Wednesday, September 10, 2025

DRIZZILICIOUS PUMPKIN SPICE RICE CAKES REVIEW


Fall pumpkin reviews are back!! Every fall I love trying the new pumpkin flavored snackies out in stores. The Drizzilicious mini rice cakes are one of my favorite healthier snacks so a limited-edition Pumpkin Spice flavor was an immediate yes. I say this every year but pumpkin spice as a flavor is almost always a hit or miss for me. Usually I either love something or I hate it- the spice has to be just right. I like just a hint of spice but if it's giving too much nutmeg, it's a no go. I also tend to go for a sweeter pumpkin vibe- I bring enough of my own spice so we can't being doing too much! ðŸ˜œ

Alright, let's talk rice cakes. These passed the test, ya'll- they are good. They're exactly what I want and mentally expected they should taste like. The pumpkin flavor is definitely subtle and that spice flavor comes through, however it's more of a cinnamony vibe with just a hint of of those other pumpkin pie spices peeking through. Warm without being too spicy. The flavor is very reminiscent of Cinnamon Toast Crunch for me. When I first tried them- my mind immediately went there. The funny thing though is that they're different than the regular Drizzilicious Cinnamon Swirl flavor and I also don't get that vibe from them?? This sounds a little goofy but I always pick up more of a ricey aftertaste with those- it almost reminds me of almond. I don't get that with these- just that subtle hint of spice which is perfect with the drizzle on top. That brings in the sweet factor which is perfect. Definitely ranking these higher than the Cinnamon Swirl and I'd repurchase again too! 

I also always throw out props for fun fall packaging- so cute and festive!! Half the fun is in the vibes, ya'll!!

I think you should be able to find the pumpkin spice flavor in most big box stores by now but if you have a hard time finding them and want to pay a little extra, you can order them online here! If you try them, let me know what you think!

What are your favorite pumpkin spice flavored foods?

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

Wednesday, August 13, 2025

MCCORMICK FALL FINISHING SUGARS


Fall is in the air!! This week McCormick released a new fall line of finishing sugars. They first released Christmas flavors during the holidays last year which were all the rage. They went viral, sold out immediately and were being resold online for 3-5x the retail price. I was lucky to find them in one of my local grocery stores (read more in this post here) but I searched for weeks before finally finding them. When I saw the new fall collection was released yesterday, I immediately ordered them online here. I've already seen them go in and out of stock but as of now, all are available! If you want them, definitely jump on it and grab them fast. I'm sure as a fall item quantities are limited and that they'll sell out fast. You can order them by flavor here or buy all four flavors in this set here

For the new fall collection, there are three new flavors and one repeat from the holiday collection. New for this year is Apple Cider, Pumpkin Spice and Maple Brown Sugar. Salted Caramel came out during the holidays and is being re-released again. I've been the most excited about Apple Cider and Maple Brown Sugar! Pumpkin Spice is always a classic fall flavor (how can you not try it???) and because I like the Salted Caramel flavor from before, I decided to also rebuy it to have in the cute fall packaging. 

I haven't tried them on anything yet but I did a quick little taste test so I could give you some first impressions. Right out of the gate, my two favorites are Maple Brown Sugar and Salted Caramel. Both of these taste yummy and are sweet just like you'd expect. I'm a sweet dessert gal through and through so these are right up my alley. The Maple Brown Sugar isn't a very strong maple taste but I think it's a great universal flavor that would go with/on a lot. The Salted Caramel is just how it sounds- very sweet like caramel with an obvious salt note. A great choice to top coffees, hot drinks + more. 

I'm a little bit torn on the Apple Cider and Pumpkin Spice. These both have a very heavy spice base to them compared to the flavor of the sugar. I'm not entirely surprised for the Pumpkin Spice- some PS items go sweeter, others more on the spicy side. You never know until you try but in this cased, the PS definitely has a strong, spicier nutmeg note which isn't personally my favorite. I've never been a PSL fan and prefer more "sweet" pumpkin desserts so I may not be the best judge on this one. 

I was really thrown by Apple Cider though. While the drink counterpart has spices, it's always still very warm and sweet. This flavor (and the PS) do have some sweetness, however it also pulls more of a savory spice flavor to me. My initial thoughts went to almost a savory, pepper-like taste. Straight out of the container, it's giving a curry vibe versus a fall dessert vibe. At this moment, I'm sadly underwhelmed by these two. They're also both very similar in taste so I think you might either love or hate both. I can definitely pick up more of nutmeg note in the Pumpkin and maybe a tad more sweetness in the Apple, however both are very close to me. I'll be interested to try them out in and on some other items- we'll see if that changes the experience or flavor at all. 

One win all across the board is the texture of the sugars. I love that they use Demerara sugar for those bigger crystals and crunch. It also looks beautiful on top of baked goods, drinks + more! Once I really use them I'll definitely keep you updated and all in all, I'm excited to have them. I love anything fall + foodie so I couldn't pass these up! Definitely try them for yourself while they're in stock- I'll link them again here :) 

What's your favorite fall food/dessert?


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Wednesday, September 25, 2024

FALL FREE PEOPLE FINDS

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Wednesday, September 4, 2024

WHAT I WANT FOR FALL

Cropped Trench Coat // Cargo Pants // UGG Slip-ons // Silk Blouse // Suede Moon Bag // Striped V-Neck Sweater // UGG Clogs // Button-up Cardigan // Suede Boots

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Monday, September 2, 2024

FALL FINDS AT ANTHROPOLOGIE



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Wednesday, August 21, 2024

SUEDE HANDBAGS I LOVE FOR FALL



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Monday, August 5, 2024

MY FAVORITE FALL BLOG POSTS FROM LAST YEAR

As soon as August hits, my brain starts thinking all things Fall. I can't wait to post all new fall content this year (don't tell anyone I already started last week with this post, hehe) but I thought we'd kick things off with a little throwback. I love looking back at older posts for inspiration + to see how things have evolved. Here are my favorite fall posts from last year: 

1. MY ULTIMATE FALL STYLE GUIDE - Arguably one of the best parts of fall is the fashion. Fall outfits are just better. My fall style guide has all of my favorite picks from sweaters, bags to shoes! 



2. AUGUST READING LIST - When it comes to books, I'm all about magic + some witchy vibes. I also think a little bit of suspense is fun every now and then, too. 



3. HALLOWEEN FINDS I LOVE - Last year's Halloween finds are in this post. It has always been one of my favorite holidays so I love anything with a Halloween theme or vibe. 



4. OCTOBER TO-DO LIST [ALL THE HALLOWEEN THINGS] - Every year I also love making a little Fall/Halloween bucket list with my favorite activities. That usually consists of just doing some of my favorite things with a little fall flair, like baking or watching a movie! 



5. OCTOBER WATCH LIST - My October Watch List has some great picks for Fall + Halloween. I definitely plan to watch a lot of these this year too! 


Read here: October Watch List 

What are your favorite fall activities?

Wednesday, September 20, 2023

WHAT TO BUY FOR YOUR GUY | FALL + WINTER EDITION

In honor of my dad's birthday, here are some of my go-to gifts for the men in your life. Whenever I'm gift shopping, I like to consider both the occasion and season we're in. I think it can be a nice touch to choose items based not only on what the person likes but also how/when they can use them. September is a transition month so gifting a nice sweater or pair of UGGs can be great heading into fall and winter. When in doubt, you can also never go wrong with tech, grooming or food/gift cards. Everyone loves to eat! Whether you have birthdays, anniversaries or starting your holiday shopping, I hope these will give you some inspo on what to buy for your guy. 

If you look back at some older holiday gift guides, you'll see a lot of these same types of items. Sometimes men can be tricky to shop for. In my experience, they tend to buy most of what they want and just want less than us gals do, lol. I like to give gifts that someone might not necessarily buy for themselves. That can be a particular item or an elevated version of something. Sometimes I will splurge on a nicer item here and there which you'll see in this post, however you can find all of these items at all different price points from splurgy to more affordable. I'll link lots of options below.

If you know their style, clothing CAN be a good go to. I tend to stick to the basics- joggers, socks or some type of top/pullover. My dad has a more business casual style so a nice polo or quarter-zip is usually a win. If I were buying for my boyfriend, I would probably go for something a little sportier or sports driven. 

Regular shoes can be hit or miss but UGG slippers are almost always a win. Most of the men I know wouldn't go out and purchase a pair of slippers themselves and if they did, it probably wouldn't be UGGs. I think the UGGs are one of those nice splurge items, however any cozy pair of slippers will do. When it's cooler, they're great to throw on for walking around the house, going outside, etc. Similar to that are the Barefoot Dreams blankets. Definitely another splurge that most of the men I know wouldn't buy for themselves. They will love (and use!) it though- who doesn't loves curling up with a cozy blanket on the couch?

Let's talk coffee. My dad is currently a Keurig guy so I love to buy new k-cups, mugs or accessories he can use. It's a nice and affordable way to give something they already enjoy. You could do the same with tea, fishing, books, whatever their hobbies are. For the mugs- I love these and have gifted them to both my dad & bf. They are a good size, high quality + a clean style. Guy approved! 

Most men love tech and gadgets. I'm not really in the know too much on what's hot these days but I know pretty much anyone can use headphones and they're a universal gift. I also think some self-care or men's beauty/grooming is nice if you know what they like. Skincare and cologne never go out of style. When in doubt, grab a gift card and call it a day!

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What's your go-to gift?

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Monday, September 11, 2023

FALL SWEATERS I LOVE



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Wednesday, September 6, 2023

FALL BEAUTY I LOVE




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Wednesday, August 23, 2023

TRYING BOAR'S HEAD APPLE PIE HUMMUS


Fall flavors are officially hitting the grocery store shelves which means it’s pumpkin spice and apple galore everywhere! Y’all already know both fall + trying out new snackies are two of my favorite things. After finding out Boar’s Head makes both an Apple Pie and Pumpkin Spice Hummus, I was curious to try one out. Now I'll be honest- I am NOT a hummus person. I tried it once or twice a long time ago and wasn't a fan. It’s just never been something I was won over by. I also feel like the whole idea of hummus is a little strange if you're picky like me... I don't know if it's the texture, the chickpeas or what. It kind of freaks me out? It's definitely a polarizing food, lol. Normally I'd pass but throw in some fall and some sugar and you have my attention. I also love Boar's Head + healthier dessert options. I read elsewhere that it tastes just like apple pie filling so I had to find out! 

Alright, let's do this. Obviously I had to make a whole charcutes vibe so I grabbed an apple, cinnamon sugar pita chips & pretzel thins to try it with. Moment of truth from a skeptical, non-hummus-eating gal... it's decent. I have some thoughts though. First off, I actually don't mind the texture. This one is super smooth and similar to any other kind of dip. I like it, especially chilled. The taste is sweet, has a little bit of spice and a very subtle apple flavor. I also like that. I wouldn't go so far to say it's exactly like eating an apple pie but it has those fall vibes we love. Not too artificial or overpowering, just warm and sweet. 

One thing I don't like is that it has a slight after taste. I'm pretty sure it's the chickpea flavor coming through? I'm inexperienced here but I also tried out the Dark Chocolate flavor + noticed a similar effect. This obviously sounds stupid because it's HUMMUS but if you're someone who isn't a huge fan like myself, you get it right? It's very subtle and not bad by any means, just different for me. I only really taste it by itself, too. Paired with the crisps or apple, you don't notice it as much. I also thought it was really good paired with the pita chips. That was my favorite combination out of the three- the smooth texture works really well with the crunchier pita + overall flavor. 

All in all, it was a fun experience trying something new and going a little outside of my comfort zone. I think if you're a hummus fan, you would love it. I can't say I'll be rushing out to buy more anytime soon, however if it was being served at a party, I'd munch on some. 

What are your thoughts on hummus- yay or nay?

Friday, October 28, 2022

FALL BLOG POST ROUND-UP

You know I love a good round up post here on the blog. With November just around the corner, I thought we'd do one big post with all of this year's fall posts. There's a mix of fashion, beauty, movies + tv, home picks and more. A little bit of everything! I like grouping categories together incase you miss a post or want to go back and find one from previous weeks. I'll also keep adding any new ones in! Are there any ideas you want to see next? LMK! 

Read here: What I Want | Fall Style



Read here: My Favorite Fall Blog Posts from Last Year 








Read here: Fall Makeup Haul




Read here: Fall Sweatshirts 

Which post is your favorite? 

Wednesday, September 14, 2022

FALL CANDLES | 2022



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Monday, September 12, 2022

MY FAVORITE FALL BLOG POSTS FROM LAST YEAR

We've been calling it fall over here for weeks now so I've been brainstorming some fun blog posts + content to share with you. I was going back through some of last year's posts to get some inspo and let me tell you-- there are some gems here on TKD if I do say so myself! Lol. ;) I'm still working on the rest of my ideas for this year but until then, hopefully these faves will get you in the fall mood. PS-- also be sure to check out What I Want for FallFall Sneakers I'm Loving Right Now + Fall Books I Want to Read

1. MY FALL BUCKET LIST - Every year I make a list with all of the fall activities I want to do. I love this time of the year but you blink and it's time for Christmas. It goes by WAY too fast so I like to map out my game plan. A few of my favorite things like watching movies + baking always end up on the list. What's on your list for this year? 

Read here: My Fall Bucket List 

2. TASTE TESTING TRADER JOE'S PUMPKIN BREAD + MUFFIN MIX - Can we agree that pumpkin bread is one of the best things about fall? I love trying out different mixes from the grocery store so last year I made the one from Trader Joe's... which ones should I try this year? 

Read here: Taste Testing Trader Joe's Pumpkin Bread + Muffin Mix

3. 5 FALL FINANCIAL MOVES TO MAKE NOW - With the holidays + lots of shopping coming up, now is the perfect time to check up on your money game! In the post I share what I like to do with my money going into fall. 

Read here: 5 Fall Financial Moves to Make Now 

4. TASTE TESTING BEN & JERRY'S PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE ICE CREAM - You definitely don't want to miss this one... it's delish. Crossing my fingers it comes out again soon! 

Read here: Taste Testing Ben & Jerry's Pumpkin Cheesecake Ice Cream 

5. TASTE TESTING LESSER EVIL'S PUMPKIN SPICE POPCORN - Did I mention we love food around here? Honestly one of the best things about fall is the snacks + pumpkin flavored foods. I love Lesser Evil's popcorn so I love when they come out with fun seasonal flavors to try! 

Read here: Taste Testing Lesser Evil's Pumpkin Spice Popcorn 

What's your favorite thing about fall? 

Read more for Fall here: What I Want for FallFall Sneakers I'm Loving Right Now + Fall Books I Want to Read

Monday, September 27, 2021

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! ðŸĪŠ 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? :)

Monday, September 13, 2021

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??* 

Fall Bucket List TheKristenDiary blog

+ 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? ðŸ˜‹

Monday, September 6, 2021

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


Wednesday, September 1, 2021

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? :)