Oh hello October!
I found this quote at an art gallery in Calgary last weekend and decided to take it as a personal omen. No, I’ve never churned butter, but I am working on whipping my ideas into something a little more solid. I’ve been experimenting with some video content, nothing to announce just yet, but I must say, holding the tiny microphone feels pretty natural—hah! I’ll be over here casting spells and calling in some magic as we continue to follow October’s path further into the woods.
In other news, I’ve started making soups to stock up the freezer, fought off a head cold, had my first book club meeting, and did a little shopping. It’s all in here, along with some other great recs, lots of art, and this song from Fine to start us off…
Lauren’s List
Don’t sleep on this cashmere scarf—it won’t last!
Interview with publisher Fitzcarraldo.
Been enjoying these reusable eye masks.
Cool exhibit at the Glyptoteket.
Soups: spiced chickpea stew + lemon chicken orzo.
The art of being interesting without being available.
A very chic sweater.
Excited to try this lip liner.
Manifesting a visit to this Swedish farmstay.
Looking forward to this film.
What your favourite Sad Dad band says about you…
Recent Reads
There Lives a Young Girl in Me Who Will Not Die by Tove Ditlevsen (2025) — translated from Danish by Sophia Hersi Smith and Jennifer Russell.
This collection brings together poems Ditlevsen wrote across four decades of her life. It’s emotionally heavy, as Ditlevsen writes openly about loneliness, love, womanhood, and the dark corners of being alive. There were several poems I passed over without much thought, and others I immediately bookmarked and know I will return to. — BUY
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen (1811).
I had to sneak this one into the mix before I go see it in theatres! Although the last Jane Austen I read bored me to pieces, this one really held its own—and surprised me with its social satire among the romance and family drama. I enjoyed the contrast between the two sisters and the very different ways they approach love and heartbreak. Reading it in October felt perfectly timed, with the old estates, dramatic landscapes, and English manners. — BORROW
BUY — Worthy of a spot in your personal library. A book to underline, revisit, and recommend.
BORROW — Worth reading, but you could get it from the library or listen to the audiobook.
BOOT — Not worth your precious reading time.
Calgary was great—it’s always fun to pop into a new city for a weekend and see the highlights. One of my favourite spots was the public library. I felt like I was transported back to Oslo when we walked in. After reading about the designs for this building when I got home, I discovered it was done by the Norwegian architectural firm behind the Oslo Opera House! So cool.
Other than geeking out over the library, we also squeezed in a photo booth, an afternoon at the Farmers’ Market, a quick stop at IKEA, the Contemporary Calgary art gallery, and a look at the Calgary Tower. Shelf Life was the best indie bookshop, and we had some amazing food at: Native Tongues (tacos), Maven (brunch), and MARI (bakery).
Art I’ve Been Loving
I hope you’ve had a witchy week. Soups bubbling like potions on the stove, candles lit before dinner, and books multiplying on the bedside table. I’m leaning all the way into October this year and highly recommend it.
Happy Thanksgiving long weekend to my fellow Canadians! Thanks for spending a little part of your day with me, and before you go, tell me…
What’s the best public library you’ve ever been to?
x Lauren
Hi Lauren! Love this roundup. I enjoy seeing the Calgary photos because I'm likely going to meet my parents there for a trip next year - they've never been and I've only been once but for a very short trip.
I need to check out that Tove Ditlevsen book, I read The Copenhagen Trilogy after Petya recommended it and really enjoyed it. I think you would too if you enjoyed her poetry.
So far my favorite public library was the Helsinki public library! I enjoyed browsing around and enjoyed a coffee and pastry in their cafe.
Happy Thanksgiving!
I live in Calgary so love that our beautiful library is on my doorstep!