And it’s all over. On Friday I landed back in Blighty with a chill. Brr. I’m not ready yet to relent to colder weather. I am clinging on, I need just a little bit longer until I am ready to accept that summer is over. I now realise I spoke about the weather at the start of last week’s Offcuts as well. I find myself incapable of not mentioning it. I find myself obsessed with the time the sun rises and sets, particularly around the equinox or when the clocks change. If all else fails, I suppose I can look into my options of a career change into something weather-related given that my passion seems so unwavering.
It’s September and September means fresh starts. It’s a new school year, which is the reason why my brain has been rewired to think of September as the beginning of something. I definitely feel on the cusp of hunkering down and squirrelling away on projects. I just need that little slice of lukewarm sun that I’m longing for first.
While I was away, I read books and nothing else. I had a little break from reading other Substacks and newsletters so I’m excited to dive back in next week. I finished Good Material, Dolly Alderton’s second novel. The book follows Andy, who in his mid-thirties has just been broken up with by Jen after a four year relationship. Andy is a serial monogamist and struggling to understand why Jen didn’t want to be with him anymore. It was funny throughout and I really enjoyed the final chapter with Jen’s perspective on the breakup. The book was clearly influenced by High Fidelity, the 1995 novel by Nick Hornsby which follows a very similar plot of a newly single man reflecting on his past relationships and romantic encounters. I’ve read this too and loved the self indulgent depreciation of the narrative from the main character Rob.
One thing I did read yesterday was an article in Vogue about our obsession with celebrity style in the courtroom. It cited Justin Timberlake’s court appearance where he pleaded guilty to driving while impaired earlier this year. On their Instagram, they describe his outfit as “ladies-who-lunch” because he wore a pearl necklace. Honestly, amazing. No notes. The world tour is back on track.
I’m just about ready for a big cutthroat wardrobe clear out and getting ready for winter fashion. I love thinking about clothes in autumn and spring, the prelude to the extremes of seasons. When you can style an outfit without factoring in practicalities.
Word is that burgundy is back in. I’m not sure how I feel about it yet. I’m cautious. It always takes me a while to jump on board or be convinced by a trend. with a trend. I wait until the chasm is crossed and things have become more widely acceptable. I’m a fashion sheep. But burgundy accessories I can definitely get onboard with though. I now have a Loewe bag favourited on Vestiaire that I’m keeping an eye on. I’ve relented to downloading the Ebay app on my phone too. RIP my usual bedtime.
On Monday I woke up with the tune to the Yop Me Mama song from the Yop yoghurt advert in my head. I couldn’t stop singing it. I can’t remember the job titles of any of my friends but can remember, in tune, the lyrics to the Yop yoghurt song.
I found a clip of the advert on YouTube and watched it back. 20 years on (TWENTY?!) and it’s so fucking creepy. No wonder it was etched on my brain.
I saw Werther’s Originals popcorn in a shop in the airport at Athens and I did not know this excited?! Who are they marketing this to? I feel like it completely counteracts the benefits of their Butter Candies, which are decidedly denture safe and suckable. Imagine the potential for damage from chomping down on the popcorn. Alas I am finding somewhere I can get my hands on them as we speak.
I don’t know how it’s possible to lose socks in the washing machine but it is. You know you put both from a pair inside. But occasionally, only one resurfaces. I know I’m in the majority here. I am certain that all of us have been victimised by the cruel fates of the drum. Perhaps washing machines periodically require a sacrificial item of clothing that we’re ignorant to and it just so happens they have a preference for socks. Maybe it’s all for the greater good.
As I try to resist the oncoming autumn, I share the sentiment of poet Sarah Helen Whitman when thinking about summer ending. “Summer gathers up her robes of glory, And, like a dream, glides away.” Like sand through my fingers, water through a sieve. She’s packed up and is saying her goodbyes for now.
