Take Autumn: The Catalog
On content recs, fragrance, magazine subscriptions, library science, matcha, and good fashion.
If you’re fortunate enough to live in a part of the world where you experience the four seasons, then you know fall is just right around the corner. It’s a beautiful season, for literal and metaphorical reasons. Green leaves turn brown, warm weather becomes chilly. We spend a lot of time indoors, snugged in our sweats making hot tea and watching a comfort show. While summer is the period of “living your best life,” the autumn is a period of self reflection, where we look inwards and dig deep. We shed, some parts of us die, and only the essence of our identity persevere through winter.
In this edition, I write about a guide to living in the fall in the style of content recommendations, sprinkled throughout with beautiful fashion spreads, cozy architecture, and good artworks.
Here’s my take on the Fall Catalog, as we begin September.
Fragrance:
I like Maison Margiela’s By the Fireplace.
Subtle, woody, and sweet. Approachable and calm. Perfect for the Fall and Winter, but suitable for any other season, really. On their website, the fragrance is described as:
“a warm & spicy unisex fragrance […] The scent evokes the enveloping sensation of a cozy fireplace in the midst of winter.”
I will say though, because it’s an EDT (Eau de Toilette), the scent does fade pretty quickly. In Canada, you can find a 100ml bottle at Sephora for $208 CAD / ~$152 USD.
To watch in your down time…
Six friends in their mid-20s, living their lives in New York City. Lately, I’ve been rewatching the show “Friends” (for the third time). It’s my comfort show, one that I keep revisiting, and will revisit over and over in the future. The vibes of the show can be summarized in the chorus of their theme song: I'll be there for you ('Cause you're there for me too).”
The fall might also be the time to rewatch Dead Poets Society.
To read, because you want to learn…
Consider getting yourself a magazine subscription. Ideally, one that comes with a hard copy every week. I find myself reading interesting pieces, understanding more about the world, and spending less time online. Here are some of my favorites:
The New Yorker for literary pieces. Digital + Annual Subscription: $78 USD for the first year.
The Atlantic for investigative-style “big question” stories. Digital + Annual: $89.99 USD/year.
New York Magazine for weird, but fascinating and niche columns. Digital + Annual: $70 USD/year.
and here’s a tip: if you’re a college student/educator, you can get a great deal on these subscriptions. For The New Yorker, you can save 50%.
To read, for fun… !
Book rec:
Speaking of reading, I’ve picked up a novel recently: “The Winners” by Swedish author Fredrik Backman. I’ve read Fredrik’s A Man Called Ove a few years back and it’s a great read! Backman brings a different kind of vibe to the table; Comfortable and heartwarming, while also exploring important concepts (“The Winners ask us to reconsider what it means to win, what it means to lose, and what it means to forgive.”) and the unfairness of life. 200 pages in now, I’ll keep you posted!
In addition, check out 3 great articles I read this week (a segment of Well Rounded!):
Idea: In the Age of A.I. What Makes People Unique? from The New Yorker.
Men’s Fashion: Ivy Style: Not Just For White Guys from GQ
World: The Mysterious, Meteoric Rise of Shein from The Atlantic
Need a literary community? Earlier this year, Kaia Gerber and Alyssa Reeder officially established Library Science, although the online book club began in the pandemic!
“[…] our mission is simple: get young people reading. Library Science will continue to curate books that aren't on the typical bestseller lists in order to better highlight new voices, writers to watch, overlooked, or underrepresented stories – and for greater context, we will occasionally throw in a classic that might better inform contemporary work.”
Book club aside, they also make great merch!
Homemade beverages:
Some people say that Matcha tastes like grass? Come on now…
Matcha’s one of my favorite drinks. You have to find authentic matcha for it to taste good. Ideally from Japan. I’ve heard great things about Ippodo. Or visit a local Japanese Matcha Shop!
Tea, tea, tea
I’ve been drinking a lot tea lately. Tea with work. Tea while reading. Tea before bed. My brands of choice are TAZO and Twinnings. I enjoy TAZO’s Ginger Green throughout the day and Twinning’s Camomile Tea at night! I also suggest getting a good insulated mug to go with it!
And that is it! Thank you for checking out the fall catalog! Feel free to subscribe to support future editions and get them delivered into your inbox! Have a great day, and I’ll see you next week!
-CS