Note 52 - Navigating September

Painting at the Rijksmuseum

Happy Sunday! Today’s post is a more accurate reflection of my everyday routine in France: the daily outfits I wear to the office, the French architecture and nature I try to take in every day, and the little rituals I’ve incorporated into my routine.

The past couple of months have been very intense: organizing a full move abroad, starting a new job, traveling quite a lot, and adjusting to a completely new chapter. Now, I’m finally settling into a routine, finding my footing, and getting ready for some quieter months (eventually ).

Hope you’re having a lovely, cozy Sunday!

What I Wore This Week

Top & Skirt - By Malene Birger / Shoes - Aeyde

Blazer - By Malene Birger / Bag - Toteme / Shoes - Soeur / Skirt - Aritzia

Top - Brandy Melville / Skirt - By Malene Birger

A week of transitional fall outfits. Mornings have been crisp and cold, while evenings are the complete opposite. I’ve been experimenting with my long leather skirt, a secondhand find from Vestiaire Collective, and I love how flattering and versatile it is with different pieces in my wardrobe. I already have so many ideas for styling it, and I love that I can wear it for a multitude of occasions: work, date night, special event, etc

Otherwise, I’ve kept things within a pretty neutral colour palette, playing mostly with textures, proportions, and silhouettes to keep each look feeling a little different. I love mixing ballet flats with sweaters or blazers; to me, that’s a very chic combination, and I’m also excited to start wearing coats and boots. Not long until then, I hope…

Everyday Delights

Adding biking to my commute

Parisian doors

Foggy mornings

The main highlight of my everyday routine lately has been swapping the bus for my bike on my commute to the train station, even as the mornings get darker and colder. Being outside, having a few quiet moments to myself, and avoiding the packed bus has been so lovely. It takes a little more planning and logistics, but I find that it really helps with my anxiety and sets a much nicer tone for the start of my day.

I’ve also been making an effort to take 30-minute walks along the Seine at lunchtime. It’s always nice to step away from my laptop, but I’ve especially loved being by the water and having a proper break rather than spending my lunch hour browsing around different shops.

Finally, we’ve hung more of our prints around the apartment, which has made everything feel so much cozier. I especially love this one, which we bought at the Copenhagen Botanical Garden three years ago. It’s such a small thing, but it makes it feel more like home.

Lunch walks by the Seine

Bedroom refresh. Lamp - Ferm Living / Bedside Table - Zara Home / Blanket - Label Naturel / Pillow cases - Tekla / Print - Copenhagen Botanical Gardens

This Week’s Edit

Is it weird to copy your friend’s style on Glamour

I thought this article was particularly interesting, especially because it’s a conversation topic I’ve had many times over the years. There have been times when I’ve felt uncomfortable seeing a friend buy the exact same pieces that felt like “show ponies” in my wardrobe. And, if I’m being honest, there have also been times when I know I’ve done the same and perhaps taken a little too much inspiration from someone else. I like the idea of finding your own personal style and not wanting to dress exactly like everyone else, but I also know that fashion isn’t exactly unique. Anyway, a good article and definitely food for thought.

Body Language, Meg Howrey

I raved about Meg Howrey’s previous book, They’re Going to Love You, to anyone who would listen, so I was really looking forward to her latest release, Body Language. The writing was incredible, and I especially loved the exploration of family relationships and sisterly bonds, definitely a highlight for me. Some themes didn’t resonate with me as much, but if topics like caring for an aging parent, dementia, religion, and family dynamics feel close to home, I think you’ll get a lot out of this one. For me, this was more of a 50/50 recommendation. I also felt like the target audience might skew a little older, which may have influenced how much I connected with it.

The Encore by Taylor Swift

The last thing I expected this month was a new Taylor Swift song, let alone four new ones. The news was exactly what I needed to get me through the week. Friday morning, I woke up and immediately listened to the new songs. I love Patient Zero and Pink Clouding, and it’s been such a joy figuring out what (or who) the songs are all about.

KitchenAid Artisan Mixer in Almond Cream

When I moved to France, I unfortunately couldn’t take my kitchen electricals with me, so I ended up gifting my sister my trusty KitchenAid mixer. But I’ve been missing it and didn’t realize how often I actually used it. I got my hands on a new one last week (in a beautiful cream colour), and I’m loving it. I baked some protein muffins over the weekend, and I’m excited to try making cardamom buns again when the temperatures drop.

Love, S.

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Note 51 - A Wedding in Canada