Monthly Recap – October 2026

Good morning! I hope you all had a fun Halloween weekend! Ours started off rather busy but it was nice to have a rainy, lazy day at home yesterday with no plans and some much-needed downtime after a busy October. Here’s a bit of what we were up to over the past month or so!

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Around Town & For Fun

October completely flew by. Kurtis was gone about half of the month and I had an unusually full social calendar.

Rachel hosted a fun block print craft night for Marissa and I, complete with readers for all of our aging eyes and the dark, dreary weather. Rachel ordered these block print kits for each of us, which had everything we needed to create our masterpieces. It was a lot of fun!

The block print pad is essentially a giant rubber eraser type material. You first sketch out your pattern and then carve out the negative space, which is initially challenging to think about once you start. You can see my sketch below and then how it looked after I did some carving.

And here is how it looked on my tea towel. With a little more practice stamping and some carving clean-up it would have looked a lot better. I also didn’t love my paint color I mixed up, but it was still such a fun craft!

The middle half of the month was consumed with hurricane prep and the aftermath of Hurricane Isaias. I shared a big update post here if you missed it. This photo was the calm before the storm the night before.

Thankfully we didn’t have much damage, just a few hours on the front end moving all our furniture and then a few hours on the back end putting it all back out.

SOURCES: Outdoor Swivel Chairs (Perennials Basketweave in Sky) | Side Table | Coffee Table | Umbrellas | Chaise Lounge Chairs

The Monday afternoon after the hurricane, we drove down to 30A to check on our rentals, checked out a few towns like Alys Beach and Rosemary Beach, and then went to the Orange Street beach access in Inlet Beach (our favorite for sunsets) to look for damage. The dunes along the beach were definitely damaged, the sand was incredibly flat, and there were quite a few new sandbars, but there were tons of people out enjoying themselves which was nice to see!

Kurtis was out of town for almost half of the month. He first headed to Iowa to help his family after his dad’s hip surgery. From there, he drove to Omaha for a four day work event. Unfortunately, he got sick so had to spend that portion of his time in his hotel room. Once he returned here, my parents were here, and then they had the same first flight out while they went back to Utah and he headed to Philadelphia for a few days for work. His parents’ cat still remembers this game we used to play with her when she was a kitten, and even though we only see her once a year or so at their house, she never forgets and immediately play-attacks us 😉

With the aftermath of the hurricane, our golf lessons were cancelled for a bit. The volume of fallen trees is still being addressed, but they prioritized various areas to get them up and running again. So we finally were able to go back to class two weeks ago.

As it’s getting darker out so much earlier now, I love that the Christmas lights are on at 30Avenue whenever we finish dinner!

While Kurtis was away for those two weeks, I had no shortage of social activities. I attended two birthday parties, one for our little buddy Hudson that turned three. We gave him this camera at his parents’ suggestion and he seemed to really love it! I also attended Mac’s 14th birthday the following day at Chris and Rachel’s.

That Monday, I then met several influencer friends for brunch. It was my first time meeting Lori (who is an absolute doll) and the second time I had met up with Leslie (she’s so great), both of whom were in town visiting Josepha. Josepha, Katie, Rachel, Ashley and I are all locals. We had such a fun brunch at The Pearl with a lot of laughs. I wore this short-sleeve fair isle sweater.

The next evening, I hosted a girls night. Nearly all of the group above was able to attend, as well as about eight other ladies! It was a big group but so much fun to have everyone over to see the new house and hang out before Christmas decor arrived later in the week 😉

My parents flew into town that Thursday and we got to work first thing Friday morning until we waited for Kurtis to get home later that day. My dad helped us set up some of the bigger items that first morning. But I told him after that if people asked what he did in Florida he’d be able to respond “sit in the sun and eat poke bowls nearly every meal”. Ha!

We made an effort to not decorate the whole time they were here, and we made such a dent the first day, that we were able to only spend a few hours working each day after that. We also fit in a few days at the pool. You can see the roof still has some shingle damage at the workout facility.

We also spent an afternoon in Sandestin and Destin. We had lunch at Tommy Bahama and then hit a few shops they wanted to visit. We also tried another escape room and it was a lot of fun!

The last night they were here, we took the golf cart through the woods to Sharks Tooth to share another of our favorite places with them. I’ve been loving this field jacket on cooler days, and especially when we hop on the golf cart because it really helps break the wind!

Hawkeye decided my mom is his new favorite person. The iPhone is really making my new Christmas tree look extra sparkly and bright! It was so fun to have my parents in town and is always such a huge help when she’s here to help me decorate!

On Friday, Rachel and I had our first golf class play day. We weren’t able to attend the last several so it was fun to get out of the class portion and actually play! I got a random text from Kurtis saying “nice putt”. I didn’t believe he could actually see me until he sent video proof 😉 Our home is much more visible now through the trees after the hurricane ripped so many leaves off the couple maple trees we have behind our home.

Outside of a neighborhood party in Omaha in the past, I’ve never really looked forward to Halloween. But our neighborhood here is just so fun for kids and adults alike! Our friend Marissa hosts an early chili get-together before we all head out to walk the neighborhood. I pulled together a super quick outfit 15 minutes before we had to leave when Rachel said she had some cat ears and a tail I could borrow. So I used my eyeliner and some red lipstick to paint a face. We picked up Chris and Rachel and Chris came down in the tequila outfit Rachel wore last year. So I made Kurtis run home and grab my matching lime so they could recreate our look. He was thrilled 😉

We had planned an early tee time with Chris and Rachel yesterday morning, but the rain delayed our plans. So Kurtis and I enjoyed a lazy day home with really no plans. I made soup, he watched football, I started a new book and we just chilled out. Which was really nice after a busy weekend and month! It’s really starting to look like fall in our backyard – and I love all the yellow wildflowers that spring up this time of year! Also note our overflowing pool thanks to the 7-8″ of rain we got yesterday. I took this picture right before Kurtis started to drain it.

Our besties and goddaughters fly in from Omaha late this week so we’re excited to spend time with them over the next week! Before we know it, Thanksgiving will be here!

Recent Buys & Sales

Following are some sales from the weekend that have carried over and are still going strong! You can see my top picks in this post.

• AFLORAL has BOGO 40% off wreaths and garlands with code DOUBLEUP. You can shop their site here.
• AMAZON has a number of sales sitewide, including today’s daily deals. You can shop their site here.
• AMERICAN EAGLE is offering up to 40% off all tops as well as 40–50% off all jeans, pants and joggers. You can shop their site here.
• ANN TAYLOR is offering 30% off your purchase plus an extra 15% off $200+. You can shop their site here.
• ANTHROPOLOGIE has a number of new items in their sale section. You can shop their site here.
• AT HOME is offering 15% off your purchase with code AHTRH. I got these 4′ prelit Christmas trees for our back porch and love them so much! You can shop their site here.
• ATHLETA is offering 40% off daily spotlights plus an extra 30% off sale styles. You can shop their site here.
• BALLARD DESIGNS is offering 40% off select outdoor and 25% off everything else. You can shop their site here
• BANANA REPUBLIC has added a number of new sale styles. You can shop their site here.
• BAUBLE BAR is offering 25% off custom gifts. You can shop their site here.
• BEEK has a number of styles currently marked down up to 40% off, and you can also use my code LIFEONVIRGINIASTREET10 for 10% off eligible purchases.. You can shop their site here.
• BIRCH LANE is hosting a 48 hour Black Friday Preview sale with up to 60% off. You can shop their site here.
• BODEN is offering 15% off full-priced styles with code AX6V. You can shop their site here.
• BROOKLYN BEDDING is offering 30% off your purchase with code VIRGINIASTREET30. We have this mattress in our guest room and love it! You can shop their site here.
• CAMP SNAP CAMERAS has a number of bundles and offers available, and you can use code LIFEONVIRGINIASTREET for an additional 7% off eligible purchases. You can shop their site here.
• CHICO’S is offering must-have styles starting at $39. You can shop their site here.
• CRATE & BARREL is offering up to 30% off rugs, accent chairs and tables, and up to 60% off clearance. You can shop their site here.
• CURRENTBODY is offering 10% off eligible purchases with code CBSAST. You can shop their site here.
• DUFFIELD LANE has added a bunch of new sale styles. You can shop their site here.
• FAHERTY has new items recently added to their sale section. You can shop their site here.
• FRANK & EILEEN has a number of new items added to their sale section. You can shop their site here.
• FRONTGATE is offering up to 30% off holiday, rugs, and pillows as well as up to 40% off hosting must-haves. You can shop their site here.
• GAP is offering 50% off your purchase, including sale items. You can shop their sale here.
• GEOMETRY is offering 15% off your purchase with my code VIRGINIASTREET. We love their quick-dry dish towels! They are also offering free shipping on orders $85+. You can shop their site here.
• J CREW has a number of new items in their sale section. You can shop their sale here.
• J CREW FACTORY is offering 40-70% off everything, as well as an extra 70% off clearance styles with code LEAFY70. You can shop their sale here.
• J MCLAUGHLIN has added a number of new items to their sale section. You can shop their site here.
• LANDS’ END is offering 45% off sitewide with code MIDNIGHT. You can shop their site here.
• LEESA is currently offering up to 25% off mattresses. You can also use my code LIFEONVIRGINIASTREET75 for $75 off eligible purchases. We have this mattress in our bedroom and love it!. You can shop their site here.
• LINEAGE PROVISIONS is offering 15% off eligible purchases with my code LIFEONVIRGINIASTREET15. You can shop their site here.
• LOFT is offering 50% off everything and an extra 15% off almost all full-priced styles at checkout. You can shop their sale here.
• LULULEMON has added a number of new items to their sale section. You can shop their site here.
• M. GEMI is offering 15% off your purchase with my code LIFEONVIRGINIASTREET15. You can shop their site here.
• MADEWELL has added a number of new items to their sale section. You can shop their site here.
• MARK & GRAHAM is offering up to 50% off gifts, an extra 20% off select sale, and free shipping on 1000s of items sitewide. You can shop their site here.
• MARSHALLS has a number of deals sitewide and free shipping on $89+ with code SHIP89. You can shop their site here.
• MCGEE & CO. is offering free shipping on $150+ and has a number of new items in their sale section, marked up to 70% off. You can shop their site here.
• NORDSTROM is offering an additional 20% off clearance styles. You can shop their site here.
• NORDSTROM RACK is offering eligible Nordy Club members a one-time-use 20% off purchase offer through November 3. Clearance and designer markdowns are also available. You can shop their site here.
• OLD NAVY is offering early Black Friday deals starting at $8. You can shop their sale here.
• POTTERY BARN is offering up to 70% off during their Fall Sale, including up to 60% off furniture and up to 70% off bedding, rugs and decor; select styles also qualify for an extra 20% off. You can shop their sale here.
• REJUVENATION is offering an additional 20% off clearance styles. You can shop their site here.
• RUGGABLE has up to 40% off a bunch of items sitewide and is offering 10% off your purchase with code LIFEONVIRGINIASTREET10 for other items. We bought this rug for our back porch and love it so much! You can shop their site here.
• SALTYFACE is offering 10% off your purchase with my code LIFEONVIRGINIASTREET10. You can shop their site here.
• SERENA & LILY is hosting their Sale of the Year with best pricing and free shipping on everything! You can read a review of most of the items we own here. You can shop their sale here.
• SPANX has a bunch of new items in their sale section. You can shop their site here.
• SPARTINA 449 has added a number of new items to their sale section. You can shop their site here.
• SUMMERSALT is offering 50% Sidestrokes, one of my favorite swimsuits ever, with code SWIM50! They also have 50% off apparel with code VIP50. You can shop their site here.
• TALBOTS is offering buy one get one 50% off everything. You can shop their site here.
• TARGET has a number of home deals, including up to 50% off indoor and accent furniture, 30% off Threshold kitchen and dining items, up to 40% off kitchen items, and more. You can shop their site here.
• TJ MAXX has a number of new arrivals and deals available online and free shipping on $89+ with code SHIP89. You can shop their site here.
• TORY BURCH has a number of new sale items. You can shop their site here.
• TUCKERNUCK has a number of new items in their sale section. You can shop their site here.
• U BEAUTY is offering 20% off most items sitewide to new customers with my code LIFEONVIRGINIASTREET20. You can shop their site here.
• WALMART has a number of deals sitewide. This sweater blazer I own and love is on markdown for just over $20! It fits true to size, but a bit oversized, so if you’re between sizes, I’d go with your smaller size. You can shop their site here.
• WAYFAIR is hosting a Black Friday pop-up sale with items marked up to 70% off. You can shop their site here.
• WEST ELM is offering up to 60% off during their fall sale, as well as an additional 20% off clearance styles. You can shop their site here.
• WILLIAMS SONOMA is offering up to 50% off top brands for their cookware event, as well as an additional 20% off clearance items. You can shop their site here.
• WILLIAMS SONOMA HOME is offering an additional 20% off clearance styles. You can shop their site here.
• ZIIP is offering 10% off your purchase with my code SARAHXZIIP. You can shop their site here.

I hope you all have a great week!

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