Weekly Recs | September 20, 2025
You know what, I woke up this morning in just an excellent mood. It started, I think, because I popped my eyes open and didn’t immediately remember it was the weekend. It only took a few seconds, but as soon as it dawned on me, I just felt elated. And then, because I was thinking ahead last night, I puttered down the stairs to a freshly brewed pot of coffee.
I spent an hour catching up on my fun inbox - aka all the substack newsletters that pile up through the week - and drank my coffee quietly while I clicked on this affiliate link and that one. I’m feeling the tiniest twinge of excitement for fall which is once again, a reminder to myself not to panic in August when the rest of the internet starts going ham for it. It does come for me and I start to feel that happy anticipation, but for me, it just happens later. Everything in its time. I’m not feeling quite so panicky anymore.
I’m insufferably Pollyanna-ish, but can I tell you some other small joys lighting up my life? I have to steep in these good feelings as long as they last, I think!
A few gal pals DID THE WORK and took our book club idea out of our text messages and into our agendas. We have a book and we have a date to talk about it. I am already on the hunt for an on theme snack/cocktail combination.
I discovered diamond painting and I think I have found my antidote to scrolling for hours after dinner. Last night, my family popped on Shrek, which I haven’t seen in years and was delighted to find I can still recall and recite most of the dialogue, and instead of scrolling, I dot dot dotted little gems to a pattern and boy do I feel superior about it.
I am obsessed with a book. I’ll get into it below, but the gist is this: The Vanity Fair Diaries has me feeling like an industry insider circa 1984.
Alright! Let’s get into these recs that I’ve been hoarding since the beginning of summer. It’s aptly a long one!
Images are links too!
Slam dunk books I read this summer. A real myriad, tbh.
The Pivot Year // Personal Development. Call it a devotional without the religious stuff. Just a nice daily affirmation to keep thyself grounded and optimistic.
Black Cake // Fiction. The story of siblings learning all kinds of secrets about their parents after their mother passes away, leaving a cake in the freezer and a recording full of surprises.
The Vanity Fair Diaries // Memoir. Tina Brown became the editor of a floundering Vanity Fair in 1983, turning that baby around with some of the journalistic bangers that are still infamous today (The Mouse Who Roared, comes to mind). A little how the sausage is made for people interested in that kind of thing.
Corduroy Flares // Feels very 2004, but with higher waists than I wore back then, of which I’m very supportive. I’m in to creamy winter whites and warm rusty shades.
Quit the Bite // I’m ashamed of myself, but this year I picked up chewing on my nails. A coat of this filthy stuff has been such a game changer for me. My nails are safe and really starting to grow out!
GAP Suede Slouchy Bag // Feels so right for fall, doesn’t it?
Target Platform Clogs // Technically slippers, but I’ll bomb around in these economical slides all over the place. Whatta deal!
Replica Never Ending Summer // Kind of spicy, kind of spritzy. I bought it on a whim and it was my summer scent. I hope everytime I sniff it forevermore, I’ll remember summer 2025.
Medicube Overnight Collagen Mask // I saw this all over IG this summer and I am nothing if not a ho for a trend. Willing to try anything the influencers are shilling! But this is a very good product that gives my face a nice, plump dose of recovery. Also features a V satisfying peeling experience the next morning.
BaubleBar “Love Bites” Earrings // I do not need these, but that part is irrelevant.
GAP x Peanuts Halloween Crewneck // I would seem that i have graduated to an age in which I am attracted to cutesy sweatshirts like this. Haha. Feels very elementary school teacher coded but here we are.
Madewell Bucket Bag // Okay and I’m back to more grown-up style! This bag! This color! On my radar for a cute late fall/early Christmas season carry-all.
Old Navy Halloween Pajama Set // Because October is fickle and it might be warm, or it may not be, but I’ll definitely be in the mood for seasonal and festive jams.
Old Navy x Bluey Halloween Pajamas // Speaking of, I’m also putting my kids in festive sleepwear and we’re deep in a Bluey phase.
Natasha Denona Eyeshadow Pallette // Really good neutral pallette that is on my daily roster. Color payoff is good and it lasts through my entire workday. She’s a workhorse!
GAP Trench Coat in Navy Blue // A basic that makes the whole outfit. I imagine it dressing up a good pair of flare jeans, hoodie and the sneakers I’m dreaming of this season.
Happy Weekending!
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