October
I can’t quite explain it or pinpoint the reason, but I spent October letting go. I’m a big believer that places hold memories and energy, and this month I revisited two places that held some of the happiest and the saddest of times.
It’s interesting the way feelings stay with you. I’ve always been triggered by the changing of seasons because it brings the most visceral memories for me. This time the colour of early fall and the crisp notes in the air hinting at winter brought unsolicited snapshots of a life I left behind. Countless autumns I no longer wanted to relive. It felt like peeking inside of Pandora’s box.
While moving to a new country was very much so about walking towards a different life and future, I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t also about what I was leaving behind. My chapters in Vancouver closed out in crucial ways which made leaving the only logical choice. It left me with what feels like an irreversible distance between myself and the city. But alas, Vancouver and I will always be connected. Some of my closest friends are there and soon a little god daughter as well. While I can’t see myself wanting to move back any time soon (if ever), I’m thankful for my friends who make it known that I’ll always have a home in that city.
I’ll hold on to these precious things forever. Everything else I’m releasing. As I fly over the sea-to-sky on my way back to Paris, I think about how life works in mysterious ways. The best decision I’ve ever made was to trust the process because when has the universe ever done me wrong?
Loving
My morning menu
I’ve been seeing variations of this all over Instagram but my morning menu typically just includes journaling, reading, and maybe some note-taking. I set a timer for 30 minutes so I’n clear about how it fits into my schedule while still ensuring I’m making time to feed my brain before I start work.
Stumbled across this adorable timer at Les impreimeuses, a gift shop in Paris. Did I buy it for the novelty of having a physical timer? Yes. Has it made my deep work sessions so much more entertaining? Also yes.
Caudalie Vinoclean Cleansing Oil
Officially purchased my third bottle of this which makes it my most repurchased cleansing oil so far. It takes all of my make up off without stripping my skin or causing it to react. It also seems to help dislodge sebum spots when I spend the time to really rub it in.
Added this gorgeous sweater to my collection this autumn. I got it in a size small which fits quite oversized but I think it’s a nice departure from what I currently own.
Consuming
Listened to this one as an audiobook while knitting. I only know Rebecca Yarros for the Fourth Wing world so it was fun experiencing her writing in a classic romance novel. I personally love a good enemies to lovers trope ESPECIALLY one that has to do with writers. Enjoyed this for what it was—just an easy, fun-to-consume distraction.
Also an audiobook that I devoured while knitting (clearly I’ve been putting in the hours). I love books like this where it gives us a 360 degree look into a family’s dynamics. While I can’t think of any particular scene that tugged at my heartstrings, I still finished the book with a warm and satisfied feeling. It just felt like a complete story and I really enjoyed spending time with the Padavano sisters.
This was the perfect entry into Daphne Du Maurier’s world and I loved her atmospheric prose just like how everyone said I would. There were so many moments where her writing triggered the most detailed imagery in my mind and it really makes you feel you’re living the story. Thought it was really interesting that the MC was never named. It seems to drive home the point that her identity was always going to come second to the roles required of her. I found a secondhand copy of Julius by her as well so I’m excited to read that at some point this winter.
Trying
I tried a new lunch spot this month and fell in love with some dishes that I usually wouldn’t order. On one of my solo-dates this month I stumbled into CHANCEUX Bastille and let my server pick my meal. He suggested the smoked trout which tasted so fresh and was complemented by a dollop of fluffy cream sauce. For the main, I had their signature pastrami sandwich which actually came with eggplant fries. I’m not usually a dijon girl but the flavors melded together so well that I’m thinking of revisiting just for this dish.
Making
I’ve been noodling over a new journal project I want to build and I finally made time to prototype sizes this month. I’m still ironing out the details but I’d love for it to be something in between a journal and a planner—a tool that can help bridge our inner world to what we’re building externally. If you’re curious or just want to follow along my journey of making my next product, I just created a newsletter for it here.
Snapping
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Angel xo