With the fall season in full swing, Barrington’s landscape has turned into a sea of colorful trees and falling leaves. Inspired by Autumn’s hues, homeowners everywhere have been decorating for fall and we’re getting into the spirit of the season with a Fall Decor Photo Contest sponsored by our friends at Carol and Company.
As the kids prep their costumes for Saturday’s tricks and treats, family plans are already being made for November’s Thanksgiving feast. This week, I dropped by Carol and Company where I always find the perfect hostess gifts and festive accents to refresh our home and holiday table.
I love visiting with Carol & Company owner, Ruth Grigson, who filled me in on some of the seasons’ hottest sellers. And when Ruth offered a $100 gift card for us to give away at 365Barrington.com, we decided that the time is right for a photo contest featuring fall decor found anywhere, from your front porch to your fireplace to your family’s table. You can even share your favorite photos of fall on display by Mother Nature!
For a chance to win a $100 Carol & Company gift card, all you have to do is submit a photo of your favorite seasonal decorations at home or fall scenes spotted while you’re out and about. Any images inspired by Halloween, Thanksgiving or the fall season are eligible. You have through mid-November to enter the contest. Then, we’ll host a poll to let our readers choose their favorite photo submitted in our contest and we will announce the winner on Monday of Thanksgiving week!
If you’d love to breathe new life into your holiday decor this year, inspiration is as close as Carol & Company. Not only will you find great ideas, you’re guaranteed to find the perfect gifts to get a jump start on this year’s holiday shopping. Here are some of Ruth’s favorite items currently available at Carol & Company’s Barrington boutique or online at CarolandCompany.com.
Hester & Cook Kitchen Papers
When Ruth showed me Hester & Cook’s Kitchen Papers to use in place of cloth table linens, I was immediately sold. “They’re designed by a company in Vermont and we carry table runners, placemats, napkins, serving papers, placecards and more in all different styles and patterns.”
At Thanksgiving, Ruth uses the chalkboard runners so kids and adults can write things they’re thankful for, a great conversation starter as guests gather around the table. “I love that you can cut the runners to any length so they’ll fit at any size table and you’ll get a couple of uses because they come in rolls of 25 feet. The other great thing is that there’s no laundry to do after your holiday event. When your dinner party is over, the last thing you want to do is wash all of your table linens after you finish doing the dishes. You can simply recycle our kitchen papers or throw them out after your done. It’s a great way to decorate for the holidays without spending a ton of money on fabric tablecloths or placemats. ”
Nora Fleming Servingware
I am among the army of people in love with Nora Fleming servingware and Carol & Company carries a full selection Nora Fleming platters and minis. Nora Fleming helps you simplify the art of entertaining and decorating by offering interchangeable serving pieces with seasonal “minis” to pop in as accents. In this tablescape, Ruth is featuring the wood breadboard with pinecone mini. “Nora Fleming’s serving pieces are great because you can use them for all holidays and seasons. You don’t have to buy servingware for every holiday, all you have to do is switch out the mini figurines.”
Ruth says the company has recently added even more options to the line. “Nora just came out with an 8×8 baking dish so you can bake your brownies, pop in a mini, and they’re ready for your party. She has also started coming out with bathroom accessories. There’s a tissue box cover, soap dispenser, bud vase and tea light holder for even more ways to use your minis.”
KnobStoppers & Engraved Cutting Boards
And for hostess and holiday gift this year, I LOVE Carol & Company KnobStoppers and engraved JK Adams cutting boards. “Our KnobStoppers are wine corks accented with antique glass, brass or metal door knobs. We also carry KnobStoppers accented with golf and pool balls to add a little more personality to your gift.” And, Ruth says the JK Adams cutting boards or any of Carol & Company’s personalized gift options make a statement that’s thoughtful, easy and elegant.
Carol & Company sells an ever changing selection of unique and vintage-inspired gifts, jewelry, accessories, home accents and servingware via the company’s website at CarolAndCompany.com and at their flagship story in Barrington, Illinois.
About 75% of Carol & Company’s merchandise is made in the USA and owner Ruth Grigson says they work hard to source products responsibly.
“We focus on bringing in brands that are socially conscious and products with meaning. Most of what we sell is either environmentally friendly, made in America or supports charity work in some way. ”
Founded in 2005, Carol and Company opened their Barrington flagship store at 121 Barrington Commons Court in 2013. They have recently expanded their retail and shipping space to meet growing demand from both their in-store and online shoppers. To follow Carol & Company’s latest updates, click here for their Facebook page and click here to find them on Instagram. You can also shop their merchandise online now at CarolandCompany.com.
🍕 YOUR WEEKEND DOESN`T HAVE TO UNDO YOUR PROGRESS!
You eat well Monday through Friday. You hit your workouts. You`re feeling good.
Then the weekend hits.
Dinner out. Drinks with friends. Kids` activities. A birthday party. Maybe a few extra snacks.
Sound familiar? 👀
Here`s the thing: You don`t need to be perfect on the weekends to see results.
But you DO need some consistency.
A few simple habits can make a huge difference:
💪 Keep protein a priority, even when your meals look different.
💧 Stay on top of your water intake.
🚶♀️ Keep moving! Walks, bike rides, and family activities all count.
🍽️ Enjoy the foods you love, but pay attention to portions and hunger cues.
🧠 Don`t fall into the "I`ll start over Monday" mindset.
One meal doesn`t make or break your progress. Your overall habits matter far more!
At CFB Nutrition, we focus on building habits that work in REAL LIFE. Not just when your schedule is perfect.
Because the goal isn`t to be on a diet forever. It`s to learn how to fuel your body while still enjoying your life!
📩 Want help finding that balance? Our 1:1 Nutrition Coaching Program is here to help!
#cfbnutrition #crossfitbarrington #cfb #barringtonil #barrington365 #macros #healthyhabits
We’re officially ✌🏼 weeks away from our CFB Ladies Night, and we can’t wait to get all our strong ladies together for a fun night out!
We spend plenty of time sweating, lifting, and cheering each other on inside the gym, so let’s trade the barbells for cocktails and enjoy some time together OUTSIDE the gym! 🥂💗
📅 Thursday, November 5th
⏰ 7:00 PM
📍 Neoteca
Whether you’ve been part of CFB for years or you’re brand new, we’d love to see you there! It’s the perfect opportunity to connect, laugh, and get to know the amazing women who make our community so special.
Grab your CFB girls and let’s make it a fun night! 💕
#cfb #crossfitbarrington #barringtonil #barrington365 #ladiesnight
🏆 BEST ENTRÉE 2026!
What a night! We’re incredibly proud to share that Neoteca took home Best Entrée at this year’s Great Barrington Area Taste Fest!
A huge thank you to our talented team for the passion and hard work they put into everything we do, and to everyone who came out and supported us.
We’re so grateful to be part of such an amazing community. ❤️
Cheers to our Neoteca team! 🥂
#Neoteca #BarringtonIL #TasteFest2026 #BestEntree #BarringtonEats
Just another Monday putting in the work at CFB! 💪💙
Different goals. Different fitness levels. One awesome community.
Whether you’re here to get stronger, push yourself, or just start your week surrounded by great people, there’s a place for you here.
Click the link in our bio to see what CrossFit Barrington is all about! 🔥
#crossfitbarrington #barringtonil #barrington365 #crossfit #besthourofyourday
Just as CPR gives you the tools to help in an emergency, QPR will teach you what to do when you’re concerned that someone is contemplating self-harm or suicide.
Join BStrong Together and the Barrington Area Library as we welcome Ascension IL Behavioral Health QPR trainer Mandy Burbank to learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade and refer someone for help.
This FREE training session is open to anyone interested in becoming a QPR "gatekeeper" - parents, teachers, coaches, community members, etc..
REGISTER TODAY at the QR code or at https://bit.ly/4BfZkMO
#bstrongtogetherbarrington #bstrongtogetherparents #bstrongtogethercommunity #bstrongtogetherqprtraining #365barrington
🌮 FREE RECIPE FRIDAY! 🌮
With our revamped CFB Nutrition Program, we`re putting a bigger focus on understanding macros, fueling our bodies, and building sustainable nutrition habits!
And what better way to put that into practice than with some delicious, high-protein recipes?! 💪
Once a month, we`ll be sharing balanced, protein-packed meals made with simple, wholesome ingredients — complete with macros to help you better understand what you`re fueling your body with!
🔥 This month`s recipe: ONE-PAN TURKEY TACO SKILLET!
A delicious combination of lean ground turkey, sweet potatoes, black beans, veggies, and a little cheesy goodness! Easy to make, family-friendly, and perfect for meal prep!
📊 Estimated macros per serving:
🔥 495 Calories
🥩 52g Protein
🍠 51g Carbs
🥑 16g Fat
Because nutrition isn`t about eating less or cutting out the foods you love. It`s about understanding what you`re eating, fueling your goals, and finding a balance that works for YOU!
Whether your goal is fat loss, building muscle, improving performance, or simply feeling better, learning how to balance your macros can make a big difference.
👉 SWIPE for the full recipe, save it for later, and let us know if you give it a try!
Interested in taking your nutrition to the next level? Our revamped CFB 1:1 Nutrition Coaching Program is here to help you build habits, understand your macros, and make lasting progress.
📩 Reach out to learn more!
#cfbnutrition #crossfitbarrington #cfb #barringtonil #barrington365 #nutritioncoaching #macros #healthyhabits #healthyhappystrong #besthourofyourday
🚨 LOCAL BUSINESSES, WE WANT YOU! 🚨
We`ve got the committed athletes… now we need the sponsors! 💪
Every month at CrossFit Barrington, we celebrate our Committed Club — members who show up, put in the work, and attend 16+ classes in a month!
And we LOVE rewarding that consistency with a little something extra! 🎉
That`s where YOU come in!
We`re always looking for local businesses to sponsor our monthly Committed Club drawing!
What`s in it for you? 👀
📧 A feature in our monthly CFB newsletter
📍 Your business information displayed inside our gym
📱 A shoutout on our social media pages
And here`s the best part — you DON`T have to be a CFB member to sponsor!
Own a business? Know someone who does? Tag them below, share this post, or send us a message!
Let`s support local, celebrate consistency, and keep building an awesome community both inside and outside the gym! ❤️🖤
#crossfitbarrington #cfb #barringtonil #barrington365 #sponsor #committedclub #community #localbuisness
