In New York there is a fleeting window of weather when it’s crisp but not yet cold, warm but no longer so much so that you’re coming undone on a brisk walk. It’s my favorite season for getting dressed. And while “sweater weather” gets a lot of love – jackets are the thing that make my heart skip a beat. They’re the magic third piece to an outfit that makes everything more interesting. And Talbots is a reliably great source for finding jackets in fun textures, cuts and colors in classic yet modern shapes.
This season I’ve added two new options to my repertoire – this oversized tweed lady jacket in plummy shades of rose, merlot and burgundy (I belted mine for a take on the cinched waist silhouette that’s big this season) and a very cool, dark denim trench with shiny gold hardware and contrast stitching. Be still my jacket loving heart.
I know I say this every year, but there is nothing better than Fall reading in my opinion. On a park bench with crunchy leaves underfoot or a chilly evening spent under a blanket with a cup of tea will always be peak bookish-ness to me. This year I’ve got a great stack that I’ve been saving for this season specifically – and it’s a fun mix too – from a buzzy new release and cute romcom to a couple of real back list titles, some historical fiction and naturally – something a little witchy. Below – the 10 books I’m looking forward to reading this Fall. What’s on your list?
Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors: My most anticipated new release this season – I’m going in blind because after loving her debut Cleopatra and Frankenstein a couple of years ago, I trust wherever Mellors is going to take me with this one.
James by Percival Everett: A Pulitzer Prize finalist, James is a reimagined Huckleberry Finn, this time from Jim’s perspective. My book club is reading this month and I’m looking forward to reading something classic-adjacent. Plus, I’ve heard nothing but rave reviews of this.
The Witches of New York by Ami McKay: It’s not Fall reading without a little something witchy. I meant to read this last year and between our wedding and honeymoon and a million other things, didn’t get to it. Can’t wait to dive in this year.
A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle: I’ve had a used copy of this book for ages and the other day I finally picked it up. Because it follows the calendar year of Peter’s year in Provence – it would in all honesty be a good January book – but I’ve started now and am enjoying it.. so onward!
September by Rosamunde Pilcher: This summer I read The Shell Seekers and adored it. Pilcher has a timeless voice that’s captivating but accessible – and because these are like 25 years backlist, there are plenty of her titles for my to comb through. I’m going to pick this one up to match with the season, naturally.
Hester by Laurie Lico Albanese: Another retelling, this one of the woman who inspired Nathanial Hawthorne’s Scarlett Letter. I picked up my copy of this two years ago on a trip to Salem (dying to go back for a longer visit this fall) – and so it feels fitting to match it to this same time of year.
You, Again by Kate Goldbeck: The only thing I’ve heard about this romcom is that it has a ‘When Harry Met Sally’ vibe – and frankly that’s all I need to know. And, like the movie poster, the book has a fall-ish cover – so feels like a fun one to pick up now!
Empire Falls by Richard Russo: I’ve heard this backlist title from 2001 is like a literary Gilmore Girls (say less) and on top of that it won the Pulitzer that year. I’ve been saving for this season and am really looking forward to getting into this one.
The Mad Women’s Ball by Victoria Mas – One from last Fall’s TBR stack that I never go around to reading! Set in 1880s Belle Epoque Paris, with a gothic sounding twist. I’m going in fairly blind here too but its largely set in an asylum for women that society has deemed hysterical or otherwise crazy – so I think it will have a dark enough edge to feel just right for spooky season.
Hot Hex Boyfriend by Carly Bloom – It’s a fluffy, witchy romcom. I will be taking no further questions on my choice to read this book.
We arrived to the lake house late Thursday night for the holiday weekend and are hosting family throughout the weekend. Fall comes early here so it’s very much sweater weather already, but hoping for some last sunshine and boat rides over the next few days.
As bittersweet as summer’s end always feels, the ‘ber months are truly some of my favorite of the year and I have lots of things, both big and small, that I’m really excited for in September and October especially.
Below – what else is on my mind as we head into the long weekend. Have a good one friends!
ON MY MIND:
Despite having graduated 15 years ago, the Tuesday after Labor Day will always feel like a ‘back to school’ fresh start – which I love. In our neighborhood (surrounded by elementary and middle schools) there’s a palpable, buzzing energy of anticipation. What will the ‘year’ ahead bring? It makes me want to start a fresh notebook and get a new pack of my favorite pens.
I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve toyed with the idea of of re-instating my old blog newsletter over the years, and it’s just never happened. Do I dare throw my hat into the Substack ring instead? I’m really looking for a space where I can write more regularly and also more broadly. There would be my usual fashion/life but other topics as well – maybe fashion industry/career, some of my fiction writing.. a little bit of a grab bag? I’d love to just start and see where it goes.
One of my favorite, make ahead weekday lunches is this simple mediterranean inspired salad: 1/2 cup quinoa, 1/4 cup chickpeas, diced cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions, lemon juice, cinnamon, cumin, feta and then top with baby spinach each day. So simple to make a big batch ahead and then just portion out into Tupperware for the week ahead.
While I’m sad to see summer go – I made a pretty good dent in my summer bucket list over the past few months (6 out of 10!). I love making these as a way to really celebrate each fleeting season and also be intentional with how I spend my time and money. One of my favorite nights was last Sunday when we checked Grand Banks off the list – an oyster bar boat docked in the Hudson while you watch the sunset over downtown? A very good New York summer night.
ON MY BOOKSHELF:
All things considered I made pretty good progress on my Summer Reading List with 9 out of 15 read – and then a handful of books ‘off list’. Similar to my Summer Bucket List – it’s just for fun, but makes me feel like I’m curating my reading each season in a fun way.. am I the only one that loves list-making this much? I’ll recap my reviews this week.
Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors releases next Tuesday Sept. 3rd and it’s my most anticipated new release this fall. I loved her debut novel Cleopatra and Frankenstein, so despite being on a temporary book buying ban.. I’m making an exception for this one!
Equally anticipated is Claire Lombardo’s Same As It Ever Was which I plan to start over the long weekend. Her first novel The Most Fun We Ever Had was one of my favorite reads from a couple of years ago.
IN MY CART:
How are we feeling about western influences that are everywhere this season? I’ve been looking for cowboy-adjacent boots (that feel more Nolita than Nashville) and this affordable pair feels just right – in a nice dark chocolate suede. Also – this acorn-hued leather pair feels like it’s a nod to the Western trend without being so literal. Super chic with a flowy skirt and knitwear this fall.
When I tell you, this dress stopped me in my scrolling tracks online the other night. The chocolate and ivory stripes, the draping.. so, so chic!
Let’s talk light jacket weather. Here’s a great fall trench coat (I like the slightly darker tan color), from an unexpected source, at an equally great price. And they always have sales! Barn coats are everywhere this season and I’m tempted by this shorter, boxier take in either the dark plaid or that dusty blue. And don’t sleep on the evening jacket! Pair this brocade leopard number with jeans, slick heels and a chic little black ‘going out top’ and you’ve got date night sorted.
As much as I’m a summer person – we can all admit, fall fashion is far superior. I’m loving the ‘It’ colors this season (as dictated by Marie Claire). I’m particularly drawn to dark cherry red and that cornflower blue (like this satin button down) right now.
Last year we attended 2 fall weddings (outside of our own!) and while we don’t have any on the calendar this year – I’m always on the lookout for great event dresses. You never know when an occasion might arise, right? I love this under $150 option(burgundy with long-sleeves and a feather hem, so chic!) for a cocktail attire dress code event or this semi sheer bronze knit option.
Call me crazy but I can’t stop thinking about this two piece matching floral trousers and vest set. Together it’s a bold punch, but imagine the pants with just a solid crewneck cashmere sweater, or the vest with jeans and a button down underneath? The options are kind of endless and all a little bit unexpected, which I love.
Maybe it’s the rain and the slightly cooler temps, or maybe it’s just the lifelong itch for ‘back to school’ clothes I always get in August – whatever it is, I officially have Fall fashion on the brain. I’m trying to be extra mindful on any purchases for the new season (we have some big things we’re saving for), which is why I always find it helpful to start early on – saving items that excited me for the season ahead, and ideally ones that I could wear now and later. Below – what’s on my list.
Let my preface this post by saying – my weight is the least interesting thing about me. And if body talk is something that makes you feel uncomfortable, please skip this post! That being said – this blog has always been a reflection of my life, and this has been a fairly large part of my life for the past year.. so I’m sharing. Also – I hope that it might resonate with some of you who are either on a similar journey or serve as a small bit of motivation and support for anyone looking to do the same.
In early July of 2023, I admitted to myself that I had gotten to a place where I felt really uncomfortable in my own skin. My clothes were tight (even the ones I’d sized up in), I was constantly bloated, not sleeping well, I felt sluggish all the time and I had no real stamina or strength to speak of. I hadn’t stepped on a scale in years, telling myself that it wasn’t about a number (and it wasn’t/isn’t), but in doing so – I had removed all accountability. I think it was a long time coming, but I basically woke up in July of last year and felt fed up with myself and knew I wanted to make serious changes to my health and habits.
There’s a lot of talk about body positivity (or at the least neutrality) and the urge to resist diet/work-out culture. It felt almost anti-feminist to care about my weight or dress size. But here’s the thing – I can believe that women shouldn’t be judged on their bodies and want mine to be as healthy as it can. I also felt certain that this change wasn’t being motivated by the desire to look like women I saw on social media or a because my partner was pressuring me to maintain a certain weight. Rather from the desire to regain control over my habits, feel strong and, as I age, maintain a healthy lifestyle that will lead to a great quality of life for years to come.
To begin with, I stepped back on the scale. That was.. hard. I had to face the fact that I’d slowly and without thought, gained 25 pounds in the past 6 or so years.
Then – I took a really hard look at my habits. If you had asked me in early 2023 – I would have said that I exercised somewhat regularly and I ate pretty well most of the time. Except I had mindless snacks every night after dinner even when I wasn’t really hungry, “treated” myself to sugar-y things anytime I was stressed or it felt like fun, never said no to a second alcoholic beverage after a first drink, and my workout routine was the first thing to go when work/life got busy.
In the hopes of creating changes that would be sustainable for years to come, I started small. I wrote a list of starting point non-negotiables in the Notes app on my phone:
Take the stairs both ways on my lunch break at work (my office is on the 5th floor)
Avoid mindless snacking when I’m not really hungry
3 strength work-outs a week, 1 cardio work-out a week
No alcohol at home (I felt like it was important to distinguish a cocktail when out to dinner that felt fun and social vs. a beer on the couch that I wasn’t even really enjoying)
Drink more water
8 hours of sleep a night
Listen to my body!
I started with those (without compromise), and as they felt like they began to lock into place – I added more. Like the rule of inertia but for habits, it seemed that changes in a positive direction seemingly wanted to keep going that way. Or maybe it was just that, I was surprised to actually be seeing the results I’d felt were somehow out of reach and so I felt really encouraged to keep going.
1 month in and my clothes started to fit a little more comfortably. The list of non-negotiables felt like less of a struggle to accomplish every day.
3 months in and I’d lost nearly 15 pounds, was sleeping soundly and felt less bloated. Clothes I hadn’t been able to fit into comfortably for awhile were fitting again.
6 months in and I’d lost around 19 pounds. I started to increase my running mileage and the weights I was lifting, I started taking the office stairs in the mornings and evenings too and it felt way easier to tell when I was actually hungry. I stopped craving more alcohol in the way I always had before.
9 months in and I’d lost 22 pounds and 4 inches off my waist, ran a half marathon and had muscles I’d never seen before in my back, arms and abs. I started looking for ways to add protein to my diet to fuel my workouts and contribute to muscle growth.
Now, for the past 3 months I’ve been in a more relaxed ‘maintenance mode’ – keeping up with these habits (I typically work out 5-6 days a week and try to walk an average of 8-10k steps a day) but have also allowed for summer indulgences when it felt right for me.
In the immediate, my goal is to reset a bit from the past couple of summer fun months and (depending on how my body feels) get closer to that 25 pound mark. I’d love to add Pilates to my workout mix as something lower impact and fun and also run another half marathon in early Fall. And then – settle in! My initial goal was a yearlong reset but ultimately it was to create sustainable habits and a level of health that I could maintain for years to come.
When I type this all out I feel almost overwhelmingly proud. Not because I fit into a certain dress size again, but because I set my mind to something and showed up for myself week after week, for a year. Because I made myself and my future self a priority. Because even if I missed a workout or had a day where I overindulged, I started fresh the next day and didn’t let that become a string of bad days. If you had asked me in early 2023 if I would ever look/feel like this again I would have defeatedly said no. I thought being in my mid-30s meant just sort of accepting some of these changes. My last half marathon was 6 years prior and I had convinced myself I couldn’t get back to that place with running/fitness. It all just felt so far out of reach. But then I just.. started. And now? There’s no looking back.
Here’s to making your own list of non-negotiables – whether it be for your health, your finances, your career, your relationships, or all of the above. Show up for yourself and don’t listen to people that might think your goals are too big or too inconsequential. If it matters to you, it matters. I’ll see you on the running path.
