Our Tiny Nest

13 In Books/ Lifestyle

15 books to read this fall 2023

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Autumn is the perfect time to curl up under a warm blanket with a cup of coffee and nestle in with a good book. I’m sharing 15 books for your fall reading list. Whether you’re looking for a cozy feel good story, a fall romance, or maybe a darker, suspenseful thriller, there is something on this list for you. Here are 15 books to read this fall 2023. So grab a cup of pumpkin coffee (sharing my recipe for my pumpkin cold foam here) and get reading!

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15 Books To Read This Fall 2023

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna – This story is great if you are a fan of Practical Magic. The story follows, Mika one of the few only witches in Britain who has been forced to hide her magic and is an orphan. The characters are well developed and this is a heartwarming read.

A haunting on the Hill by Elizabeth Hand- If you loved The Haunting Of Hill House by Shirley Jackson or the Netflix series then this is a must read! A young playwright rents Hill House with her friends for her upcoming play. This is a great read for spooky season!

A Flicker in the Dark by Stacy Willingham– The main character, Chloe had her own father sent to prison when she was young after he confessed for being involved in the cases of 6 missing girls. Now years later, Chloe is a successful psychologist getting ready to walk down the aisle when another young girl goes missing.

The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling– This is a cute, witchy love story with some spicy scenes. Years ago, the main character Vivi puts a curse on the man who broke her heart. But then, he comes back, as a Welsh hottie and there is undeniable chemistry. Grab a pumpkin spice martini and read alone 🙂

Final Girls by Riley Sager – Quincy becomes part of a group known as “The Final Girls” by the media after she goes on vacation with her friends and ends up being the only one alive. Years later, one of the girls in the group winds up dead, and the other ends up on Quincy’s doorstep forcing Quincy to relive those traumatic events that happened years ago.

Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekulak – Ok I finished this one in 2 days. Mallory is fresh out of rehab and takes a job as a nanny for a young boy, Teddy who loves to draw. Teddy’s drawings begin to get more and more dark and Mallory begins to think that there is a supernatural force at play and needs to save Teddy before it’s too late.

Haunting of Adeline (Cat and Mouse Duet) by H. D. Carlton- This one comes with a strong trigger warning. It is dark and touches on several sensitive topics and graphic sexual scenes. It was previously banned on Amazon so obviously I had to read it.

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern – Two young magicians must battle it out but little do they know that there can only be one standing. However the duo soon finds themselves falling in love. The reviews on this one were mixed but if you like fantasy and magic this might be for you.

The Year of the Witching by Alexis Henderson – A story that weaves witchcraft, feminism, and religion. This would be great for fans of the Handmaid’s Tale.

The Pumpkin Spice Cafe by Laurie Gilmore – a cozy romantic mystery that takes place in a small town and the author’s last name is Gilmore. Say no more. Add this to your fall reading list especially if you’re a Gilmore Girls fan.

The September House by Carissa Orlando – Margaret and Hal are a married couple who just move into a beautiful Victoria house, what they think is their dream home. But suddenly they find out it’s haunted, and every September the ghosts that inhabit the home appear. Margaret is determined to stay as it is her house but her husband Hal suddenly leaves abruptly and can’t be contacted.

The Invisible Life of Addie Larue by V. E. Schwab – Addie makes a pact on the eve of her wedding to live forever and ends up being cursed for 300 years with no one able to remember her. Centuries later, Addie falls in love with the owner of a book shop who has a story of his own.

The Only One Left by Riley Sager – This is Sager’s second book on this list. The premise of this one reminds me a little bit of the Amityville House. One night in 1929, a family is murdered in their house on the Maine coast. Lenora is the only one who makes it out alive and for years people assume she was the killer. Fast forward years later, Lenora is confined to a wheelchair and mute after a stroke. She decides that it’s finally time to tell her story to her nurse.

House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig – the reviews say this is equal parts gothic and fairytale and for those who loved the series Yellowjackets. Annaleigh lives in a manor by the sea called Highmoor with her eleven sisters. Sister after sister suddenly dies, and Annaleigh begins having visions that what may have been thought to be an accident maybe wasn’t at all.

The Cottage on Pumpkin and Vine by Kate Angell, Jennifer Dawson & Sharla Lovelace – The Cottage on Pumpkin and Vine is a cozy little B&B in Maine. This book interwines 3 stories of 3 couples who come to the B&B for their annual Halloween party.

13 movies to put you in a cozy fall mood.

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September 21, 2023 By Nicolle

21 In food/ Recipes

Apple and brie flatbread with hot honey

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Crisp apples, with creamy brie, sweet caramelized onions, and hot honey are all baked to perfection on a crisp flatbread and topped with arugula that will have your mouth bursting with deliciousness.

It’s apple season! And the ladies of the Cozy Creative Collaborative and I have gotten together this month to bring you some warm and comforting apple recipes. I love apples paired with brie cheese, I think it’s a great fall combo. So I decided to make these apple and brie flatbreads with hot honey. These are a quick appetizer or my favorite way to enjoy an upscale pizza in the fall. Bake them in the oven or enjoy on the grill!

If you are coming over from Kelly at The Tattered Pew, doesn’t her simmer pot look amazing? I love doing simmer pots and I bet hers smells incredible! I can’t wait to try it!

Now here is my recipe for my apple and brie flatbread with hot honey.

Apple and brie flatbread with hot honey

We do family pizza night in our house every Friday. We love to make our own personal pizzas with Naan flatbread. I always top mine with arugula and usually a drizzle of balsamic glaze because it’s sooooo good! For fall I like to switch it up and do apple and brie on my flatbread. I still top with my arugula but I recently discovered this hot honey and it’s a game changer! I think you will love my recipe too!

Ingredients:

1 onion, peeled and sliced thin
butter
1 wheel of brie, cut into chunks
2 apples, sliced thin (I used granny smith and honeycrisp)
Naan flatbreads
Arugula
Hot honey (this is the one I used and it’s so good!)

Directions:

1.) Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

2.) Start by making the onions first as this takes a bit of time. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt some butter and add the onions. Turn the heat down to low and allow to saute until they are cooked and slightly golden brown.

3.) Line a baking sheet with some parchment paper and lay out the flatbreads.

4.) Drizzle the flatbreads with some olive oil and then add the onions on top, spreading out evenly.

5.) Top with the sliced apples and chunks of brie.

6.) Bake in the oven for about 10 minutes, or until the brie is melted and the flatbreads are golden brown.

7.) Top with some fresh arugula and drizzle with hot honey.

Enjoy!!!

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Apple and brie flatbread with hot honey

Naan flatbreads are topped with caramelized onions, sliced apples, gooey brie, spicy arugula and drizzled with hot honey. This is a great fall appetizer or even perfect for a more upscale pizza night! These flatbreads can be baked in the oven or even on the grill!

5 from 2 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 10

Course Appetizer, Main Course

Servings 1 flatbread

Ingredients

1 onion peeled and sliced thin
butter for sauteing
1 wheel of brie cut into chunks
2 apples sliced thin
1 Naan flatbread
Arugula for topping
hot honey for topping

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
Start by making the onions first as this takes a bit of time. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt some butter and add the onions. Turn the heat down to low and allow to saute until they are cooked and slightly golden brown.
Line a baking sheet with some parchment paper and lay out the flatbreads.
Drizzle the flatbreads with some olive oil and then add the onions on top, spreading out evenly.
Top with the sliced apples and chunks of brie.
Bake in the oven for about 10 minutes, or until the brie is melted and the flatbreads are golden brown.
Top with some fresh arugula and drizzle with hot honey.

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Banana split apple nachos

Apple pie dip and pie crust cookies

Apple pear sangria

Next head on over to Heidi and check out her apple butter recipe!

More Apple Inspiration from The Cozy Creative Collaborative

September 19, 2023 By Nicolle

3 In Nesting

Nesting

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Nesting on this chilly September Sunday morning.

I’m just gonna say it. Meg Ryan is officially the queen of fall. You know how we coined Diane Keaton and Meryl Streep as the ultimate coastal grandmother? Well Meg Ryan is the queen of fall and I’m here for the Meg Ryan Fall Aesthetic.

This week NSYNC officially announced what all fans were secretly hoping for and reunited for a new song. Does this mean that a comeback concert is happening? I saw this thing that said “if your year of birth doesn’t start with a 1, I’m gonna ask that you just sit this one out and allow us to live out our fantasy” and I completely agree!

I used to have a jean skirt just like this and I’m pretty sure it was from the Delia’s catalog. It looks like they are making a comeback. Are the 90’s back???

It’s the start of apple picking season and can I just say apples and brie is one of my favorite combos?

I’ve got an apple and brie recipe coming up next week so stay tuned if that’s your thing!

Speaking of the blog, this is what’s been happening lately:

I shared my recipe for these pie crust cookies with apple pie dip.

I started a new weekly segment called Monday Must Haves. You can see all of last week’s finds here.

These puff pastry egg muffins are a great make ahead idea for week day mornings.

I shared these 13 best movies to get you in the mood for fall.

My picks for these super cute and fun Halloween pajamas for the kids on Amazon.

I also shared my easy homemade pumpkin spice creamer recipe. It’s way healthier than the stuff you buy at the store.

What I’ve been watching and reading.

Season 5 of Virgin River is back and I’ve already binged the first 10 episodes. There’s more to come right in time for the holidays.

Hidden Pictures – a suspenseful read that I finished in 2 days!!!

Haunting Adeline – this is the first in a two part series and comes with a very strong trigger warning. It’s dark, sensual and graphic.

Here are some of my favorite finds on the web this week:

This chai zucchini loaf looks incredible doesn’t it?

We’ve talked about drying your hydrangeas for fall decor but this hydrangea garland is just beautiful.

I saw this on Instagram and thought it was the cutest way to upgrade a family photo for Halloween.

This is a fun way to make pizza for a Halloween party.

And last but not least, here is your cue to host a fall bonfire party.

Sign up below for access to my fall bucket list and free printables and never miss a single post!

September 17, 2023 By Nicolle

8 In Lifestyle

13 movies to put you in a cozy fall mood

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As the leaves start to change and the weather gets a little cooler, it’s the perfect time to curl up in a comfy blanket and have a movie night or afternoon. There’s no denying that autumn just evokes a certain feeling. I’m sharing 13 movies to put you in a cozy fall mood.

Cozy up with a mug of my pumpkin spice hot chocolate (linking the recipe here) and get streaming.

13 movies to put you in a cozy fall mood

You’ve Got Mail – “Don’t you love New York in the fall? It makes me wanna buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address.” This one is sure to make you feel all the autumn nostalgia especially with Meg Ryan’s cozy wardrobe.

When Harry Met Sally – Practically every scene contains the golden colors of fall foliage as Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal walk through New York. This movie is a whole autumn aesthetic with the smooth jazz in the background.

Hocus Pocus – this is a family classic featuring the famous Sanderson sisters in Salem, MA.

The Craft – a group of high school girls in Los Angeles form a coven and grow rich with their powers. Ultimately, their powers lead them to suffer some consequences.

Practical Magic – 2 sisters and witches (Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman) live in Massachusetts with their witchy aunts. The scene where they are drinking margaritas at midnight and dancing in the kitchen is my favorite.

Autumn in NY – the title says it all. This one stars Richard Gere and Winona Ryder and is a story about how an older man falls for an younger woman with a chronic illness and their affair lasts the season.

Twilight – Vampires, warewolves, a tale of romance and a darker aesthetic make this a great choice for a rainy afternoon.

Mona Lisa Smile – This one takes place at Wellsley College in the 1950’s, giving some true September back to school feels. This one stars Julia Roberts as the new art history teacher who brings along some progressive ideas that will challenge the girls about feminism.

Harry Potter – the Halloween feast at Hogwart’s with all the floating candles and jack o lanterns will put you in the mood for the Halloween season. Binge the whole series.

Good Will Hunting – Set in Cambridge, MA at an ivy league college, and the famous scene where Matt Damon says “how do you like them apples?” It’s only right to watch this movie as the leaves begin to change and during apple picking season.

Sleepy Hollow – Whether you’re in the mood for a spooky movie or just to stare at Johnny Depp, this one is about a police officer who is sent to Sleepy Hollow, NY to investigate a string of murders by the Headless Horseman.

Little Women – Between the fireside, snug tweed outfits and the bonds between the four women, this will make you feel all warm and toasty inside.

The Sixth Sense – If you’re in the mood for suspense and a psychological thriller this is a classic. Bruce Willis plays a child psychologist who helps Cole, a young boy who can see dead people.

The Village – this one is for lovers of a good thriller. An Amish style community doesn’t dare enter the woods that borders them for fear of “Those we don’t speak of”. But when a young girl becomes ill, the man who loves her takes a risk in hopes of getting her medicine.

If you have a favorite fall movie that’s not on this list, let me know in the comments!!

Must haves for the perfect cozy fall vibe