Raves:
Autumn
It’s a season, but it’s also a lifestyle. Warm cups of coffee, curling with steam. Cozy cream sweaters tucked into high-waisted jeans. The crunch of red and brown leaves underfoot. Autumn is a time of possibility, perfect for curling up on the couch with a blanket or taking a walk through the crisp air. Everything feels a little more peaceful just before the icy bite of winter and once the heat of summer has cooled. Fall candles with scents like apple, pumpkin, caramel, and vanilla add something special to the season. There’s something so beautiful about autumn, like the calm in the air before a storm.
Baking
Baking is a year-round activity, whether you’re smoothing the edges of an apple pie as it rains or piping pastel frosting onto cupcakes on a bright spring morning. It’s a great way to pull yourself out of a slump, pulling your focus onto something creative. Regardless of whether you’re overjoyed or overwhelmed, the warmth of the oven and the aroma of chocolate leaves you with lasting memories. If you can’t stop scrolling or need a break from homework, go bake!
Skincare
If you’re in need of some peace, there’s nothing more soothing than skincare. Establishing a routine can be incredibly relaxing. And if you need to start getting organized, skincare is a great way to do so: cleanser, toner, serums, eye creams, moisturizer. I personally sleep so much better with a clean, cared-for face and my hair pulled back in a braid. With the “That Girl” aesthetic all over TikTok and the countless skincare routines on Instagram, finding quality products is easier than ever. Just scrolling through Sephora’s masks, mists, and moisturizers makes you feel like you’re straight out of Pinterest.
Rants:
Sparkling Water
Dry. Dehydrating. Sour. Something about sparkling water is just so unpleasant. If you’re having lunch, would you rather have a cool refreshing glass of water, garnished with lemon and filled with ice, or an over-carbonated liquid that belongs in the back of a refrigerator? The carbon dioxide reacts with the water, producing a foul, metallic taste. I know some people find it very satisfying, but I find it more like drinking a chemical reaction that desperately needs fruit to make it palatable. If you’re looking for a change from regular water, try adding some citrus or berries.
Rudeness
This might sound small, but we are in a rudeness epidemic. Simple manners like saying please and thank you will get you a long way. Unfortunately, I’ve noticed that people have either forgotten how to be polite or don’t care anymore. Meeting a child with good manners is far rarer than it should be and while it might be because everyone was isolated for so long during the pandemic, something needs to change.
Shoes in the House
Wearing shoes in the house is a practice I’ll never get used to. It’s one thing to put them on and then dash back to grab your phone or bag, but constantly? It just seems unsanitary. Our houses are spaces for sleep, eating, bathing, and relaxing – not exactly somewhere you want to track bacteria and a concoction of germs. Slipping off your footwear at the door should be a habit everyone adopts, for comfort and cleanliness.
