With nothing but respect to fall, but where the fuck did October come from? Maybe it was the long lead-up to my MAJOR birthday— for months, I have been head down, locked into Sept so imagine my pure surprise when the ninth month transitioned to the tenth! Math Genius!

It is still overwhelmingly not cool in the South, which at this point is pisssssing me off! But I am a resilient woman, so let’s just move on to my early faux fall things.

**pics in collage clockwise from top left– of course, Whitley Gilbert is a Libra!; Zendaya looking like an earthbound angel; my bday twin GP smoking cigs amongst martinis like a 90’s Queen; a dream am coffee set-up; sipping sent to the table by my bf champagne at Montreal’s iconic Joe Beef; nerds vs. jocks in 2026; a dream E–W Birkin; good love certainly keeps you less inflamed; and my Sciura future life.

Reading, Watching, Listening to…

1. If you are a Black or AA-adjacent Gen X or Millennial, the names Jordan, Harper, Robin, Lance, Mia, Q, Shelby, Murch and Candy mean not just something, but everything to you. I stumbled on Best Man: Unfinished Business, Malcolm D. Lee’s latest iteration of his incomparably Black storytelling universe, and cannot overstate how much I loved it. The audiobook provided a lush, heartwrenching, sexyyyy and hilarious backdrop for brutal back-to-back road trips. I was surprised at how deeply the characters from the Best Man world had embedded themselves into my nostalgia. It truly felt like spending several hours with my cousins. Malcolm just confirmed with this latest release that he is a master of recognizing, honoring and celebrating our culture.
2. Other great reads—Yesteryear is a feat, so don’t get bogged down by the hateful reviews. You will read this book and be haunted by it for weeks to come. I also listened on audiobook and spent every solo Uber/train ride during my August trip to NYC devouring this jaw-dropping story. One scene towards the wild conclusion stopped me dead in my tracks. Jenny Jackson’s latest release Shampoo Effect was a sophomore triumph relative to her rather meh debut. She nailed the messy evolution of childhood friendships turned lifelong and created character depth that was nearly as flesh and blood as a Patchett novel. TW: restrictive eating/ED The Cut did an exceptional deep dive on the deeply disturbing world of college girls, sorority rush and GLP-1s. My heart broke for the girls striving for thinness, hotness, acceptance now and the young girl in me who did it two decades ago.
3. Listening— I have been a Tinashe fan for such a long time and often wonder how her career would have unfolded if she was a pop diva of a different hue. Well, the world is about to reckon with the fullness of Tinashe’s star power following the release of her nearly flawless album Popstar. I have been listening to “Crash Out” for months and salivated at the full record. Nothing gets me more hype than a tiny, stunningly beautiful woman who knows who the fuck she is and shatters all preconceived notions. I currently have “Cloud 9” and “Popstar” on repeat. Other listens— new Stevie Wonder?!?, Bieber’s Coachella set streaming! and Steve Lacy’s latest release. 
4. Watching— I finally watched The Drama after my bf raved about it during a plane viewing.  It is absurd, hilarious and chaotic and reminiscent of a time in 2018 when we were not cracked out on screens and our own stupid ass opinions. Zendaya was fantastic, but I have found myself inexplicably horny for Robert Pattinson late in life. Speaking of Ed Cullen, he stole my eyeballs in The Odyssey. Again, argue with your mammy, because I was so touched by the sprawl and grief and gore and beauty of Nolan’s retelling. I thought about it for days afterwards! Looking forward to The War and The Different World reboot.

Birthday Girl Energyyyyy

1. Running through a few faves from my totally OTT (over the top!) birthday celebration— custom matchboxes as party favors via Etsy that had everyone in a tizzy, invite design here, phenomenal champagne flutes that feel like glass, great marker/pens from here and namecards via Hester & Cook.
2. Two birthday dress options because I had a lot of celebrating to do— this sweet angel from Farm Rio that my best friend deemed my “Sexy Seed Packet Look,” (see above) and a sapphire stunner from Staud that honors my fabulous birthstone and made its debut @ Montreal’s famous Joe Beef!
3. The best wine options for hydrating 30 very thirsty party goers– anything from Mary Taylor, the world famous Patio Pounder and any cremant sparkling under $25 + Don Ramon, arguably the best affordable tequila for batching after-party margaritas.
4. Since my love Raiford’s is no longer available for key celebrations, one of Memphis’ most famous dive bars Alex’s Tavern will do just fine for a late night. When you are doing your second happy birthday song of the day with a single candle in a chicken wing, please know just how lucky you must be!

Early Fall Shoppies

1. New Slvrlakes that are somehow even better than its predecessors– the Grace in the most perfect grey wash.
2. Finally breaking out my new Pleasures bomber jacket that is so chaotic and attention-drawing, I could only wear it in a place where I know no one.
3. Maybe 40 means leaning into fall decor because it simply makes me smile. A $5 candy corn mug to brighten every morning, plus a honeycrisp apple-scented candle from TJ’s and some borderline livelovelaugh door decor to round it all out! I have also rediscovered the ASMR joy of crunching acorns during my am walks.
4. Jumping on the lucky girl pear-shaped studs trend with this standout pair from D. Louise.
5. Over the ear headphones that probably sound as good as a pair 10x the price. All the better to hear you with, Tinashe dear!
6. The tiniest of Longchamp Le Pliage pouches in a chic black-on-black colorway that delights my heart every time I pull it out. Who needs Chanel? Very much me still, very very much.
7. If you think I’m done talking about the sorcery of Elisa Johnson sunglasses, you clearly don’t own any yet. I purchased the Maya during the LBD weekend sale and I have worn them at every turn. They’re giving Sharon Tate sans the serial killing!
8. More deinfluencing on shopping, but please please make your own granola. It takes 5 seconds and has probably 500 fewer ingredients than store-bought. At a glance: rolled oats (I love Bob’s Organic), chia and or flax seeds, a neutral oil like sunflower or avocado, a bit of PB, cinnamon, coco sugar and/or maple syrup, a hit of salt. Mix all in a bowl until just wet, then bake at 275-295 for about half an hour. Add pecans, walnuts or pistachios and bake for another 10 minutes. I add dried cherries once it’s all cooled down! Based on my use of and/or, you can obviously customize this anyway you would like.
9. Wellness Break— Pilates at a private backhouse studio in Memphis that you basically get a whisper invite to, Forza Pilates in Nashville is as gorgeous and hard as they say, and SweatHouz has changed how I recover. As a proud Sweat member, I spend 60 minutes bouncing between 51 degrees and 140 steaming ones (kinda like the weather these days).
10. Beauty— Arey hair oil/serum for battling grey and aging hair, the viral nighttime oil from Trader Joe’s, the return of true blue 00’s pale nails in Ballet Slippers/Muchi Muchi, and a barrel of Canada-sponsored drugstore beauty!

Now, all I want for fall is temps consistently below 60 degrees and a tsunami of a Blue Wave on Nov 3! What are you up to? Tell me below! Xx