This post originally appeared in my newsletter, The Sophisticate.
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Something to Try
I came across this cute illustration of fall produce and it was a great reminder to prioritize seasonal eating that I thought I would share here! Fall is when I start eating more soups, stews, red meats, dark chocolate, generally anything that is fuller, richer, warmer, and darker, but I don’t always do a great job of taking advantage of all the fruits and vegetables that shine in the fall.
To serve as inspiration for myself (and maybe for you as well!) here’s a quick overview of the produce you might like to enjoy more of this fall. It will naturally vary a bit depending on the region you live in, but you get the idea. Bonus points for signing up for your local CSA or shopping at the farmer’s market!
Fruits & Vegetables to Try in Fall
- Pomegranate
- Apples
- Pears
- Figs
- Persimmons
- Cranberries
- Pumpkins
- Acorn Squash
- Spaghetti Squash
- Sweet Potato
- Kale
- Spinach
- Parsnips
- Turnips
- Beets
- Brussels Sprouts
- Artichokes
- Carrots
- Corn
Something to Know
I am (as I’m sure many of you are) a fan of brands with history. If it’s been around for a few hundred years, it’s more likely to pique my interest. Few storied houses can compare, however, to the lore of Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella, also known as the Pharmacy of Santa Maria Novella or the Ancient Apothecary of Santa Maria Novella.
More often referred to as simply Santa Maria Novella, this ancient perfumery traces its origins back to 1221, when it served as the apothecary of the Dominican convent of Santa Maria Novella. The friars prepared medicinal remedies here for the care of the sick in their community. As early as 1381, the brothers were selling rose water as a disinfectant.
The apothecary continued to grow in the centuries that followed, and expanded into perfumery in the early 1600s. It has since grown to be an internationally renowned purveyor of fragrances, soaps, and, of course, rose water.
If you ever get the chance to visit Florence, be sure to add this ancient apothecary to your list of must-see sites – it is a marvel of Italian architecture ranging from the 14th to 19th centuries. For those shopping from home, their rose water skincare line is a romantic and beautifully scented addition to your routine, and they offer a sample set of their most famous perfumes for a very reasonable price!
Three Good Things
First and foremost, The Sophisticate is not in the business of trying to sell you things you don’t want or need. This section is meant to share three things that have improved my life, and a little bit about why you might like them too.
These will occasionally contain affiliate links. If you click one and ultimately decide to make a purchase, I may earn a small commission of roughly 5-10%. If you want to shop using my links, great! Easy for you, teeny tiny paycheck for me.
However, it’s very important to me that you trust that I’m not just pushing links to make money, so if you’d rather purchase outside of my affiliate link, I completely get it! To do so, just be sure to shop from an incognito browser and type the product name into search rather than copy and paste my link.
That said, I hope you’ll find that some of these recommendations may be the solution to a problem you’ve been having, or are simply a fun little luxury to add to your daily life.
Maison du Chocolate Gift Box
Gifting season is right around the corner! Whether you’re shopping for friends or family or just picking out a treat for yourself, a gourmet box of chocolates is a classic choice that anyone would love to receive. I love the options from La Maison du Chocolat, a Parisian chocolatier available in the US that feels like a trip to the City of Lights.
Flexible Fish Spatula
A little bit random, but we recently added a fish spatula to our collection and have been shocked at how much better it seems to perform compared to all of our other spatulas. If you’re on the market for a new one, don’t be deterred by the name! We use this for everything from pancakes and cookies to steaks and, of course, fish.
Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse
I’ve written about my love for this oil before, but as the winter weather approaches, I’m including it here again for anyone prone to dry skin in the cold! It’s a multipurpose oil for your face, hair, and nails, but I like it best to act as a barrier before heading out into the cold.
Recipe of the Day
The Kir originated in Dijon, France and was popularized by Mayor Félix Kir in the 1940s as a way to use local white wine and crème de cassis when red wine was scarce during World War II. Naturally, the French found a way to make this already-tasty cocktail more glamorous by swapping the dry white wine for Champagne, creating the Kir Royale. Try it as an aperitif before dinner this fall!
Kir Royale
Tasteful Living, As Told by You
One of the things that inspired me to create The Sophisticate was reading what other women online had to say about taste, style, and living well. This section is dedicated to tips and advice submitted by you, The Sophisticate subscribers!
Send us a message on Instagram @sophisticate.newsletter to share your favorite little luxuries, healthy habits, or other tasteful tips with us and we may include you in a future newsletter.
“Logo-mania is not chic. I think I became much more stylish when I started choosing pieces that I actually liked, not just the ones that were recognizable from a high-end brand. I still shop from some of those labels, but I choose the items that are subtle, not loud.”
Allison, 33, St. Louis
Letter from the Editor
I have been so enjoying hearing from you all about ways that you eat, drink, shop, dress, and live well. If you have ideas to share or suggestions for this newsletter to improve, please do reach out!
I recently read an article on the decline of dinner parties in recent decades. On some level, I think we all knew they had gone out of fashion, but seeing the data was kind of startling. I came away with a renewed inspiration to host more frequently at home! If you’re looking for a sign to invite friends and family over more often, this is it. Don’t stress about making it an Instagram-worthy event, just focus on a great recipe you know well, good wine, a couple candles, and a great playlist in the background!
Abbie Leonardi
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