5 Things To Shop, Read, Try, Buy, and Make in November 2024.

But you know me, it's really more like 36+ things. Because I don't like doing things half-assed. Full ass or nada.

I was raised by a Midwestern father and pantheist mother, which means I worship at the temple of casseroles and vibes. Knowing this, it’s probably no surprise that I tend to lean on astrology when times are stressful. And while the astrology for November doesn’t seem to have a clear outcome on the presidential election, it is certain that we are living in unusual times, according to the stars. (Mars is in a pre-retrograde shadow, it’s in a tense opposition to Pluto, there was a new moon on Friday, and the United States is about to have the final moments of its Pluto return, which means Pluto is in the same place it was when the country was originally founded. Which is crazy. But don’t take my word for it; the Chani app breaks it all down in such an empowering way.) So what’s a nervous human to do? Vote, if you haven’t already, tell your friends that Kamala is the move, and make some comfort pastina* with me. 

And last, but not least, since the holidays are nigh, consider your shopping strategy now, so that you, like me, can win at giving presents.

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SHOP: Sephora Sale

I try to be very practical when it comes to the Sephora sales and leave all emotion at the door. This is about stocking up on tried and true favorites, and not about having my head turned by some flashy gift set. Right? Right. 

Also worth noting: The sale offers 20% off for Rouge members (ahem, me) through November 11th, so I’m going to buy stocking stuffers and presents now, so that I’m sorted for Mercury retrograde, which is November 24th through December 15th, and is sure to wreak havoc with holiday shipping.

So what are my essentials? 

My nearest and dearest are getting Hanni’s The Fatty Moisture Stick ($28 regularly, now 20% off). I wrote about the brand’s incredible Shave Pillow ($24 regularly, now 20% off) earlier this year, which I still really love, but as the weather is getting colder, The Fatty has become my go-to moisturizing product, especially for my feet. Am I the only one who ended up with super dry feet after pregnancy? (I feel like Ashley Madekwe is the only other person who has ever mentioned it, but I swear it has something to do with pregnancy because I never had dry feet before my kids.) Anyway, Hanni’s The Fatty Moisture Stick is now a non-negotiable part of my nighttime routine, and it has been a gamechanger for my feet, elbows, hands, and anywhere that’s particularly parched. I have one in my carry-on bag at all times too. That’s how much I swear by this stuff. 

I’m almost 100% of the way through this one! You twist it up from the bottom like a push pop, if you catch my drift. It’s nice because it’s super moisturizing but not greasy; you don’t get stains on your clothes or sheets. Great for your nails, too.

Also on my list: Anything by Makeup By Mario. As I mentioned last week in my story with celebrity makeup artist Joey Maalouf, we both love everything from this line. Other must-haves include: Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush (I love Joy, Happy, and Worth), Kosas Air Brow Eyebrow Gel, Dior Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Mascara, Ilia Balmy Tint Hydrating Lip Balm (I love Runaway), Charlotte Tilbury Rock N’ Roll Kohl Eyeliner Pencil (still the best for waterline because it never smears), Merit Day Glow Dewy Highlighting Balm (in Cava), Shani Darden Retinol Reform Treatment Serum, and Dr. Idriss Major Fade Hyper Serum Dark Spot Treatment (though all her stuff is great.)

One more shopping strategy idea: I mentioned a few years ago that one holiday season I upgraded all of my mom’s shower and skin products. I got her OUAI shampoo and conditioner, Crown Affair’s leave-in conditioner and brush, Necessaire body wash in eucalyptus and fragrance-free lotion, and Shani Darden face wash, plumping serum, and eye cream. I put it all together in a cute basket with a bow, and enjoyed getting updates from her for months after. My mom would never splurge on beauty products for herself, so it was fun to treat her to some of my favorites.   

READ: My November Stack

Hardly Strangers by A.C. Robinson

Liars by Sarah Manguso

The Life Impossible by Matt Haig

Estrogen Matters by Avrum Bluming MD and Carol Tavris PhD (2024 updated version)

The Night We Lost Him by Laura Dave

The Husband by Holly Gramazio

In classic HK form, this stack is a little all over the place, but with a smidge of precedence. The most important one is without a doubt Estrogen Matters, which I heard about from former Marie Claire editor-in-chief and current co-founder of Alloy Women’s Heath, Anne Fulenwider, when I interviewed her for Second Life. Anne is phenomenal (I wrote about my adoration of her M4 face cream earlier this year) and she said this was essential reading, so naturally I bought it. As someone who is in my mid-40s and nearing perimenopause, I assume, I realized I know less about this stage of my life than any other, and am trying to prep myself since lord knows most doctors aren’t well versed in the changes that come with the privilege of aging.

As for the rest, Hardly Strangers is the new one from Claire Mazur and Erica Cerulo’s 831 Stories imprint (more on their story here), and you know I love a good romance. I enjoyed Matt Haig’s last book and Laura Dave’s too, so picking up their latest books made sense. As for Liars and The Husband, I bought both at my local postal store, which also sells books (not online, hence no link) with handwritten reviews, and they seemed intriguing! So that’s my batch, and now the question you knew was coming: What’s on your shelf right now? 

On a side note, I’ve been giving some of my favorite recent reads to my husband. So far he’s read All Fours, Annie Bot, some stuff by Lucy Foley and Kate Quinn, and has Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow coming up next. He mostly reads non-fiction, so this has been a fun little project for us both.

TRY: Negative Underwear Whipped Henley ($125) in Black

I am always on the lookout for the perfect sleeping/layering/fun night-out type of slightly sheer shirt. Something that feels incredible on the skin, and can be used in a multitude of ways, to make the price per wear make sense. 

I regret to inform you that Negative Underwear’s whipped collection is heavenly for this, and it’s a regret because now that I have this henley in possession, I am fiending for more styles. It’s like the sexiest thermal underwear that anyone could ever dream of, and is sultry without trying too hard. I love it so much, I already have the super simple long sleeved t-shirt in my cart. (Editor’s note: I bought it after writing this.) I have the size medium henley, which is fitted without being tight or riding up. (I also might have bought a two-pack of the boy shorts, just saying.) 

BUY: Cozy Cardis

Whenever people ask me to write about my capsule wardrobe or essentials, I balk a little bit because to be honest, those essentials change a little bit over time. For example, as I’ve well documented my love of J.Crew’s cashmere shrunken crewneck sweaters, which I own in a small in almost every dark neutral color, and Gap’s very thin, lightweight, simple merino sweaters. And they are both forever staple in my closet. 

All of that said, that’s not what I’m obsessed with wearing right now. Right now, all I want to wear are cardigans. Whether they’re slightly shrunken and tucked into leather skirts or slouchy trousers or totally oversized and worn with slimmer silky floor-length skirts or straight-leg jeans, they just feel right right now.

If you’re in the mood for a cardi, I have a few tried-and-tested winners. Madewell’s open-knit cardi is slightly stretchy and pointelle-esque, perfect for a dinner date, and it happens to be on sale right now. I have it in a small. I am deeply obsessed with Doen’s Ida cardigan, which is a super soft wool-cashmere blend and has dark rhinestone buttons that are perfect for subtle holiday dressing. I’m planning on wearing mine with the brand’s sheer lace Nandi Skirt (I have a medium, and it’s a little bit; if you’re between sizes, I’d size down. You can wear a slip underneath if you’re feeling modest, as it’s completely sheer, but I’m just going to wear some boyshorts.) The Sebastiane lace skirt is lined, if you’d prefer. Reformation also makes a great lace skirt at a slightly lower price point, if you’re in the market.

Speaking of Ref, I love the brand’s cropped cashmere cardi, especially in camel, though the orange-red paprika is great too. Very Lady Danger meets Princess Buttercup red. Their regenerative merino wool cardi is also great for a very close fitting option; I have the gray in a medium.

I also still really love my AQUA x Liat Baruch (she’s Sofia Richie Grainge’s stylist) shrunken cashmere cardi, which is also on major sale right now. I have a small, which is perfect with a high-wasted skirt, as it’s quite petite. I have several AQUA sweaters, and I think they’re sleeper hits, so I also recommend the brand’s standard cashmere cardi, which is also on sale and comes in 12 colors, including a wonderful shocking pink, as well as an excellent bright red. 

MAKE: Pastina recipe from Here’s Your Bite

1 cup acini de pepe 

3 cups chicken broth 

2 T butter 

Salt and black pepper, to taste 

2 cloves garlic, grated 

Freshly grated parm, to taste 

Lemon juice 

Olive oil 

1. Bring your chicken broth, 1 T of butter, and a pinch of salt to a boil then reduce to a simmer. 

2. Add in your pasta and stir. Simmer for about 10 minutes, or until most of the liquid is absorbed and the pasta is tender. Stirring occasionally. 

3. Add in your remaining butter, garlic, parmesan, lemon, black pepper, and a pinch of salt. 

4. Adjust for seasonings, if needed, and top with more fresh parm, black pepper, lemon juice, and a drizzle of your favorite olive oil.

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Okay friends, that’s it for now. If you want to follow me on @hillarykerr, I’d love it. And if you have anything to say or ask (preferably nothing terribly mean), please drop me a note either via DM or in the comments below.

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