Thursday Things #139

Joy in leaf-form, a shirley surprise, an immediate re-order and a Christmas poll.

Every other Thursday, I share a handful of good things I'm loving, reading, watching, listening to or just discovered. AKA the random good stuff we’d talk about over coffee or text if we had one another’s phone number. I'm glad you're here!

There’s no way I can begin with anything other than pausing to take a moment for THIS:

Unreal.

Except, somehow, very much reality.

My gosh I love fall. I won’t be turning these into joy-full cut-outs like the leaves pictured below, but I did dance in the street for a minute like the grown woman that I am. (Dancing Through Life, anyone? 🎵)

Onto (more of) the good things for #139!

Words to (re)turn to.

ICYMI, I wanted to drop this link at the top: a little fall gift from me to you. <3

9 (Free) Fall-Themed Lock Screens

A surprise find.

My entire (large) extended family will vouch for this: when we’re at the beach for family reunion, I order a shirley temple at dinner. I mean, I am consistent. Year after year, decades now, this is my beverage of choice. (I care exactly zero percent when the waiter stares at me strangely, a grown adult woman confidently ordering a kids drink. Come at me bro, and bring extra cherries please.) It would be entirely understandable if my fam assumed I just order a shirley no matter where I go, but here’s the thing: I only get it at the beach. Aside from that week, if we’re at dinner you’ll always hear me order a water with lemon.

Now… this is a decades-long thing and I’ve never mentioned it online because it just doesn’t matter, you know?… EXCEPT NOW IT DOES because for my shirley temple gals, a gift has been given to us in the year of our Lord 2025.

Not all shirleys are the same, and my perfect ratio is not found within this can, but it’s a fun treat at the end of a long week. I’ve limited myself to only buying this once (unless you invite me to a party, in which case I’ll be bringing these, you’re welcome?) because I want the beach-week-shirley-week feeling to still exist. But for now, for Fridays, it’s a small but good thing.

(Do not @ me about the sugar content.)

(Let me live.)

Joy in leaf-form.

I’m almost positive I shared this account before, but if so it’s been several years and it still brings joy on a regular basis—so if you could use a little extra, follow along on Insta. (You should be able to view recent posts via the link above even if you don’t have an IG account.)

Immediate re-order.

Unbeknownst to me, the lid of the diet cherry limeade slush was very much NOT securely pressed down when the employee handed it through the rolled down window, and so last month I found myself standing in a Sonic parking lot, jeans ruined. (To say nothing about the state of the front seat, let’s not talk about it, we are dealing and cleaning over here.) (And re-cleaning.) My other go-to Sonic choice is not bright red, but as luck would have it on that cherry day, I stood there sopping wet, quickly trying to get the sticky and sweet stains out of my go-to light-wash jeans and the entire front seat of the car, while trying not to break down and cry. It was one of those days, during one of those weeks, you know?

The only reason I share this unfortunate moment: In my head, right there in the parking lot, I was already reordering the jeans.

They’re comfortable, affordable, and I wear them at least once a week. Sure enough, as soon as I got home, I did my best with both car and pants, scrubbed my little heart out, and then promptly opened the Walmart app to place an order.

Pick your day, but choose this candle.

Okay first of all, I want to know:

SHOCKER, we all know I’m the all-caps last one.

Paid subscribers saw me put the Christmas tree up earlier this month—earliest ever for me, but when you find a stunner of a tree at the thrift store, you load that baby up and bring it home and floof the branches and then sit and stare every single night like it’s a beacon of joy because that’s exactly what it is.

Judge away, if you wish, but we are finding joy where we can and sometimes it arrives as a box-less, tree-shaped surprise. (Remember that fun fact when my tree is still very much up in January. I’ve gotta find a box to store this big guy.) Annnnnyway, I’m not a Christmas-everything ASAP person—I’ll wait a while longer before listening to Christmas music, I don’t enjoy Christmas cookies, etc—but it’s always going to be a yes for me when it comes to:

1. Putting the tree up early

2. Lighting Christmas candles as soon as said tree is up

Enter: “Tree Trimming” by Darsee & David

It. is. so. good. It may be available elsewhere, but I always grab a couple at Hobby Lobby. Like everything in the store, if it’s not on sale this week, it’ll be 40-50% off next week. (Tip: if they’re still in stock during the big after Christmas sale, get one to have ready for next year and your future self will thank you.)

So, pick your decorating day. But if you like a Christmas tree scent that’s more earthy than artificial, choose this candle. 🎄🕯🎄

P.S. If you prefer other scents, I shared several $5 recommendations in the last edition of TT:

Thursday Things #138

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I’d love to hear some of your current faves or recent finds! Leave a comment below or, if you’re willing, tap the heart at the top or the bottom of this post. It’s an easy (free :)) way to help readers find their way to this corner of the internet, and as a writer I appreciate each heart-tap so, so much.

💛 Want a little extra encouragement this month? I put this together for you.