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 Taste—no gatekeeping, just good taste.
If you caught my September edit, you know I was counting down the days until spooky season. Well, October did not disappoint. Between a magazine cover, a costume that took on a life of its own and a whole lot of crispy chicken cutlets, this month was officially one for the books.
Cue the Pigeon Lady!
I was on the cover of the October 26 issue of Woman’s World, crowned the “Queen of Halloween” and holding my Skeleton Cake. It’s a title I will wear with pride (and a skeleton or two). The feature goes inside our yard display, including Steven, the 8-foot spider who started this whole obsession, plus my easiest time-saving tricks and a few spooky-sweet treats.
And look who spotted the issue at their Cleveland, Ohio CVS… Noni, Drew, and my brother, Grant!
And then there was Halloween night… This year I went full Home Alone 2 as the Pigeon Lady from Central Park, complete with a gray wig, layered scarves, a battered satchel and an entire flock perched on my shoulders.
I expected a few laughs. I did not expect it to go viral on Instagram. Needless to say, I’m already brainstorming next year’s costume, but the Pigeon Lady is definitely going to be hard to beat.
Dinner with My Parents (and a Little Big News)
We also had something else to toast this month: a new business venture! I can’t share all the details just yet, but I couldn’t wait to celebrate with my parents, who have cheered me on through every chapter of Just a Taste. We headed to Paradisaea, and between the clinking glasses and the crispy, golden mains (that I quickly recreated at home!) we passed around the table, it was the perfect way to mark the moment. Stay tuned, because I’ll be sharing more soon!
My Famous Cutlets (with My Favorite Sous Chef)
If there’s one dinner that never fails in our house, it’s my chicken cutlets, and lately I’ve had a new helper. Mia, my favorite 4-year-old sous chef, has officially claimed the breading station: flour, egg, breadcrumbs, repeat. She takes her job very seriously, and I’ll admit her cutlets are coming out just as golden as mine.
My biggest tip? Let them rest on a wire rack instead of a paper towel so the bottoms stay crispy, then finish with a sprinkle of flaky salt while they’re still hot. Leftovers also reheat like a breeze in the oven or an air fryer, so this tray of cutlets was stretched into dinner two nights in a row. Big win! And to switch things up, don’t forget you can always turn them into my boys’ favorite Chicken Parmesan.
That’s a Wrap on October!
From a magazine cover to a flock of pigeons, October was one I’ll remember for a long time. Next up: Thanksgiving and the start of the holiday season, and I’ve got plenty in store.
Have you seen our new Ultimate Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Menu? It’s a 35-page (free!) guide featuring all of my go-to make-ahead recipes, timelines and tips for a truly stress-free feast.
What was the highlight of your October? Did you dress up this year? Tell me all about it in the comments!
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