Top Moments of October

Happy Friday!  It's the end of October, and what a crazy month it was!  This was definitely the busiest month I've had all year, so it completely flew by.  Today's post is going to be all over the place and a bit cray (goes along with the "theme of the month", eh?) - I'll be sharing some of my favorite moments of the month, some recent news that caught my eye, fashion favorites, and what I'm listening to.  Let's go!


Wedding in Tennessee

A huge highlight of the month was our trip down to Tennessee, and celebrating my future father-in-law's wedding!  I enjoyed getting to meet some people on Michele's side of the family, as well as spend time with Dan's family.  It was such an amazing weekend and the weather could not have been any better!  

Race x 3

I had three races this month, and they all ended up being amazing!  First up was Run Shadyside 5k, which I ran with Dan.  He ended up getting a huge PR in that race which made me so happy!  Next was the Towpath Half Marathon, where I finally broke 2 hours.  I was thrilled with that race and super proud for getting over that hurdle I've been struggling with for years!  Finally, I ran the Pittsburgh 10 Miler and took a few minutes off my time from last year!  What a great month!


REI Closing on Black Friday

This article made me so, so happy.  I used to be a huge Black Friday lover- my mom, sister and I would head out early in the morning after Thanksgiving to get breakfast and find deals at the mall.  Even if we didn't end up buying anything we always had a great time!  It's been really sad to see how this "holiday" has changed in the past few years- most places staying open on Thanksgiving day and so many injuries and deaths that I have no desire to support it anymore!  Seeing a company (especially one based in Pittsburgh) do their part to stop this makes me really happy and want to support them when they are open.  Hopefully other companies will follow suit!

Gilmore Girls Revival

Have you heard that Gilmore Girls is returning for a "final season"?  There are going to be four 90-minute episodes, with each set in a different season.  One of my favorite parts of the show was seeing the changing seasons: Lorelei dragging Luke outside to see the first snow flakes of the season, pumpkins and hay decorating Stars Hollow for fall...it makes me so happy!  I'm sad to hear that Melissa McCarthy won't be returning, and of course the show won't be the same without Edward Herrmann.  I'm still excited, and hope for a Rory/Jess reunion!


Fashion

top x jeans x boots
I love these wedge booties!  I wanted to show what they look like on the side, hence the awkward pose!

sweater x pants x boots
This is one of my favorite sweaters- it has faux leather details on the shoulders and is the perfect length!

cardigan x tank x skirt x tights x boots
This skirt is so comfortable and cute, but it wrinkles horribly!

Songs

Hora Zero  Rodrigo y Gabriela

Alexa and Mark danced to this song on Dancing With the Stars this week, and I immediately downloaded it.  I love any song with Spanish-style guitar, and this one is so interesting!  It has a slightly spooky sound to it-perfect for the Halloween episode!

Hello  Adele 

Everyone went crazy for this song as soon as it was released (hello...100 million views in less than a week!?), and I'm joining in the crazy!  Adele has such a unique, haunting, beautiful voice that's so full of emotion.  She's basically the female equivilent of Sam Smith!  Could you imagine if they did a song together!?

Break Your Heart Right Back  Ariana Grande 

I love Ariana Grande's voice, and this is a really fun song.  I love how it sounds so playful and light hearted..until you listen to the lyrics.

If I Ain't Got You  Viktor Kiraly

Viktor is one of my favorite competitors on the Voice right now, and I thought his Knockout round song was amazing!  Alicia Keys is one of my favorite singers and songwriters, and I've always loved this song.  I couldn't believe that Adam didn't pick him, but wasn't entirely shocked since he was paired with the incredible Jordan.  Thank goodness Gwen stole him!

All Night Long  Demi Lovato, Missy Elliott, Timbaland

How did I never know that Demi Lovato did a song with Missy and Timbaland?!  I mean, does it get any better than those three?  This song is so fun and I'm in love!



What's your opinion on Black Friday?
What are your plans for Halloween?
Was there one month that was crazier than usual for you? 


Linking up with Mar, Cynthia and Court 
as well as Heather!

Comments

  1. Mar @ Mar on the RunOctober 30, 2015 at 6:16 AM

    I stay as far away from shopping as humanly possible on Black Friday. That's a time for me to relax and eat leftovers! :) Good for REI. What a great month for you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunOctober 30, 2015 at 8:32 AM

      I agree! Leftovers are the best part of Thanksgiving food right?

      Delete
  2. NicholeOctober 30, 2015 at 6:29 AM

    I was thrilled to read about REI as well. I love REI! When I was younger I was all about Black Friday - I'd be waiting outside the stores at 3 am (this was back when they didn't open until 5 or 6... none of this Thanksgiving crap!), and enjoyed the chaos. Now that it's transcended into absolute crazy with the 24 hour sales and Thanksgiving day door busters and whatever it's lost the thrill for me. Also, it's harder for me to get out with 3 kids and the husband. lol
    I have to work from 4-midnight on Halloween this year. It will be the first year I'll miss ToT with my kids and I'm kinda bummed about it, but we'll keep the fun going all weekend somehow. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunOctober 30, 2015 at 8:34 AM

      Same here! I would always go in the morning with my mom and sister and it was a great tradition. We went to Penney's especially for the Mickey Mouse snow globes. My family would bring us all the ads to Thanksgiving dinner and tell us what sales were the best. Now it's just not fun at all and dangerous!

      Delete
  3. Morgan @ Morgan Manages MommyhoodOctober 30, 2015 at 6:41 AM

    SO excited for Gilmore Girls, and I love hearing everyone's predictions! I'm personally pulling for Jess as well!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Kristen @ See You In A PorridgeOctober 30, 2015 at 6:54 AM

    yeah i am not a fan of black friday either. i am more of an online girl. at home, we do a big shopping thing the day after christmas, boxing day (or the day after boxing day, depends on when it falls during the week) but if they ever decided to open on christmas, i wouldn't be down for it. anyway, i think if companies ask people if they want to work, different story. especially if they pay more and people decide to do it (i worked at target in HR a couple of years ago over the holidays and several people did not want to be at home for the holidays so were begging for those shifts) but forcing people to work on a holiday is not cool.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunOctober 30, 2015 at 8:35 AM

      Online is way better. I hope you share what you get! I love reading about other people's shopping :) I worked at Marshall's in high school and I always worked black friday, but we had regular hours and no sales so it wasn't as bad. No extra money either :(

      Delete
  5. Kristen @ See You In A PorridgeOctober 30, 2015 at 6:55 AM

    ps, love the booties!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Margaret @ youngandrungryOctober 30, 2015 at 6:59 AM

    I love REI's opt out! Just when I thought I couldn't love that company more.. Those outfits are so spot on! The fall is my favorite season for fashion. I hope you have a great Halloween weekend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunOctober 30, 2015 at 8:36 AM

      I agree with you! Now I want to start patronizing them more. Great business model! Hope you have a great weekend as well!!

      Delete
  7. LesleyOctober 30, 2015 at 7:17 AM

    I've never been interested in Black Friday, and companies hype it up to the extreme. That's why people are acting the way they are. Offer the deals online and spare me the drama, please. I put up Christmas decorations that day and watch movies. I might workout depending on how I feel.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunOctober 30, 2015 at 8:37 AM

      Most of the deals aren't even that great! I read a study that the typical sale isn't even more than any other holiday. Why the hype then? Your black friday sounds perfect!

      Delete
  8. UnknownOctober 30, 2015 at 7:35 AM

    I need to fly you out here to take me clothes shopping. I need help, and I loooove your style. I'm downloading all of those songs today! And Gilmore Girls is my absolute favourite show in the whole entire world. I'm so excited about this!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunOctober 30, 2015 at 8:37 AM

      I would seriously love that!! That would be a fun, fun weekend. Set it up!!

      Delete
  9. UnknownOctober 30, 2015 at 9:14 AM

    I love this post! It makes me so happy, because this month has been so crazy for me, and I needed the catch up. You definitely had a fantastic running October, loved that you got out of the city, YES to REI. I've become less and less of a shopper over time as well, unless we are talking groceries :D Now THAT would be my Black Friday!
    You know what I am excited about? The remix of Hello. Don't you know it will be great!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunNovember 1, 2015 at 5:59 PM

      You definitely had a crazy month! I always like to recap my month so I can remember those great moments, and I love when bloggers do it too so I can catch up! I wish Whole Foods or Trader Joes would do black friday..yes please :)

      Delete
  10. RachaelOctober 30, 2015 at 2:06 PM

    your phone case is super cute! love the colors

    ReplyDelete
  11. Laura NorrisOctober 30, 2015 at 2:54 PM

    I love REI! They're a local Seattle company and the flagship store here is one of my favorite places. Just when I thought I couldn't love them more, they close for Black Friday! It looks like you had a great month - congrats on all those PRs! Hope you have a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunNovember 1, 2015 at 6:00 PM

      There's another flagship in Pittsburgh that I love! Now I want to shop there more and support their great morals. Goood for them :) Thank you Laura!

      Delete
  12. HoHo RunsOctober 31, 2015 at 6:45 AM

    I've never been a fan of Black Friday. Honestly, I don't really like shopping! I know, I know. I hope I can do most of my holiday shopping online. Hello, Amazon Prime. You had 3 great races and an awesome month! That's a great pic of you two in TN.

    ReplyDelete
  13. UnknownOctober 31, 2015 at 1:18 PM

    I think it's great that some big stores are saying no to Black Friday. I think it's really sad that Kohls and so many others are open on Thanksgiving for a start to shopping. Give people one day to spend with their family at least.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunNovember 1, 2015 at 6:01 PM

      It's horrible!! I stop supporting stores like that around the holidays..it's just horrible and sending the wrong message.

      Delete
  14. lynneOctober 31, 2015 at 4:45 PM

    cute necklaces!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. AllthingsloveliNovember 1, 2015 at 4:30 PM

    I am beyond excited for gilmore girls... I was so excited to hear about this. Any idea when this is finally happening!?

    ReplyDelete
  16. Elle SeesNovember 2, 2015 at 3:48 AM

    what an awesome month!! seriously! and it flew by so dang fast, too. congrats on your runs for the month!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunNovember 3, 2015 at 7:38 AM

      It went by SO quickly! Thanks for the support Elle!

      Delete
  17. Devon | Devon Victoria BlogNovember 5, 2015 at 8:20 PM

    Congrats on your running PRs! That's really exciting. You were quite busy with races this last month! Keep it up!

    ReplyDelete

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