What's Up Wednesday: November 2025
*****If you’re reading this in your emails please click on the blog link itself to be taken to the site. There you will see the layout properly and not miss out on anything that cannot be displayed in the email!*****
Hello my dears,
I blinked away November and here we are. Thanksgiving is tomorrow! Are you ready for it?
I can’t wrap my head around how quickly this month flew by. It always feels like November is a short month despite having 30 days. Everything ramps up with events, birthdays, travel, holiday things and bam! December arrives.
I had a really good month over all though and pursued (festive filled) joy with more fervor than ever before and you know what? It truly lifted my spirits a lot. I plan to do the same in December. =)
Let’s move along…
I am linking up again to share my monthly recap on the last Wednesday of each month.
If you’re new(er) to my blog site, this is what we recap every month:
What I’m eating this week:
This month I did cook the regular chili I mentioned in last month’s What’s Up Wednesday post. I have leftovers in the freezer so I suspect I will pull out a container this week when the temps lower a little bit.
Easy LTK Shopping Link: kitchen decor & cooking items (Our Place is having Black Friday sales!)
I am not sure what I’m doing for Thanksgiving day itself. I will probably pop over to a bestie’s house one street over to cheers with a glass of wine but not stay for her full Thanksgiving gathering. As of now I think staying home with some champagne, Christmas movies, wearing pajamas, and just eating whatever I have on hand sounds ideal. I think my energy, emotions, and enthusiasm has waned post birthday travels and being sick. I sort of want to stay on the couch with my pups (and I do mean actually sit on the couch all day), but TBD.
If you’re still in the fall zone: click here to view a former post with all of the many recipes I have shared that have pumpkin or butternut squash.
You can view all of the recipes I have shared by clicking here. You can also utilize the search function at the top right of the screen to search key words for recipes.
What I'm reminiscing about:
November 2024. It was a lifetime ago and last week all in one.
My Christmas decor was placed differently last year.
My birthday celebrations were different last year.
Sandy was still with us last November. =(
All of my family came to Houston for Thanksgiving / Mammaw’s celebration of life.
What I'm loving:
I am loving all of my Christmas decor (to be shared in a later post) including but not limited to the new pup sleigh bed I found at Walmart recently. To be clear, it’s really Loretta’s bed because she claimed it immediately as she does ALL beds, blankets, or pillows. The boys sniffed it but haven’t fought her on it. She has literally gone into it 9 out of 10 times we’ve come back into the house since I purchased it. SO CUTE.
All of the ones they had at my local Walmart come in different sizes. You can order through this link and either pick it up at the store or have it delivered.
Easy LTK shopping link: festive pet beds & Loretta’s dresses and pearls
What I've been up to:
Oooooo weeeee. What a quick month it’s been.
At the beginning of the month I decorated the previous house (which I mentioned in a recent Friday Favorites post and I AM OBSESSED WITH THE NEW TREE THERE as well as the front room, etc. etc. etc.) and had Christmas card photos taken by Megan Murray again this year! I am so enamored with what she achieves each year of my muffins despite the chaos that is happening in real time. I will share the photos that will be on my holiday cards next month, but will share the additional ones now with the white backdrop. =))) My outside lights were installed and I have been ever so delighted since November 3rd coupled with my daily Christmas pajamas (new and old) I’ve been wearing since November 1st.
Easy LTK shopping link: Christmas Jammies
As noted above, I have intentionally sought out anything that brings me JOY which most certainly includes all things holidays, Friendsgiving, and birthday celebrations for belated October and November birthdays. (How did I fail to get a photo with my bestie Jamille who HOSTED Friendsgiving in her newly remodeled home with over 50 people?? UGH. (For what it’s worth I had to leave early for Loretta’s meds.))
Easy LTK shopping link: cropped sweater & black denim outfit
Easy LTK shopping link: Friendsgiving outfit
I know this holiday season will be different than the years before and coupled with Loretta’s progressing health issues I have anticipated my own emotional struggles. So…to combat that inevitable onset I dove headfirst into Christmas a smidge earlier than ever before AND have laser focused on finding it, enjoying it, and savoring it every opportunity possible with true intentionality to a degree I never have before. =))) It has been wonderful and exactly what I knew I needed. I am the person who walks in and around saying out loud: “This is so beautiful. Oh my gosh I just love this. Oh wow, this is so magical!” in all of the awe, magic, and wonder of a child.
I attended the things in Dallas that I wanted to attend (all year much less after I got sick and had to delay my trip), and added on a destination which added some festive fun. November is a difficult month to travel depending on what you want with weather overall and what you want to do. I’ve learned the hard way through the years. It’s not fall foliage anymore. It’s not snow/winter yet. It’s rainy season everywhere. While I love that, I also knew I needed to watch my list of destinations and quite literally booked, canceled, and re-booked flights as I watched the weather change at all of my desired locations.
PS - for the Texans reading this…DO NOT miss out on the magic of the season in Dallas. I had been tracking things to do along with my intentioned (adult) destination World Springs all year long (awaiting for cooler temps), and let me tell you…if I have free days to return while the temps are cooler I will. Not only to (literally) revisit the places I went to by myself while sick, but also to other places I have on my list that I didn’t get to visit because I pushed my trip back (because I was sick). Also to note - WORLD SPRINGS y’all. MUST GO.
Dallas & LA (Beverly Hills area)
This month has been my birthday month. I don’t particularly care to celebrate other than cheers-ing a glass of any adult libation and making a sincere wish when blowing out a candle. So, I must say that I really enjoyed myself/my bday overall both when traveling to explore all the Christmas things and with the company I was able to celebrate it with. I have amazing friends and family. I count my blessings often (if not daily), but especially on/around my birthday when I feel remembered, cherished, and loved.
I also ramped up my running on a schedule for the holiday themed half marathon I have next month and well…my body has failed me with a week+ respiratory cold, not too different from the five other colds/allergies/health set backs I’ve had this year. Whatever. I am going to run it and walk it however it happens that day regardless if I am actually trained and ready. It is what it is. I hope I can get it together these next 3.5 weeks leading up to it, but I’m giving up on feeling “trained”. I am not a professional runner. I do not run for any kind of timing record. I want to run where it’s cold, holiday festive, and need low altitude. It will be fun even if I have to walk parts of it. I am OK with that and accept that this year has been a beast health wise. Did I mention it will be a CHRISTMAS themed half marathon?!?! Love that for me. ;)
What I'm dreading:
I am dreading the holidays ending too quickly as well as all of the feels that December will bring, including but not limited to the 3rd anniversary of my dad’s departure for Heaven.
What I'm working on:
I am working on my mental and physical health as always, half marathon training (when I’m not sick or the pups aren’t sick or I’m not traveling), and keeping up with sharing blog content when I can!
What I'm excited about:
I’m excited for the official Christmas season after Thanksgiving Day. Despite celebrating early, there is something about December 1st that makes it feel REAL.
What I'm watching/reading:
Watching:
Hallmark’s Countdown to Christmas and Christmas Vacation on repeat. I’ve watched a couple of other movies but haven’t wanted to pay for them so am waiting until they start playing in December to record them.
Reading :
I recently finished Great Big Beautiful Life. I love Emily Henry’s writing style and the plot was unexpected. I really enjoyed it.
I am currently reading Rom-Commers. I’ve read one of Katherine Center’s books recently and enjoyed it. She was a library app recommendation! I’ve taken the leap into a second book of hers. So far it’s super cute. =)
You can click this link or scroll to the top of the page and click on “Books” to view all of the self-help books I’ve read if you are considering a topic and want a suggestion.
What I'm listening to:
I’m listening to Christmas music, Christmas jazz scenes, and of course some news or Hallmark Christmas movies.
What I'm wearing:
I’ve been adding more and more to my LTK profile throughout the month so you can always follow along with me there to see what outfits or home décor items I’m sharing! There are outfits on there that didn’t make it out of the house yet OR that I didn’t take a photo of when I wore it in real life.
***
Athleisure with festive flare (or possibly none if I’m running long distances =)). PSA: there’s a ton of great sales happening for “Black Friday” and I’m especially eyeballing the Spanx Booty Boost pants. These are made for working out, however I only wear them for travel (because of the price point) and absolutely love them.
Easy LTK shopping links:
https://liketk.it/5vuQR // https://liketk.it/5yUom // https://liketk.it/5v9kJ // https://liketk.it/5ALMg
All the festive things. I’m wearing holiday pajama tops in public because they’re festive. I’m wearing holiday earrings every day even to match my pajamas because they’re festive. I’m wearing years old holiday things with newer holiday things because it’s festive.
Some of these things are sold out already but may come back in stock. Regardless, I have linked plenty of similar festive pajamas in addition to the originals.
Easy LTK shopping links:
Oh Snap Jammies // Santa Shirt Jammies // Sleigh Jammies // Holiday Plaid Holiday Plaid Outfit
Big Nick Energy Outfit // Green Holiday Jammies // Tartan Plaid Skirt Outfit // It’s a Beaut Clark Sweatshirt
Everything else…some new items, some more recent items, but mostly the more familiar items on repeat. PS, I wear them on repeat because I love these items, they’re comfortable, and they’re versatile.
Easy LTK shopping links:
Christmas Card Red Dress // Friendsgiving Outfit // Black Cropped Sweater & Ankle Pants
SUPER Comfy Tank Dress Outfit // Sheer Top & Denim Outfit // SUPER Comfy LS Dress Outfit
There are many more outfits and home decor posts that I’ve shared on my LTK page in addition to these above. You do not pay anything extra to shop through my page there and setting up your profile is FREE. I earn a small commission from the various retailers for free marketing for them at no extra cost to you.
You can view most of these details on my LiketoKnow.It page OR email me. =)
What I'm doing this weekend:
This weekend I will be doing the regular to-do’s and cleaning. Perhaps see/catch up with some friends. I do not have anything specific lined up and that makes me very happy because I do plan to / want to indulge in all the festiveness possible even if that means sitting on my couch and watching the Christmas tree lights twinkle. =)))
What I'm looking forward to next month:
All of the Christmas things.
What else is new:
That’s about it for now!
How was November for you? Are you ready for the holidays? Comment below.
Wishing you all a very Happy Thanksgiving!
XOXO
