fall fixations
my current obsessions
Floor Time
/flôr tīm/
noun
the 15-60 minute time period spent laying on the floor in the middle of the work day, typically as a relief from the soul-sucking reality of corporate America.
It’s feeling like autumn in NYC. This morning, Klaus debuted his tartan coat (a gift from Andrew purchased in Scotland—this dog dressing better than me fr with his official Harris Tweed). I had to put on gloves to bike across the Williamsburg Bridge last night. Soup season is here, baby!
As we enter the new season, I am really looking forward to grounding down (read: doubling down) and leaning into what brings me comfort and fills my cup. According to my therapist, I’ve been over-indexing on the output these past couple months, and not leaning enough into the input. Lucky for me, by nature, I am an obsessive person and can inevitably find a laundry list of things to double down on. Lately, that list includes:
Bronze-cut pasta
I never thought twice about what “bronze-cut” entails until I made Wishbone Kitchen’s Sungold Tomato Pasta this summer. In her cookbook, Meredith writes: “The term ‘bronze-cut pasta’ refers to pasta that is made using a specific type of machine equipped with an extruder made of bronze. This produces a noodle that has a rough and somewhat porous exterior that is ideal for sauce to cling to.” And let me tell you, sensorially this makes ALL the difference. Although it sounds fancy, I’ve found that Trader Joe’s offers loads of bronze-cut options (for what? $2 a bag?). You just have to look out for it. I’d recommend switching to this pasta, especially for vibrant colored pasta dishes.
Live book events
It’s always, “I love reading!” and never “I love listening to an author talk about how she turned real-life events into top-tier fiction for this smutty little book.” Listen, the publishing industry is alive and well (I think?), and book events are happening all over the place if you know where to look. Loyal Floor Timers know that I won’t shut the hell up about 831 Stories. Well, I’m also on their mailing list, and in early September I got an email to attend a free launch event for their newest novella, Exit Lane by Erika Veurink (certified cool girl and author of the fashion Substack, Long Live). The event was hosted by Warby Parker as part of their new event series, Book Report (books + glasses collab… genius marketing), and included free books, 831 merch (the standout being the perfect book-sized tote), and freshly popped popcorn and wine. I loved listening to creative people talk about creative things, and it got me excited to find my sun spot this weekend to devour this book in a sitting.
Candle warmers
For the longest time, the concept of a candle warmer seemed absurd to me—like, just burn it. But then, my sister gave us a Loewe tomato leaves candle as a housewarming gift, and I understood. I’m not going to burn through a $[redacted] in a few weeks! That thing needs to last for at least a season and then some. Thus, I purchased this MCM warmer from Amazon, and it is phenomenal. The way it distributes scent is like witchcraft, and I love that this particular warmer has a dimmer—it acts as a soft mood lamp when we’re watching TV. So you heard it here first, I have checked my ego at the door. I was WRONG. Candle warmers are incredible inventions, and if you are a sucker like me and buy pricey candles (other faves include Keap, D.S. & DURGA, and Apotheke), then your home needs this.
Paul Thomas Anderson
PTA, I’m sorry, I was not familiar with your game. For years, I have acknowledged the existence of PTA in the industry but never really SAW him, y’know? That is, until I went and watched “One Battle After Another.” In my opinion, this film put Teyana Taylor in the Oscar’s running. It reminded me that Leo is indeed famous for a reason, despite his paranoid paparazzi behavior making me question if he should be. The immaculate pacing of this film justified its run time (note that I say this knowing all too well I had to pee mid-film, as did every woman in my row and the row in front). Everyone, get your butt to the theatre to see this. In the meantime, I will give “Punch Drunk Love” and “Licorice Pizza” a go.
The Hugh Jackman impersonator
Whenever I leave New York for a while, the things I crave the most when I come back are a) a slice, and b) a Broadway show. Luckily, while I was traveling, Joey Morof kept me well-fed with his Hugh Jackman videos. (To be clear, I’m not sure if this is funny if you’re not a theatre kid.) You have to admit, it is wildly impressive that he has managed to keep this bit running for so long while constantly reinventing and keeping it fresh. I still laugh at every single one and even caught myself singing “The Only Exception” in the shower IN THE HUGH VOICE. Hugh….are….the only exception…
Ludwig Bemelman
I always think of Ludwig Bemelman in the fall. Something about standing in line to go to Bemelmans Bar uptown feels distinctly New-York-in-the-fall to me. And in the midst of my raving about how excited I am to go this season, Substack writer Ali Labelle sends out this super fun piece about Bemelman himself. It drove me into a YouTube hole—I’ve been finding immense comfort rewatching old episodes of “Madeline” during my daily Floor Times. Here’s a shortcut if you want to join in on the delight.
Look at restaurant art
My time in Copenhagen reinvigorated my creative mind, and I’m making an effort to pay attention to visual art again. It’s led to really exciting rabbit holes of new artists—browsing Instagram to see when they’re hosting shows or releasing new pieces, and giving me a reason to save for something really special and beautiful in my home. Last weekend, I visited schmuck. with some friends (the impetus being, we really love the counter stools they have and wanted to test sit them). On the walls, they had loads of whimsical art pieces, but these fuzzy ones stood out the most. Luckily, the owner was on site and took my phone to type in the artist name, Lala Touffe. It’s always so exhilarating to discover new artists like this, and I encourage everyone to do a little digging if you ever see pieces you like at your local stores or restaurants.
Something I Thought of in the Shower
Who invented those sticky hole enforcers (LOL) for three-holed paper, and how do I thank them for their service?
Something for Clarice
Hey! This newsletter is free and I intend to keep it that way. That said, if you love it and want to show your appreciation, buy me a coffee :)
Something Pretty
Last weekend we hit up the New York ren faire—which I think is the new happiest place on earth? What a beautiful backdrop we had to frolic against. Huzzah!!!
By the way…I’m reading this.
Still making my way through my Libby gets. Exit Lane and Set Piece (both 831 Stories) are on the list for the weekend, as is Piranesi.
And I’m watching this.
I’ve been loving “House of Guinness,” which is just 1800s Irish “Succession.”
Hope you get some fall frolicking in this weekend!
‘Til next time, 24601. Your friend,
Clarice