The November Edit With Caroline

Every year I'm amazed at how quickly November sneaks up on me and it’s hard to believe that Thanksgiving is only a few weeks away. With the holiday season drawing near and colder weather settling in (we just had our first snow in New York!), this month's edition of "The Edit" has all bases covered. I’m starting to get excited for cozy nights at home and swapping out my wardrobe for cooler weather staples. It’s also a great time to reboot your wellness routine and think about gift ideas for those near and dear. So, here's what I'm currently coveting this November. 

Temperatures can fluctuate from day to day this time of year, and with a snowy day on Friday here in New York, it was a wake up call that I need to get my wardrobe in line. So, I’ve swapped in some cooler weather layering sweaters and multi functional outerwear. Lightweight turtlenecks are perfect for everyday, like this fine ribbed knit. It can be worn as is, topped with a statement cardigan like this or this, or for outdoor elements, this yummy coat. For an extra cozy sweater, I have my eye on this zip neck from Isabel Marant Etoile. The mix 'n' match options are endless and a stripe is always a closet staple, whatever the season. When it comes to denim, my favorite brand, Citizens of Humanity has the perfect skinny. If you buy one "trend" this season, it should be a combat boot and this one is the perfect balance of masculine and chic. Wear them with everything including midi length dresses and skirts. A new season calls for a new bag and I always choose bags that are timeless so I can have them on rotation year after year. This mock croc Jérôme Dreyfuss tote is perfection for it's shape, size and fabrication. It's also the perfect time to play with hats and scarves. Here are two favorites that I'm wearing regularly - the perfect felt fedora and this cotton bandana scarf, which can double as a face covering.

As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, Jeffrey and I have been brainstorming meal ideas. Last year, we had a festive gathering on a friend's patio and Jeffrey cooked a couple of his vegetarian specialities. This year, I'm excited to page through some new cookbooks and add them to the lineup. The Nimble Cook is a fresh take on home cooking, featuring simple, economical strategies that turn basic dishes into extraordinary ones. And the James Beard Award Winning Six Seasons is a must for vegetable lovers. It features recipes that highlight an array of vegetables throughout their growing seasons. Now is also the perfect time to take inventory on kitchen tools. My staples are these measuring cups and spoons, a gold rimmed cookie plate, a glass cloche for serving dips or cheeses, and my trusty DIANI apron. I'll also be stocking up on fine sea salts and reusable bags for those extra grocery store runs.

I've been giving my wellness routine a bit of a reboot and incorporating more seasonal practices. I've swapped my fruit smoothie for warm coconut milk with our Moon Juice Sex Dust and Sun Potion's Green Adaptogen. And, last week I shared a new favorite pumpkin soup. And what’s better at this time of year than a nice, warm bath? I've mentioned this magnesium bath soak before and it's hands-down my absolute favorite soak. It's infused with CBD for an extra dose of relaxation and really helps with achy joints. Sometimes I'll add a little softening floral soak when my skin is feeling parched. To keep dryness at bay, I also like to use this handwoven agave cloth in the shower and add an exfoliating coffee body scrub to my routine. A soft, silky robe is a pampering must, and this one is my favorite. And we just added new fuzzy slides to our assortment which are perfect for cozy nights at home, post workout or pedicure. Speaking of... my go-to shade this time of year is Bite Your Kiss. It's the perfect holiday season shade to wear with everything, plus it's vegan and non-toxic.

The holidays may be a little different this year, but sending something special to the people you are thankful for is always a good idea. Who doesn't love a candle? Whether its our DIANI "Mazuri" candle (Swahili for beautiful), our seasonal pumpkin candle, or our beeswax rope candles, you can't go wrong. Gifting food? It's always fun to add a dish to go along with it like this cookie plate with a fresh baked batch of homemade cookies. You can also package them in our signature DIANI cookie box. Another thoughtful way to say thank you is to gift a beautiful home piece, like this dandelion paperweight, a set of signature DIANI organic natural dye napkins, made by yours truly, or a hand-printed flour sack dish towel.   

As we come into the season of gratitude, I want to thank you once again for following along and supporting DIANI. I love curating and sharing my favorites with you all. I also love hearing from you, and what you're loving from DIANI. Please feel free to comment below. Unfortunately this format doesn't allow me to reply to comments, so if you would like me to reply, please email me at caroline@dianiliving.com. I always look forward to hearing from you!