simple girl's diary ♥ november 2022 & my cozy autumn room

A very good morning, dear kindred spirits! 

Today I am sharing an entry in my Simple Girl's Diary as well as a wee peek inside my bedroom with some up-close shots of my autumnal touches and decorations. I invite you to pour yourself a cup of something warming and comforting, curl up with a blanket and settle in for awhile. Join me for a chat and a visit...

outside my window

Leaves. Leaves. And more leaves. And yet still, the trees are hanging onto so many more. Nearly all the color is gone now and it's just a world of various shades of brown wherever you look. The skies are most often somewhat overcast, with sunny days here and there. Honestly, though, I couldn't love it more. Sunny weather is my least favorite; I do so love grey skies, rain and snow, a breezy chill in the air, perhaps what some might call "moody" weather. That's my absolute favorite. Sunny weather, not so much. The earth is saying that it is truly the end of autumn now and winter is indeed on the way. Our temperatures have been very chilly and at night, below freezing. I love how rejuvenating the colder weather is, how alive it makes me feel, how good it is to breathe in. This is my time of year.

musical treasures

I've listened to my favorite soundtracks, as per usual, whilst cooking dinner and puttering about doing this and that. There is also one Ed Sheeran song that is literally on repeat constantly, whether on my computer, or just in my head. It's called Beautiful People and it is seriously the best. So much of the lyrics I just relate to and feel as though they were written for or by me. Plus it's just darn fun to listen to! And yes, I have barely, just barely, begun listening to Christmasy music...the Charlie Brown Christmas soundtrack to be precise. I've got all my favorite CDs out and my mom's pulling out her old records this week and it shall begin officially.

{{my reading corner}}

bookish ramblings

Not much to say here, because I want to, hopefully, share a post dedicated to Christmasy reads next month.

in the world of TV and movies

Oh, dear friends, I returned to an old favorite this week thanks to some very dear blog reader friends who mentioned a specific title to me. "An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving" is a most splendid, heartwarming, just good for the soul movie to watch this week. It did my heart so much good watching it and even still, I feel so gladdened every time I think back to this dear movie. I also rewatched the first season of "Home Fires" again last week, and it was the same feeling. I just loved it so much, even more than the first time I saw it. Seriously, where are the movies and shows like this these days? Ones that remind you of the goodness still left in the world, of the magic to be found in even the tiniest moments and most ordinary of days, of kindred spirits sharing life together and coming alongside one another, even despite differences and such, just to enjoy the things that they do have in common. I do heartily recommend these two titles.

And, over the weekend, we watched both of the Enola Holmes movies on Netflix. My sister had already seen them and enjoyed them so she wanted us to watch them together. They were charming, fast-paced, mysterious, and fun to watch…just like she said. We all agreed that our favorite was the second one…and now we have hopes that there will be more in the future.

{{a girl can never have too many books}}

 a grateful heart

This year, I have so much to be thankful for...my heart literally feels as though it may burst. Though our summer was hard and felt like it was straight from hell, I still feel so grateful for so many things. It's hard to articulate my thoughts into words, but my family, our home, our fur babies, good books, music that makes me feel alive, little glimpses of magic and beauty in my everyday moments, nature's kindness and gentleness in teaching me so many things, kindred spirits I have met through this online corner, finding new hobbies and interests that bring me happiness, laughing so hard I cry or just can't stop laughing, dreaming and dreams in my heart, even things that seem stupidly silly to some. There's just so much.

{{i love decorating my shelves a bit, too}}

from my kitchen

Soup and crusty bread have been a favorite at least once a week here lately. We find that one loaf of bread lasts us at least two meals, so we just plan two different soups to enjoy that week. Also chili and crackers, and the most amazing loaded nachos with taco seasoned rice, refried beans, sauteed mushrooms, lettuce, salsa, cheese, homemade guacamole and a delicious homemade taco ranch dressing drizzled over the top, served over tortilla chips. It's so yummy and lots of fun to make too!

in my mug

Lots of herbal tea, particularly a lovely honey lavender chamomile blend that is so peaceful and relaxing to sip on in the late evenings. And I've decided to indulge a bit and enjoy a peppermint hot chocolate on the weekends. It's a special little treat with mini marshmallows on top and makes either Friday or Saturday night extra fun and cozy. Of course, I have to have all these warming drinks in pretty mugs, too. I'm convinced they make the drinks taste even better and surely make the experience more magical! {{smiles}}

{{over the last few years, i've enjoyed gathering a collection of art prints and adding to it every so often. i've been fortunate to find some artists whom i dearly love and their work makes me so happy every time i look at it.}}

fashionable fun

Black leggings and a black and grey floral dress, with woolen socks and ankle boots. And a grey headband with a bow to complete my outfit. Lots of cozy outfits like this these days and I love it. Cozy clothes are the best clothes!

home and hearth

In this post, I'm sharing lots of photos from my room. The first handful of photos are an overview of different corners of my room and this last handful are up-close shots of some autumnal touches and decorations I've added for the season. They will soon be packed away for the year and my Christmasy things will take their place. I do not fit into any one aesthetic when it comes to decorating...or clothing, or anything else in my life, really. But the only thing that comes to mind when I want to describe my style is cozy, comforting, warm, and homey. Basically, I want it to bring to life this quote from The Hobbit movie, which says, "good food, a warm hearth, and all the comforts of home". That's what I want our home to evoke and how I want my bedroom to feel when I'm in there. I love collecting things and adding bits here and there that make me feel all warm and cozy inside. And I hope you enjoy this little peek into my space.

{{along with finding little touches to add to my room at different shops, i also have fun adding some handmade touches here and there, too.}}

a few of my favorite things

♥ peppermint hot chocolate with vanilla almond milk and mini marshmallows on top. It's like Christmas in a mug. 

♥ watching favorite YouTube videos...mostly bookish content along with cozy homey things, too

♥ and finally, I'm loving the new season of Blue Bloods. This show has been going for over a decade and it's still awesome.

for the love of words

There is stardust in our veins. We are literally, ultimately, children of the stars.

(J.B. Burnell)

crafting and creating

Christmasy things are on my mind, so I've been working on some really simple, but incredibly cute (at least I think so) craft projects for the holiday season. My mom, sister and I found some awesome pieces at the Dollar Tree (they have amazing craft supplies!) and we picked up quite a few things. I've already completed several, with lots more to do. Let's just say I find myself covered in lots of glitter as I work on these projects. Perhaps it's magical pixie dust from sugar plum fairies visiting as we prepare to deck our halls. {{smiles}} And I've pulled my knitting bag out so I can start picking up where I last left off on a scarf project in the spring. I'm in love with the yarn I found for this infinity scarf and can't wait to see it once it's completed! Oh, and I almost forgot! Late in September, I discovered a new interest and enjoyment in a sort of "junk" journaling or glue-book journaling. I'm not sure what to call it exactly, but it sure is fun. I love creating pages for the seasons and holidays and have lots of different ideas for other designs and things I want to try, too.

{{twinkly fairy lights and lamplight are my two favorite ways to light my room in the evenings, along with a candle or two, every once in a while. it's so much cozier than bright overhead lighting, in my opinion.}}

What if, today, we were grateful for everything?

~ Charlie Brown ~

{{my bedroom at night with twinkly fairy lights glowing in the dark}}

Dear friends, thank you for joining me here today. 

May your Thanksgiving be filled with lots of happy moments, plenty of good food, and lots of laughter. May you be filled with gratefulness and surrounded by the ones you love and hold dear. And may your day be cozy and magical!

♥