(Belated) September favorites

September has ended, supposedly ushering in the beginning of fall. In the Gulf South, the air still feels like warm pudding—no charming flannels, boots, and apple picking here. Just yesterday we ordered ginormous snowballs to cool off a bit. Yet it's still such a wonderful season, with that beautiful angled fall light and football. Sweaters will have to wait for now, but here's a roundup of items I've been using and enjoying the past few weeks. (Also! Consider bookmarking this post for potential gift and stocking stuffer ideas.)

1. Non-toxic, delicious laundry soap: This month our water bill rose so significantly that we called out the plumber come check for leaks. Nope, turns out it's just the ten million loads of laundry we're running with sweaty kids who need school and sports uniforms washed constantly. But meanwhile, I love this laudry soap: it's non-toxic, which is non-negotiable for health reasons, works beautifully, and it smells divine. The fragrance is natural, non-headache-triggering, and lasts forever on fresh laundry. I also stock this stuff at our apartment and the whole place smells wonderful while laundry is washing.

2. Outdoor reversible patio mat: We have one on our patio and I'm could not be happier with how wonderfully it has weathered multiple Louisiana summers of thunderstorms and harsh sun in handsome style. It rinses like a dream and makes an ideal beach mat. You can also fold or roll it up to create a comfortable kingdom on the beach, then give it a firm shake to eliminate sand—so much better than sticky towels. Hallelujah.

3. Crew socks: Pro tip—if you want to pretend it's a "season" but you're stuck in swampy South, try some subtle shifts like trading ankle socks for these cuties. I have bought these twice, and I love the chic neutral palette, the perfect height, and the subtle but pretty scallop detail. So good.

4. Glass "forever" nail file: I cannot endorse the glass nail file enough. I first bought one about ten years ago, and it functioned beautifully until I shattered it a few weeks ago. This is the replacement and I love it, too. They file your nails easily and precisely, and with a little rinse, last forever. Never hack away at your nails with a janky file again.

5. Non-toxic deodorant: I'm not an easy customer for natural, non-aluminum deodorants. Most of them fail for me. But this one is a treat that I look forward to using. I love the fragrance and so far it's worked great through daily walks and workouts. Pro tip—I apply right after a shower before bed and then again in the morning, and that combo has been very effective. This is my favorite of the four scent options.

6. YouTube TV subscription: Not watching every NFL game is not an option in our house. Despite my endless grumbling over YouTube being the downfall of civilization, it turns out that YouTube is actually the best and most affordable way to catch sports. #WhoDat

7. Dashboard cover: This product has so many benefits—first, it covers our nasty melted dashboard (yes, melted... disfigured and melted), plus it reduces glare while driving and cools the interior by some kind of physics sorcery.

8. Silky hair ties: My daughter and I are enjoying these silky, satiny hair ties that are NOT giant, puffy, donut-sized scrunchies... hallelujah. These are more like the size of regular hair ties but in soft, slippery fabric that won't snag and pull. I also like these that are slightly more refined.

9. Best dry shampoo (French, of course): Warm weather bangs and roots need a great dry shampoo more than you think. This one is fantastic. Pro tip—I have found that dry shampoo is the best volumizer of all when you spritz and fluff your roots.

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