“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers” – L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables.
It’s been just over a couple of weeks since the fall equinox here in New York City and although the weather hasn’t shown much cooperation (we’re still having random 90 degree days..), I’m gearing up for cool, crisp weather and enjoying another seasonal new year, a.k.a. what I like to think of as a transformative period in which we shed the habits of seasons past! I find myself starting anew in every aspect of my day-to-day life from the meals I prepare to what I’m keeping in my closet, to new goals I’m setting for myself! I’ve been inspired by this new season to create a list of some of my favorites this fall. They include music, beauty products, media favorites, and restaurants I’ve been enjoying so far this season!
Media
TV & Movies:
Sweetbitter
For anyone looking for a saucy new drama, Sweetbitter is the show for you! Based on the best seller by Stephanie Danler, this series follows 22-year-old Tess who arrives in New York City on a whim hoping to find a job and begin a new life. Her awkward charm leads her to be invited to train at one of the best restaurants in NYC. While she at first thinks of it only as a temporary setup, Tess quickly becomes consumed by her striking and mysterious coworkers and the behind the scenes life of the restaurant and its patrons. From tasting expensive wines, exploring sultry dive bars and clubs, and intriguing love triangles, Sweetbitter is a drama that will have any New Yorker at the edge of their seat!
Mind Hunter
For all of my Criminal Minds super fans and the true-crime obsessed, this one’s for you! Just having premiered its second season, Mind Hunter is a crime drama directed by the Oscar-nominated David Fincher and executive producer and Oscar-winning actress Charlize Theron. The show follows FBI Agents Holden Ford (played by none other than Jonathan Groff!) and Bill Tench as they pioneer research surrounding the profiling and apprehension of serial killers. In an attempt to build a database surrounding the newly developed concept of “multiple-murderers”, the duo and their team interview a vast array of famed killers such as Charles Manson in order to analyze their chilling behaviors and seek out the heinous murderers in their midst. This show makes for an intense drama, sparing no detail of the frightening crimes committed, all while sharing the vulnerability of both the investigators as well as the serial killers with the viewer. Just when I thought I’d seen any and all crime series of substance, Mind Hunter blew me completely out of the water with its nuanced 70s/80s charms, unprecedented twists, and the expression of this behind-the-scenes world of serial killers and those who profile them.
The Politician
This series, with an allstar cast featuring Ben Platt, Lucy Boynton, Zoey Deutch, Gweneth Paltrow, and Jessica Lange, is as if Wes Anderson directed Glee meets Gossip Girl. In other words, this is a show you absolutely shouldn’t miss out on! The series is set around Payton Hobart (Platt), a Senior at Saint Sebastian High School in Santa Barbara who will stop at nothing to become the future president of the United States. First in his 17 year plan, though, he must be elected senior president of his graduating class which is all turned upside down when his opponent and lover takes his own life. While humorous and clever, The Politician touches on the gravity of mental health and sexual expression, all the while navigating the rather toxic side-effects of the 1 percent in a fashion only comparable to that of Gossip Girl. Throw in a few off-the-charts musical numbers by Ben Platt and you’ve got the recipe for a killer new coming of age dramedy.
YouTubers:
Helen Anderson
My absolute favorite YouTuber at the moment (and honestly for the last 5 or 6 years probably) is Helen Anderson! Her videos are mainly on fashion, styling, and beauty, but she’s also an avid traveler and is incredibly down to earth, having covered topics related to mental health and body image as well. What I love about Helen is that she has a very bold, cutting edge style that is rarely displayed by online personalities. The best way I can describe her style is a mix of “sexy vintage mogul” and “new-age punk rocker” with an added edgy feminine vibe that ties it all together. She’s one of the most creative, goofy, and badass people on her platform and definitely worth a watch if you consider your style to be a bit more alternative or are even just looking to become more versatile in styling your wardrobe.
Hailey Reese
Another favorite of mine is YouTuber Hailey Reese! She covers a broad range of paranormal topics, myths and legends, true crime, and story times that always entertain me without fail. Her bright bubbly personality and care for her subscribers is incredibly personal and makes the content of her channel stand out. If you’re looking to dip your toes into the paranormal community, or are even just interested in hearing a spooky story or two, check out here channel here! My favorite segment of hers is 31 Days of Halloween where she uploads a spooky video every single day of October!
Best Dressed (A.k.a. Ashley)
One newer favorite of mine within the YouTube community is LA based Ashley, better known as bestdressed. Her videos mainly consist of styling hauls and lifestyle vlogs, but her dry sense of humor and matter of factness really shine in her content. Her thrifting ability is absolutely top notch (we’re talking in my top 3 favorite thrifters list) and her styling advice is golden. Not only is her more fashionable content extremely entertaining, but she also makes great videos discussing beauty standards, sex and relationships, and mental health all through the eyes of a college woman. Her voice is incredibly unique and watching her videos is like having a goofy, cynical, style guru friend at your side.
Harmony Nice
For any of our readers interested in Wicca, spooky content and/or fashion, UK based Harmony Nice is an excellent watch! A practicing green witch myself, I can’t get enough of Harmony’s unique insight to craft through her series, Enchanted Endeavors! She also delves a bit into paranormal story times and true crime which are my go-to in terms of content. In terms of lookbook videos, she leans more towards romantic bohemian looks with a bit of an edge and has filmed an array of unique hair and makeup tutorials too! Like many of my other youtube favorites this season, she’s super genuine about topics like mental health as well as her fitness journey and how she navigates sex and relationships. Overall, Harmony Nice is a youtuber I can’t recommend enough; her content gives off such humble, sweet, and encouraging vibes! Watch her videos here!
Music:
Fall Spotify Playlist (By yours truly!)
Fall is chocked full of album releases by my go-to artists! This playlist mixes magical vibes with nostalgic classics, chill indie rock numbers, and cozy acoustics. Click here to listen to a playlist full of timeless tunes I’m enjoying currently!
Books:
Gypsy: A World of Colour and Interiors – Sibella Court
I love a good novel as much as the next girl, but as a visual artist there’s an entire section of my brain dedicated to my obsession with artist books such as Sibella Court’s Gypsy: A World of Colour and Interiors travel and design gallery book. Although I’m no interior designer, I’m absolutely infatuated with this book by the renowned Australian designer! Known for her eclectic bohemian decorating, this design book is the culmination of Court’s creative journey as she travels the Galapagos, Ecuador, Indochine, Turkey, Transylvania, and Scotland! Whether or not you’re as big of a geek over color theory and cultural design elements as I am, this travel book is full of delicious palettes, architecture, scenery, and commentary you won’t want to miss!
Art & Fear – David Bayles & Ted Orland
David Bales and Ted Orland’s Art & Fear: Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking is a book I’ve read many times and is a selection I find myself falling back upon as my life busies with school, work, and everything in between! Although being an artist in New York City offers heaps of opportunity and inspiration to expand one’s craft, creative blocks and sometimes even the fear of creating can creep up during early fall as schedules swell and the days get shorter. This book always offers me helpful perspectives that enable me to push past creative obstacles and win back my inspiration, including the will to create in times of doubt. This is a great read for artists of any kind seeking a little guidance in terms of their creative journeys.
The Green Witch: Your Complete Guide to the Natural Magic of Herbs, Flowers, Essential Oils, and More – Arin Murphy Hiscock
I mentioned a little bit about my craft above when writing about Harmony Nice but before now I’ve rarely delved into how I practice! Arin Murphy Hiscock’s The Green Witch is my current favorite guide to nature and magic! It’s full of recipes for potions, herbal tinctures, essential oils, and ways in which the practicing green witch can expand her philosophies. It’s also a guide to certain gems, stones, flowers, and plants which is great for the beginning witch!
Beauty
Skincare:
Caudalie – Beauty Elixir
In recent weeks I’ve reintroduced Caudalie’s Beauty Elixir (a.k.a. A classic skincare staple) to my daily routine! Inspired by Queen Isabelle of Hungary’s skin routine, this fine natural mist uses grape seed extracts, rosemary, mint, and rose oil to give your complexion a boost of hydration and radiance! Although I strayed from this product for a little while in hopes of exploring other brands, I came back to Beauty Elixir because it keeps my skin in tip top shape in terms of smoothness, redness, and being acne-prone during cooler months. I use this both in the morning and evenings after washing my face, and to set my makeup!
La RochePosay – Micellar Water Ultra
This past year or so micellar waters have become a staple amongst many to remove makeup and cleanse the face. My go-to micellar product is La Roche-Posay’s Micellar Water Ultra formulated for sensitive skin! Although this product comes at a slightly higher price point than most (it ranges from $15.00 – $24.00 depending on where you purchase it), I’ve found that no other micellar water removes makeup, dirt and debris from my skin quite like it! Also, certain brands of micellar water tend to leave an odd residue on the skin after use, but that’s one aspect I’ve never experienced with La Roche-Posay. Overall, I think it’s safe to say this is one product I swear by, even on the days I don’t wear makeup and just need a little extra oomf to help me clear the day from my skin!
Makeup:
Glossier Play – Color Slide Eyeliner in Disaster Class
Growing up, I was definitely part of the first wave of those obsessed with the YouTube community! In high school, I loved experimenting around with eyeshadows and rocked some pretty intense and glamorous looks. Throughout my past few years of college, though, I’ve mellowed out quite a bit and found that I’m more into a natural base with simple eye looks composed of a simple base/crease shade, and an editorial styled eyeliner look. On simpler days, I call a bit of smudged out eyeliner such as the above on my lower lash & waterlines and some mascara good, while on days I’m looking to amp it up I opt for the Glitter Gelée below (But I’ll get to that in the next little blurb). I’m absolutely in love with the formula of the Glossier Play Color Slide Eyeliners! Although I typically opt for liquid liners such as the Pat McGrath Labs Perma Precision Liquid Eyeliner, I’ve recently been experimenting with pencil liners again as I’m able to do some looks that still have some character, but are a little softer than stark editorial styled liquid liners. These liners are as creamy as they get; blending with ease but also staying put! The Glossier Play color range is also pretty phenomenal, my current shade of choice being Disaster Class which is a deep cranberry color perfect for fall!
Glossier Play – Glitter Gelée in Bijoux Bijoux
Speaking a bit more on the realm of eyeshadows, I’m very much enjoying the Glitter Gelées by Glossier Play! There are only four shades at the moment (The gunmetal above, a rose gold, a gold, and a clear/holographic shade) but I think there’s something really special about the formula! As I mentioned above, I’m very much into a natural base with more of an editorial feel in terms of eye-makeup these days. I love that with this glitter gel formula I’m able to either pop on just a bit of sparkle, or go full glam by building it up on the lid. I also like that the chunks of glitter in this formula range in size and give off the look of actual flecks versus the shimmering effect of most cosmetic glitters (Though don’t get me wrong, I love a fine, shimmery cosmetic glitter too!). Add a little eyeliner and mascara with this on your lids and you’ll have a killer look that was almost too easy to achieve!
Bath & Body
LUSH Cosmetics – Elbow Grease
With the weather getting cooler and dryer by the second, I’m constantly looking for moisturizers to combat my already dry skin. At the moment I’m absolutely obsessed with the rich formula of LUSH’s Elbow Grease! It looks amazing after a shave or over tattoos and keeps me hydrated all day long. Although our cooler days seem to be attributed to rain at the moment, it makes skin look extra luminous on days when the sun decides to make an appearance! Also, a little goes a long way with this product because of the essential oils, and it lasts quite a while! Get it here!
OGX – Aspen Texture Spray
People who know me well are no stranger to my pickiness when it comes to hair products. Even when I’m at a proper salon, my least favorite aspect of hair styling is putting copious amounts of product in my hair. My hair is thick and styled short, and I don’t like anything goopy or sticky in/on it— especially after it’s just washed as my hair is really prone to oiliness and product buildup. In terms of products I deem acceptable for use, a heat protectant (usually a shea oil but occasionally I’ll find a spray protectant I like), a nourishing conditioning treatment, a sea salt spray, and hairspray are all I keep on hand. However, I recently took a chance on the OGX Aspen Texture spray after stumbling upon it while shampoo shopping and am totally obsessed! It’s like nothing I’ve ever tried before: It adds dry texture with the hold of a hairspray! I love that I get similar results in texture to that of a sea salt spray with the added volume/lift of a dry shampoo or powder spray. The cherry on top is, of course, having my hair stay put/frizz free as if I’ve used a hairspray. I’ve repurchased it twice now and think it’s safe to say this will be in my repertoire of hair products for quite some time.
Anatomy of a Fragrance – Figure no.6 Orchid Vanille
One thing I’ll always admit to splurging on is a good perfume. Although not a must for everyone, the process of finding a small collection of signature scents/perfumes has been quite a special endeavor on my end. I became obsessed with Anatomy of a Fragrance perfumes during my first year of working for Anthropologie! The first ever Anatomy of a Fragrance scent I fell in love with was Figure no. 6 Tuberose Santal which MUCH to my dismay has been forever discontinued. I think Tuberose as a scent in general is probably my signature, but since branching out within the realm of perfumes, I’ve found the Figure no. 6 Orchid Vanille of the same Anthropologie Anatomy of a Fragrance line to be another serious contender on my favorite scents list. I typically enjoy fragrances that are light on the senses yet extremely prominent and I think this line and scent in particular do just that!
Restaurants & Cafes
La Mercerie Cafe at the Roman and Williams Guild
Although the Upper East Side has its perks, SOHO has La Mercerie, a.k.a. brunch heaven! If you find yourself in the mood for some time in the Lower East Side and are seeking total Gossip Girl vibes, consider reserving a meal at La Mercerie Cafe at the Roman and Williams Guild. Lead by Head Chef Marie-Aude Rose, the gorgeous sunlit space celebrates the delight of everyday French cuisine. Although a bit on the expensive side when considering a student budget, a brunch here every now and again with a good group of friends is absolutely doable and very much worth the splurge from time to time!
Cheese Grille
With chillier days approaching, Cheese Grille is high on my radar. Although I’m the type to enjoy grilled cheese and tomato soup year round, there’s something special about eating it during fall; especially when an amped up artisan grilled cheese from Cheese Grille is on the table! I can say without a doubt in my mind that the spicy tomato soup at Cheese Grille is my absolute favorite tomato soup out there, which says quite a lot considering that I dislike 95% of tomato soup recipes with a passion. Paired with one of their many artisan grilled cheese recipes or an order of their insane mac ‘n cheese, you really can’t lose! Another plus for those extra chilly or rainy days? They deliver!
Slimák Cafe
For those who find themselves in Brooklyn, Slimák Cafe is my absolute favorite! I eat here every Monday when in Sunset Park for my studio job and can tell you it makes the beginning of my week a little sweeter! This darling cafe with jazzy vintage vibes serves up some of the most delicious lunches and brunches. Their menu consists of numerous creative and fresh, locally sourced dishes from around the globe that, to put simply, are just done right. Everything I’ve tried off of the menu is absolutely phenomenal and is served to you by a kind and attentive staff. Whether you stop in for a locally roasted cup of joe or are staying for brunch and a good read, I assure you Slimák will be no disappointment!
Entertainment
Union Square Greenmarket
Since late August, visiting my local greenmarket has become one of my favorite pastimes. It’s culturally enriching, healthy, easy on my bank account, and a great way for me to experiment with seasonal dishes! Even on the days when I feel overwhelmed at the thought of being out and about, visits to Union Square Greenmarket always turns my day around for the better and, as nerdy as it sounds, I always end up having had an amazing time learning about different produce and speaking with the vendors!
Although there are always new media, products, restaurants, and forms of entertainment popping up in a city as active as NYC, the above are just a few favorites of mine that I’ve been enjoying thus far into fall. I hope you’ve found my 2019 fall favorites to be an interesting read and will be inspired to explore a few of them yourselves!