Kelly’s October Edit: Celebrating Halloween, Family Moments, and Gearing Up for the Holidays
Welcome back to Kelly’s Monthly Edit!
Each month, I invite you to join me on a journey through the small joys and significant moments that have recently sparked inspiration in my life. From discovering delightful, must-make recipes to unearthing Mom-approved grocery finds that make life a little easier, and sharing favorite products spanning kitchenware, skincare, and fashion, this space is dedicated to connection. Consider this your exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at life here at Just a Taste – a place where there’s no gatekeeping, just a shared appreciation for good taste and genuine experiences. It’s where I gather all the delightful bits and pieces that make up my month, hoping they might bring a little spark to yours too.
As you might have noticed, this October Edit is arriving a tad late, touching down on November 9th. So, I suppose the old adage, “better late than never,” certainly applies here! My apologies for the slight delay, but I promise you, my tardiness has been for genuinely good reason. Life, as it often does, threw a few wonderful curveballs and exciting projects our way, which I’ll touch upon later. But for now, let’s rewind and immerse ourselves in the vibrant, fun-filled spirit of October.
Our Unforgettable Couples Halloween Costume Adventure
It’s truly no secret to anyone who knows me that I am an absolute lover of all holidays. There’s something magical about each festive occasion, but among them all, Halloween has always held a particularly special place in my heart. I adore everything about it: the enchanting decorations that transform our home into a whimsical, spooky wonderland, the creative, eerie snacks that are as fun to make as they are to eat, the wonderfully creepy confections that satisfy every sweet tooth, and of course, the absolute highlight for me—the costumes.
The spirit of Halloween truly comes alive for my husband and me each year as we dive into the delightful challenge of crafting the perfect couples costume. This year, the inspiration struck from an unexpected yet incredibly fun source: the vibrant intersection of football, pop culture, and a dash of playful humor. Our football-themed duo wasn’t just a costume; it was a jubilant celebration of my recent fascination with the dynamic duo of Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift, ingeniously paired with the iconic figure of Coach Andy Reid! My husband, ever the good sport, was more than enthusiastic to embrace this quirky vision, knowing full well the joy it would bring, especially to me.
Now, I know what you might be thinking: Taylor Swift would have been the most obvious, perhaps even the expected, choice to accompany Travis. It would have been glamorous, sure, and probably involved a lot less padding. But why dress up like a sexy popstar (who, by the way, famously loves backing Chai Cookies, a delightful fact!) when you can fully commit to the bit? Why not instead embrace the undeniable charm of a mustache, strategically stuff a pillow in your pants to perfect the silhouette, and parade around the neighborhood exuberantly yelling, “Blue 42! Viper right! Locket 961!” on a continuous loop? Yes, you heard that right! I didn’t just casually print out a play card; I meticulously made and laminated my very own, complete with authentic-looking plays. The commitment was real, and the results were hilarious.
I can honestly say, with full conviction, that I have never been more comfortable on Halloween. While others shivered in flimsy outfits or struggled with elaborate ensembles, I was in my element, cozy and completely immersed in character. Take that for what you will – for me, comfort and comedy won the day, hands down. The laughter, the curious glances from neighbors, and the sheer joy of embodying such a recognizable, beloved figure made it an absolutely unforgettable Halloween experience. It truly captured the essence of what I love about this holiday: the freedom to be anyone, or anything, you dream of, all while having an absolute blast.
More Halloween Fun: Kids’ Costumes and Candy Hauls
Beyond our own antics, the magic of Halloween truly unfolded through the eyes of our children. The kids had an absolute blast choosing their own costumes, which is a tradition I cherish. As much as I occasionally push for a fun family costume theme that ties us all together, I genuinely love giving them the freedom and creative license to choose anything they can possibly dream up. Witnessing their excitement as they scour stores or brainstorm ideas for weeks beforehand is truly a highlight of the season. It’s a wonderful opportunity for them to express their personalities and dive into a world of fantasy.
This year, their choices were wonderfully diverse and perfectly reflected their individual tastes. Our boys transformed into a classic, eerie vampire, the terrifying yet captivating Pennywise, and the ever-heroic Superman, ready to save the day. Meanwhile, our sweet Mia melted hearts as an adorable puppy, complete with floppy ears and a wagging tail. Their excitement on Halloween night was palpable as they ran from door to door, bags swinging with anticipation, their laughter echoing through the crisp autumn air. The candy, as you can imagine, was aplenty, a colorful cascade of chocolates and sweets that filled their buckets to the brim. And in a moment of pure genius (or perhaps just skilled negotiation), I even managed to talk them into graciously grabbing me a few boxes of Milk Duds. In my humble opinion, Milk Duds are, without a shadow of a doubt, the greatest candy to ever exist – their chewy, chocolatey caramel goodness is simply unparalleled. It was a Halloween filled with cherished memories, overflowing candy bags, and the pure, unadulterated joy of childhood imagination.
A Bit of This and That: Cherished Family Moments
Beyond the Halloween festivities, October unfolded into a beautiful tapestry of cherished family moments and simple pleasures. The weekends were absolutely packed with soccer games galore, a whirlwind of cheering, sideline snacks, and the undeniable energy that only youth sports can bring. Amidst all the action, I managed to snap a particularly precious shot of Mia with her Fafa (my wonderful dad) that I know I will cherish forever. It perfectly captured a moment of pure connection and joy between them. What truly would we do without grandparents? Their unwavering love, boundless support, and the unique bond they share with our children are simply the best gifts we could ever ask for. They bring a special kind of warmth and wisdom to our family that is irreplaceable, making every moment spent together truly unforgettable.
And speaking of incredible grandparents… our longstanding tradition of Tuesday dinners at Noni’s (my mom’s house) somehow managed to be even better than ever this October. These weekly gatherings are truly a highlight, a consistent source of comfort, laughter, and, of course, absolutely delicious food. The menu is almost always a testament to her culinary prowess and family favorites, featuring her famous Chicken Cutlets, crispy and perfectly seasoned, alongside her vibrant and fragrant Basil Pesto, which always tastes like summer in a bite. And to elevate these already perfect meals? Of course, there’s always a bottle of Champagne, adding a touch of sparkle and celebration to our mid-week feast. These dinners are more than just meals; they are moments of connection, storytelling, and the reaffirmation of family bonds that we all look forward to with immense anticipation.
Adding another layer of enjoyment to our October was the surprisingly warm weather we experienced here in San Diego. It felt like an extended summer, a delightful gift that meant we could maximize our time outdoors. So, when we weren’t actively on the soccer fields cheering on our little athletes, you could almost certainly find us soaking up the sun and salt air at the beach. It was during these blissful coastal outings that I finally managed to perfect what I consider to be the absolute dream setup for a relaxing family day. Picture this: the kids happily occupied, building intricate sandcastles and splashing in the gentle waves, while I enjoyed a lively game of Rummikub spread out on a portable table. Simultaneously, the Chiefs game was streaming on the tablet, keeping us updated on all the football action, and a glass of bubbly, perhaps some sparkling rosé, clinked cheerfully in my hand. It truly doesn’t get much better than that! This perfect synergy of family fun, personal relaxation, and entertainment felt like capturing pure bliss, a moment of effortless contentment that made October in San Diego truly spectacular.
Exciting Updates and Holiday Preparations: Coming Soon!
As you can probably gather, October was more than just a month of family fun and personal reflection; it was a period of intense preparation and laying the groundwork for all the exciting things yet to come! We have been incredibly hard at work behind the scenes on a brand new project that we are thrilled to be launching in the next few weeks. This endeavor has been a labor of love, designed to bring even more value, inspiration, and delicious content your way. The anticipation is building, and we can’t wait to share it with you!
In addition to this major launch, we have another incredibly exciting update that will be hitting your inboxes just before Thanksgiving. To ensure you’re the very first to hear about all these developments, make sure you’re signed up for our newsletter! You won’t want to miss out on these announcements, as they will undoubtedly enhance your experience with Just a Taste. There’s been a lot of dedicated work, a tremendous amount of excitement buzzing through our team, and rest assured, a plethora of amazing new recipes, invaluable entertaining tips, and so much more are coming your way. All of this thoughtfully timed, just in time for you to truly enjoy and celebrate the upcoming holiday season to its fullest!
Speaking of the holidays, if you’re anything like me, you’re likely already deep in the delightful process of planning your Thanksgiving menu. The good news is, you don’t have to navigate it alone! Don’t forget to check out Thanksgiving Central – your ultimate, comprehensive resource for absolutely anything and everything you could possibly need to make Turkey Day a truly stellar, stress-free, and memorable event. We’ve meticulously curated a collection designed to guide you through every step of the process. From expert turkey tips, covering everything from brining to roasting for that perfect golden crisp, to ingenious make-ahead stuffing recipes that save you precious time on the big day, we’ve got you covered. You’ll also find guides for crafting a delightful DIY green bean casserole that tastes infinitely better than store-bought, and even Noni’s famous raspberry Jell-O salad – a unique and wonderfully refreshing alternative to traditional cranberry sauce that is always a hit at our family table.
And let’s not forget dessert! You’ll discover dozens of easy, yet incredibly impressive dessert recipes that will leave your guests asking for seconds, even after a hearty meal. But the planning doesn’t stop once the feast is over. We’ve also got fantastic ideas and recipes for what to do with all those delicious leftovers, ensuring that the holiday flavors continue for days. Our goal at Thanksgiving Central is to empower you to create a festive, delicious, and joyful Thanksgiving without the usual holiday hustle and stress. So dive in, explore, and let us help you make this Thanksgiving your best one yet!
Here’s to an amazing, delicious, and joy-filled holiday season ahead!