Worth Noting Issue 07

September 2024: A blog shift, beautiful home tours, what I'm watching this season, how to make friends as an adult, and more...

Helloooooo, readers. Remember me? It feels like ages since we last met here, and I must confess, the hiatus has been very refreshing (as it usually is). As summer wanes, it feels good to reconnect with you all! I hope it’s been wonderful for you. Mine was a blissful break from the digital world, filled with seaside vacations, time with family and friends, and plenty of personal downtime.

But September has rolled in and I feel like I’m coming alive again as we move into my favorite time of the year. I’m very much looking forward to cozier evenings, fall recipes, a sartorial transition, golden trees, crisp air, autumnal activities, and all the joys that come with the seasonal change. I’m excited for a few plans awaiting me this month. Among the highlights are a couple lovely dinners with fellow creatives, a whimsical Disney World trip to celebrate my brother’s 30th, and the cherished tradition of hosting my annual autumn dinner party with family ladies. Additionally, I’m contemplating a paint update in the apartment to infuse it with a renewed sense of charm and freshness.

As for my content, a shift is in the air. After a year of Substack, I’ve found that it hasn’t quite nurtured my creative spirit like my previous blog did. Moreover, with the platform’s growth and so many creators joining, it has become somewhat overwhelming. Based on your feedback from my recent Instagram poll, it seems you share this sentiment. So, let’s return to my roots! I’ll be resuming regular blog content on www.nataliecatalina.com, while using Substack solely for this monthly Worth Noting newsletter.

This change means you can expect weekly blog posts on my website, with this Worth Noting newsletter arriving in your inbox once a month, and perhaps an occasional bonus letter. I’m thrilled to reconnect with my website, a space where I find immense joy in designing content. My hope is that this will reduce inbox clutter and rekindle the nostalgia of the classic blog reading we all seem to love so dearly.

Anyhow, let’s ease back in. Look out for regular blog content starting back up this week on my website. In the meantime, here are a few beautiful things worth noting.

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01. Delighted to kick off this list with a plug for a new coffee table book that has been my latest indulgence. This week, I got lost in the beautiful pages of Josh Young’s “Artful Home.” This DC-based artist and connoisseur of aesthetic elegance never ceases to inspire me. I heavily anticipated admiring the interiors of his Middleburg, VA country house and was not disappointed. For those who revel in the art of refined living, this book is an absolute must-have. Treat yourself to a copy.

02. This list wouldn’t be complete with out a couple home tours. First up… I was delighted to discover House & Garden recently opened the doors to John Derian’s coastal sanctuary in Cape Code, and I loved seeing it again! I’ve long admired his whimsical ephemera and home decor and ceramics. His seaside residence embodies fun and fanciful touches. Every corner of the home exudes an effortless character, filled with charm and creativity.

03. I’m so picky about which Substacks I choose to subscribe to, but I felt like I should start sharing more about the writers and creators I love to follow. At the top of my list is Ali LaBelle’s À La Carte newsletters. Each edition is a vibrant tapestry of color and creativity, brimming with fabulous finds and thoughtful design discourse. Although our styles are different, I am consistently enchanted by her world of inspiration. If you haven’t yet subscribed, I wholeheartedly encourage you to do so.

04. Fall television has returned with a flourish. I’ll admit, I’m an unapologetic devotee to the small screen and am ready to dedicate many hours to good TV this season. I’ve just plunged into the second season of Tell Me Lies and am eagerly beginning The Perfect Couple—a book I devoured. I’ve been savoring Emily in Paris—we all agree it’s both horrible and irresistible, don’t we? On the reality front, Secret Lives of Mormon Wives and the latest season of Selling Sunset have been my guilty pleasures. Vanity Fair has graciously curated a list of over thirty must-watch shows, many of which have made their way onto my watchlist.

05. A favorite private chef of mine, Meredith Hayden of Wishbone Kitchen, has finally unveiled her long-anticipated cookbook. I’ve long adored Meredith’s vibrant personality, entertaining setups, charming escapades of summer cooking in the Hamptons, and her delightfully whimsical style. Her joie de vivre is palpable and infectious. I can’t wait to try her seasonal recipes.

06. Another home tour, naturally. This one from the charming North Shore of Long Island, a beautiful 1920’s farmhouse that I could easily see myself living in. Antique-filled with a breezy elegance, this home has such a wonderful comfort as soon as you walk through the doors. Certainly a tour I’m bookmarking to inspire my own home.

07. As someone who enjoys following others to see how they live or how they design and decorate their homes, I had to share this article by journalist Eleanor Cording-Booth—another writer whose personal Substack I revel in. She examines our deep fascination with the homes of others, highlighting how modern media and social platforms have intensified both admiration and criticism of others' homes, influenced by our need for comparison and escapism. A good read.

08. In need of a new book? I’ve certainly been slacking on this front, but I did recently dig into The God of the Woods by Liz Moore and do recommend. A quiet, but compelling thriller involving the disappearance of a young camper in 1975 and the mystery and hidden truths behind her family and the blue-collar community that surrounds them.

09. In the wake of the so-called "loneliness epidemic" and the pervasive work-from-home culture, many of us find ourselves wrestling with the challenge of forging authentic friendships in adulthood. Time’s article, How to Make Friends as an Adult, offers insightful guidance on this very struggle. A thoughtful read that provides practical advice—take notes!

10. I recently stumbled upon a gem of a shop called Sommer, and I’m smitten. Their meticulously curated collections are beautiful, and I can’t wait to feature their pieces in upcoming blog posts. Sommer’s ethos resonates deeply: “Sommer’s aesthetic is grounded in the language of a home — from everyday wares to heirloom pieces, we seek belongings with tangible feeling, collected with time and care.” What’s not to love?

xx,
Natalie

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