I don’t think I’ve ever done one of these posts on this blog, but I do enjoy a favorites round-up now and then. Now that September is here and it’s noticeably colder, I’d like to look back at some things that are bringing me joy in anticipation of the season getting even more cold and dreary. My list is going to be a little all over the place (since I don’t have any practice doing these things), but maybe in the future I’ll manage to keep it more locked in on the current season or maybe a theme. Who knows? Let’s just have a bit of fun with this!
So here’s a short list of the things I’ve been thoroughly loving since the start of the season:
- Japanese manicure kit. My sister got it for me on my birthday. I’m not a big fan of gel manicures. Not since that time when, instead of my regular nail tech, I got a newbie on her first day, who proceeded to injure all my fingers and give me a chemical burn. For a while I managed with minimal pampering and Essie nail polish. And now I get to have nice, natural, polished nails. It’s funny that this kit reminds me of a vintage manicure kit I saw once on TikTok. The main idea is that you polish your nails using some kind of paste and powder. The Japanese version has been patented, but I’m sure that with enough research I’ll find decent substitutes for the products. Sadly, whenever I look up the individual containers with the paste and powder to get spares, there’s always only one thing in stock, and I don’t fancy getting an entire kit again once I run out.
- IQ puzzle game in a box. My sister got me this puzzle box a week ago, and I’m obsessed! It’s portable and very tactile – which I love – and there are at least 120 possible ways to fit or stack the puzzle pieces. Originally, my sister got the puzzle for herself but let me keep it and immediately proceeded to get two more for herself and our mother. I suggested that the next time they come over, we can pick a puzzle from the little booklet and compete to see who’ll complete it first. Don’t you just love a good puzzle?
- Classical music live. Ever since moving to the countryside, I haven’t had much time to travel back and forth into the city. Then something happened, and the next thing I knew, I was back in Lviv. I decided not to waste that opportunity and organised a few cultural outings for my family. We went to the organ hall and listened to Bach, Vivaldi, Schubert, and my favorite Brahms. And this week we’re listening to a Japanese flute.
- Dynasty on Netflix. Why is it so funny and almost unserious? Am I allowed to say that? It’s chockful of drama, but for whatever reason I can’t take this show seriously. Is it because it’s always so over-the-top and stretches the limits of how many plot twists one can fit into a single episode? Of course, it’s also very visually pleasing, and Elizabeth Gillies is fantastic as Fallon Carrington.
Here’s what I’ve got for you today! Hope you enjoyed reading this list, and do share in the comments your own ideas of how to make this autumn more cosy.
I’ll end this blog post with a TikTok video where I compiled a few clips from us seeing the Schubert-Brahms concert, performed by the Luhansk Symphony Orchestra, who are currently residing at the Lviv Organ Hall.
Leave a Reply