every year, except for one, since we bought our house. In 2012, I was a week off sinus surgery and it was one of the busiest times of Zach's career and we just couldn't do it. We stayed home, alone, and ordered dinner from a restaurant and man, it was just awful. It was so sad. I vividly remember lying in bed that Wednesday night and thinking how it was the first night before Thanksgiving that we'd ever not had a bunch of people sleeping under our roof, with a kitchen full of food waiting to be prepped and consumed. I probably cried. Anyway! Last year we made up for it by hosting 15 or 20 people with All The Food. I made five pies! It was glorious. You know what? I'm going to do a whole 'nother post with a bunch of recipes.

4. So: Halloween (check), Thanksgiving (check), CHRISTMAS.

I unabashedly love seeing Christmas stuff in stores already. I know, it's OCTOBER! JUDGE ME! It makes me happy. Autumn into the holidays is my favorite time of year. It's cozy and happy and encompasses basically all of my favorite things: food, family, nostalgia, coming up with the Perfect Gift, specifically scented candles, traditions, hauling out beloved ornaments and old things (nostalgia, again), etc. I love it. Zach is just happy that I haven't subjected him to Christmas music yet. (If my father is reading this right now, he probably wants to punch his computer. Hi Dad! Jingle bells!)

5. Searching for an Aztec print cardigan/sweatercoat type thing. I know they're a bit trendy right now but I prefer to think I'm just really letting my inner hippie flourish, what with living by the beach in San Diego and all.

I like this, but the collar is weird and it didn't feel nice in the store.

Image from Nordstrom.com. I really want to take a brush to this model's hair.

I reeeallly like this and it felt well-made in person, but it's not very Aztec-y.

This one is pretty and very Caitlin. Though not totally Aztec-y, I still want it. Santa, are you listening?

6. Sharing my all-time favorite fall recipe: Pumpkin Lasagna. I wrote about it over at FoodLush a few years ago, and my feelings on it have not changed. It's not healthy, and it's never going to photograph well, but it's by far the recipe people ask me for the most. I used to make it every year for a fall potluck, and it was always the first to go. The last time I made it I tripled the batch and it was still gone in about 15 minutes. My friend Kate made it recently, and added arugula. Smart move.

It would be lovely served with a salad on a Friday night, at a potluck, or on your Thanksgiving table, for vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike. It's so perfect. Oh darling pumpkin lasagna, is there anything you can't do?

I like new finds. Tell me what you're liking lately?

Things I'm Enjoying Lately

Things I'm enjoying lately

Caitlin's currently-reading book montage

2022 Reading Challenge