The Best of August 2024

August is my unofficial start of autumn — I don't believe in separating seasons, or holidays, for that matter. I prefer to squeeze every ounce of joy I feel from the day, whether that is a sunny beach day (which is how we started the month!) or a cool early fall walk with Cricket and prepping the girls for back-to-school, and then crying my eyes out when the day arrived. (Chris made his first mulled apple cider of the season to cheer me up.) I recently rounded up 8 Easy Home Trends to Incorporate This Fall, and as soon as the girls were dropped off for their first day this morning, I started making plans to incorporate at least half of these ideas over the next couple of months. We also installed new copper gutters and an exterior door into the mudroom and are thinking about starting our next few big projects (the primary bathroom and living room are on the docket!) Oh, and I found this product that totally transformed my Stanley game.

Here are nine more things that won me over this month:

1. Downton Abbey Clue: We played this game as a family last weekend and had so much fun. I love a good twist on a classic like Clue, and you can't beat the Downton aesthetic.
2. Shift Dress: I normally can't order anything knee-length because of my height but this dress comes in long! (As well as regular and petite.) It's the perfect transitional piece going into fall.
3. Triple Metal Belt: I got this with my most recent Madewell order and let me tell you, a more stunning belt does not exist.
4. Green Marble Nesting Tray: McGee & Co.'s fall collection is here, and it does not disappoint. Psst...I'm seeing colored marble everywhere lately! 
5. Bats Garland: You might think it's too early but trust me when I tell you that Halloween decor is already selling out. I can't wait to put this on my mantle in October.
6. Tortoise Drinking Glasses: I'm going to host a fall party just for an excuse to set the table with these. You won't believe the price either!
7. Pepper Grinder: Leave it to Target to create the most beautiful pepper grinder that rivals some of the most expensive ones in my kitchen. Scoop this up before it's too late!
8. Outdoor Wall Lantern: Our exterior has gotten a lot of love lately with new windows, trim paint, and copper gutters. This lantern is the finishing touch outside our newly installed mudroom door!
9. High-Rise Short: If you're a fan of Lululemon leggings but haven't tried their shorts, you are missing out. These are so comfortable for my morning workout or evening walks with Cricket.