November has finally felt like we got into a rhythm. The boys had two full weeks of school in a row, which was honestly a gift because this entire school year has been full of random long weekends. Having them in school for a solid stretch made everything feel a little more settled and predictable in the best way.

Right before Thanksgiving break, Mike and I flew out to California to celebrate his 40th birthday. We spent a few days in the Napa area, where we got married, and popped into San Francisco to visit some of our old spots from when we lived there while we were dating. It was such a nostalgic little trip – slow mornings, good food, familiar places – just the two of us with no responsibilities for a few days was exactly what we needed.

The rest of the month has been easy and low key. Thanksgiving was actually quite nice, the kids were happy, and everything just felt steady for once. I’m almost afraid to say it out loud because I don’t want to jinx anything, but November has been a really good month.

Here are a few of the little things I’ve been loving:

1. What the Foundation by Jones Road

I am officially obsessed with this foundation. I kept seeing influencers rave about it and their skin always looked so dewy and fresh, so I finally caved. My skin has been changing as I get closer to 40, and I’ve been feeling like my old routine just wasn’t cutting it anymore. I’ve basically been using the same powder foundation since my wedding makeup artist put it on me back in 2014. I’ve loved it, but my skin has been so dry lately.

What The Foundation has been a total game changer. It has a built-in primer and moisturizer, so it glides on without that heavy, cakey feeling. It is hands down the easiest liquid foundation I’ve ever used and it blends beautifully. It doesn’t cling to dry spots or sink into lines, and it leaves my skin looking hydrated instead of flat. I still use a little matte powder on top because I’m not a shiny-face girl, even though that look is very in right now, but the finish lasts all day.

The only downside is that finding the right shade took me two tries, so I definitely recommend going in person somewhere to color match. Once you get the right one, though, it is perfect. If you want a foundation that feels moisturizing, looks dewy, is easy to apply, and doesn’t get cakey, this one is worth it.

2. Coconut Cult Yogurt

I found this one thanks to TikTok because apparently that app is where I learn about half the things I end up loving. I had no idea Coconut Cult existed, but once I saw people talking about how potent it is, I got curious. I’m a big fan of getting probiotics from real food whenever possible, even though I obviously use supplements in gut protocols all the time. There is just something different about a true live, fermented source.

This yogurt is no joke. You only need a heaping tablespoon a day to get a full dose of probiotics because it is that concentrated. It is very sour, in the best way, and you can actually taste that it is fermented and full of the good stuff. It has become a fun little addition to my morning routine. I take a spoonful every day, I give some to Griffin, and Mike has started doing it too. James still hates yogurt so he is a hard pass.

Between this and the fiber I’ve been focusing on lately, my gut has been very happy. If you want an easy, super high quality probiotic food to add into your routine, I highly recommend trying this one.

3. Increasing Fiber Intake for Clear Skin

Fiber has always been on my radar, but I never really tracked it. I just assumed I was getting enough because I eat pretty nutrient dense. Once I started paying closer attention to my macros, I realized I was barely hitting 15 grams a day. Most women need at least 25 grams, and there are real benefits to getting even more than that. So, for the last few months, I’ve made a consistent effort to hit 25 to 35 grams every single day.

The difference has been unbelievable. My skin is glowing in a way it never has before. I’ve struggled with cystic acne my entire life. I even did Accutane in high school. Things got even worse after I had babies and my hormones were raging. For years, every single cycle brought a hormonal breakout. I’ve tried everything. Gluten free, dairy free, gut healing protocols, liver cleanses, you name it. Nothing has cleared my skin the way fiber has.

Your skin is your biggest detox organ. Fiber helps bind to waste and excess hormones so your body can actually get rid of them. Within about three months of consistently hitting 30 grams a day, my hormonal acne disappeared. I’ve gone through three full cycles now with completely clear skin and I could cry thinking about how simple the fix ended up being.

Getting that much fiber in can be tricky, so I use a few things to help. Sola bread has been great because it is higher in fiber. I add psyllium husk powder to smoothies. And chia seeds or flax seeds are easy additions to almost anything. If you struggle with acne or any kind of skin issues, I cannot recommend focusing on fiber enough. It has been life changing for me.

4. The Esprithean Trilogy and Aesymarean Duet

I have TikTok and Bookstagram to thank for this one. The Ascended has been everywhere lately with people calling it a six star, god tier read, so of course I had to see what the hype was about. It is a romantasy, and everyone kept saying that while you can read it as a standalone, the experience is so much better if you start with the authors’ other series first. The Ascended is technically a prequel, and it will be a duet, but only the first book is out right now.

So I went all in and started with Riftborne and Duskbound. I am so glad I did. Riftborne has a slower start, but once the world opens up, it gets so good. Duskbound completely took me out. It felt like a roller coaster in the best way. There is a morally gray main male character who absolutely shines in book two, a little love triangle energy, and all my favorite fantasy romance tropes woven in. The third book in this series comes out next year, which feels very far away now.

Then I picked up The Ascended, and I am not exaggerating when I say it is one of the best books I’ve read all year. I have read 64 books so far in 2025 and this one sits at the top. The easter eggs and tiny details that connect back to Riftborne and Duskbound are so fun to catch. Even though it is a prequel, the payoff is incredible if you read the others first.

Just a heads up, The Ascended leans darker. It has heavier themes and some intense moments, so if dark romantasy is not your thing, you might not love it. But if you enjoy a darker fantasy romance with incredible world building, great character work, and a plot that keeps you hooked, this entire reading experience is worth it. I cannot wait for book two.

5. Lauren Conrad Super High Rise Wide Leg Denim Trousers

This was such an unexpected find. The boys recently got a wild hair and wanted to go shopping for what they called “fancy clothes”. They’re in their button-down era right now, so I figured we could swing by Kohl’s since we hadn’t been in ages. I’ve mentioned before that I’m not a big fast fashion person for myself. For the kids, sure, places like Target make life easier because they burn through clothes so fast. But for me, I’d rather buy one or two higher quality pieces that actually last and don’t feel like they’re headed straight for a landfill.

All that to say, I wasn’t expecting to find anything for myself…and then I stumbled on these jeans. They were on sale for thirty dollars, which already felt wild, but the real shock was how good they were. I tried them on and immediately loved the fit. They’re wide leg, which is very in right now, and I didn’t own any long wide leg pants. They look so cute with sneakers. They also have a bit of spandex in them, so they keep their shape throughout the day instead of getting saggy, which is one of my biggest pet peeves with jeans.

I ended up buying a maroon pair that was on clearance and a lighter denim wash, and I already know they’re going to be in heavy rotation this winter. If you are in the market for new jeans, it is worth popping into Kohl’s and checking out the Lauren Conrad styles. I don’t have a picture of myself in them, but trust me, they are flattering and so comfortable.

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That’s the roundup for November. It’s been a good month, full of small things that made life feel a little lighter and a little more fun. If you try any of these, let me know. I always love hearing what you’re loving too.