to be so extremely honest, i never considered myself a fall person. growing up, i only knew fall as an extension of summer.

it only starts getting cold in early november and the leaves changing color isn't as dramatic of a turn as it is in the northeast. it's dry and boring and everyone's is still sweating. spending 7 falls in the massachusetts/new york, i am now aware of what the season is all about. apple cider donuts. kidding... (not really) but i do understand the hype because now i love when the air gets cold and you can smell autumn. it's so distinct even though i'm not sure 'chilly' has a scent. but that feeling... i love it. a mix of nostalgia and something cozy. and a good excuse to stay inside, which eases my fomo.

so now that i've established myself as someone who cares deeply about the season, here are items that i would toss together in a huge vat of autumnal soup and the things that would be discarded in the compost:

IN

• ballet flats // now when i say this, i don't mean just any flats, i mean shoes that are designed to look like ballerina flats or pointe shoes. should probably have ribbon or satin. i will admit that they hurt to wear...
• maple
• taobao // all the good chinese sticker artists are here and i've finally figured out how to buy from the site with a proxy
• hair and scalp health influencers
• long pleated skirts
• a league of their own // i adored the movie and somehow the tv show is better. the show is beautifully dressed as well and priscilla delgado is a gem
• second hand burberry
• 28 reasons by seulgi
• jelly cakes
• mokapot // the smell of percolated coffee every morning yummm
• bearblog :3 // there's no pressure, just you, me, words, and vibes

OUT

• halloween as a personality // i just think if america had more harvest festivals we would be less concerned with stretching halloween from august 31st to november 15th
• pumpkin spice
• amazon storefronts // i actually think it's embarrassing to have and PLUG your amazon storefront
• getting interviewed on the street
• bode // the quilting community doesn't like her because she cuts up perfectly good and skillfully made quilts and i've heard not great things about the company culture
• singlet rompers
• nespresso // too much waste
• broadway lotteries // how is being offered the chance to purchase $60 tickets 'winning the lottery'
• substacks // everyone starts a newsletter then no one follows through!! come on just say something!

that's all the love & hate i can share for now - i'll be back in the winter with a refreshed list.. thankies for reading >_<

-mary