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As much as I want to be a naturally gifted baker, the universe seems to have other plans for me, sabotaging every seemingly foolproof recipe I happen upon. Today’s mishap? Lemon lavender scones. It seemed easy enough. Besides, my favorite local cafe had once served gluten-free, homemade lavender scones from a local baker and I had dreams of recreating them, minus the idyllic background with a fresh, vanilla cappuccino in the background with swirls of white smoke billowing out of the enticing froth.
Before I decided that writing was what I felt called to do, I was terrified. Terrified that I had nothing to contribute and that I would end up in a meaningless job that didn’t play on my strengths, talents or passions. Many people are forced to do this, might I add, to support their families, so I recognize that this is a privilege that I could even stop to consider what I wanted. But before I found a therapist who specialized in CBT and actually spoke back to me (instead of nodding her head empathetically or saying “yes, I see, that is a hard dilemma…” when I asked for advice), I was told countless times to “follow my heart”, but that’s a cliché phrase that seems a little outdated and tone deaf in today’s climate. Here’s why I think so.
There seems to be a subconscious, ever-present tension existing within humans to satiate their contradictory needs of acceptance and self-actualization. Both do not always lend themselves to one another, which poses the question: which is more important and is the desire to equally satisfy both a recipe for madness? Particularly with women but overall a societal issue, this phenomenon is seen especially in consumerism — a perfume, for example, is marketed for its ability to enrapture the senses of passerby’s and solidify you as a unique, mysterious enigma, yet this tactic is what draws so many in and eventually, it becomes a repetitive, monotonous scent, the very thing it originally claimed not to be. It doesn’t take a psychological scholar to point out that we have a deep-seeded need for connection, understanding and belonging, and when we don’t receive it, it can lead to a whole slew of undesirable feelings of insecurity & isolation.
Now that fall is officially upon us (Sunday, September 22 at 8:44 AM EDT, to be exact), it is only fair to begin the tradition of bombarding my readers with all things fall the minute the first leaf turns even a smidge brown. If you’re like me, romanticizing seasons is a tried & true hobby and chai lattes, burnt orange and overalls are staples in your life from the very first of September to 11:59pm on November 30th. For those who get an indescribable rush of serotonin at the first whisper of a chilly breeze or the first sip of a pumpkin drink, this is for you. We (00’s babies, that is) all remember our childhoods being filled with special Halloween episodes & spooky Disney channel original movies, and despite all of the nostalgic posts lamenting the death of our childhoods and the magic of holidays, I think there are ways to infuse that wonder & happiness once again. So, without further ado, this is my ultimate list of the coziest fall shows & movies.
One fateful summer day in 2014, my mom bought me the first three seasons of Pretty Little Liars on DVD and my life consequently changed. I watched them play detective in their statement necklaces and 6-inch heals, and execute it flawlessly. The show showcased true female friendship with unconditional love, support and empowerment (most of the time) and every Liar had a different personality that was highlighted & embraced beautifully. Spencer was the brains, serving J.Crew chic and witty remarks every episode, Hanna was the humorous fashion icon with impulse issues and a heart of gold, Aria was the sensitive, artsy one with eclectic outfits and an uncanny ability to keep a secret, and Emily was the sporty, fair-minded one with an unyielding moral compass and a sweet naivety. The trauma of being stalked & obsessed over affected all of their psyches and personalities over the seasons in different, interesting ways. Should I have been watching such a plot that young? Um, debatable — but the intrigue, freedom, friendship and fashion had me wishing I could fast forward to sixteen. Little did i know, with the direction the 2010’s (and technology) were heading in, a life like one of the Liars was not awaiting me — or any of us.
Parasocial relationships and the widespread media coverage of celebrities (that is accessible with the click of a button) are two things that have cultivated a twisted sense of ownership between fans & their favorite people in the limelight. The devastation and uproar that occurs when a teen idol gets a girlfriend is a well-known phenomenon, and the misogyny and hatred that comes in tow has come to be expected. It is an age-old tale, and all it takes is one look at Taylor Swift & Harry Styles to know that even the most beloved are not exempt from the one, unwritten rule: don’t lock down a heartthrob.
Before I decided that writing was what I felt called to do, I was terrified. Terrified that I had nothing to contribute and that I would end up in a meaningless job that didn’t play on my strengths, talents or passions. Many people are forced to do this, might I add, to support their families, so I recognize that this is a privilege that I could even stop to consider what I wanted. But before I found a therapist who specialized in CBT and actually spoke back to me (instead of nodding her head empathetically or saying “yes, I see, that is a hard dilemma…” when I asked for advice), I was told countless times to “follow my heart”, but that’s a cliché phrase that seems a little outdated and tone deaf in today’s climate. Here’s why I think so.
There seems to be a subconscious, ever-present tension existing within humans to satiate their contradictory needs of acceptance and self-actualization. Both do not always lend themselves to one another, which poses the question: which is more important and is the desire to equally satisfy both a recipe for madness? Particularly with women but overall a societal issue, this phenomenon is seen especially in consumerism — a perfume, for example, is marketed for its ability to enrapture the senses of passerby’s and solidify you as a unique, mysterious enigma, yet this tactic is what draws so many in and eventually, it becomes a repetitive, monotonous scent, the very thing it originally claimed not to be. It doesn’t take a psychological scholar to point out that we have a deep-seeded need for connection, understanding and belonging, and when we don’t receive it, it can lead to a whole slew of undesirable feelings of insecurity & isolation.
One fateful summer day in 2014, my mom bought me the first three seasons of Pretty Little Liars on DVD and my life consequently changed. I watched them play detective in their statement necklaces and 6-inch heals, and execute it flawlessly. The show showcased true female friendship with unconditional love, support and empowerment (most of the time) and every Liar had a different personality that was highlighted & embraced beautifully. Spencer was the brains, serving J.Crew chic and witty remarks every episode, Hanna was the humorous fashion icon with impulse issues and a heart of gold, Aria was the sensitive, artsy one with eclectic outfits and an uncanny ability to keep a secret, and Emily was the sporty, fair-minded one with an unyielding moral compass and a sweet naivety. The trauma of being stalked & obsessed over affected all of their psyches and personalities over the seasons in different, interesting ways. Should I have been watching such a plot that young? Um, debatable — but the intrigue, freedom, friendship and fashion had me wishing I could fast forward to sixteen. Little did i know, with the direction the 2010’s (and technology) were heading in, a life like one of the Liars was not awaiting me — or any of us.
Parasocial relationships and the widespread media coverage of celebrities (that is accessible with the click of a button) are two things that have cultivated a twisted sense of ownership between fans & their favorite people in the limelight. The devastation and uproar that occurs when a teen idol gets a girlfriend is a well-known phenomenon, and the misogyny and hatred that comes in tow has come to be expected. It is an age-old tale, and all it takes is one look at Taylor Swift & Harry Styles to know that even the most beloved are not exempt from the one, unwritten rule: don’t lock down a heartthrob.
The importance placed on how we look & present ourselves has always played a disproportionally large role in how our lives unfold, but with the rise of social media (and especially TikTok), the pressure is greater than ever to employ all sorts of unconventional tactics to defy aging & flaws and mimic the airbrushed versions of ourselves reflected on our screens & posts. The debate on how far we should go to meet our cultural beauty standards is a long-standing & nuanced one, but the point of this post is to point out a new beautifying trend that focuses on highlighting & enhancing our natural, unique beauty, something I think everyone can agree is harmless and uplifting. The trend is color seasons, and the theory is that we all belong to one season: autumn, winter, spring or summer.
Hair is a big deal. It can be the deciding factor on whether or not we feel good that day, some of us center our social calendars around salon days and wash days, and many people spend exorbitant amounts of money on shampoos, sprays, treatments, and tools to keep their hair looking top-notch. And thankfully for people who like to get things done themselves, shampooing twice and learning how to use rollers does not require you to be a graduate from cosmetology school. The tricky part is the stuff that normally does, like highlights, haircuts, perms, Brazilian blowouts, etc., etc.
Sometimes, it’s a relief to put your hair in the care of someone with vastly more knowledge and experience. walking into the salon with a frizzy, tangled mess of hair and walking out with Selena Gomez Pantene commercial circa 2016 hair? A guaranteed dopamine boost. The problem is when it goes horribly wrong.
Bangs have come & gone throughout history in various shapes, forms & lengths. They’ve especially managed to revive themselves through various 2021 & 2022 hairstyle trends, including bottleneck bangs (think: Dakota Johnson) and curtain bangs.
The costume department for New Girl expertly nailed Jess Day’s ultra-feminine, bubbly, preppy style with a kaleidoscope of colors and patterns to capture her bright essence. Despite this, the maximalism in her outfits doesn’t quite translate to the trends of today, which got me thinking: what would Jessica Day wear in 2024?
To understand this and catch a glimpse into a modern-day version of Jess, first we must understand what her style is: twee. The exact definition of this word is “affectedly or excessively dainty, delicate, quaint or cute.” Moreover, the word curiously has British origins, linking back to the 60’s/70’s “Mod” style that featured crisp lines, big lashes, bangs and patterns. These things are still relevant to today’s trends, but in more evolved, “refined” ways.
In an effort to fix an utterly demolished attention-span (thanks to the convenient doom-scrolling of TikTok), I decided to dive back in to my first love: YouTube. In this rediscovery, I found an interesting new genre I had yet to look into called video essays. Here, people explain polarizing or niche topics with a plethora of background research and plenty of illustrations to paint a forthright, all-encompassing narrative. This discovery came about a little over a year ago. Fast forward to present day — well, three days ago —, I came across a video by Mina Lee called “Why Is Everyone Dressing Like a Little Girl?” With a newfound affinity for bows and the “coquette” aesthetic myself, I immediately clicked on the video in hopes of discovering what this interest represents on a deeper level.