The Push and Pull of October
The Joys of Layering and the Despair of Another Year in the Books
‍
October. We have such a love-hate relationship.
‍
Pumpkins.
Crisp weather.
Layering a sweater or a suede jacket.
Fall leaves.
That first taste of hot coffee that just hits deeper in the fall.
I love all of that.
‍
‍
My birthday? Kinda hate her…
And therein lies the bittersweetness of October: the natural reflection that comes for me at this time of year.

It’s that looming question of what have you accomplished, and, even more heavily, what haven’t you—and, ah that list is long!

In the last couple of years, I have worked hard to create a fashion-based website, which sometimes feels like an uphill battle. Is anyone really reading it? Does it resonate with anyone? Or am I just whistling Dixie into the wind? Often, I fear it’s the latter.

Glass half full—which really isn’t so great unless it happens to be a glass of champagne—but nonetheless, marching on… I’ve acquired a skill set I didn’t have before. I now know how to beat the Webflow gremlins into submission and turn out a website which, although not perfectly coded, actually functions. I didn’t get that A in my college elementary-education computer class for naught—my parents’ money well spent, undoubtedly!

And this year? Well, it’s certainly had its ups and downs. Shingles wasn’t on my bucket list… And having a Pomeranian who’s battling cortisol and hormone issues? Don’t even get me started.

But still, there have been some very good things. My kids, for one. Blake, my youngest, is off at Mizzou doing the whole first-year-of-college thing. The fact that he calls almost daily to touch base? One of the highlights of my day.
Griffin, who is somehow about to be 22 despite the fact that I’m fairly certain I’m only 25… is looking for a condo in Chicago. Personable and good-looking (no, of course, I’m not biased). A born salesman, he’s excelling in his career.

And Dylan, my oldest? He’s training for the Chicago Marathon and running 20 miles at a stretch! And it’s even harder to believe that he’s been living in the city for over a year on his own—the same little boy who couldn’t take gymnastics lessons unless I was in the room with him, sitting on the gymnastics mat, because watching from the waiting room was just too far away.

All of that? Strange. Because apparently while I was busy worrying about whether I had accomplished enough, they were all quietly becoming adults. So odd. But also pretty wonderful. And I am so proud of all of them.

What does this next year bring for me? Ah, Hamlet, therein lies the question…

I think the answer is that I’m refining—not reinventing. Reinventing is so 2025.

This year I’m not razing the house. I’m editing the room. Keeping the good bones—Wolfie will be grateful—and kicking the rest to the curb. I’m changing what no longer works. And going back to the basics—the elevated basics, because this is me, after all.

My focus? Eating healthier—protein forward, cookie backward, sadly. A rough road for me to travel because eating healthy is not my go-to. I much prefer a four-piece McNugget Happy Meal to a salad any day of the week. Salad lovers, any advice??

I’m focusing on moving my body daily—back to the walks that, although I dread, I always enjoy once I’m out there doing them. Being outside in nature is my therapy. I’m also focusing on incorporating strength training into a weekly routine. Uphill battle, literally. Stay tuned.

And the website? I’m still working on it. Perfecting it. Structuring it. Distributing it. But I’m setting my sights on other horizons and opportunities. And I’m excited about them. More on that later…

My closet? You didn’t really think she wasn’t going to get her moment in the sun, did you? She is. And after assessing her current—albeit overflowing—condition, I’m focusing less on chasing every new thing and more on paying attention to what actually earns its place. Better fabrics. Better fit. Brands that are doing everything right à la Morgan Stewart’s Renggli. A great suede jacket. The perfect pair of jeans. Think AYR’s The Culture. I’m obsessed. The pieces that make me feel like myself, only slightly more evolved.

Same with beauty. I’m less interested in slathering everything on my face and more interested in what actually works: Dr. Diamond’s Metacine, Victoria Beckham Beauty, Westman Atelier. My beauty essentials? They need to perform.

So October? Give me what you’ve got.
I’m ready for it.