Welcome to Kelly’s Monthly Edit! Join me every month as I round up the little joys that sparked inspiration, from must-make recipes and Mom-approved grocery finds to favorite products in kitchenware, skincare, fashion and beyond. Consider this your behind-the-scenes bite of life at Just a Tasteāno gatekeeping, just good taste.
If August was all about soaking up the last sun-drenched baseball innings and gearing up for early morning lunch packing, September came through like an absolute dream of a month. Between a fairytale dinner in the heart of Disneyland, visiting Seattle for a whirlwind work trip, cozy comfort foods and diving headfirst into spooky season, this was one for the books. Hereās everything that made the cut this month!
A Fairytale Launch: The Nightmare Before Christmas at 21 Royal
Earlier this month, I partnered with Williams Sonoma to celebrate the launch of their brand-new Disney Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas collection.
I had the honor of developing all the original recipes for this magical collection, dreaming up festive, whimsical sips and bites that bring Jack Skellington, Sally and Halloween Town straight into your kitchen. To celebrate the debut, I co-hosted an unforgettable private dinner at 21 Royalāthe ultra-exclusive private residence tucked right above New Orleans Square in Disneyland.
From the historic, opulent dining room to the bespoke multi-course menu and watching the fireworks from the private balcony, it was pure enchantment from start to finish. You can shop the full Nightmare Before Christmas collection, and get all of the accompanying recipes, at Williams Sonoma stores nationwide and online.
Savoring San Diego: Cozy Sunday Vodka Pasta & Marisi Magic
Back on home turf, September brought that perfect blend of easy, comforting home-cooked meals and special nights out exploring our local favorites.
Sundays in our house are sacred: football is officially back on the screen, and the slow simmer of something delicious fills the kitchen. To kick off the season, I whipped up a massive batch of my classic Quick and Easy Vodka Pasta Sauce. Thereās just something about al dente pasta coated in that rich, velvety tomato-cream sauce with a mountain of fresh parmesan while cheering on our teams that feels like the ultimate fall comfort food.
On the restaurant front, Libby (Just a Taste’s own Marketing Coordinator!) and I, snuck away for an incredible evening at Marisi in La Jolla. If you havenāt been, add it to your dining bucket list immediately. Between the warm, vibrant ambiance, the handmade pasta (the craftsmanship is top-tier!), and wood-fired hearth dishes, every single bite was a home run. Itās quickly become one of our go-to spots.
Work Trip Wanderlust: Seattle with the Raptive Team
Just last week, I hopped on a plane to Seattle for a quick work trip with Raptive, the incredible team that powers the ads behind Just a Taste. Taking time out of the kitchen to sit down with my ad management team, dive into strategy, and plan whatās ahead for our digital community is always so energizing.
Of course, no trip is complete without exploring the local food scene! I made a beeline to Pike Place Market for a warm, savory pastry from the legendary Piroshky Piroshky (the buttery, flaky aroma pulling you down the street is impossible to resist).
Another can’t-miss Seattle spot? The Pink Door! An iconic Italian restaurant nestled in an alley behind the market. Go for the world-famous vegetarian lasagna, but stay for the chicken Caesar salad.
Family Celebrations & An Upcoming Surprise!
September also gave us plenty of reasons to raise a glass as a family. We gathered around the table with good wine, hearty laughs, and a special toast to a career milestone I’ll be announcing soon!
I managed to snap a favorite new picture with my parents (Noni and Fafa!) looking radiant and smiling ear to ear. While I canāt spill all the details quite yet, we were toasting to something very big on the horizon. Keep your eyes peeled and make sure you’re following along on Instagram to be the first to know!
Halloween in Full Effect!
If you thought I was merely dipping my toes into Halloween last month, September proved that spooky season has officially taken over the Just a Taste kitchen. Weāve gone full throttle into candy eyes, chocolate drips, festive cookie boards and bite-sized party treats.
Whether you’re prepping for classroom celebrations, hosting a neighborhood pumpkin-carving bash or just want to make spooky movie nights a little sweeter with the kids, weāve got a cauldron full of easy, creative ideas heading your way over the next few weeks. Dig out those festive sprinkles and dust off your baking sheets because October is about to be frightfully delicious!
What was your favorite memory or best bite from September? Are you in full Halloween mode yet? Tell me everything in the comments below!
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