“October is the opal month of the year. It is the month of glory, of ripeness. It is the picture-month.” -Henry Ward Beecher
I love that phrase — “October, picture month.” It really does show off, doesn’t it?
But the start of any month is a blank page, an ellipsis, a blinking cursor.
What do I want to write across this month? What do I want chapter 10 of 12 feel like? If you’re game, take out a scrap of paper and jot down whatever comes to mind first. Could be small and specific; could be foggy and expansive. I’m auspiciously setting the tone for my month and remembering that I am responsible for what I invite into my own life, my own calendar, my own diet (more than just what we eat – what we read, watch, etc!). I want to welcome a warm, huddled feeling. October makes this easy with its call for shared blankets and cinnamon tea in the afternoon. I’ve already smelled chimney smoke.
If October had another name, what would it be, I wonder?
October’s Pen Names and Metonymies
+the prime of autumn
+chapter 10 of 12: thing begin to reveal themselves
+woodland alchemy
+the golden canopy
+”warm me up”
+leaf lyricism
+a misty morning in my husband’s sweatshirt
+the settling — of leaves, of self
+the low copper sun
+landscape fog, window fog
+”the portrait month”
+the aureate stretch
+”the season of the soul” (Woolf)
+a gilt invitation to draw inward
Post-Scripts.
+What are we most looking forward to this fall?
+A poem that gives me the best feeling.
Shopping Break.
+Gorgeous tie-waist sweater. Would look perfect with a fall skirt or classic-fit jeans. (Use code JEN-15).
+OMG. These calf-hair/leopard blend flats…! Very Chanel (compare with these).
+New silhouette in our favorite sweatshirt family.
+Also on the fall hygge front: a perfect new sherpa fleece from Tnuck! Love the print and colors!
+Pulling out our Halloween decor this weekend! I want to add this wreath to my fall home mix — I like that it’s sort of general fall / harvest vibes so can work from now through Thanksgiving. And I already gave my daughter her early Halloween surprise! (Want her to be able to wear them for a few weeks! This is my favorite brand for my daughter’s earrings. They are such cute designs, hypoallergenic, have a flat screw backing that keeps them in place, and the post itself is short — perfect for tiny ears. I found it difficult to find good quality, non-tacky earrings for her until I discovered them and now I usually order a couple at a time and hold a few back for gifts!)
+WAIT these pants are so fun. La Double J vibes for under $200. Also, speaking of Halloween, kind of loving the idea of wearing them for the occasion? I’m not a costume person. These are festive and slightly switchy! Also really good at Boden: this tartan dress. Buy now – will be sold out by the time you start thinking about holiday.
+Also, sorry, but have to share this as a great grab for holiday season!
+Chic pull on jeans, recently discounted at Rag + Bone!
+These towels with chocolate brown piping — GEEEEZ, so chic! Also. Contemplating getting a towel warmer for the cool months?! Does anyone have one? Eyeing this one — the design is chic.
+Adorable fall bag. Love the shape, and such great colors. Under $150!
+A perfect lamp for a kitchen nook.
+Pretty pointelle cardi in great colors.
+This velvet evening jacket is…stunning!
+This suede blazer is beyondddd perfect.
+Dorsey always releases the most gorgeous cocktail rings. My jaw dropped when I saw this one!
+Inuikii makes my favorite true winter casual boots (more here). Like slippers but cool. I’ve had several friends order these on the spot after seeing me wear them IRL.
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Please read Bodies of Magic by Freya Marske!! I’d say it’s dark academia meets House meets magic with hints of The Breakfast Club.
This sounds phenomenal!! Love the description.
I’ve been contemplating a towel warmer, and this may be just the nudge I needed! I’m torn between that and a mini fridge for skincare, while trying to be mindful of bathroom real estate and what I’d actually use. My local day spa keeps chilled, eucalyptus-infused face towels in a mini fridge, and they’re heavenly. I’d love to recreate at home. Little luxuries!
This sounds like heaven — think about eye patches too!! xx
I feel like October is when I finally give myself permission to settle into fall. September is still so summery, even here in the Midwest. And it’s all back-to-school vibes, and I spend it being annoyed when I see Halloween decor out already (actually, I start getting annoyed with Halloween merchandise in…July?? And by September I’m starting to rail against holiday merchandise. Home Depot, I do not need an inflatable yard Santa EVER, let alone in September). Like you, I lean into autumnal decor, rather than holiday-specific. I am not a Halloween person, plus I am too lazy to redecorate all the time. I love October for the colors and celebrating several family birthdays. But I also feel like I have to brace myself to see creepy giant skeletons and other Halloween stuff every time I walk the dog, and this year we’ll have to endure constant maddening political ads all month too. So I’ll be grateful when it’s November! Sorry to be kind of a downer to you, October! When I’m annoyed, I shall revisit your lovely October list above to remind myself it’s not all Halloween and politicians.
The decorations have gotten so…wild! The inflatables!!! My kids of course love them but it’s a lot!!
xx
I’m so ready for autumn this year! I used to walk down Acorn St. (pictured) on my way to work sometimes.
Question: My mom wants to do a girls weekend in Charlottesville for the film festival. Neither of us have actually been there before. Do you have recommendations for places to eat, stay, shop, etc. (or places to avoid lol). Casual/low-key is fine. Or any things we absolutely must do?
What a gorgeous memory of Acorn St in fall!!
We love to stay at Keswick when we visit Charlottesville — gracious accommodations, great dining, great spa, great grounds! I really love the shared spaces there (billiard room, library, balcony by the pool — lots of little alcoves!), where you can grab a cocktail or coffee and relax. For food, Bodo’s bagels is an institution for easy breakfast. We then ferry over to Mudhouse for coffee. For a casual but delicious lunch, we really enjoy Guajiros (Cuban). For fine dining, Marigold at Keswick is a delight.
xx
Oh and of course the vineyards are always a highlight if you enjoy wine! Cozy this time of year – wear a sweater and try some cab franc (Virginia speciality)! We like King Family and Barboursville. People love the newer Pippin Hill but I’ve not been. We also like this sort of out-of-the-way winery that’s nestled in some woods, Gabriele Rausse — just a fun experience to sit outside on a beautiful day, surrounded by trees! The wine is not our tippy-top favorite in the area but I have really happy memories of visiting on beautiful days.
xx
Yes, I have a towel warmer! It’s fun for the kids. Put their pjs in the warmer while they shower for a special treat.
However, using it for myself isn’t the most practical. I have to get fully out of the shower to open the warmer, open the lid, set the lid down, pull the towel out, etc. I get very cold while doing these things! And then the towel cools off quickly once out of the warmer. Maybe if I heated the warmer longer, but I can never remember to turn it on until right when I get in. I’m overall warmer with my regular, unheated towel, but grabbing it quickly from inside the shower and shutting the shower door again quickly.
Overall, it was worth the $35 I paid for the fun factor, especially how much my kids enjoy it, but I’m glad I didn’t pay more.
Oh interesting! Good points. What about heating your robe in it for after drying off??
xx
This is good intel! I’ve always assumed I’d do better just running a space heater in the bathroom while I shower…I struggle with feeling cold during/after showers all winter – no matter how hot the water is. We do have heated floors but that only helps a little. May try the space heater once it cools off more.