My October To Do List

You had me at Pumpkin Spice! It’s finally here. In addition to the beautiful colors and flavors of the season, for me, fall brings a new routine. October is probably my favorite month (anyone else?). One of the many reasons that I love it is because of the dramatic change that takes place. I can’t think of another month where we transition so quickly. Only 4 weeks ago, I was sunbathing, swimming and boating during our annual vacation to Lake George. Today, I donned a sweater wrap and turned on the seat warmers in my car (the first time this season) while picking wet leaves off the windshield. If you love embracing fall, please join me by checking off activities on my October To Do List!

As much as I loved summer (it was especially great this year) I always look forward to the opportunity to do new things. By the time school started I was saturated with the sun, the sea and the sand. Everyone was ready for a change, even the kiddos were excited for the start of school. Now that we have the first full week of October under our belt, it’s time to take advantage of all it has to offer! It feels like there is no limit to the things you can do this time of year. My October To Do List contains traditional fall-themed activities and some new ones I want to try.

Below is a great list of ideas and inspiration for the month of October. There is not one thing on this list that I can’t do – and several of them are already planned (1. Apple picking & Baking an Apple ~~Cake~~ Crumb Pie / 3. Girl’s Halloween Dinner Party / 10. Donating Sweaters & Coats / 15. Buy a New Fall Lipstick / 18. Pumpkin Picking). I am including a recipe for a delicious apple crumb pie and a link to several of my favorite lipsticks for this time of year. Enjoy!

Apple Crumb Pie Recipe (Makes a 10-Inch Pie):

2/3 Cup Granulated Sugar

2 Tablespoons Flour

1 Teaspoon Cinnamon

1/4 Teaspoon each of Cloves, Salt and Nutmeg

6 Cups Peeled and Coarsely Diced Tart Apples (such as Granny Smith, Honey Crisp or Pink Lady)

1 Unbaked 10-Inch Pie Shell (Mrs. Smith’s Deep Dish Pie Crust is my go to)

Crumb Topping:

3/4 Cup Flour

1/2 Cup Packed Brown Sugar

6 Tablespoons Cold Butter

1/3 Cup of Chopped Nuts (optional)

Combine 2/3 cup of sugar, 2 tablespoons flour, the spices and salt. Toss together with diced apples until well coated. Spoon into pie shell (thaw first if necessary). Bake in 400 degree pre-heated oven for 25 minutes. While pie is baking, blend 3/4 cup of flour with the brown sugar until well blended. Cut in cold butter until mixture look like coarse bread crumbs. Stir in nuts. Take pie from oven and sprinkle with butter-sugar mixture. Return pie to oven and continue baking 30 to 35 minutes, or until browned and apples are tender to a knife. Serve with vanilla ice cream.

My Favorite Fall Lipsticks

Urban Decay – Vice Lipstick Metallized | PEYOTE $ 19.00 (a metallic, dusty mauve-rose)
This is a long lasting Lip Kit Combo – CANDY K | MATTE LIP KIT $29.00 (a warm pinky nude)
Kat Von D – Long Lasting Nude Lip Trio $34.00 (a trio of stick featuring Ophelia, a nude chestnut; Crucifix, a deep chocolate; and Lolita, the iconic chestnut-rose shade (a best seller).