November Moodboard: Eats, Boots, and Leaves

October gets the bright autumn colors. December gets the holiday sparkle. But November? November has always had a different personality in my world.

My monthly moodboards are a loose collection of what’s catching my attention lately: food, fashion, fun, fitness, and whatever else lines up with the month’s theme. This November, I’m embracing rich colors, seasonal flavors, interesting textures, and a few things I’m looking forward to wearing, eating, and sharing.

Moodboard

For years, October was a whirlwind of birthdays, major work projects, Jewish holidays, and Halloween. By comparison, the first few weeks of November offered a welcome breather before Thanksgiving and the December festivities took over. This year, with our son’s wedding, our daughter’s visit, and all the activities surrounding both, October was especially busy.

Looking at the current state of my November calendar, I couldn’t help noticing how empty it seems. Then I remembered: there’s no wedding this month! It’ll be a nice change of pace. Maybe that’s why I’m thinking of November as a little moodier and more subdued, yet full of anticipation.

Of course, here in sunny Southern California, this time of year doesn’t necessarily look or feel much like the autumn scenes filling my social media feeds. Daytime temperatures are still hovering in the low 70s, and the trees aren’t exactly putting on a spectacular display of fall color.

So if November isn’t going to provide the atmosphere, I suppose I’ll have to create a little of my own.

Chocolate browns, apple reds, and golden autumn shades set the color palette, while corduroy, suede boots, and florals bring in the textures and patterns. It’s a mix of seasonal favorites, with a little inspiration for what to wear, what to eat, and what to enjoy this November.

Eats: A Little Taste of the Season

Chocolate, apples, and carrots aren’t just part of this month’s color palette. They’re also on the menu! I’ve picked out three recipes to share: one I’ve enjoyed before and two I’ve been meaning to try.

Apple Stuffed Chicken
Who says apples are only good for pies and crisps? You’re going to want to try this very tasty recipe that combines apples, cheddar cheese, and thyme in stuffed chicken breasts, finished with an apple cider and Dijon mustard sauce. I made it a few years ago and remember it being really good. Maybe it’s time to put it back on the menu. Get the Apple Stuffed Chicken recipe at Katherine’s Corner.

Carrot & Chickpea Skillet
I’ve been hanging onto this recipe for quite a while, and maybe November will finally be the month I try it. Carrots, cauliflower, and chickpeas seasoned with smoked paprika and cumin, plus a splash of orange juice. It sounds like an interesting combination, and the warm orange tones fit right into this month’s moodboard.

Total time: 35 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients

2 cans (15 oz. each) chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1 lb. carrots, peeled and sliced ¼ inch thick
2 cups cauliflower florets
1 tsp. smoked paprika
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 cup vegetable broth
½ cup orange juice
3 Tbsp. olive oil, divided
½ tsp. salt
Fresh mint, optional garnish

Instructions

1. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chickpeas and cook for approximately 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
2. Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet, followed by the carrots, cauliflower, smoked paprika, cumin, and salt. Cook for approximately 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften.
3. Pour in the vegetable broth and orange juice. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer gently, uncovered, for 10 minutes.
4. Return the chickpeas to the skillet and cook until heated through. Garnish with fresh mint, if desired.

Serving suggestion: Serve with couscous, quinoa, or brown rice.
Recipe source: Better Homes & Gardens, April 2019, p. 84. Instructions rewritten from the original.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Cheesecake Bars
Chocolate chip cookies or cheesecake? Why choose when there’s an easy-to-make recipe that combines both in one dessert, using just five ingredients? Since I’m gluten-free, I’d substitute Sweet Loren’s Chocolate Chunk Cookie Dough for the conventional refrigerated dough. These bars look wonderfully indulgent without requiring a lot of fuss, making them a tempting addition to my November baking plans. Get the recipe at Mom On Timeout.

Boots, Corduroy & Florals

If the food side of this moodboard is all about flavor and color, the fashion side is about texture, prints, and finally giving some seasonal pieces their due. With fall well underway, it finally feels like the right time for corduroy, florals styled with heavier layers, and of course boots.

Boots
I really do need to start working through my boot collection. Considering I own 36 pairs, or about a third of my total footwear, I have plenty to choose from. While I like a mix of styles, mid-height boots may be my sweet spot, and this feels like the month to start wearing them in earnest.

Corduroy
Among the textiles that immediately say fall, corduroy is at the top of the list. With its distinctive ridges, or wales, ranging from fine to wide, corduroy comes in weights that work for different climates, including our milder Southern California fall. I’m not thinking of one specific piece so much as the fabric itself: soft, substantial, and just right for November. Whether it shows up in pants, a skirt, or a topper, it’s definitely on my radar this month.

Florals
I’m still drawn to florals this time of year, not just the darker, moodier ones but brighter prints too. The difference is in the styling. Pair them with boots, corduroy, or other heavier pieces, and they take on a more November-appropriate feel.

My November Outfit

For this month’s outfit, I’m mixing several of the colors and textures that inspired my moodboard. The golden mustard corduroy jacket, a recent thrift store find, is paired with another thrifted piece, a velvet skirt in a mix of autumn shades.

Underneath my jacket is a lightweight ivory cardigan that I’ve styled with a belt to give its looser fit a little more shape. The belt is fastened in a way I’ve been seeing on social media lately that I rather like. Finishing off the look are my tall brown fringed boots, first shared on the blog last November in The Inevitable End Of Life: Tech Edition.

The skirt might also look familiar to longtime readers. It last appeared on the blog more than five years ago, styled quite differently. The necklace is another secondhand find, while the brooch on my jacket has been in my collection for about 20 years and remains one of my favorite fall accessories.

Between the older favorites, the newer finds, and a little styling inspiration from social media, this outfit is a good example of how I like to mix things up without necessarily buying something new.

Coming Up on Fine-Whatever

I’m adding something new to my monthly moodboard posts: a little preview of what I’m planning to share in the weeks ahead. Consider it a peek at my editorial calendar, with the understanding that plans are always subject to change.

First up is another installment of Bot or Not?, continuing my adventures in figuring out who’s really behind some of the comments appearing on my blog. I hadn’t thought to turn this topic into a series, but the tales seem to write themselves.

On the fashion front, I’ve got a couple of style posts in mind, including one about whether we should dress to match the people we’re with or simply wear what makes us happy. I’m also working on a more personal post, Apparently, I’m Hard to Read, about first impressions and how other people perceive us.

With Thanksgiving approaching, food will be getting some attention too. I’m hoping to share a couple of my tried-and-true recipes, along with some thoughts about holiday food shame and why we might be better off leaving the guilt off the menu.

And since Southern California’s mild weather means golf season never really ends, maybe I’ll finally get around to breaking in the pushcart I received for my birthday.

So that’s what’s on my mind as November begins. A little food, a little fashion, and plenty of possibilities. Does November put you in the mood for anything particular, or is it simply the countdown to the holidays?

Stay well and let’s keep in touch! Subscribe, follow, friend, pin … all options are available. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

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Photo credit: MMPerez

Note: This is an unsponsored post; however, some or all of the links to clothing items may be associated with an affiliate program, where I earn a small commission for each purchase at no additional cost to you.