Cortado: October
Cover image via Marie Claire Magazine
Where did September go? I blinked and it’s a new month.
Autumn is my favourite season for fashion - the layering options are endless, the colour palettes are so inviting and sophisticated, and usually there’s Fashion Month to look forward to.
Usually.
I don’t mean to dispel any creative dreams or excitement, especially considering I was recently on a packed plane (it was shocking), but how do we feel about packed live fashion shows? Is it responsible? I personally loved the virtual presentations done by brands like Hermès from a few months ago.
Nonetheless, there are still plenty of things to be inspired by this season. I’ve curated my wishlist, my reading list, and more to get you through this month.
What I’m reading
After listening to the episode of Armchair Expert with Malcolm Gladwell (yes, I’m late to the game), I picked up a copy of Talking to Strangers and am hooked. Though published in 2019, there’s a lot to be said about the way we perceive people we don’t even know, and Gladwell puts forth some interesting insights about our accuracy - or lack thereof - of our perceptive capabilities. The footnotes are also worth a read.
Other than that, I’m revisiting Michael Pollan’s The Omnivore’s Dilemma in an attempt to understand food marketing and the fallible Western diet. Since moving back to Toronto, packaged food (even those disguised as healthy snacks) are so easy, and I missed the joy and satisfaction I felt from cooking a meal. This book inspired me to start cooking again and carve time for myself during the day. If you watched the docuseries Cooked, you’ll like this one.
What I’m listening to
Weird and unusual event: my Apple music played a really good song radio. Call it a coincidence of mood and timing, but I hope you enjoy this playlist with a cup of tea or something.
What I’m eyeing
Someone hide my wallet before I buy everything on this wish list, but here are some things that find really hard to resist.
I’ve got my eye on helenamanzano’s next drop, set to arrive on SSENSE any day now. Since it’s getting colder and we’re all going to have to be inside, I’ve come to accept the fact that I’ll be wearing knits only for the next few months.
If you’ve seen that ivory HM sweater vest everywhere on Instagram and would like an alternate version, I highly recommend the Filippa K Corinne vest, coming back in November. It’s oversized, and I love this brand for their commitment to sustainability and longevity.
COS launched a recycled polyester bag in the UK that will be available in the US (and hopefully Canada), that I’ve really had my eye on. I love William Forsythe’s “White Bouncy Castle” installation (1997), and this bag reminds me of that. That, and this alpaca-blend Jil Sander bag.
I know I did a black boot feature in last month’s wish list, but I have to add Dear Frances’ Ana boot to the list. This style was so popular last year and I’m so excited that it’s back - I have a pair of these boots in a pony hair print and they’re so comfortable and a statement with any outfit.
Bagatiba’s charms are my latest obsession, especially their lucky charm necklace. The tabs are just big enough to be bold, but they’re so sleek and minimal in design that you can wear it as an everyday necklace. Pieces are also sustainably made :)
On beauty
So many beauty products I’m loving this month.
Last month I mentioned I loved the GOOPGENES face cream - they’ve launched a body butter that is just as luxurious and wonderful to use, and will be a real treat with the increasingly colder weather. It’s made with bacardi, capuaçu, and shea butter, and the texture is just as delicious and rich as its counterpart. Another gem I’ve started using is Goop’s light Glycolic Peel pads, which have been helpful with my breakouts and scarring.
I’m taking a break from gel nail polish - as restrictions increase on salons, I’m taking manicures upon myself. Chanel’s fall nail polish colours are so beautiful - they’ve added a burgundy red (Interdit) and muted dusty rose (Égerie) to their roster of colours. I’ve mixed the two together in a single manicure because I couldn’t commit to a single colour.
Fortunately my job allows me the opportunity to work with brands I already love - in September I partnered with Malin + Goetz for the launch of their Detox Scalp Mask. I’ve tried scrubs for my scalp. I don’t love the sensation of having to try wash everything out. This mask is essentially a chemical exfoliant for your head; it contains AHA’s and has a wonderful oxygenating effect that leaves your hair refreshed. My friend even commented on how healthy my hair looked after the first time I used the mask, and I’ve noticed my hair feeling healthier and even longer. For USD$35, it’s a bargain for the benefits it provides.
I love a good eye mask. I’ve tried so many - Chanel’s Le Lift eye patches are a favourite that I save for special occasions. For when I need an instant awakening effect (especially before a shoot), I turn to 111Skin’s Rose Gold Illuminating Eye Masks. They aren’t new on the market, but new to me, and I can’t remember a time before them.
