Curated Weekly

It’s the first official week of autumn and I have been enjoying every moment of it that I can. I enjoyed this past Sunday reading in the park with a coffee and a pumpkin loaf from Starbucks and savored the quiet, cool morning of stillness. If fall is your favorite season (like mine), be sure to truly savor it. It’s easy to get caught up in everyday life, but make time to slow down, take a walk in nature to delight in the vibrant colors, savor your favorite hot drink, and do anything this season that brings you joy. Of all the seasons we experience, it seems autumn is the one that moves by quickest, so why not make an intentional effort to enjoy it? I have many things on my list and am scheduling them into my planner as if they were appointments to make sure that I show up for them on purpose. So to start the official start of autumn, I have incorporated some wonderful autumnal inspired shopping, books, and articles for this week’s curated weekly post.

MODERN CLASSIC FINDS

While shopping a Target this weekend I saw that they had these beautiful Morris & Co. 2026 planners. I stopped and looked at each one and ultimately purchased the Debossed Hardcover Planner – Brer Rabbit Green. They had many planners, calendars, notebooks and more to choose from. A side note though, the planner I picked below is embossed and there was a sticker on the front that kept pulling some of the color off. If you get this planner keep the receipt and try taking it home and using a hair dryer to get the sticker hot and then try taking it off slowly. But there were plenty of smooth cover planners too which would not have that issue like the embossed ones did. I liked this planner in particular because it had many Note pages in the back that I like to use for various lists as well as doing my word of the year check in at the end of each month.

Pottery Barn recently came out with some lovely items in their Woodrow Plaid design and I have my eye on this beautiful Woodrow Plaid Pet Treat Canister. The design is very autumnal and also kind of lends itself to that British countryside look too. While I do not have a pet currently, we are planning to get one when we purchase our next home (tentatively in a year or two), so I would purchase this now and just use it as some other kind of storage until then because while it may be classified as a pet treat holder, it is simply just a glass canister that can be used for other uses too.

There’s also these beautiful Woodrow Plaid Shams that I have my eye on too. This one comes in two different shades, but I am simply in love with their green plaid option.

I am such a basket lover and I often incorporate them into my home decor for both beauty and function. I know that sometimes they can get pricey, but this Square Rattan Basket from Target is not only a beautiful piece, but is also only $35.00. A great price for a basket that also comes with a lid and there are so many uses that it could provide.

An investment item that I found recently is this Plaid Fringe Wool-Cashmere Scarf at Ralph Lauren for $158.00. A scarf is such an autumn/winter staple and investing in a quality one that would last decades is well worth the price, especially given the material composition of the wool and cashmere. This comes in two different colors and is sure to be a modern classic piece for any wardrobe.

And speaking of investment accessories for autumn, this Madewell Medium Crossbody Bag in the color vintage moss would also be worth the investment for a seasonal piece. A good crossbody bag is well worth their investment because if you’re like me, this is the bag you use most of the time for things like running errands, solo dates, travelling, etc. The suede also gives it a beautiful texture perfect for the season. This one may be on my list to invest in too.

Tis’ the season for all things baking, including cookies. If you are looking to elevate your cookie storage to a quality container, then look into this Enamelware Cookie Tin. A modern classic storage solution for all the cookie bakes upcoming for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday seasons just around the corner.

For my Nespresso lovers and users, Nespresso just released their Pumpkin Spice Cake coffee pods for the season. Featuring notes of clove, cinnamon and cardamom that melt perfectly with sweet pumpkin flavor, I can say assuredly that a few boxes of these will be on my next Nespresso order.

BOOKS

A new food essay/recipe book that I have on my list and that will be released on October 21st is Baking and the Meaning of Life: How to Find Joy in 100 Recipes by Helen Goh. With recipes like Chocolate Tahini Cake with Sesame Brittle, Plum and Pistachio Bars, and more shareable treats that offer both tried-and-true and creative flavors, this book is a celebration of community and pleasure through baking. All of the desserts are impressively sweet ways to celebrate milestones and connect with family and friends. After your sweet tooth has been satisfied, there are more than 15 savory baking dishes, from a Puttanesca Galette with Lemon Ricotta to Potato, Garlic, and Rosemary Focaccia.

And yet another cookbook being released on October 21st is French Classics: Easy and Elevated Dishes to Cook at Home. As an avid Francophile, this one was sure to catch my attention immediately. Whether you’re craving the perfect Croque Madame for lunch or Beef Bourguignon on a cold night, hoping to surprise your partner with Steak Diane or wow your family and friends with a “Grande Bouffe,” French Classics has you covered and will leave you wondering why you haven’t been cooking this food your whole life. With a 70/30 split of “Easy” and “Elevated” dishes, these recipes are made for any home cook who appreciates fresh ingredients, bold flavors, and true classics.

A book that has piqued my interest recently is Finding Focus: Own Your Attention in an Age of Distraction  by Zelana Montminy which was released just last week. Leading behavioral scientist Dr. Zelana Montminy unveils the science behind focus and distraction, revealing how our hyperconnected reality and the endless flux between digital and physical life fragments our thoughts and diminishes our well-being. Finding Focus equips you with powerful strategies to: silence the noise, rewire your brain, unleash your potential, and rediscover yourself. It’s sure to be an insightful read for these modern times.

If you are looking for a fun, witty read this season , Here We Go: Lessons for Living Fearlessly from Two Traveling Nanas looks to be the book for such a read. When Ellie and Sandy met after becoming empty-nesters and then widows, their late-in-life friendship blew open a new, exciting chapter of life: living fearlessly and adventurously. But they never could’ve imagined it would also propel them, in their 80s, to accidental fame, going viral on social media as the ‘travelling grannies,’ inspiring people young and old across cultures when they went around the world in 80 days. Their adventures transformed their outlooks, galvanized and deepened their friendship and their faith, and instilled a positivity that has proven wildly contagious. They’ve found purpose in the fact that people around the globe are inspired by their friendship and wrote this book to share their adventures with readers and to invite them to make their own.

MOVIES/TELEVISION/VIDEOS/PODCASTS

A movie (although I think it may be a series, but I digress) that recently caught my attention is This is Not A Murder Mystery. With flamboyant 1930’s surrealist artists trapped in a lavish mansion and a serial killer on the loose, what’s not to love in this murder mystery? THIS IS NOT A MURDER MYSTERY is coming soon to broadcasters worldwide, so it is not yet available here in the states, but I am keeping a watch on their Instagram for news of the official release.

A new Francophile film to be released in select theaters October 31 and on Netflix November 14 in the US is Nouvelle Vague. A playful, poignant love letter to cinema, Nouvelle Vague reimagines the making of Jean-Luc Godard’s Breathless in an exuberant exploration of the youthful rebellion and creative chaos that shaped the French New Wave.

A cozy video I enjoyed recently was this tour of Rita Konig’s home. Rita takes us inside her London home that’s charming but never saccharine, sure-handed without taking itself too seriously, and respectful of the past but never boxed in or confined by it. The decorator and design journalist shares her favorite design tricks, influences, and explains her theory that every room needs a bit of ugly to be successful.

A new experience at Biltmore Estate will be presented in a whole new light with Luminere, an all-new evening outdoor light and sound experience opening in spring 2026. Under starlit skies, Luminere transforms Biltmore House into a canvas that illuminates the visionary design, rich details, and family stories of those who called Biltmore home, while the gardens come alive with breathtaking artistry and a signature musical score. I am already marking my calendar for this event next spring.

ARTICLES OF INTEREST

As a lady who’s always looking for interior inspiration, this home offers timeless interiors and clever configuration in this Yorkshire farmhouse tour. So much inspiration abounds, but the conservatory truly shone bright for me.

When we think of Christmas Markets in London we often think of the beautiful markets of Oxford Street and Covent Garden, but this year Buckingham Palace’s first ever festive pop-up is set to be London’s glitziest Christmas shopping experience.

Town & Country is providing us British Royal Family style inspiration in this article, how to dress like a royal this fall and most of the items are truly modern classics.

As we say goodbye to Downton Abbey, you can get a peek at what’s on the agenda for the cast in this article, here’s what the Downton Abbey stars are doing next.

Orchids are one of my favorite flowers and I look forward to when I purchase one (or two) after we buy a house in a year or two, and so I appreciated reading, How Often Do Orchids Bloom? Plus, Expert Tips to Get More Flowers.

Sofia Coppola has some of the most visually striking films in the industry, so it’s no wonder MoMA is To Honor Sofia Coppola At Its 2025 Film Benefit. In addition to the benefit, the museum will also showcase Sofia Coppola: A Tribute from Oct 30 through Nov 16. 

With his first collection, Demna La Famiglia delivers a vision that balances heritage and reinvention, proving the pairing is far from a mismatch as Gucci Introduces Its New Chapter Under Demna.

At My French Country Home, they just published a new Destination France: Le Domaine du Fortin Ménerbe where they take you through a beautiful farmhouse that stands as a masterpiece of restoration and southern countryside elegance.