september favorites
my favorite moments, music, and thing on the internet.
Don’t worry, I’m not moving to the bay (yet) but I have spent a lot of time there recently. From Motown Monday’s at Madrone’s and solo park dates in Dolores, to concerts in Divisadero and drunken nights in Castro, I left my heart in San Francisco. The best part about visiting the bay is that I’m getting to know a new city while spending time with my best friend. Stepping into her world has been one of life’s greatest gifts in 2025. The friends she’s made, the home she’s built for herself, it’s all so heartwarming. Here are some photos from my time in SF!
I know a lot has happened in the stars this month - I’m no expert so I won’t be able to recall exactly what happened or why, but I can tell you how it made me feel: some days were packed with sureness, productivity and alignment while others were dizzy, slow and brain foggy. I spent little time wishing, asking, yearning, wanting, and more time doing, moving, acting - someone on tiktok said now is not the time to ask from the universe but to move through this moment in time and let the universe do its thing. I simply accepted where I was at, where everything and everyone else was at, and that has been a nice headspace to exist in for a while. As September comes to an end, I’m gearing up for some shifts in Q4. Let’s get into it!
I had a goal planning session with my friend and we categorized our long term and short term goals together - everything from internal/self goals like love, career, emotional and physical health, to external goals ie financial milestones, friendship developments, travel goals, etc. The overarching theme of Q4 (for me) is to lock in and level up. There are so many small pieces that I’ve been fine tuning in my life (personal and work processes, digital declutter, morning and night routines, collecting journal prompts, writing and rewriting my manifesto) and I’m ready for all of these pieces to come together to bring me to the top of the mountain.
Other news / Updates: I’m still working for KAR Creative (yay!) I’m managing a new client account that I’m super excited about and I’m working on a fun project that feels impactful while still providing the right amount of challenge. (Also, I started a master YouTube course because I want to start a little channel to house the videos I make - more on that later! And by later I mean in the next month or two!)
You’re all caught up! Onto my favorite moments of September!
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Goal Setting Session — as I mentioned above, this was a huge prep month. I was advised not to ask for anything or make any drastic changes, so I decided to prep and conceptualize the changes that I will soon ask for and take action on. This is one of the first times I intentionally sat down with someone other than just myself to align on goals, human development and self growth. It felt so nice to say some things out loud, to practice some exposure therapy, and to learn about my friend Eush in the process. I was warmed by the ways we’re similar and inspired by the ways we are different. After our session, I created a goal setting template on Google Sheets. If you’re in a season of goal orientation and would like to set and track your progress, here is the link!
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Billie Marten at The Independent — truthfully I am not the biggest Billie fan, but I do love to throw on her music when I’m in spending time with myself or conjuring calmness. Her latest record is a nice album to drive to, walk to, write to. Karina and I saw her play at The Independent and it was the first sold out show of the tour! Her sense of humor is dry and witty. The drummer doubles as the percussionist with 3 wind chimes to his left. Billie wore this gorgeous lavender skirt that shimmered under stage lights as she swayed, strummer her guitar and sang a studio-like vocal (I don’t know how to describe this but basically the way she sounds on the album is how she sounds live. A true talent!) I loved the show, was moved by her performance, and spotted a handful of hotties in the crowd (did i speak to any of them? no! i was shy)
Joe’s Birthday — to celebrate, the four of us made nachos and margaitas and watched Pracitcal Magic. Joe lit the autumn scented candles that Jack got him from P.F. Candle Co. (the Spiced Pumpkin is lovely, but the new Cathedral Clove smells so good!) It was a cozy night. Pics below!
Music I’m loving:
My co-worker at Conway, Sam Morton, worked on this project. The lead singer form his band, Sad Park, did some vocals on this EP. I think this project is so fun! If you don’t know me, I was raised on Deftones, Tool, Incubus, etc. so I love this sort of punk rock hyper pop fusion.
Who’s the Clown? / Audrey Hobert
I haven’t been addicted on a pop record since Tate McRae’s album (yeah, I liked it. like a lot. just wait for my apple music replay at the end of the year…) this record is pop perfection. The melodies are playful and bratty and sarcastic. Audrey’s storytelling is charming and real and funny and so painstakingly honest. I’m humbly using this time to put out feelers for any connection to a ticket to either the LA or SF shows. Thanks to the bots, I was unable to purchase any during presale and general. (i’m being totally cool and chill about it as i’m writing this but deep deep down, I’m desperately longing to go to her show. little chibi needs it.)
This cute guy who works at a flower shop told me to watch the Angel of my Dreams music video last year and I’ve been waiting for JADE’s debut album ever since! After a pivot in Sabrina’s sound (Man’s Best Friend is growing on me, but it’s no Short n’ Sweet…) I’ve been waiting for a fun pop record! Obviously Audrey filled this gap in the culture market, but gosh was it a long, lousy summer with zero anthem and such bad vibes (thanks to the US govt, etc) All that to say, I’m so happy fun pop is back! (omg also taylor is release in a week… i’m sacred! will she flop? please don’t do max like that… please let it be good!!!!)
The coziest YouTube video I watched this month:
boyfriend book swap 📖 cozy fantasy vs dystopian sci-fi
The most informative YouTube video I watched this month:
How brands manipulate you into buying more
The TikToks I keep returning to:
CatGPT and friends talking about business
The Lab on Building Fandom, Not Virality
Keep Going by Writers Camp
The journal prompt that made me push my pen:
What does your relationship with yourself look like?
In my shopping cart:
Alma Bath Towel, Autumn Sonata
Psyche, Akila Eyewear
Shibuya Pleated Pants, Pool House New York
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Hope you had a lovely summer. I’m wishing you a gorgeous start to autumn. Tis the season for apple picking, drinking chai lattes, listening to folklore and evermore, and watching Gilmore Girls. <3 Lastly, I’ll leave you with a playlist of my September favorites below. That’s all for now! More in October! xx
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september favorites, 2025 (apple music)
september favorites, 2025 (spotify)
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