#2: September FAVES & NOT FAVES

a look into my notes app

The most wonderful time of year has arrived, my friends. October in New York—or any East Coast city/small town—is so wonderful. The leaves begin to turn, pumpkins pop up on stoops, and a chill enters the atmosphere—and if it doesn’t, then we only have to hope.

I used to be a big end-of-the-month reflector; nowadays I simply don’t find it ~productive~ because I get sappy and worry about getting older. Oh, pre-post-grad dread. September was a jam-packed month, with the return to in-person learning (YAY) and taking on more responsibilities in my extra circulars as a final-year student (I’d say “senior,” but we’re past slapping on a gendered and aged label to students here at The New School). This past month I start using my Notes app to jot down things I was loving and not loving instead of using it (only) as a place to draft texts to my boss. And so, in the spirit of being frank, the FAVES and NOT FAVES lists were born.

1. HOKAS

If you’re in the market for a new athletic sneaker, I could not recommend the HOKA ONE ONE Clifton 8 more. My parents graciously gifted me a pair of new kicks for my twenty-second birthday in August, but they were stolen by someone posing as a superintendent of my building. After fighting with Free People’s customer service line and filing a theft report with the NYPD (who have yet to check in on me…), we decided it was best to start over. And so my bday gift arrived mid-September and I haven’t taken them off my feet. I’d sleep in these if I could because I’m convinced they’re repairing my feet after wearing the same pair of beat up sneakers for two years.

In memory of pristine white shoes.

2. Grapes in salads

Did you know that grape season is from August to October? This fact shocked me, probably because the American agriculture system has brainwashed us into thinking we can have everything all of the time—which is true if you’re willing to shell out a brick of gold for grapes in NYC in their off season. Anyways, I’ve been eating a variation of this salad for about a week now which is great news for me because I haven’t craved a salad in ages.

3. Flea markets

Because I have really fun parents, flea markets were a constant in my childhood. Rice’s Flea Market in New Hope, PA, is a great place to drag around two sweaty toddlers so you can find the perfect basket or rug for the mudroom. I’m serious. There’s so much junk to look through and if you whine enough you’ll get your own $2 lemonade and braided pretzel stick. In New York, they’re much different (aka $$$), but I still get excited about them. My coworker-turned-friend Maya and I went to two this month, and although I only picked up jewelry and knickknacks at both, I can’t wait to return. If you’re in NYC this month, check out Brooklyn Flea and the Grand Bazaar.

4. 30 Rock

Back when my family first became Netflix subscribers when I was in middle school, my favorite hobby was to watch shows my parents wouldn’t want me to watch on my Nook—this was pre Amazon Kindle era. I binged 90210, The Secret Life of the American Teenager, and Gossip Girl under my covers. But the show I was most secretive about was 30 Rock. It was for grownups and I definitely had no idea what was going on most of the time. But the cool thing about growing up is that you can rewatch 30 Rock and LMAO in the comfort of your own self. I describe myself as “not a big TV show person,” but I watched four out of seven seasons this month. Not prepared for the inevitable end.

1. J.Crew YouTube Ads music

My local FBI agent really hit the nail on the head this month with targeted ads. First there were the ads for renters’ insurance, which would have helped me solve the case of my stolen sneakers more quickly. And now there are J.Crew ads and J.Crew ads ONLY. Although I’m a sucker for collared shirts, Tracee Ellis Ross, and loafers—how did they know?!—I cannot bear to hear the music on this Fall 2021 lookbook commercial any longer. Every time I sit down to watch a video, I am forced to mute my laptop until I can skip through the ad. It haunts me.

2. My screen-less window

The wonderful thing about September on the East Coast is that it’s no longer too hot to keep your windows shut. Once it hits below 70°, I’m throwing up—the window, that is. Unfortunately, my landlord believes that window bars work just as well as a screen would, but I’d like to inform him that they just aren’t the same! While I let in the air and ~sounds of the city~, I’m also welcoming the flies of New York to make themselves comfortable in my apartment. Which leads me to my next point.

3. Found my first cockroach ever

See text below from my dad. Need I say more?