SO in the KNOW September | What I Learned & Loved Last Month

Our world moves pretty fast! It’s hard to keep up! But when you’re an empty nester, the last thing you want is to feel left behind or like everyone knows what’s going on but you 😬! That’s why, every month, I tell you what I’ve been learning and loving in my empty nest!

As always, this post reflects my real life! This month, we’ve started thinking about the holidays here at ENB National Headquarters. (AKA, my house in Dallas! 🤣)

If you can believe it, my assistant Beth and I are already working on the Empty Nest Blessed Holiday Gift Guides! Last year, we had over 1K items in 10 categories, and we’re looking to hit that mark again! (Most empty nesters buy for a lot of people!) If you’ve got anything that we absolutely must include, please send me an email at [email protected] and tell me all about it!

We’re also thinking about what to wear to holiday parties, how we can get ahead and stay organized as we host all the people for all the holidays, and how we can take care of ourselves and stay well at the same time! Keep reading to see what we’ve been learning and loving this month in our empty nests.🪹

As always, click the pink text links or any image (including the collages above or below) for more information.

What I’m Learning

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America’s Loneliness Epidemic

According to U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy, MD, our country is experiencing loneliness to the point at which it’s reached epidemic proportions. Loneliness is linked to heart disease, stroke, dementia, and premature death. His prescription: connection (even if it’s fleeting and with a stranger)! Niro Feliciano, author of This Book Won’t Make You Happy: Eight Keys to Finding True Contentment, says that friendly interactions increase the levels of mood-elevating hormones in our brain, which encourage prosocial behavior. (Translation: we’re more likely to be friendlier to other people if people are friendly to us!)

Do you find it hard to chat with strangers? I’ve been working on doing a better job of doing this lately! Here are a few things to try: (Be sure to make eye contact—if it won’t come across as creepy—and smile!)

• Instead of the rote “How’s it going?” or “How are you?”, try asking “How’s your day going?” Changing it up a little lets the person you’re talking to know you’re sincere.
• Compliment their outfit.
• Comment on their dog/baby.
• Commiserate about the line at the pharmacy. (Seriously! What’s up with that line, y’all?!)
• Don’t necessarily be deterred if they’re staring at their phone. (They may be the person who needs connection the most.
• If they’re doing a good job, tell them how much you appreciate it. (This works great with janitors, waitstaff, and more.)

Making someone’s day might make yours! 😁

What I’m Watching

I loved the Casting Crowns: Home by Sunday documentary on Amazon Prime. If you weren’t a fan of the GRAMMY-winning, multi-Platinum-selling group before now, you will be after you watch this!

What I’m Loving

1. Blackwatch Plaid Faye Blouse

Well, I told you we were in holiday mode! This gorgeous, classic blouse from one of my go-to brands put this blackwatch plaid blouse on sale in advance of the holidays! So sweet of them! It would be so elegant for a holiday party or wedding (untucked or tucked) when paired with chic black velvet pants or a long black velvet skirt. Not to mention, it’s a true classic, so you’ll have it for years!

2. Woven Scallop Storage Bin

With company coming, you may be looking for cute ways to store some stuff. I am! Whether you need a spot to stash the grandbaby’s toys, the magazines and catalogs you keep bedside to look at before you sleep, or the cozy throw blanket you keep by your favorite chair, this darling woven scallop storage bin is perfect.

3. Weekly Planner Notepad

This year, bypass the holiday stress monster by planning ahead, staying organized, and making sure you carve out time to take care of your health, fitness, and sleep needs! (At least that’s my plan! 😊) I love this new weekly planner pad from my pals at Joy Creative Shop! In collaboration with Girl Gang Wellness, they’ve created a darling to-do list that’s ideal to help you remember to prioritize your wellness this holiday season. (This coming from the girl who worked herself into Bronchitis last Christmas!)

Not only is there a weekly planner, but also a to-do list and a reminder to get your steps in, drink your water, get stronger, and have some fun, too! Each notepad has 50 pages and comes wrapped in a cello bag, so it’s gifting-ready! It would be a great Thanksgiving party favor, hostess gift, or pre-holiday gift for your BFFs.

Oh, and while you’re at the Joy Creative Shop website, be sure to check out their holiday drop! You’ll love the holiday gift wrap and gift tags from their collab with Shelby Parks from Parks Party Planning. Remember, you can use code ENB10 for 10% off your entire Joy Creative Shop purchase.

4. Smart Stainless Steel Water Bottle, Pill Organizer, and Medicine Reminder

So many senior adults have trouble with two things: drinking enough water and remembering to take their medication. If the seniors in your life struggle, this combo water bottle, pill organizer, and reminder in one could be the perfect gift! With three built-in pill compartments with loud alarm reminders and an insulated stainless steel water bottle (for hot or cold beverages), this will help them (or you!) stay on track. Rechargeable with a USC charger.

5. Home Office Lap Desk

If you’ve ever been forced to stay in bed or on the couch with an illness or injury for an extended period of time, you’ve probably figured out how challenging it can be to work or watch something on a laptop while you’re sitting there propped up on pillows. My solution is this clever home office lap desk. With a built-in ledge for your computer, stand your phone, and even a precision tracking mouse pad on top and a plush dual bolster cushion on the bottom, you’re set to go. I use mine on Sunday afternoons while on the couch, watching football, and working simultaneously! See all the color options HERE.

6. All-in-One Portion Plate

Have you noticed that portion sizes seem to have increased significantly in recent years? You’re correct in your assessment! According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), portion sizes in American restaurants have doubled or tripled in the last 20 years, contributing to weight gain and other health issues. It’s not our fault! Our eyes have become accustomed to seeing larger portions, and we don’t know what the appropriate portion size is anymore!

The Portions Master all-in-one portion plate was designed by a group of doctors and nutritionists to identify the perfect portion size you need (so you don’t have to count calories) to reach a targeted weight. You set the plate to your goal weight and then fill the plate sections with the appropriate amount of protein, carbs, and fats. Learn more HERE.

7. Holiday Porcelain Mug

I told you we were thinking about the Holidays! 🤣 Smart shoppers know to take advantage of the after-Christmas sales to stock up on holiday decor, gift wrap, and more for the following year. If you didn’t do that after last Christmas, don’t worry! Rifle Paper Co. has discounted some of last year’s holiday gifts (including this beautiful porcelain mug) AND some of their gorgeous gift wrap. You can see it all HERE.

8. You’re Not Listening: What You’re Missing and Why It Matters

If you’re like me, when your adult kids recommend a book to you, you read it! If it’s called You’re Not Listening: What You’re Missing and Why It Matters, ummmmm, you definitely need to read it.😬🤣

I’m pretty good at talking and speaking to groups. I’m fairly okay at TV interviews. I get asked to be a guest on podcasts fairly often. (Listen to me on the Pep Talk & Pickleball Podcast this month HERE.) I’m also very good at interrupting (just ask Bob)! But I know I need to work on my listening skills.

Law schools teach their students to argue cases using their words, but as an attorney, my son Connor says he’s found that the most helpful thing he can do is listen well. We all need to be better listeners. This book can help.

9. Bath & Body Works Assorted Gentle Hand Soaps

We all know we’re supposed to wash our hands (vigorously for 20 seconds) regularly, but according to a 2023 survey, handwashing rates have dropped 30% over the last three years😲, and they’ve returned to pre-pandemic levels! To get your numbers back up (and get your bathrooms company-ready for the holiday season), try this assorted pack of five 8 oz soaps from Bath & Body Works! While washing, inhale deeply, and tell yourself it’s a “self-care” moment.

10. Leather Bucket Handbag

It’s not a mistake that there are three handbags in this post! They’re all here for different reasons! This leather bucket handbag is just a fabulous Amazon find that I couldn’t wait to share with you! At 7″x 5″x 7″, it’s perfect for essentials like your phone, lipstick, your keys, and a small wallet. It comes in 23 colors, and I think the gold hardware looks so high-end! I just ordered it in “Reddish Brown” (which is a caramel color). It’s a steal at under $35!

11. Everywhere Belt Bag

Oh, y’all! The Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag is an ENB Holiday Gift Guide best-seller every year. It sells out at Lulu every year, and at just $38, it’s no wonder! The price point, trendiness factor, and ageless style make it a great gift! Right now, it comes in 20 cute colors, and the stock looks plentiful, so if you want it in a specific color, I would act now!

My 27-year-old has one in black, but I just texted her to see if she’d like one in a fun color for Christmas! (I’m hoping if I get it now, she’ll forget about it by December 25! 🎅😂)

12. Clear Crossbody Bag

If your game day bag looks tired, this clear crossbody Target find might be just the replacement you’re looking for! It’s a perfect neutral for any game day look, and with its detachable straps, it would be easy to add a sequin purse strap to truly make it your own!

13. 3-Way Convertible Olive Tree

Getting your home ready for hosting this holiday season? There’s nothing quite like foliage to warm up a room inexpensively. This lifelike polyester Olive tree can be tall or short! Rearrange the branches to take it from 5 feet to 3 feet, and even smaller into a tabletop-size shrub! Convertible trees that are also available include ficus, fig, eucalyptus, and even a rubber tree! See them all HERE.

I hope you’ve had a great September! It’s hard to believe that October is here, and we’re on the slow slide to the holidays! I’m so grateful for each and every one of you. Thank you for sharing this little corner of the internet with me and our little community!