What inspired me in October

Little Comforts, Big Coats, YouTube Gals and Making Movies

🤗 Little Comforts

It’s been quite a dramatic hurricane season here in the Southeast. While we were thankfully spared any damage, the lead-up panic was A LOT.

I’ve leaned heavily into my nighttime routine to keep some semblance of security, with these three essentials close at hand:

1. Neck and Shoulders Heat Pad 
Our sweet cat sitter gifted this to us last Christmas, and it’s the comfort item I didn’t know I was missing! I’ve always used similar heat pads for soothing cramps, but the shape of this one, designed for neck and shoulders, is far more versatile.

Whether draped over my shoulders while reading or wrapped around my midsection in bed, I feel like Linus from The Peanuts—this heat pad has become my security blanket.

2. Nighty Night Extra Tea 
The “extra” in the product name makes me laugh every time I read the box, but if I’m going to be “extra” about something, let it be sleep quality!

Although the blend of lemon balm and valerian root doesn’t smell the best, it tastes mild. I’ve been drinking a cup before bed for the past couple of months, and even amid stress, my sleep has been great.

3. Rory
Rory is my cat and though he has his annoying moments, he can be quite sweet when he’s in a snuggly mood. Maybe it’s intuition, but he’s spent a lot more time with me on the couch at the end of the night lately and I so appreciate his purring.

🧥 Big Coats

I went out to dinner last Friday night and arrived a bit before the restaurant opened. It was a chilly evening (for Florida, in the Fall) and another patron was also waiting outside, wearing the most fabulous coat. 

It was one of those long, oversized trench coats that you can either wear open or wrap around yourself, and it looked incredibly chic on her. I’ve always thought I couldn’t pull off that look because I’m on the short side (5’4”), but she was even smaller, and it worked! 

Since then, I’ve spent a week researching big coats and planning possible outfits for our upcoming NY holiday visit (more on my Pinterest board). As Florida doesn’t get many cold days, I’m leaning toward thrifting one on ThredUp or perhaps renting one from RTR or Nuuly.

📺 YouTube Gals

I’ve mentioned some favorites before, but lately, watching lifestyle channels has become a staple of my nighttime wind-down. Here’s a list of my current favorites, including a few new finds:

Michel Janse, a Texan living in Southern California with her musician husband.  
❤️ What I love most: Her sip + thrift videos, solo traveling, and culinary creativity (she’s currently in culinary school).

KC Cibran, my newest find, a thirty-something working on The Today Show.  
❤️ What I love most: NYC adventures and her outlook (everything’s a romcom)!

Lydia Elise Millen, a fashion-forward Brit living in the English countryside with her dapper husband.
❤️ What I love most: So many goals. Lydia is the epitome of elegance. I also enjoy all of her fancy jaunts to London.

Indoor Kat, a quirky, creative NYC resident whose apartment feels like it belongs in Mad Men.
❤️ What I love most: Her stylized videos have great music, cheeky humor, and an old-fashioned patina.

Angie Bellemare, a Canadian who splits time between a woodsy cabin and a home at Walt Disney World’s Golden Oak community.
❤️ What I love most: Wildly creative, Angie goes all-in, whether it’s holiday decor or new business ideas.

Allison Bickerstaff, a sweet new mom living in Central Florida, surrounded by flowers and a lush vegetable garden.
❤️ What I love most: Her videos are soft, gentle, and comforting. Allison’s creativity and seasonal dinner parties are aspirational.

Haley McIntosh | Haley’s House, half of the Gilmore to Say Podcast duo, is all about books, Taylor Swift, and cozy vibes.
❤️ What I love most: Her videos are a less edited, and more stream of consciousness which makes her feel like more of a friend. I also love her glimpses into life as a full-time podcaster.

Do you have lifestyle YouTube channels you love? Please share your suggestions! I’m always looking to add more to my rotation.

🎬 Making Movies

As I shared in last week’s post, fall is Hitchcock season for me, and each year, I find new ways to appreciate his storytelling.

Additionally, I’ve been enjoying Talking Pictures, a podcast where TCM’s Ben Mankiewicz interviews filmmakers. I love hearing artists share their craft insights—especially deep-dives like this one that go beyond the glamour of filmmaking.

Finally, I’ve done my fair share of editing for the latest Film to Table Podcast season. It’s a detailed, hours-long process, but so satisfying. If you love movies and food, I hope you’ll check out our recent School Series season, featuring Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Superbad, and Matilda.

✍️ Creative Exercises/Journal Prompts

1. Craft an ideal nighttime routine filled with your favorite comforts.

2. Choose a fashion icon or look you admire. Gather some inspiration and try your hand at putting together an outfit that makes you feel amazing.

3. Identify a creative activity that fully absorbs you. Can you make more time for it?

☀️ Five good things

When we can recognize the things that bring us the most joy, we invite more of them into our lives. Here are five things that made me happy this week. Share yours below!

Five good things that happened this week:

1. I bought a table for our upstairs loft area, soon to be my new nighttime spot for painting and puzzles.

2. I got back into making espressos with my beloved Breville and I’m excited to try some cozy holiday-inspired creations.

3. I had my third and final MOXI laser treatment done and put a hydrafacial on the calendar for December. Skincare had been such a transformative part of this year and I’m hoping to put together a follow up piece to the one I shared in June.

4. My reservation for Slow Dance by Rainbow Rowell came up at the library. I’m only a few pages in, but it’s already fantastic.

5. After two big Goodwill drop-offs, my office (and by extension, me?) feels ready for a new season. I’d like to share more on this decluttering journey soon!

💬 Share your intention

Whether it’s a giant leap, a tiny to-do list item, a habit change, or something else, there is power in accountability, and this is a safe space to share your aim. Some weeks, we’ll fail, others we’ll soar, but with support, we’ll always keep going together.

Until next week, get out there and make something beautiful.

Michelle

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