A Love Letter to October, From My Kitchen to Yours 💌
A Love Letter to October, From My Kitchen to Yours 💌
Also, you probably noticed something different around here...
At the heart of this change is community - a place where we can come together to celebrate our passions for creativity, happiness, and coziness. While social media and other algorithm-based platforms can feel forced, I believe that Substack is the perfect place for us to cultivate a space that is authentic and genuine.
For those who are new to Substack, it's a fantastic platform for discovering content that aligns with your passions and interests. And for my existing readers, you can still expect to receive a weekly post via email, as well as occasional extra content (check out our About Us page for more info). I'm also building a paid area for our supporters, where founding members can enjoy having their own personal designer at their fingertips without the overhead costs.
I'm thrilled to embark on this new journey with all of you, and I believe that by coming together as a community, we can create something truly special. Thank you for joining me on this adventure, and I can't wait to see where it takes us!
Got a second? Let us know how you feel about this below:
And now, this week’s post.
To many more Cozy moments!
Peyton.
Okay, can we talk? Like, really talk? Amidst the whirlwind of October, where pumpkins are taking center stage, and we are innocently getting bombarded by Christmas adverts (too soon, right?), I stumbled into a savory vortex of soups and a premature infatuation with Christmas trees. Okay, I lied; I’ve always loved Christmas Trees!
🍲 Soup-A-Licious Encounters:
This week, I juggled simmering pots and pondered over pine needles, all while subtly pushing that ever-growing pile of laundry into a slightly neater pile with my foot. We’re talking soups that hug your soul and Christmas trees that seem to whisper, “Pick me; I promise I won’t shed needles EVERYWHERE!”
👻 Spooky Spoilers:
I almost sent you an entire dissertation on why ‘Pumpkin Spice’ should potentially be considered an official season. But I refrained. Because, between you, me, and the simmering pot on the stove, my spice cupboard is a hot mess, and I can’t find the nutmeg... so, do we really need that in our lives right now? Instead, I rounded up some of the best cocktails and coffee recipes for the month of October.
🎄 Untangling Tinsel Theories:
Meanwhile, in a surprisingly early encounter with tinsel and twinkling lights, I whispered sweet nothings to Christmas trees, promising them a glorious stay in my living room — if only they’d vow not to shed on my carpet. Who knew bargaining with a tree could be so emotionally charged?
Quick Tip:
📌 Your Fall Experience Toolkit
A Cosy Recipe: Something warm, hearty, and enveloping - think velvety soups or a caramel apple galette.
Sensory Delights: Engage your senses with a spicy candle or the tactile pleasure of soft, woolen throws.
Curated Playlists: Tune into autumn with sounds that evoke coziness and warmth - jazzy notes, acoustic strings, or nostalgic classics.
A Moment of Pause: Perhaps most crucial. Find a moment to breathe, to savor, and to be present amidst the fall tapestry.
Note that you have to find the moment; life quite simply does not offer you moments to breathe. You’re the one in charge!
The Magic of ‘Zoning’ Your Space
Dive into the elegant world of zoning with our step-by-step guide, and discover how the magic of creating distinctive, purposeful areas within your home can seamlessly steer you through various holiday activities, ensuring each nook and cranny sparkles with intentional festivity and warmth.
Here’s Your Exclusive and Simple Step-by-Step:
Identify: Recognize the different activities that unfold in your living space: lounging, dining, working, celebrating...
Define: Using rugs, lighting, or plants to subtly border these ‘zones’ without erecting walls. A plush rug might denote your chill nook, while a sleek floor lamp might illuminate your reading spot.
Decorate: Introduce elements that heighten the purpose of each zone: Comfy cushions for the lounge area, elegant candleholders for the dining spot, and so on.
Evolve: As seasons and celebrations shift, allow your zones to morph. That reading spot? It might just become a gift-wrapping station come Christmas!
And voilà! Through the subtle art of zoning, you elegantly navigate through various activities while maintaining a cohesive, enchanting flow within your space. A secret shared between the cozy corners of our podcast community and this whimsical newsletter realm.
Community Corner: Top Hallmarks
Embark on a cozy, cinematic adventure with us as my British husband experiences the charming whirlwind of Hallmark Christmas movies for the first time! 🇬🇧 From unexpected small-town romances to the enchanting hustle of holiday preparations, discover the top 10 flicks that warmed our hearts and might make a new fan out of him! 🎥
Join our merry movie marathon by commenting on your favorite, and sprinkle a dash of festive spirit into your season! 🍿
The Round-Up
⚡️ A ChatGPT note-taking answering machine? Have our prayers/phone calls been answered? Literally?
🩷 Dolly Parton’s Childhood Recipe Will Warm Your Heart.
🎼 After 60 years in showbiz, Cher is finally releasing a Christmas album called “Christmas.”
🧑🎄 Crocs are getting too powerful. Their Christmas Sweater-inspired range is too much!
🏠 Can't get the Parent Trap song out of my head. So I dug up this Architectural Digest favorite - the Montana house of none other than Dennis Quaid. Trust me, it's worth a look. You might even find yourself saying, 'That girl is without a doubt...' (you'll have to finish the rest yourself).