Each year, September is a month that I look forward to. It feels like new beginnings even though it’s been years since I wore a first day of school outfit. There’s something about the shift to cooler mornings and earlier sunsets that have you holding on to the last moments of summer while also dreaming about the fall days ahead.
This year feels a little different and less magical. With storms and fires ravaging parts of the country and heartbreaking news dropping each morning, I find myself searching for those back to school photos of my nieces and trying to cling to the tiniest happy moments where I can find them. It’s a balancing act every day of being horrified and terrified and trying to write and share about things that are trivial. But, balance I shall, so without further ado – here are some silly little things I want to share.
Each month, we put together a few things that we have tried and loved and want to pass on. These are the five things to try in September (plus a few extras).
things to try in September:
new soda flavors from olipop
I am not a big soda drinker. I love a Diet Dr. Pepper every once in a while, but it’s rare. When you don’t drink it often, the sugar is overwhelming. Enter Olipop. After seeing what felt like a million different influencers share the aesthetically pleasing cans, I had to find out for myself if they were really any good. Damn influencers be influencing.
We originally ordered a variety pack that comes with 2 cans of 6 different flavors. It’s the perfect thing to sip on for movie nights when you need a little break from alcohol. If you’re like me, you just get bored of drinking water all the damn time. Plus, each can has less than 5 grams of sugar and fiber.
Recently, they released two new flavors – an orange cream and a grape. Now those are our favorites. They are so damn nostalgic. I recommend it as a one of the things to try in September if you want to hang on to summer a little bit. We still get the variety pack every so often, but we are fully stocked on the new flavors.
Use this link to get $5 off your first order and treat yourself to something different.
Hacks on HBO Max
Growing up, I remember watching Jean Smart on Designing Women with my mom. She’s been the wife of a pyscho president in 24 and recently the mother in Mare of Easttown, but she is finally the star of the show. Hacks is on HBO Max and features Smart as a famous comedian in Las Vegas. She gets paired up with a young writer and the show follows their relationship.
The 10 episodes go pretty fast – we gobbled this show up in less than two weeks. HBO just doesn’t miss the mark. It reminded me a little of my beloved Valerie Cherish, but maybe a little more realistic with a little more drama.
donation matching
With all the horrible events unfolding around the world each day, it’s important to help the doers keep doing. We’ve been donating to World Central Kitchen who is on the ground in Louisiana helping to feed people without power as well as helping feed the new Afghan refugees. I was reminded that my husband’s company will match donations of $25 and over to any registered non-profit. I made sure to register all of our recent donations and was able to double them.
It’s an easy thing to overlook if you aren’t used to making it a habit. So I encourage you to check your handbook or ask HR if your employer matches donations. It’s free money that you can put to use at the organizations that matter most to you.
infuse cleaners from target
When we moved into our apartment, we worked to not buy things that are single use. We’ve used Swiffer cleaning products for a while and we wanted something that doesn’t get thrown away. I know there are lots of online options available, but we wanted something we didn’t have to order online and could get right away.
We found the Infuse products at Target and they have been a good first step. The cleaner comes in smaller concentrated liquids with less packaging and reusable pads. It’s not perfect, but it allows us to stop throwing away mop pads every time we clean the floor. We can pick up the refills when we need it and we don’t need to order it to be shipped.
The guncle by Steven Rowley
This was one of my favorite books of the summer. If you want to hang on to that summer feeling, grab this book and let yourself be transported to Palm Springs to hang out by a pool and follow the story of an uncle and his niece and nephew that are learning how to navigate some tough stuff. I just loved the way the author tells the story and there were so many times in the book that I just wanted to be in the story with them.
Read my last book round up here for more ideas.
A Few More Recommendations from the Group for Things to Try in September:
- These premium CBD products come highly recommended (especially the tinctures). Get 30% off using this link.
- This toddler sweatshirt is colorful and comfortable and I wish they made it in my size, but I know a few kiddos that will be rocking it this fall.
- Facebook Marketplace is a gem if you are looking for furniture or trying to get rid of furniture. If you’ve been sleeping on this resource, you’re welcome. Especially if you’re looking for back to school items or clearing out last year’s winter clothes that your kiddos have grown out of.
- Disney+ is one of the few streaming services where you can purchase an annual subscription and save money. You’ll have access to all your favorite Disney movies, plus a collection of new shows that you didn’t even know you needed. It definitely isn’t just for kids.
- This article covered the idea of embracing the calm and the chaos in life. I think just reading about the struggles that other people face help me feel like it’s not just me.
Share your recent discoveries, so we have some new things to try in September.
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