October feels like one of the fastest-moving months every year. It’s such a pretty time, and in recent years we’ve gotten some great warm-weather days before the temperatures drop. This month was a busy one in all the best ways!

In-Laws in the Big Apple

It’s always fun having visitors, especially this time of year. We had so much fun with my in-laws, and were able to do a lot in a few short days. Some highlights include drinks at The Bowery Hotel lobby, dinner at Grand Central Oyster Bar, walking the High Line, and drinks at The Wall Street Hotel!

BoogieManja Sketch Show

In early October, my sketch team, Dad?, had a show at Second City. I missed our previous show due to COVID, so it was nice to be there in person this time! Second City is a recent addition to the New York City comedy scene, despite being a longtime, legendary institution. The Williamsburg-based theater is top-notch and has a full bar!

The sketch group I’m in is part of a larger sketch comedy collective called BoogieManja, which has been around for over a decade. If you’re in NYC, see our next show Thursday, November 20, at 9:30 p.m.! You can get tickets here.

A Must-Watch Documentary

Speaking of Second City, I Like Me, the documentary about John Candy, was released on Amazon this month. We watched it the first day it came out, and it was extremely moving. The documentary had me sobbing, and it was a beautiful tribute to a man who had a huge impact on so many. It chronicles John Candy’s early life and historic time at Second City and on SCTV, to his illustrious film career and experience co-owning a Canadian football team. As someone who writes and performs comedy, this film left a deep imprint on me.

Woodstock Wedding

My wonderful friend Bryanna got married this month! I was honored to be a bridesmaid as she married her sweet husband, Ben. Ben and Bryanna are amazing people, and I’m lucky to have met Bryanna through blogging years ago! We became fast friends, and I had her in my wedding back during COVID times.

They had a stunning destination wedding in Woodstock, Vermont, a town that is truly out of a movie. Since we’re East Coasters now (we jokingly think this sounds funny since we’re from the Midwest), we took the train to Vermont. The train was easy and enjoyable, two words I’d never use together for other modes of transportation.

The wedding was straight out of a fall dream. The atmosphere, the flowers, the ceremony and reception, and most importantly, the people made it a magical day.

Joe’s Birthday

Joe’s birthday happens to fall during his favorite time of year: fall. In past years, I always made him pumpkin cookies, his favorite thing I make. My mom and I started making these cookies around twelve years ago, and they’re a hit! At the top of the recipe printout, my mom wrote “AWESOME!!!” in Sharpie. The first time we made them, she did a little satisfaction shimmy, and I think the three exclamation points speak for themselves.

Joe sadly did not get his birthday pumpkin cookies last year, because I was overwhelmed after moving to NYC only a few weeks prior. He was begging for them this year, and I knew I had to deliver. I made a double batch and sent some to his work. Moments like this are when I really relate to Monica on Friends. She was always so happy when people ate and enjoyed her food, and I, of course, had to ask Joe about all the details of people liking the cookies. In my defense, I needed a little boost after an all-day baking affair!

Halloween 2025: The Freshmaker

Earlier this year, the incredible 90s-era Mentos commercials popped into my head. You really can’t shake that jingle once you hear it. I made a note in my phone that it would be a good Halloween costume. More specifically, it’s the commercial where a young guy is starting a new job and sits on a freshly painted white bench in his big, fancy business suit, much to the dismay of the kooky bench painter. Oh, no! His crisp black blazer is now covered in vertical paint lines. Things are looking bleak until this savvy man pops a Mentos into his mouth and realizes life is all about pivoting. What does one do next? Cover the rest of your suit in white paint, creating a DIY pinstripe! I like to imagine he went into his office building and got an immediate promotion to CEO for his ingenuity.

Anyway, I told Joe about this costume idea/nod to the 90s, and he was all the way in! It’s so great sharing a sense of humor with your spouse. We got our costumes together and knew we needed to recreate the commercial. I mean, we found the perfect wig to replicate this man’s perfectly parted 90s hairdo. It needed to be documented.

We filmed it on Halloween during a wild windstorm. It was so cold I could barely get the Mentos out of the sleeve to pop into my mouth, resulting in more takes than I’d like to admit. It was hilarious and fun recreating a piece of 90s cinema, and yes, Joe and I did watch our masterpiece close to fifteen times after posting it.

Please enjoy our Halloween Mentos commercial.

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Places We Ate

Living in one of the greatest food cities in the world is a gift. As someone who has constant analysis paralysis, the restaurant choices are a stressful gift. Do we dine at a place we know and love? Or do we opt to keep exploring and find new-to-us gems to add to our list? I feel this dilemma practically every weekend, but it’s a good problem to have!

• Sottocasa – This is one of the best pizzas I’ve ever had in my life. I’m a massive caper lover, but it’s rare to find a pizza spot that offers the small salty delights. Sottocasa appreciates the caper, as evidenced by their Romana pizza, which features tomatoes, mozzarella, ricotta, capers, and oregano. Whenever we eat pizza at home, I’m dousing my slices in capers. At Sottocasa, I don’t have to!
• The Mary Lane – Joe and I first dined here a couple of months ago, and loved it so much we brought his parents back. It’s a cute West Village spot that features wonderful farm-to-table dining. In addition to dinner, they also offer weekend brunch. Please, get the onion focaccia.
• Levant – Levant is one of our tried and true French favorites. We’ve been for dinner and brunch many times, and have brought numerous visitors here. Everyone loves it, and they have options for even the pickiest of eaters!
• Blue Ribbon Brasserie – This had been on my list for a while, and it did not disappoint! Opened in 1992, this energetic spot is a staple known for its late-night dining scene, where chefs often dine after finishing their shifts. The menu has something for everyone, but I was told they’re known for their fried chicken. That was all I needed to hear. I got the fried chicken and a shrimp cocktail. Perfection!
• REDCAN – When we visited Vermont earlier this month, we found this wonderful restaurant near our hotel. The restaurant is a 1920s Prohibition Era-style spot, and even features a speakeasy behind a bookcase! The food was incredible, and I especially loved getting to enjoy the butter board with homemade focaccia. As someone with a nut allergy, I usually can’t eat bread at restaurants, so I appreciate an establishment that makes their own!