I feel like I say this every month, but really, how are we heading into November already? The days seem to have flown by in a mix of work, homeschooling and the first little hints that Christmas isn’t too far off. It’s been a lovely month all round, with a few new finds and simple moments that made it feel extra nice.
Here are my Likes and Loves for October.
A Gluten-Free Treat
One of my food loves this month has to be spotting the new launch by White Rabbit: they’ve introduced three new gluten-free recipes, and it feels like a small victory for anyone looking for fuss-free, really tasty free-from options.
What makes it extra special: White Rabbit crafts all their dough and dough-based products in a dedicated gluten-free bakery in Oxfordshire, so everything in this range is completely gluten & wheat-free.
The new trio features:
- A thin & crispy sourdough pizza with Chicken & Chorizo,
- A sourdough pizza with Prosciutto Ham & Mushroom,
- And their fan-favourite gluten-free Doughballs with roasted garlic & herb butter.
They are so yummy and warming. The kind of food you want at the end of a busy week isn’t it! I love that they’ve kept the authentically indulgent pizza-and-doughball vibe, but made it accessible for those with special dietary requirements.
A Bit Of Quiet
At the bottom of our garden, there’s a small patch of woodland that feels a bit like my own secret garden.
There’s a quiet stillness down there, and I often make a cup of tea and disappear there for a bit of peace and quiet. It’s becoming my favourite place to chill out while the kids run riot with Craig. There are hedgehogs down there at the moment, so I didn’t want to go charging in with a camera.
Getting Ready For The Pressie Wrapping Marathon
This month, I’m all about getting into the festive spirit with Danilo’s amazing Christmas cards and gift wrap! They’ve got loads of lovely card multipacks and gorgeous wrapping paper to choose from, perfect for getting your gifts looking extra special. The designs are so fun and festive, there’s something for everyone. If you’re starting to tick off your Christmas list, definitely check out Danilo for your cards and wrap this year!
A Lush Smelling Home
I’m new to Purdy & Figg, but I’m already a total convert! Their new Frankincense & Myrrh Christmas fragrance is amazing and perfectly festive. What really impressed me is how much care goes into their products: over 4 years of research and development, 670 plant-derived ingredients tested, and 200 natural essential oils trialled, all crafted in one small-batch UK manufacturing plant. The result? A powerful, patented cleaner that smells incredible and is safe to use on all surfaces. I also adore the stylish reusable glass bottle; it looks really stylish, and their handy subscription service means I’ll never run out. A gorgeous, sustainable way to make cleaning feel a little bit luxurious this Christmas!
Delicious Breakfast!
Little Rollas from Rollagranola is a super-tasty granola made with little tums in mind. It’s wholesome, kid-approved, and packed with crunchy oats, real nuts and seeds, plus naturally sweet flavours like cocoa, berry and vanilla. Designed to keep hungry kids fuelled right through to lunch, it’s handmade in the UK, gluten-free, and made with no added nasties. A rare breakfast (or snack) that tastes great and feels good too! Perfect with milk, yoghurt, or straight from the bowl. Little Rollas turns “what’s for breakfast?” into an easy yes, and we highly recommend it.
Cans
One of my favourite finds this month has to be CANS. Cans is a beautifully simple drink that gets all the essential bits just right. It’s sparkling alpine spring water with real fruit, no sugar and no sweeteners. Their focus on good ingredients and clean taste really appeals to me.
I love how it fits into a busy week: popping one in the fridge means something small but enjoyable when you need a pick-me-up. Whether it’s late afternoon or a little something to enjoy with dinner, it’s become my go-to for a refreshing lift.
Not sure where to start? The CANS Starter Pack of Lemon, Cherry, Apple and Mango takes the guesswork out of it, and that’s the one I’ve been enjoying this month. It doubles up as a great gift idea too!
Readly
If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably got a stack of magazines waiting to be read or worse, the kids have got to them first. That’s why Readly has been a genuine treat this month. With unlimited access to over 8,000 magazines and newspapers in one app, it’s like having an entire news and magazine stand in your pocket.
What I love about it:
- Whether you’ve got five minutes on the train, a coffee break or a full-on cozy evening, you just open the app and go.
- It’s not just the latest issues either; previous editions are there too, so you can catch up when you’ve missed one.
- The family-sharing option means everyone in the household gets in on it (which is perfect when there are multiple interests and ages in one home).
So yes, this one is a big win for me this month. It makes those quiet moments feel more relaxed. Whether I’m flipping through a gardening magazine, catching up on some crochet ideas or simply browsing while sipping tea, Readly keeps the little “me-time” bits feeling super cosy!
Lost On Infinity By Steve Punt, Matthew Sweetapple And Elaine Sweetapple
Originally a hugely popular audio adventure complete with songs, sound effects, and voices, it’s now been turned into a beautifully illustrated book that brings the story to life in a whole new way.
Lost on Infinity follows Moog, a curious boy from Battersea, and his loyal dog, Rockford, who accidentally end up on a mysterious island called Infinity.
Infinity is a place that’s home to the last one of every extinct creature on Earth. From there, things get wild! They meet all sorts of strange and wonderful beings, like the tiny but fierce Cocklebur Ick, the enormous Herculous Bird, and the slightly grumpy, guitar-playing Registrar.
As Moog and Rockford try to find their way home, they uncover the island’s secret and a powerful message for the real world.
If you’ve never heard the original Rockford’s Rock Opera audio story, you might want to listen alongside the book (many links are included). It really adds an extra layer of magic.
Lost on Infinity is a story that sparkles with adventure and leaves little ones seeing the world in brighter colours.
Available on Amazon.
The Covert Buccaneer: A Novel By S Lucia Kanter St Amour
This is a story of two remarkable women, living a century apart, whose worlds quietly intertwine. In the past, we meet Theodora “Teddy” Ellis who’s a fearless trailblazer of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, breaking barriers as a miner, suffragist, and entrepreneur who boldly crosses into male-dominated spaces. In the present, there’s Georgina “Ellie” Benvenuto, a modern-day San Francisco lawyer and single mother navigating the challenges of raising a child with special needs in a world reshaped by climate migration. When Ellie discovers Teddy’s long-lost journal and a mysterious family heirloom, their two stories begin to weave together in unexpected ways.
You can check out my review of The Covert Buccaneer here!
More Crochet
I’m definitely catching up on crocheting. I’ve picked up my Christmas wreath project that I started last year. It’s a whimsical gingerbread village.
I got this idea from Natalie Beard‘s beautiful design on the Hobbycraft blog. I have crocheted a few more bits since this, so it shouldn’t be long until I stick them all on the wreath.
Halloween
We did the usual carving pumpkins and had a bit of a picky tea with some treats. We don’t trick or treat, neither did we get any, as we live too far out for people to walk around at night.
And after Halloween celebrations, I am now switching it up a gear and going full-on Christmas mode! Hehe.
How was your October?
We are always on the hunt for a good GF product, as well! My hubby is not a fan of most GF breads and crusts so when we find one we love we don’t forget it! So fun to see al the products available to you – those “Cans” sodas look refreshing and your crocheted gingerbread houses are adorable, Jayne!
Lots of fun goodies this month. I think the Lost on Infinity sound good. #MMBC
The White Rabbit products look delicious and how lovely to have that part of your garden which is so peaceful!
Those cards and wrapping is so cute, I do love The Snowman!
Those drinks do sound good, I think I would go for the apple one!
Aww! The gingerbread crochet houses are so cute! x
Your crochet village looks adorable! Your pumpkin carving came out great.
Is Pumpkin Pie 🥧 🤔 a thing in the UK?
I like the sound of the Purdy and Figg spray
I love Autumn! Anyone else? Autumn is our time to perk ourselves up and treat ourselves! Our senses are rewarded with the warm scents of cocoa, toffee apple and the wintry spices of nutmeg and cinnamon. It’s time to cosy up with friends and family under a lovely blanket watching our favourite tv or reading a classic! Mine is always David Copperfield by Charles Dickens at this time of year.
I’m jealous of you having hedgehogs. With a family dog they stay away.