Eat, Read, Go: Pumpkin Sausage Pasta, "Gone Before Goodbye," and Greenville

EDITOR’S NOTE

Happy Saturday. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, Kim Kardashian drops her most unhinged underwear line yet — which is saying something for a woman who pioneered pierced nipple bras. Yet, somehow that isn’t the only thing that made me do a double take this week…

• Hailey Bieber’s 14-month-old son seemingly has a more elaborate skincare routine than I do. 

• According to Vogue, the most IDGAF hairstyle of all-time is “about to be the season’s hottest trend.” (Lazy girls everywhere, our time has come.)

• Step aside, boat shoes and loafers — the slippers (sorry, shoes) that I basically lived in during high school are the next if-you-know-you-know footwear trend.

• Cool girls are apparently reclaiming this staple of the tech bro uniform. (Honestly, the bros should be flattered).

The chicest haircut for fall? Not a bob, but a style inspired by the leading ladies of your favorite ’90s rom-coms. Somewhere, Kathleen Kelly is thrilled.

— Melissa Goldberg / Senior Editor / Washington, DC

This Quick and Easy Pumpkin Sausage Pasta Is Fall Comfort Food At Its Best

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We’re now in the second half of October — which puts us in Pumpkin Everything territory. And while there’s nothing wrong with baking another pumpkin bread (we would know), it’s time to go savory with Brocc Your Body’s Creamy Pumpkin Sausage Pasta. Made with canned pumpkin puree, savory chicken sausage, nutty Parmesan cheese, and a few pantry staples, the sauce has the meatiness of a Bolognese, the silkiness of a vodka sauce, and a hefty serving of fall.

Add in perfectly al dente rigatoni, even more Parm, and a brown butter, walnut, and sage topping that’s technically optional (friends, it is not), and the result is something that can only be described as: Cozy. As. Hell.

The Time Commitment: In just 30 minutes, you’ll be digging into this creamy, comforting bowl of fall goodness.

Key Tips: Unless you want your pasta to taste like pie (no judgment), make sure to use 100% pumpkin puree — not pumpkin pie filling. Also, while Carissa Stanton Dutina (aka Brocc Your Body) calls for rigatoni — which allows “the creamy pumpkin sauce with bits of sausage to nestle inside” — penne, ziti, or cavatappi are great substitutes.

Other Takes: Now that you’re on board the savory-pumpkin train, try…

• Cheesy Baked Pumpkin Pasta With Kale. Accurately described as “one of the coziest autumnal dishes you can make in under an hour,” no wonder it has more than 3,000 five-star reviews.

• Slow Cooker Chicken Pumpkin Curry. The best part of this Thai-inspired, hearty-but-not-heavy curry? Your slow cooker basically does all of the work.

• Weeknight Pumpkin Chili. Apologies in advance to anyone who thinks their chili is the best chili — but this speedy, protein-packed option has you beat.

Gone Before Goodbye by Harlan Coben and Reese Witherspoon

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Of all the things we had on our 2025 bingo cards, Tracy Flick writing a thriller was not one of them. But here we are. Gone Before Goodbye  — a gripping new mystery cowritten by best-selling author Harlan Coben and, yes, Reese Witherspoon — follows Maggie McCabe, a brilliant Army combat surgeon. After the loss of both her husband and her medical license, she’s offered a sketchy job by an even sketchier Russian billionaire — the kind of guy for whom money is no object and “no” is a foreign concept. Too desperate and broke to refuse, she’s plunged into a world of private jets, aggressively marbled surfaces, and the most rich-person behavior of all: the pursuit of eternal youth. But when her client goes missing, Maggie finds herself on the run, in what the LA Times calls “a fun ride about the super-rich” — quite the feat, particularly for a celeb-penned novel, which are (rightfully) met with a healthy amount of skepticism. So read it now, before it gets the inevitable movie treatment.

Move Over, Charleston — Greenville Is South Carolina’s New It City

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We probably don’t have to tell you that Charleston is great —  you’ve likely already been there for a bachelorette party…or four. But for a dose of Southern charm without all the large groups in matching T-shirts, allow us to suggest Greenville, South Carolina. Situated against the foothills of the idyllic Blue Ridge Mountains, Greenville is quickly becoming one of the South’s worst-kept secrets — and it's easy to see why. Think: a walkable downtown (stay at the Grand Bohemian Lodge for rustic luxury vibes), a flourishing arts community, big-city cultural offerings (catch a performance at the Peace Center), a buzzy restaurant around every corner, and easy access to sweeping lakes, forested mountains, and rushing waterfalls. Just don’t tell your engaged friends about it, OK?

🌿 You don’t have to look too hard to find outdoor activities in Greenville. In fact, Falls Park is located right in the middle of downtown, with beautifully landscaped grounds and an impressive suspension bridge that overlooks the cascading Reedy River Falls. Feeling more ambitious? Rent a bike and cruise the Swamp Rabbit Trail, a 28-mile path that connects Greenville to the nearby town of Travelers Rest (for fuel along the way, stop at the Swamp Rabbit Cafe and Grocery). Or, head to one of the surrounding state parks, like Paris Mountain, which includes 17 miles of biking and hiking trails (the scenic Lake Placid Trail is one of the most popular), or Devils Fork State Park, home to the blissfully unspoiled Lake Jocassee, where you can fish, canoe, paddleboard, and swim (if you dare) in the pristine waters.

🖼️ Greenville boasts one of the South’s most vibrant art scenes, thanks in large part to West Greenville (dubbed “The Village”). There, you’ll find the Greenville Center for Creative Arts, which showcases the work of both on-site artists and fellows as well as regional and national talents, and dozens of studios and galleries: Pop into Spoonbill to admire Amy Shekhter’s glittery portraits of Dolly Parton, Lady Gaga, and Jackie Kennedy; stop by Joseph Bradley for colorful paintings of birds, bears, and other wildlife; and pick up some pieces of Chinese-, Japanese-, and Korean-inspired pottery at Darin R. Gehrke Ceramics. To continue your art crawl downtown, check out the top-notch watercolor collection at the Greenville County Museum of Art and take a self-guided walking tour of the city’s dozens of statues, murals, and sculptures — including Dale Chihuly’s striking Rose Crystal Tower.

🍴 Greenville takes its food seriously, so come hungry. Start your day on a sweet note with a cinnamon sugar-kissed morning bun, a flaky butter croissant, and at least one sourdough chocolate chip cookie at Rise Bakery. For lunch, swing by Gather, a bustling food hall made from repurposed shipping containers (HenDough’s artisan donuts and fried chicken sandwiches are a local favorite). Feeling fancy? Make a dinner reservation at The Anchorage, a James Beard semifinalist where the surprisingly affordable tasting menu features inventive seasonal small plates, like butternut squash carpaccio or tricolor grits. Or, check out Jianna to feast on homemade pastas and freshly shucked oysters with a view of Falls Park. 

When you’re in a new city, best not to rely on an iffy Uber situation or impossible-to-read bus schedule and risk getting stranded. Do yourself a favor and rent a car, instead. With Booking.com, you can easily compare prices and find the right vehicle for your adventure, with options from all the major rental companies. Who’s up for a Eurotrip? 

We asked you to vote on an etiquette question you’d like answered. The winner was:

Q: I had a falling out with the mom of my daughter’s best friend. I don’t want it to impact the girls’ relationship, but playdates, parties, and other activities are now super awkward. What can I do?

“Start by separating the two relationships. You don’t have to fix the adult friendship to protect the kids’ bond — though, it might take some deep breaths and diplomacy. You could send a simple text, like: ‘I know things feel a little awkward between us, but I’d love for the girls to keep hanging out. I’m happy to host next time if that helps.’ That says you’re willing to be mature, without forcing a heart-to-heart. Think of it like working with a colleague you don’t vibe with or spending the holidays with a tricky relative — meaning, you can stay kind, civil, and reliable without pretending you’re close. To ease the awkwardness even more, it might help to reflect on a couple questions: Would a small apology or acknowledgment help ease tensions? What boundaries might make me feel more comfortable? This is a golden opportunity to model what healthy, real-world relationships look like — the kind where we don’t have to love everyone to treat them with respect.”

Unleash your competitive side with today’s games and puzzles. Choose from an anagram word search, digital jigsaw puzzle, or crossword (with a twist). Better yet: Try them all.