October, which is usually one of my favorite months, started out rather inspiring. I felt renewed and ready to take on anything. The weather was rather mild and I got outdoors and did stuff.
And then I received terrible news that my grandmother had passed, a week after my visit to Tennessee. She was one of my favorite people, a humorous, sassy ruby-red-lipstick-wearing sort of broad that could cook like no other. She was someone that I frequently brought up in conversation. You could not talk to me about fashions or food without me bringing this great woman up. October has not been a very “easy” month for me. It’s been an emotional one, an incredibly difficult month, but I’m feeling more pulled together now. I’m also really happy that I went back and visited when I did.
The rest of the month has been dark and gloomy. It’s now “officially” autumn in Seattle. I spend most of my mornings and evenings damp from hellish commutes in our “vegetable crisper”. I’m not sick of it yet, but ask me again in February.
Anyway here were my favorites for October ’14:
Wearing (fragrance) – I’m going through my usual fall “spicy” phase. I’ve been wearing a lot of Chanel Coco and Estee Lauder Cinnabar.
Summary – I’m rather predictable.
Wearing (cosmetics, etc.) – See the skincare portion below. I wasn’t really feeling inspired with makeup because I was focused on skin stuff. I have been craving darker lips and I bought some new lip products by Armani and Chanel. Both are so luxurious!
Summary – When I get sad, I buy lip products. When I’m happy, I buy lip products. I buy too many lip products.
Wearing (clothes) – Some days I’m like “people have no idea how much effort goes into looking this boring” and other days it’s like “omfg, I’m ridiculous”. My cool weather wardrobe is split in half. It’s half boring black jeans and boring gray tops with Chelsea boots. Or it’s some all black get-up with like capes and cowboy boots and fingerless gloves – the Fields of Nephilim or “cowboy ninja preacher” that my friends say in an almost “please her heart” sort of tone. It’s “not enough” or “too much”. No middle ground.
Summary – Both ends of the spectrum take the same amount of effort, I’ve learned this. And more info regarding my western bow tie (and Oscar Wilde hair) on Instagram.
Using (skincare) – The condition of our skin can say a lot about us and our health. This month, my skin was the worst it’s ever been in my life (excluding the time I had chicken pox). So many breakouts, like an insane amount, and nothing I could do about it other than use lots of acids like Paula’s Choice BHA Lotion or Alpha Hydrox AHA Souffle. I added those morning and night daily and did my usual routine The acids do help. I also attempted to drink more water and sleep (which hasn’t been so easy).
Summary – Just one more reason why this month sucked…
Eating/Drinking – It’s fall so I’ve been trying to enjoy fall harvest stuff like chanterelles and acorn squash. I’ve brought out some of my recipes. It’s been good.
Summary – I love fall foods.
Listening – I’m completely aware that I have really cheesy taste in music. But, I love music that is fun. And I needed “fun”. So, this month has been more House and lots of stuff like Kenny Dope. And if you need more cheese, I will straight up listen to Italia Disco/Dance Music. So, yeah, Livin’ Joy and all that junk from the mid-90’s.
Summary – I never said I was cool, ya’ll.
Watching – I’m in the middle of Orphan Black Season 2 and I’m really enjoying it. So far, so good.
Summary – I like when I find a good series to watch.
Reading – I still have a few more poems left in The Book of Scented Things. I’m also reading Mandy Aftel’s Fragrant: The Secret Life of Scent.
Summary – I recommend both. I’m not finished but I’ve really enjoyed what I’ve read so far.
Wanting – Some peace and comfort.
Summary – I’m getting there. I’m already looking forward to November and December. And I’m planning some relaxing down time where I can finish books and lounge around in cashmere and burn fancy candles.
What were your favorites for October? Did you do anything inspiring? Go anywhere inspiring? Eat anything inspiring?
Oh, and take the time to send a card or call your grandma and/or mom today. OK. Just do it.
I should probably call my mom. Thanks for that. Also, I need to track down that book of poems. It sounds lovely.
LOL at “vegetable crispers.” So accurate! I do not miss that (or commuting/traffic in general), to be honest, but I miss everything else about that city.
Wait. Did you move?
I’m so sick of the commute/traffic here that I’m thinking about moving. I’m so over getting “crispy” 😉
Yep. To the roaring red side of the state (we’re in central/eastern WA now). I have never been as depressed as I was during election time.
Oh, I’m sooo sorry.
Good parts is that the rents are cheaper and it’s pretty in its own special way 🙂
i am saddened to hear of your Grandmother’s passing. She sounds much like my own, and these Grand Dames of style seem to be rare and needed in our world.
i hope you both continue your connection and conversations even after this moment- and thank you for continuing i your sharing- you are certainly not without your own sass, humor and definite glamour.
Frink is looking very “Drive FASTER MoneyPenny!” a la Sean Connery as Bond. 😉
They are needed but the great thing about them is that they live on. They are inspiring. And so much of what I like has really been influenced by her and ladies like her 🙂
He is totally saying that. He whines like the biggest baby when the car stops. Drives me bonkers.
I’m so sorry to hear about your grandmother. It sounds like she was a fantastic an inspirational woman. I hope you have many happy memories of her to toast as time goes on!
It’s definitely candle weather in Seattle, and the commute really has me down as well. I live up just south of Everett, and I’m currently doing a program at the university’s main campus…that’s not a fun bus ride!
Thank you. She was a great lady.
Yes, it is. I take a total of 8 buses a day from Seattle to Hellevue. It fucking sucks. It’s like 8 miles and it takes me 90-120 minutes each way. I’m over it. So, over it.
Holy CRAP, 8 buses? That’s awful. Is that a consequence of the recent cuts to King County Metro? That’s a god awful commute. 🙁
Yes. It’s hell. I *could* drive and just sit on traffic on the bridge. I haven’t decided which is better yet.
so sorry to hear about your grandmother’s passing. hope you are doing ok. It is hard to lose a loved one. and grandparents are very special people- it can be soo hard..:( I am glad you got to see her before she passed.*hugs*
She passed suddenly but asleep at her home which strangely, is really comforting. It’s nice to know that she didn’t get “down” or suffer.
Thank you for your kind words.
I am so sorry about your grandmother. I miss mine, although she’s been gone several years now. I don’t remember the specific perfumes she wore, but she always smelled really really good. I’m wearing lots of Amouage this fall and Chanel. I’m making winter squashes with almost every meal and craving slow roasted pork. I hope both your commute and fall get better.
Like you, I don’t know for sure either, but I do remember her smelling good. I did manage to find out her lipstick shades though 🙂
I’m having a big Chanel moment right now.
You’re making me hungry 🙂 We ended up having acorn squash tonight…the third time this week. And I’m still not tired of them.
I’m really sorry to hear of the loss of your grandmother. It’s a special (and sometimes complicated) relationship, that of a grandmother and granddaughter. It takes a little while to get through some of the hardest parts.
You used a phrase I’m not familiar with. What does “too many lip products” mean?
It is. I will say that in adulthood we grew even closer. It’s usually much easier to understand why parents/grandparents were a certain “way” when we were younger when we look back with adult eyes.
I don’t know if I even understand what I uttered! Is it even possible to have too many????
I’m so sorry about your grandma. I miss my grandpa and think about him often. Such a cowboy. I haven’t used anything up or purchased anything and my face and skin are super dry.
It’s weird what will spark a memory, which isn’t really bad at all. I just didn’t expect to look at something like dried figs and then have “feelings” and realize, oh, I was associating it that with her. It’s not bad because the memories are good but I really didn’t expect for something like grocery shopping to be emotional.
Such a cowboy, sounds like a great man!
The weather has gotten chilly yet so my skin isn’t dry yet. I saw that the weather is getting really chilly in some parts of the country this week. I guess it’s going to be that time to “marinate” in oils and butters…
So sorry to hear about your grandmother. It seems like 2014 has been a year of loss for a lot of people. I hope you find that peace and comfort you’re looking for and if you do could you send some my way? I hope the happy memories take the place of the sadness you’re feeling now.
I agree. I do feel like I’ve known many people this year that have lost someone.
Thank you for your kind words.
I think I squealed with happiness when the pic of Frink popped up. I have a pug…little flat-faced dogs are the best. I’m sorry October took such a sad turn for you. I’ve been enjoying your frag reviews, but have not taken the time to comment; bad me. I was so intrigued by 24 Platinum! So, I’ve been wearing Ormonde Woman which I just got this month. I loved it on first sniff, and it feels made for me. I’ve been watching season 3 of Revenge, which I utterly love. It is a prime time soap opera with bad acting, but it brings me joy. I’m a big fan of Paula’s Choice and use various aha and bha’s…no scrubs for me! But I’m painfully dry at the moment, and I haven’t had any luck with PC products for dry skin; they’re not even close to hydrating enough for me. I’ve been trying different things and just ordered some stuff from Sephora with their 20% off sale. I also picked up a couple new lipsticks. I’m not buying much makeup these days, but i love lipstick. Here’s to a great Nov!
I love smooshies. Frink is Frenchie/pug. Moxi is well, we don’t know but she has 0 face, so she’s cool.
I’m thinking about buying some of the other samples of 24 just because my luck has been good with them so far.
What do you use for try skin? I have found PC isn’t nourishing enough for me either and use other stuff. Now that the weather is cold, I need to change my routine.
I can’t quit lipstick. I wish I could but I keep buying them.
And thank you so much for reading 🙂
Victoria, I’m so sorry to hear of your grandmother’s passing, especially as you have mentioned her often in the course of your blog postings and I almost felt like I knew her a teeny bit. Guess what I’m saying is that it’s very evident you loved her and that she had a great influence on you.
Love your photo of your Western style top. Checked it out on Instagram and also saw your photo of you holding your bottle of Chanel Coco, with your sleek black nails and the Karl Lagerfeld nail tattoo. Gorgeous! As it happens, I’m wearing Coco today too. Pairs well with crisp autumn weather, which I’m lovin’ right now.
She was a great woman.
I’m totally feeling those nail tattoos. There are so many great ones. And of course, I couldn’t resist ole Karl.
I’m all about Coco right now. I’m actually thinking about buying the shower gel and cream too. I can’t get enough of it.
My condolences on the passing of your grandma, Victoria. I hope you have the support of family (including 4-legged kind) and friends during this sad time.
Small pleasures (lip products… chanterelles… perfume) are a comfort that keep me sane when the hard things feel like too much to handle. Savor every moment, right?
Thank you 🙂
That’s very true. Take some of those “small” things and live in the moment. It sure helps.
[…] The cold winter air plus sickness has really dried out my skin. It has cleared up (it wasn’t last month) but now I’m dealing with dehydrated and dull looking skin. I started using a Korean […]