october ins and outs

hello.

“i’m so glad i live in a world where there are octobers.” -l.m. montgomery

it’s the first week of october so you know we have to discuss this month’s ins and outs. today’s letter will be short and sweet, but very festive and spooky.

this friday (tomorrow) i’ll be sending out the halloween master list! there are lots of recommendations for you to make this spooky season the best one yet.

october ins and outs

october ins: 

-pillsbury pumpkin cookies: some people complain that these cookies taste like ass. they’re liars. these cookies are nostalgic and delicious and i will ride or die for them.

-the coraline soundtrack: this is always in, but something about october screams coraline and also cosplaying both of coraline’s dads.

-pumpkin carving parties: host a pumpkin carving party with close friends, make chili and cornbread, put on a jazzy halloween playlist, carve pumpkins together, drink wine, watch spooky movies, eat halloween cookies, and have the best most wholesome evening.

-doc martens with black tights: fall uniform.

-ginger molasses cookies: i have a family recipe i use every year to make the most delicious molasses cookies. i always bake extra because my daughter and all of her friends (and their parents) always ask for more.

-rewatching your favorite spooky films: stay tuned for this friday - it will be filled with some films for you to enjoy.

-byredo altar candle: this candle screams halloween. clove, bay, guaiac wood, vetiver, like an abandoned church with an addictive scent that you want to fill your home with.

-black nails: my nails stay black or burgundy 365 days a year so this is not a new in for me. now is the time for black nails.

-trips to the pumpkin patch: i say trip(s) because there are several different trips you need to take to the pumpkin patch… one with family, one with friends, and one late at night.  

-late night trips to the pumpkin patch: if you’re lucky, your local pumpkin patch will stay open at night during the month of october. the vibes at the pumpkin patch at night are superior to day trips. there’s just something about the smell of pumpkins on damp soil with freshly popped kettle corn and candy on a chaotic spooky evening with friends picking out the most sincere pumpkin in the patch.

-gothic literature and classic horror: even if you enjoy this all throughout the year like me, there is something so romantic about reading horror in october.

-trick or treating: you. are. never. too. old. to. go. trick. or. treating.

-nostalgic halloween: i prefer classic nostalgic decor for all holidays and seasons. nostalgic halloween feels spookier while also feeling more comforting- a strange juxtaposition.

-being a weird girl: are you a weird girl, too?

-black cats: i love black cats so much. will this be the month i finally rescue a little black kitty?

-reading dracula while listening to chopin: immaculate vibes.

-bacchanalia: if you know you know.

-ina garten’s memoir: let me tell you that this is the most comforting book i’ve read this whole year (maybe within the last 5 years). maybe it’s because i love ina and she has always been a source of comfort for me. i will never stop recommending this book.

-bobbing for apples: this would be a fun activity to set up during a halloween party.

-getting lost in a corn maze: couldn’t be me, but it sounds like a classic halloween activity that a lot of people would enjoy.

-caramel apples: double coated with dark chocolate and salted peanuts and some sprinkles. or… caramel with graham cracker crumbles.

-occult activities: witchy season is upon us.

-baking homemade pumpkin bread: if you haven’t already, spend a cozy night in baking pumpkin bread to enjoy on a rainy day with a maple latte and a spooky book.

-stormy rainy days: <3

-classic halloween songs: the jazzier and more retro, the better.

-gourmand (or woody) fragrances: Bianco latte lotion is elite for a sweet gourmand. think coven by andrea maack for a woody witchy scent galbanum, oakmoss, clove, cedar, vanilla. or orpheon by diptyque juniper, jasmine, cedar, tonka (highly recommend the body wash- the best diptyque fragrance in my opinion) stay tuned for the full list this friday.

-harry potter films on a loop: imagine spending halloween at hogwarts?

-making your own halloween costume: this is the best part of dressing up in my opinion.

october outs:

-not participating in trick or treating: again, you’re never too old or too cool to go trick or treating with a friend or take your little ones or a little cousin or go with a friend who has children. there is something so magical about making the holidays special for young children. 

-scaring young children and taking all their candy while trick or treating: in the same breath, if you’re partaking in trick or treating festivities, don’t be that guy to ruin it for little kids.

-people who don’t like halloween: please explain yourself.

-avoiding candy: this this the month for (tricks and) treats. what’s your favorite halloween candy? mine are: kitkats, reeses, caramel apple pops, smarties, sour skittles, sour patch kids, dark chocolate almond joy, peanut m&ms, and candy corn.

-thinking you’re too old to participate in halloween activities: see all of the above ^

-slutty halloween costumes: yeah, no.

-being chronically online: get off the screen, go for a walk in the woods, have a dinner date with a friend, read a book, touch grass, do fun halloween stuff.

okay, that’s all i have for you today.

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i love you.

bye.

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