I have to admit…one of my favorite blogs to write on here is my current kick list and it’s a blog that I only get to do once a month, so I really try to put a lot of thought into what I put on here. I particularly enjoy doing my kick list because it allows me to share a bit of my personality with you, as well as highlight some things that I’m currently digging. It also gives me the opportunity to give well-deserved shoutouts to great products and companies that I hope you check out. I especially like to receive feedback from all of you on what you’re absolutely loving right now, so make sure that you do share it all with me! October is a month that is truly and purely related to my love for all things autumn such as carving pumpkins, eating caramel apples and candy apples, drinking apple cider, planting hardy mums, shopping for harvest smelling candles, making fall leaf wreathes…etc. There are, however, things that I’m already loving this month that aren’t purely fall related…even though I may throw in one or two (just like I did last month). In September, I got reacquainted with my fall love interests and this month I have managed to incorporate them back into my life.

1 Moselland “Black Cat” Riesling: This is a seasonal wine that I’ve only been able to find at World Market and I first came across it last year around Christmas, but then rediscovered it today! It actually popped off of the shelf at me, which is understandable because it is a cat shaped bottle. Even though the shape of the bottle is unique to the industry, the information present on the bottle is actually very simplistic and brief. I had to search the internet to even find that the actual label of the Riesling is Moselland and that it is a German Riesling. So what is there to say about a cat shaped wine bottle? Well, simply stated: it’s delightful. It’s not overwhelmingly sweet…it’s just lovely and approachable with a great hint of apple. I typically drink Riesling in the spring and summer, but this one is perfect for the winter, too. Everyone who has tried this wine at our house has loved it, and we always manage to run out of it which isn’t that hard because the bottle is actually smaller than a regular wine bottle; it’s 500ml compared to the regular 750ml. It’s also a reasonably priced bottle of wine; we bought ours for $11.00 today, and for the taste the value is definitely present. It also makes me happy to know that a wine that is so easily marketable (people actually have told me that they collect the bottles and have never had the wine), can stand up to other Rieslings and isn’t just another cool bottle. If you want to try this wine, check World Market to see if they have it or search the internet; it goes by different names but most people know it by the general “black cat Riesling”…but do it soon because it is seasonal!

2 California Kissin’ Smile Brightening Lip Shine by Benefit: I have done a Shoutout to this wonderful make-up line and I tell everyone about their amazing products. Most of the time, I don’t have to talk it up too much because they’ve already heard about it due to the excess of beauty awards they’ve won from different fashion magazines…but a first hand opinion is always the best. I came across this product by accident as I was looking at some of their compacts and opened up one called “Justine Case” which has this product and many of their other fabulous products that are known as “Faking it” with concealers and enhancers. As I opened up the case, I immediately saw the blue lip gloss and asked the clerk what it was all about and she told me all of the wonderful things that make this gloss unique! The gloss is blue because it offsets any shade of yellow on your teeth, thus making it brighten your smile. It also has a minty taste to it which freshens your breath, and it has a nice shimmer to it and looks fantastic with a smokey eye. I swear by this product, I love it, and if you would like to try it out for yourself check out the Benefit website at: benefitcosmetics.com.

3 Starbucks Autumn Java: More specifically speaking…the Pumpkin Spice Latte which is, “a delicious blend of pumpkin and traditional fall spice flavors combined with our signature espresso and freshly steamed milk, and topped with whipped cream and pumpkin pie spices“, as told by Starbucks.com. Love or hate Starbucks, I speak from my own personal opinion in saying that they make one delicious cup of coffee. I was against them at first because I felt like they were more of a status beverage rather than the quality and value of the coffee, but I caved in and tried it out for myself and they are actually quite good, especially their seasonal specialties. One thing about these coffees that you have to be careful with is drinking your calories, of course they can’t be this delicious and good for you. A grande Pumpkin Spice Latte with whipped cream is a total of 410 calories! A nice thing about Starbucks is that they make their guests aware of caloric content by having a calculator right on their website, as well as offering some options with fewer calories. Indulge yourself with these fantastic beverages and be sure to look at some of their yummy breads and pastries while you’re at it! You can visit their website at: starbucks.com.

4 Bed Bath & Beyond: This is sort of a weird kick to have but just ask my boyfriend… it is most definitely an apparent kick. The reason for this is that I am currently updating our bathroom from the design concept that I’ve had since high school (which was a modern, ultra-femme moss green wall with a transparent shower curtain with a big orange flower on the front and I played up the orange accents) into a more sophisticated modern white and monochromatic green bathroom. The concept is being executed so-far-so-good, but I am having a really difficult time matching up my towels! It seems petty, but the towel rack is the first thing that you see when you walk into the room and I really want to pick the perfect color combination to pull it all together. I think I’ve got it down, I just have to do the damn thing, so wish me luck! If you haven’t been to Bed Bath & Beyond before, you really should go, but! Be on the lookout for their coupons (usually 20% off of a single item) which they put in mail circulations, magazines, and even online. They also accept competitors coupons which is a fantastic marketing technique. Basically, the name of the store says it all…they have bedding, bath, and beyond being wall art, candles, and general room decor. You can check out their website at: bedbathandbeyond.com.

5 Oasis: Many people are surprised when they find out that Oasis is my favorite band of all time…some people may even be disappointed! I should probably state that my musical knowledge doesn’t extend just back to the 90’s when they started, rather, I have an appreciation for some of the oldest classical music into some of the latest and greatest indie rock bands. While I don’t really think that I need to justify why they’re amazing, I will do it anyway. First of all, if you like Brit rock and are looking for a band that was almost solely inspired by The Beatles– look no further than Oasis. They have even transitioned and experimented with sound much like that of The Beatles, and their sound is a development of this experimentation, inspiration, and their own interpretation. Secondly, their songs are approachable and memorable; if you hear one of their songs on the radio and have heard at least one of their other songs, you will more than likely know that it’s them due to their “Oasis” sound and of course, Liam’s scratchy voice. Lastly, Oasis opened the door to a lot of new music for me, they were my gateway drug, if you will. They opened the door to Muse, Radiohead, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Travis, PJ Harvey, and then eventually I stemmed off from there into the bands that I love today. Even though the rest of my top five bands change around a lot (currently it’s 1.) Oasis, 2.) Beirut, 3.) Radiohead, 4.) Arcade Fire, 5.) Modest Mouse), Oasis pretty much maintains their number one position throughout. One of the reasons that I am currently on a kick for them is that they released their new album “Dig Out Your Soul” at the end of last month and I’m just getting the chance to listen to it in it’s entirety now; I will let you know what I think.

There you have it, my current kick list for the month of October! I very badly wanted to include a lot more kicks that were autumn related, but my thought process was that going that route would’ve been a little too obvious and I’ve made it apparent that I’m an autumn fanatic, so as not to be completely redundant, I strayed away. I will give you a sneak peak of some of the blogs that I will be featuring this month; one is a commentary on a selection of Autumn Ales and Oktoberfest beers, another is dedicated to unique Halloween ideas, and of course there will be others that are dedicated to the spirit of fall, and a guaranteed little something for everyone!

I hope that you have a fabulous October and if you live in an area that has changing foliage, I encourage you to take pictures and share them with me because I am a sucker for beautiful nature-related photography. I’ve been kindly reminded by the 42°F mornings that it’s time to put away my summer dresses and break out the scarves and sweaters– this is me embracing the change of the seasons!

Here’s to having a wonderful month filled with visits to the pumpkin patch, dressing up for costume parties, drinking harvest beers, eating autumn food, and dare I say it– getting ready for the holiday season!

-M.