MOVIES + TV SHOWS I'M WATCHING THIS FALL

Can we all agree it is officially THE season for binge watching movies + tv shows? Between spooky season and the holidays, the selections are grade A and the weather conditions are perfect. I never thought I’d be in a place where I wanted to watch more tv, but to be honest I don’t really spend all that much time watching movies or shows. Unless it’s date night with JJ, I usually end up writing blog posts or just working on something else in my free time. 

I’m hoping to change that this season by relaxing more + catching up on some much needed entertainment. There are also several new big releases coming out that I can’t wait to watch! Here’s a quick breakdown of what’s on my watch list: 

MOVIES

+ The Many Saints of Newark - If you're a fan of The Sopranos, the new film The Many Saints of Newark is probably on your radar. It's a prequel to the storyline that follows Tony Soprano as a teenager growing up in Jersey prior to becoming a mob boss. I'm sure we can all agree that it feels both nostalgic and sentimental to have Michael Gandolfini following in his father's footsteps by playing Tony. I remember clearly when James Gandolfini passed back in 2013 (Tony on The Sopranos) and it was heartbreaking. I believe HBO + the creators had originally plans prior to his death to make a film with the cast which they were never able to do without him. I love that The Many Saints of Newark is in many ways (for me at least) a tribute to both his character and his legacy. It's at the top of my fall watch list-- can't wait to see it! 

+ No Time to Die -  My love for Bond movies runs deep! I’ve been watching them with my dad for as long as I can remember + Daniel Craig is my favorite 007. I'm glad No Time to Die is FINALLY coming out after delays. Who is your favorite Bond?

+ Ghostbusters: Afterlife - This one looks interesting- a much more somber/series Ghostbusters film from the looks of the trailer. I’m into it! 

+ Netflix Christmas - I never thought I’d jump on the Netflix Christmas movie train but they got me last year, ya'll. Sometimes you just need some cheesy romance, ya know? Hopefully there will be some good ones this year! 

+ Spooky/Suspense - In the spirit of Halloween, I'm adding a few "suspensfulish" movies to the mix. I haven't figured out which ones yet though... send me yours picks? 

TV SHOWS

+ The Great British Bake-off (Season 9) - Sooooooo great. I’ve been catching up on last year's season + plan to start this year's once I'm done.

+ Gilmore Girls - Right now Gilmore Girls is the top contender but I need a cute or funny show to watch. Gilmore Girls is a classic and a rewatch during the fall just feels right, ya know? I'm thinking that or Schitt's Creek but I'd also love to start something new I haven't watched before. 

+ The Sopranos - JJ and I have been slowly watching our way through The Sopranos for the past few months. I think we're almost through with Season 2 now so I'm hoping we can tackle a few more seasons over these next few months. If you've watched it-- should we wait to wait The Many Saints of Newark until we're done or watch it in the middle? 

What’s on your watch list this season? 

TASTE TESTING BEN & JERRY'S PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE ICE CREAM

It's officially *everything pumpkin* season which is arguably either the best or worst part of fall depending on who you talk to! 🤪 I'll admit they can get a little crazy with some of the PS releases (looking at you, Pringles!) but it's become a fun little tradition I can get on board with. I've said this before but I'm pretty "pumpkin selective"-- I don't love anything and everything pumpkin. Pumpkin bread, rolls + cookies are right up my alley... PSLs and pumpkin pie, not so much. I also happen to *love* Ben & Jerry's Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream but it was news to me that they come out with a limited edition Pumpkin Cheesecake flavor every fall? Ya'll know I obviously had to go on the hunt + after weeks of searching everywhere, I finally found it at my Kroger! 

The flavor is made up of a pumpkin cheesecake ice cream with a graham cracker swirl. After one bite, you're hit with this sweet and creamy pumpkin blend and a kick of warm spices. The pumpkin itself is more on the subtle side which is how it should be IMO-- if you've ever baked with pumpkin puree, it mimics that yummy spiced batter goodness. I didn't find the amount of spice to be too much either-- it has a warm cinnamony ginger flavor that balances the sweetness of the ice cream perfectly. SO DELICIOUS!! I will say I didn't pick up much of an obvious "cheesecake" flavor. I feel the same with the strawberry which I'm obviously still obsessed with. They both have a sweet, creamy taste but I don't pick up much of the wang + sourness that cream cheese often gives. I'm not convinced that it would be better that way but it's worth noting if you're expecting a strong cream cheese flavor. 

Once you get in the deep stuff, you hit the graham cracker GOLD MINE. Totally steals the show, you guys. It is THAT GOOD and to be truthful, the main reason why I wanted to try out the flavor. The strawberry cheesecake has the same graham swirl and it's my favorite part of the pint. It's this soft, buttery graham cracker swirl that's rich and delicious. It's so heavenly- you need to try it out. 

As far as pumpkin flavored things go, this one is a huge win in my book! I'm probably a little biased because of the graham cracker, however I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the actual ice cream flavor too. I was definitely a little skeptical on how pumpkin spice would taste as an ice cream. I just didn't think I'd really *love* it, ya know? I think the subtleness of the pumpkin makes all the difference, especially with the graham cracker being super rich and buttery. I'll also say that out of all Ben & Jerry's flavors, this is one of the best I've tried. Ranking wise it's VERY close to the strawberry cheesecake for me. I'm a diehard strawberry gal so I don't know if it would replace that spot all-year round... I'll have to keep eating it to find out! ;)

What's your fave B&J flavor?  

Also read: Taste Testing Trader Joe's Pumpkin Bread + Muffin Mix 

I love sharing food reviews with you all! Should you click on or make a purchase through the links in this post, I'll earn some money to keep on shopping! Pretty cool, huh? :)

LITTLE LUXURIES I LOVE

Anytime that I slip into bed when my favorite sheets are on, I'm reminded of how nice it is to have nice sheets. Sometimes the most simple or "boring" things can make the biggest difference in your life. Things that make the mundane parts of everyday life a little bit more special or exciting. For me, little luxuries don't always have to be super expensive either. While some of those can be great too, anything that is an extra indulgence or adds superior comfort or convenience also counts in my book. 

+ SHEETS 

Some things are worth the splurge and for me, sheets are at the very top of the list. It's always sheets and shoes! You spend a lot of time in your bed so why not invest a little extra? I’m all for finessing your home environment and high quality sheets make a huge difference. I love great quality cotton in a higher thread-count, usually in the 600-700 range. I find it's the perfect weight that isn't too thin or heavy. My favorite brand is this one-- I usually go for their wrinkle defense line. They're a soft + smooth cotton that isn't stiff, doesn't pick + they wash perfectly. 

+ COZY SOCKS

Fuzzy socks are totally underrated in my opinion + definitely a little luxury that doesn't have to be expensive (or can be!). They are honestly just the coziest things and I immediately feel better when I put on a pair. These are my favorite affordable pairs, however I love the Barefoot Dreams socks too if you're looking to splurge!

+ BUBBLE BATHS 

If you've been here for awhile, you know about my love for bubble baths. I soak in the tub every single night and at this point it's become an essential step in my routine. It's my favorite time to relax + detox alone at the end of the day which is a luxury in itself, however you can also elevate things with luxury products, candles, a glass of wine, etc. I have an entire post all about my favorite bath products which I'll link here. 

+ FANCY SALADS 

My favorite thing lately has been treating myself to a delicious salad for lunch. I don't do it everyday, however sometimes it's just nice to treat yourself and splurge. For me this means $12-15 for lunch which isn't stupid expensive, however isn't something I want to do everyday. If I need a pick me up or just want to reward myself, I allow myself the splurge and I love it! Keeping it occasional makes it feel like a luxury + adds some excitement to life. 

What's "worth the splurge" for you? 

I love sharing my picks with you all! Should you click on or make a purchase through the links in this post, I'll earn some money to keep on shopping! Pretty cool, huh? :)

5 PERSONAL GROWTH BOOKS I WANT TO READ

Every few months, I like to share what's currently on my reading list. I love personal growth + self help books to learn more about myself, gain perspective on life and work on keeping a positive outlook. I think it's safe to say that all of us deal with ups and downs when it comes to life and our mental + emotional health. Learning more about whatever challenges I may be dealing with always seems to help me understand and overcome them a little more easily. Most of the time I'm also left feeling more inspired + motivated! 

5 PERSONAL GROWTH BOOKS I WANT TO READ 

You can read the synopsis + shop each book by clicking on the title.

+ Stop Overthinking: 23 Techniques to Relieve Stress, Stop Negative Spirals, Declutter Your Mind, and Focus on the Present (Mental and Emotional Abundance) by Nick Trenton 

+ The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom (A Toltec Wisdom Book) by Don Miguel Ruiz

Audible Sample

Audible Sample

+ Boundaries, Updated and Expanded Edition: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life by John Townsend

+ Winning the War in Your Mind: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life by Craig Groeschel

+ Good Vibes, Good Life: How Self-Love Is the Key to Unlocking Your Greatness by Vex King

What's on your reading list? 

I love sharing my reading list with you all! Should you click on or make a purchase through the links in this post, I'll earn some money to keep on shopping! Pretty cool, huh? :)

WHAT I WANT | FALL BEAUTY

I love that infamous quote by Fitzgerald... "Life starts all over when it gets crisp in the Fall." In many ways the fall signals the end of a lot of things-- summer, vacations, warm weather-- but to me it's always felt like a new beginning. A fresh start, the chance to be a better or new version of you. Constantly changing + evolving is good for your soul! One simple and easy way I like to do this is with my beauty routine. I like to give my skin + hair a little extra TLC and love incorporating warm, sultry tones that are both bold and dramatic. I've been on the hunt for some new fall beauty items + these are the ones I have my eye on! 

NEW FALL BEAUTY PICKS

+ NUDESTIX Holiday Mini Glow Highlighter & Eye Set - Loving this little mini set from NUDESTIX! It comes with a mini highlighter and eye stick, both the perfect shades to brighten things up.

+ NARS Quad Eyeshadow Palette - How gorgeous are the colors in this new NARS palette? They’re the perfect tones for a spicy, fun look. I like the mix of wearable colors for daytime with the bolder shades for extra glam or nighttime.

+ BYREDO Eyeliner - With BYREDO you know she’s a boujee one. I just found out they now sell cosmetics so I’m intrigued on how they perform? I tend to go for a more dramatic eye in the fall with winged liner so their new liquid liner has piqued by curiosity. I’m not convinced that it will justify the price tag but we shall see.

+ Nopalera Cactus Flower Exfoliant - This one also looks promising. It’s a body scrub which is especially great in the cooler months. The brand reminds me of a higher end Burt’s Bees. It's made from cactus and oils to provide gentle exfoliation which I love the idea of. 

+ Olaplex Healthy Hair Essentials Set - I’ve been debating on Olaplex for awhile... have you tried any of their products? The reviews are amazing but I usually try to purchase scalp specific products. Their new mini holiday set is a great value and comes with four of their bestselling products. It looks like a great set to try everything out so I'm thinking of grabbing one before they sell out.

I've been in a spendy mood so I think it's time for a little beauty haul soon! Which would you buy?

I love sharing my beauty picks with you all! Should you click on or make a purchase through the links in this post, I'll earn some money to keep on shopping! Pretty cool, huh? :)

END OF THE WEEK THOUGHTS | 9/17

Is it socially acceptable to walk around with an "out of order" sign taped to the front of your shirt? Try again later, plz and TY! After this week ya'll I need to just check out + go hibernate. I think my allergies and Aunt Flo must have joined forces to wreck havoc on my life, lol. Between that and less sleep, to say I'm grateful it's the weekend is my most understated end of the week thought yet. 

Despite feeling a little under the weather, my week has been surprisingly quick and has been relatively stress-free. I thought going back to work for a full week after having Labor Day off would be a struggle but it’s felt more like the opposite. I'm also happy to still have blog content up for you this week! Sometimes it's a grind but you've gotta just keep on keepin' on. If you haven't read the posts yet, I shared my Fall Bucket List and Taste Testing Trader Joe's Pumpkin Bread + Muffin Mix this week. 

In other exciting news, we have a new fur baby in the family! My parents got a new puppy last weekend and we are all obsessed. Cooper is a feisty little guy full of energy and excitement. We've had so much fun together already even though he won't stop biting my ear off! Peep the photo above! 🐶

I also managed to get caught up on a few financial things this week that I've been putting off. I've been way behind on tracking my spending + working with my budget. Way behind as in I've finally caught up through July.... lol. We're getting there. More importantly, I also took care of my quarterly tax estimates that were due this week. Here's a little PSA if anyone happened to forget + this applies to you! Also make sure to check out 5 Fall Financial Moves to Make Now. 

Have you been watching anything good this week? I started Season 8 of the Great British Bake Off on Netflix a few weeks ago. Highly recommend if you are into baking! It is theeeeee best. Last year I binged watched the entire thing but never caught the newest season. I also had no idea until a few days ago but another new season comes out at the end of this month?! My subconscious must have ESP because this always happens after I start watching something, haha. 

Alright you guys... that's pretty much all I could fit into this week, otherwise I'd be completely comatose at this point. I hope you have a relaxing weekend, let’s all sleep in!

TASTE TESTING TRADER JOE'S PUMPKIN BREAD + MUFFIN MIX

I crossed two things off of my Fall Bucket List yesterday. One was trying the new Iced Caramel Apple Macchiato from Starbucks, the other to do some fall baking. I've always loved the process and preciseness of baking from scratch, however I can also get down with a yummy box mix. Sometimes quick, easy + less mess is the way to go. Pumpkin bread is also one of my favorite fall classics-- I like it sweet, moist and not too spicy. I found a box of the Trader Joe's Pumpkin Bread + Muffin Mix in my pantry that I'd purchased last year but never ended up trying. I figured now was the perfect time to whip it up and see whether it's worth repurchasing again this year! Also a quick FYI-- if you don't live near a TJ's, the mix is available here on Amazon! It's a little pricey but easy to order if you can't get it otherwise :) 

+MAKE & BAKE

Whether you make it from scratch or out of a box, pumpkin bread is pretty straightforward. The TJ's mix only required water, eggs + vegetable oil. To make things a little bit healthier, I swapped the veg out for coconut oil which worked great. I followed the rest of the box instructions to a tee which is like most cake/bread recipes-- mix liquids + combine with dry until smooth. The entire process was a breeze and cook time was pretty accurate too. I have a gas oven which tends to cook things faster so I took mine out about five minutes early + it came out perfect!

+TASTE & TEXTURE

The texture was great too-- the perfect balance between bread and cake. The outside had a bit of a crust with a soft and moist inside like a loaf should be. It wasn't sticky or dry and I really enjoyed the flavor. The pumpkin is very subtle with a noticeable spice element, however I didn't find it to be too much or overkill. Delicious warmed with a little butter! If you do like a strong pumpkin flavor, adding pumpkin puree into the batter would be an easy addition. I also think throwing some chocolate chips or pumpkin seeds in would be yummy too. 

What should I try out next?? 

I love sharing food reviews with you all! Should you click on or make a purchase through the links in this post, I'll earn some money to keep on shopping! Pretty cool, huh? :)

MY FALL BUCKET LIST

A few days ago someone brought it to my attention that we've almost made it to mid-September. I couldn't believe how fast the month is already going by. Of course I keep up with my dates, but something just didn't really click until they said it out loud?? I'm all too familiar with this-- every year when the fall season rolls around, work and life become a chaotic blur. Everything goes by so fast and I'm always left feeling like I missed out on the fun of autumn. I don't have a lot of free time to do all of the fall activities but I did round up a list of some fun "manageable" things I can hopefully squeeze in! *Disclaimer -- all things basic b*tch here! Comes with the territory, right??* 

+ CARAMEL APPLE MACCHIATO 

We'll start with the most basic and arguably easiest thing to do on the list. I don't buy into the PSL culture-- if I remember correctly, I tried it once back in college and wasn't a fan. I do, however, love an iced coffee and will try some of the non-pumpkin LTOs that come out at Starbucks. I'm very into the idea of the Caramel Apple Macchiato (iced, obvi) on this year's lineup. I loveeeee a Caramel Macchiato so a lil' apple twist could be nice?? I've been putting it off in an effort to avoid lines and that suga suga but it's SEPTEMBER 13TH. Ya'll know peppermint's on it's way as we speak!

+ TRADER JOE'S
I missed my window on this last year but my ultimate fall dream is to buy + try all of the pumpkin/fall items at Trader Joe's. The closest TJ to me is a little over an hour away (tragic, I know) which makes this one a little bit tricky. I went late September/early October last year and everything was pretty much gone so making this one happen is a wild card. Will I make it in time? Only time will tell! 

+ WARDROBE REFRESH
Don't you always feel like you need a wardrobe refresh? I think we can all agree now is the best time of the year when it comes to outfits + fashion which means lots of great pieces in stores. I'm always on the hunt for some great basics (jeans + tees) but also need some new seasonal sweatshirts, athleisure + shoes options.

+ FALL FOLIAGE
If you have changing leaves + trees, taking a drive is a must.

+ LET'S BAKE
Another must-do. What is it about fall and baking? Forever obsessed with any pumpkin or cinnamony goodness.

Realizing now that fall is just an excuse for me to feed my snack obsession... anyone else? 😋

END OF THE WEEK GROCERY RUN

Nothing brings me joy quite like delicious food and new grocery store finds. I catch myself getting wild hairs over items I want-- new snacks, healthy peanut butter, all the random-- things that usually result in me going on a wild goose chase all over town to find. This week's most wanted was sourdough bread. Lol, I know OKAY. About a month ago, my boyfriend and I had the most delicious ricotta bruschetta served on sourdough bread. I've thought about that crispy, toasted sourdough ever since! While I plan to recreate the recipe at some point, all I really want is a simple jam + sourdough vibe for breakfast. Naturally I couldn't just go buy the sourdough bread by itself which brings us a completely random, mostly impromptu (sans sourdough) grocery haul. 



A few of these things are also some favorites that I love + needed to repurchase. Because we're also going in to the weekend and I rarely eat at home, this is more of a mini haul with some random pick-up items!

+Sourdough Bread
It is prettay trickay to find a good sourdough at the store. Most aren't really sourdough-- they're intended to taste like sourdough but the fermentation process is all wrong/non-existent. That's not ideal because true, authentic sourdough has lots of healthy bacteria + cultures. I discovered The Rustik Oven brand which uses a lengthy fermentation process that is said to be a traditional style with no artificial flavors or colors added. I'm not entirely sure how it stacks up to an "authentic" sourdough but it was the most promising one I could find + it looks delish! 

+French Butter
Another one of my wild hairs! I've been hearing a lot about the chemicals + unhealthy ingredients that are often found in our foods here. It's no secret that standards across the pond differ greatly which many say makes some of their products superior in quality and less toxic. While not everything is accessible, I have been looking for products to try that are imported but available here. One of those is french butter! I decided to purchase the President Salted Butter which comes from France. They are known for their butter so I'm excited to try it out. It also only has three ingredients which I love.

+Strawberry Preserves
The Bonne Maman brand also originates from France. I've purchased this before and highly recommend. While it's a little pricier than US brands, it has less sugar than many other alternatives, simple ingredients with no high fructose corn syrup + comes in a glass jar.

+PB Filled Pretzels
My favorite snack of the moment-- these are SO addicting. If you like peanut butter pretzels, Quinn makes a great version that's a little healthier and also gluten-free. I don't have a gluten intolerance, however I appreciate that they're cleaner than many alternatives and are the perfect sweet + salty snack. I go through them too quickly so I snagged two bags!

+Ham & Cheese Omelets
My most impulsive purchase of the group were these Eggland's Best pre-made omelets. TBH when I first heard about these a few months back, I thought there's no way they can be that good-- definitely not compared to making fresh eggs. Then I saw the reviews and people are obsessed with these, ya'll. I forgot all about it until seeing them in the freezer section so I grabbed a box of ham & cheese ones! I'm not a huge fan of frozen meats but it was the last one so it must be good? They also have egg & cheese + sausage. I'll keep you posted-- I don't have a lot of time for breakfast in the mornings so I like a lil' quickie concept.

+Rana Tortellini + Ravioli 

I grabbed a few of these Rana pastas for a quick + easy dinner idea or lunch. I love fresh pasta-- super easy and delicious! I've never tried this brand before so I went for the cheese tortellini blend (my fave) and a spinach + ricotta ravioli. Yummy both plain or with a sauce! 

Now it's time to eat out all weekend, LOL. For real though-- I could definitely be better about it during the week but that's what weekends are for! I do make breakfast at home most Sundays though which I love. What about you? PS-- maybe I should try to make french toast with my sourdough? Has anyone tried that? LMK!

VITAMINS + SUPPLEMENTS HAUL

Lately I’ve been learning a lot more about the importance of taking care of my body and preventative steps to stay healthy. While I’m extremely thankful that I’ve been healthy throughout my life, in the past it’s made me view vitamins and supplements as optional. My routine up to this point has been very sporadic— I would go for months taking vitamins everyday only to quit cold turkey. Up to this point, I‘ve also only been taking vitamin c gummies daily. Not only have I decided now is the time to get my sh*t together and up the ante, I’m also being more selective with what I do take. Sadly that means kicking the sugary gummies for a better alternative!

After doing some research, I ordered a whole new lineup of supplements that I’m *fingers crossed* going to start taking daily. One exception is this MSM powder which I started taking daily about three weeks ago. So far, I feel like I’ve seen such a huge improvement which I’ll talk more about below. 

I also want to add that I learn so much from Jena Covello on Instagram when it comes to health and supplements! I have to give her credit because I’ve learned more about the importance of certain supplements and I purchased most of these brands based on her recommendations. Anytime I am looking for a specific vitamin, I check her recommendations first. I trust her opinions and think she is a great source to follow. I’ll link her Instagram here. 

Also a quick PSA-- I of course am not a doctor, these are just what I'm choosing to use for my body. Always make sure to do your own research and check with a physician for medical advice. Keep scrolling to see what I’ve purchased!

+Vitamin C: As I mentioned above, the one vitamin I have been taking religiously is Vitamin C. I've always been partial to the gummies-- they taste yummy and are an extra snack during the day that I've never felt bad about! That being said, I've read that gummies are less effective than a pill/capsule and do have extra sugar + additives. Vitamin C itself has a lot of powerful benefits for the body from immune health, collagen production, increased energy, skin benefits and more. I purchased a capsule version to hopefully ween myself off of the gummies, however the most important kind of vitamin is the one that you'll actually take. 

+D3 & K2: Before doing my own research, I never realized that if you're going to take D3 it's important to also take K2. While D3 is also has many functions that support immunity, bone health and the nervous system, K2 helps to insure we properly receive and absorb these benefits. It protects the areas that you don't want D3 to go to (such as organs or arteries) so that your body can absorb it in the right areas. I ordered a prescription one but I’ll link a similar option from Amazon here. 

+Quercetin: I was also unfamiliar with Quercetin up until recently. Like many other vitamins, it's found in a lot of the fruits and vegetables that we eat (or should be eating). It's an antioxidant that helps fight free radical damage, improve immunity and heart health, improve mood, fight inflammation and more. 

+Zinc: I've always been a big fan of zinc for keeping my immune system up during cold + flu season or to help speed up the recovery time of a cold/sickness. I've been told that you don't need to take zinc every day so I purchased this spray to use periodically + when I feel I need a boost. 

+B12: Does anyone actually feel like they ever have enough energy? I sure as hell don't so here's to hoping this B12 blend becomes my new best friend! B vitamins all have a lot of great benefits, the most appealing to me being increased energy, mood enhancement and memory improvement. Lots of reviews on this version report energy boosts, less brain fog and more energy. 

+MSM Powder: I recently shared on IG stories (@TheKristenDiary) that I've started taking an MSM powder to help my joints. I've been experiencing pain in my neck/upper shoulder area on and off since last fall. My mom suggested I take something for it so I started using this joint powder around two weeks ago. So far I feel like it's been helping a ton-- I notice way less pain + stiffness. It's also anti-inflammatory which is also amazing and possibly why I've been feeling less discomfort! 

Do I need a cute pill box now? Dying for these cute ones!

I love sharing health updates + what I’m trying out with you all! Should you click on or make a purchase through the links in this post, I'll earn some money to keep on shopping! Pretty cool, huh? :)

5 FALL FINANCIAL MOVES TO MAKE NOW

Happy Labor Day, friends! I hope you're having a relaxing weekend with your loved ones. As promised, fall content is in full swing now on TheKristenDiary.com. I live for this time of year-- the weather, the changing leaves and the holidays. It brings so much fun and joy, however it can also bring a lot of expense. Every year I dread seeing my credit card bills in January... anyone else?? I thought it would be helpful to share 5 Fall Financial Moves to make now that will help lessen the stress! 

5 FALL FINANCIAL MOVES TO MAKE NOW   

+ REVIEW YOUR BUDGET + SPENDING 

With fall approaching, it's a great time to review your summer spending and budget. If you're like me, it's all too easy to slack off during the summer. Whether it's vacationing, spending more time outside or just relaxing, the last thing I often want to do is track my spending or work on my budget. While that's not ideal, it's easy to get back on track now and start preparing for the months ahead! 

+ REVIEW INVESTMENTS 

When reviewing your finances, it's also a great idea to check on your investments and savings. I like to monitor and review the investments I currently have to make sure they're still performing well and making positive returns. It's also a great idea to boost any contributions now if you're working on retirement savings, individual accounts, etc. 

+ PREPARE FOR HOLIDAY SHOPPING 

Another big expense we're faced with during the fall is holiday shopping. Between Christmas shopping, Black Friday and Cyber Monday, it's safe to say that most of us tend to spend more money during this time of year. Whether you save up for this or plan to cash flow, it's nice to anticipate and be mentally prepared for any upcoming expenses or occasions. If you're looking to go a step further, you can also review your spending from last year to get an idea of how much you typically spend during the season. A calendar can help too-- look ahead and write out any events or occasions (Halloween parties, travel, gift shopping, etc.) where you plan on spending.

+ GET READY FOR WINTER 

If you deal with inclement weather during the winter, this also can added additional expenses. From car accessories (can't live without my frost guard), new boots + apparel or more serious issues like pipe bursts, it can get expensive. It's a great idea to make a list of necessary purchases as well as a budget for both the expected and unexpected. 

Also read: Winter Weather Essentials

+ FALL ACTIVITIES

Like the holidays, the fall season brings out lots of activities for potential spending. While it's great and doable to find activities that are low cost or free, it's also smart to prepare for those that can cost money. From sport events + activities, baking to buying home decorations, these things often seem insignificant but can add up fast. The great part about preparing for activities and choosing what you want to spend your money on is that you can be prepared and stress free while you're spending. 

These are simple, easy things to start now that can help you spend more wisely and enjoy the season. The overall goal is to be prepared and plan to spend your money your way. It's a great time of year to enjoy all of the things and reducing/eliminating some stress when it comes to money makes it even better! 

I love sharing my tips with you all! Should you click on or make a purchase through the links in this post, I'll earn some money to keep on shopping! Pretty cool, huh? :)

More Fall content: Cozy Fall Staples

END OF THE WEEK THOUGHTS | 9/3

Another Friday is here! Every time I turn around another week has flown by. Here's to hoping it'll start to slow down a bit now that we're in Fall season. In reality, this time of the year is always a blur + super chaotic but a girl can dream!

Not too much has happened this week but my creativity is low + I'm feeling chatty. Something I am stoked about is that I've made it four weeks into my step challenge-- if you missed it, I've been aiming to walk 10,000+ steps every day. I originally only planned to do it for a week but I'm still going strong. I dedicated Monday's post all about this so I won't bore you with all the details but I'll link the post here.

Also on the topic of health, I splurged on some new supplements this week. The joys of getting older! Right now I've only been taking Vitamin C so I really need/wanted to add some new ones to the mix. I ordered D3/K2, Quercetin, Zinc Spray, B12 + a new type of Vitamin C. They all have their own benefits + purpose, however most are centered on general health + immunity. **I'm not a doctor/physician so I'm only sharing what I chose to buy for me. Always be sure to do your own research and check with your doctor for guidance + recommendations.** 

A quick update on the MSM powder too-- I've only been using it for about a week now but I think I'm starting to see a difference. I've had a lot of shoulder/neck pain on and off for the past year. I'm not sure what's causing it but I've heard taking an MSM powder is good for your joint + bone health. I've also read it can take up to three weeks before you notice any differences so we'll see what happens. 

That's pretty much the gist of things besides eating out too much. The cutting back struggle is as real as always but I've been doing pretty good overall. One day at a time! I also really need to update my spending/budget. When I tell you I'm behind............. lolz. 

Also please let me know what fall posts you want to see!! I have some ideas up my sleeve but I love hearing for you. I kicked things off on Wednesday with some Cozy Fall Staples so go comment on that post or tell me on IG @TheKristenDiary :) 

Time for weekend fun! 

COZY FALL STAPLES

HELLO, SEPTEMBER! It's officially fall now in my book so ta ta for now, summer! They love to poke fun at fall and basic b*tch PSL season but you really can't ask for better weather, style or holidays. Here are some cozy fall staples to get us all in the mood! 🍂🍁🍃

Booties / Nail Polish / Nest Candle / Necklace / Cardi 

I love sharing my picks with you all! Should you click on or make a purchase through the links in this post, I'll earn some money to keep on shopping! Pretty cool, huh? :)