7 Things I loved this September

Charming mailboxes, illustrated city guides, and a permission bot

Welcome to my roundup of things I loved over the past month! If you’re not interested in 7 Things, you can specifically toggle off these emails in your account settings.

September was a whirlwind ꩜ My last bits of summer were filled with travel, catching up with friends, and celebrating my birthday. A 10 out of 10 month all around!

Here are the seven things I loved in September:

1. One of my favorite Youtubers struthless made a Permission Bot “for all those things that you CAN do, but you don't do, or don't enjoy, because you feel like you're waiting for ‘permission’.” Give it a whirl!

2. I spent the last few days of September in Côte d'Azur (or the French Riviera as Americans call it), which was stunning in all its history and color. Just look at these charming mailboxes:

   

   Mailboxes found in Nice, Monaco, and St. Paul de Vence

3. Verbathim is Palestinian Canadian singer Nemahsis’ debut album, which is guaranteed to top my most played this autumn. “dead giveaway” and “chemical mark” are my favorites, but there are truly no skips! Thanks to

   amelia hruby
   for recommending this one.

4. September’s pleasure reading list: I devoured Ruth Chan’s funny, heartfelt middle grade graphic memoir Uprooted about her move from Canada to Hong Kong as a teen. I also enjoyed Just Kids by Patti Smith (romantic), Liars by Sarah Manguso (maddening), and The Pairing by Casey McQuiston (lighthearted).

   

   Went to Ruth Chan’s book event at Books Are Magic, where she gave out Hong Kong egg tarts and Canadian Smarties candy!

5. I shared a lowkey birthday meal with my partner at Kisa in Lower East Side. South Korea has lots of kisa restaurants where taxi or bus drivers can swoop in, eat a quick and filling meal, and hit the road again. Kisa serves a very filling baekban, a traditional Korean meal with rice, meat, soup, and lots of side dishes. The meal ends with a cup of coffee, cocoa, or black bean latte from a coffee vending machine. Highly recommend for NYC folks!

   

   I love the homely decor of Kisa! Transports me right away to Korea in the ‘90s

6. While in Lisbon I discovered The New Voyager’s city guides. Journalist Emmanuelle Dasque Swinscoe collaborated with local artists to create illustrated city guides for London, Paris, Lisbon, LA, and Brooklyn. I was pleased to discover she has a Substack and plans to reprint editions later this year!

   The New Voyager Maps

7. I also discovered French illustrator Laurent Moreau’s work at Lisbon’s excellent bookstore and gallery Tinta nos Nervos. The gallery was exhibiting his original artworks from his latest children’s book Le goût de la pluie, meaning “the flavor of rain” (what a delightful phrase!) I loved seeing all of his preparatory color explorations and sketches for his picture book spreads, painted with gouache.

   

   Original artwork from Le goût de la pluie

☁️ Enjoyed this post? Want to weigh in or share a recommendation? Comments are open for you to chime in!