wake me up when September ends.

How is it September?

This year has been challenging for me in so many ways. 2024 felt like the year everything caught up.

I keep hearing this repeatedly, not just within myself and the patterns in my life but also from my clients and friends. If 2020 was a year of shock and fear, it feels like 2024 has been the year of shattered pieces.

It is almost like our fight-or-flight has finally run out, and we are now assessing the trauma. For me, the trauma has looked a lot like finally feeling, naming, and facing loss. Loss of people, loss of space, routine, and parts of me I thought were secure.

It's been a year of doubt. It's funny to put that down on paper and in this space. A space I have dreamed up in the midst of all of that. It feels like a dissonance, or maybe it's just a reminder that from loss comes growth.

In all of this, September feels like a breath of fresh air. Fall and back to school have always felt like new year markers for me. Trade me the bubbles and ball drop for new notebooks and freshly sharpened pencils any day.

Here are a few things that have me excited for the month ahead:

CLT is creative mornings - they are hosting this month at The Mint museum with Mr. McNeely from @dogreater as their guest speaker

I'm attending Book Club next week with @withinthemargins. We've been reading Toni Morrison's Sula, and it's deeply moving me. Toni has always been such an inspiration and a source of wisdom, and this book felt like it came at the right time even though it challenged me.

FOMO museum activation - this one feels like it’s going to be a night to remember in Charlotte. This event is curated and brought to you by some of the best and most creative people in CLT and a space where culture and community is celebrated, safe, and welcome.

Batchmaker X El Veneno collab pop-up - you guys will learn how deep my love for these two businesses and the brilliant women behind them goes. For now just trust me if you haven’t tried them yet (i dont know how) but if you have not please make it a point to go on the 18th. You won’t regret it.

The Comunidad Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration - One of my favorite markets that is dedicated to highlighting and showcasing local Latinx makers, creators, and small business owners. The work that Norma is doing both through @dulcedreamscafe and through @thecomunidad is some of the work that has me most excited about Charlotte’s future. This months celebration will take place on September 21st at Resident Culture off Central Ave.

I always look forward to new fall menus at my favorite spots; it feels like the best introduction to fall when living in the South, where fall is delayed, including @dulcedreamscafe and @providedcoffee as well as a new favorite of mine @pertinaciouscoffee

Fall fruit and Veggies—again, THE best season is upon us. I love that our city has several wonderful farmers' markets to choose from, some of my favorites being the Uptown Farmers Market, the North End Farmers Market, and the Matthews Farmers Market.

And now for a lightning round:

Currently reading: Sula - Toni Morrison

Currently listening to: Denial is a River - Doechii

Color crush of the month: Orange

Currently Drinking: The Sage Burner from Lorem Ipsum

Currently Eating: The Beef Patty with Coco bread from Tropical Goodies