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Breakfast ideas, cozy fall books, and pretty lighting

This is Recs #110, featuring five fun things and answers to reader questions

Alisha Ramos

Oct 31

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This is the Friday recs post at Downtime, a weekly roundup of culture, books, delights, and things on my radar for my paying readers.

Happy Friday and happy Halloween! I hope you get to eat an ungodly amount of chocolate and treats today. We’re having our annual pumpkin-carving party with family, then supervising the trick-or-treating shenanigans. I’m excited to see all the costumes! (A very, very big shoutout to the fellow daycare parent who dressed their toddler as a Kirkland fruit pouch.)

I’m switching up the format today, and the meat of today’s newsletter, below the paywall, is answers to AMA questions from readers. Thanks to everyone who sent in a question!

🎃 I’m running a Halloween treat of my own: 20% off forever on annual subscriptions. If you’ve been thinking about joining as a paid reader, this is the perfect time to hop in and support Downtime. You’ll get access to today’s post (plus every future one), and lock in the lower rate for good.

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xo Alisha

10% of this month’s subscription revenue will be donated to Capital Area Food Bank, a D.C.-based non-profit that’s distributing food for federal employees and contractors impacted by the government shutdown. If you’ve been impacted, we’re thinking of you.

My husband made Sohla El-Waylly’s “Any Ground Meat Coconut Curry” this week and it was such a sleeper hit—quick, flavorful, and a little reminiscent of my go-to chicken larb, but with a cozy, soupy base that feels just right for fall. Our two-year-old said she “likes it” and then “all done” two bites later, so jury’s still out on the toddler approval...
Zadie Smith has a new book of essays out that I’m intrigued by; I love her writing and the way she thinks.
I keep seeing tortoise-shell candle vessels everywhere, and the whole look is quite cozy. I found some on Etsy and will be promptly burning a candle while reading a book under the blankets this weekend.
A small fall indulgence: Just painted my nails this color and it’s giving peak fall in the best way.
You’ve likely seen the viral J.Crew rollneck sweaters, but can you even handle these children’s versions from this Boston-based store?!

My answers cover book recommendations, my latest Etsy finds, the best brands for petite-friendly pants, IVF advice and thoughts, body changes from pregnancy, thoughts on career, and more…

Any cozy fall book recommendations?

Off the top of my head, You Again by Kate Goldbeck (romance), The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark (a classic), Heart the Lover by Lily King (recently released).

The NYT just released its list of cozy fall books, and also, this Downtime fall books issue from last year remains a strong list of book recs, imo.

I always love your Etsy finds. Have you found anything good recently?...

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