enter the chrysalis

2024: a Play in 12 Acts

After months of debauchery, of berries staining our fingers and sun swelling our cheeks, here at last arrives September. This is the pre-autumn, a quiet purgatory before the candy apple impact sets in and the season is in full swing. I live for these days when the heat has broken, but the summer spell is still cast across the city. Long days with cool breezes make cafe culture even more appealing. People are still staying out late, still buying farmer’s market tomatoes and saying ‘why not!’ to the occasional soft serve truck, but at the same time there is something stirring in the air. It’s about to be autumn, and that’s a time when we are meant to get serious.

It’s no mistake that the school calendar starts with Virgo season. What other energy would we call upon to honor this change? This first flash of fall is like a mini New Year’s in itself, and that means it deserves the same amount of planning and celebration. I can’t explain why, but something about this feels like it’s a very powerful manifestation time. There are so many unknowns and in betweens to this time of year, and I encourage you to explore every one of them.

September: Momentum

Resolving conflict, harnessing energy, getting your stars aligned

• Ask yourself what you want. This can have a very straight-forward answer. It can be in the immediate or several years in the making. Whatever it is make sure you’re making even tiny decisions that build toward it. Summer is a very fruitful time where we can act on small desires, get inspired, not think and just do. Now that it’s ending put that thinking cap back on and see what you learned about yourself when you released those inhibitions. Do you want to do more of that? Did you realize you’re less inclined towards something than you thought you would be? Where would you like to go from here? We can only move forward when we know where we’re heading.

• Exorcise the ghosts. Each season of the year is like it’s own little series, and it wouldn’t feel right to complete the summer collection without tying up those loose ends and filling in the plot holes. Now is a great time to seek closure in interpersonal relationships, release an old grudge, and get around to completing that to-do list you’ve been avoiding. When you let go of what’s holding you back you’re making more room for what’s coming your way.

• Build a new habit. I think it’s important to try new things and attempt to do them consistently. Even if it’s just for these four weeks, what is one thing you can add to your life that would legitimately brighten it? You can try to make a habit out of something like daily journaling or taking nature walks. You can dedicate this time to reading before bed, learning a foreign language, or taking your bike to work. I’m asking myself what is one habit that I would have in my dream life, and doing that. I love having things in common with my highest self.

• Take a risk. The above tasks are sure to bring the winds of change into your life. Now that you’ve freed up all this energy you can make the leap and put it towards new projects. Confess your feelings for a friend, start the creative pursuit you’ve been too scared to try, let your voice be heard where you usually keep quiet. I’m a big believer in good things happening when you’re ready for them, so make sure you’re prepared for any outcome with your risk of choice.

• Celebrate loudly. I don’t think there is any inherent dignity in suffering in silence, or keeping the wins to yourself. I think if you love somebody and they show up for you then you should throw them a parade. If you had a good day you should announce it through a megaphone. If you’re proud of yourself you should recognize that is an incredible thing to be and wow do you ever deserve to stop and think about it! There are so many things big and small to root for, and one of them should be yourself.

✩ Create a fall bucket list. I think this is finally the year I go apple picking since moving back to the East Coast. I’m also sort of dreaming for those long dark days we get at the end of the year and adding some cozy fall tv to my watchlist.

✩ Connect with the people closest to you. Summer can be a busy time. Maybe you were away, or your friend was away, or it’s just been a bit since you called your brother. Check in with the people you care about and make time to see them in person if possible.

✩ Enter your chrysalis. People can change, situations can change, and most importantly luck can change. You’ve done all this work on yourself with the rest of this list, and you’re ready to come out the other side as a beautiful little butterfly. Sometimes all you need to become the butterfly is tell yourself you want to be one and then you are. The chrysalis shouldn’t feel difficult or attached to any earthly status symbols. You don’t need to change everything about yourself, either. You just need to take a deep breath and try flapping those wings!

⊹₊ august favorites ₊ ⊹

I have spent so many days of August suffering from seasonal allergies, but I’ve spent even more intoxicated with the melancholy end of summer. I think that June Gloom that occurs in LA is a close cousin to August in New York. I’ve loved being burdened by cloudy days and gazing wistfully into the distance, searching for fall.

I felt nourished by a closet sale I attended by fashion icon Nicolette Mason. The curated pop-up featured specially sourced vintage and key pieces from her personal collection. There were so many amazing styles, mostly in extended sizes, and it was such a refreshing experience. I walked away with a gorgeous dress from RIXO (exact is sold out, but this style!) and a Reformation dress for a friend. Check out Nicolette and her blog at

Loose Leaf Tea

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I saw my first Yankees game when I stumbled into box seat tickets as a re-gift from my mother. I am forever spoiled because now I won’t be able to go to a ball game without a prime rib station and free soda refills. I sat at a table and had buffet sushi with my sister before being told by the waiter that we were absolutely not allowed to sit at that table. I peered at the game through the expansive glass windows. It was exactly what baseball intended.

I continued this jock streak by also attending the U.S. Open. Yes, Challengers may have reminded me that tennis exists, but I have always loved it. I spent the summer playing casually with my friends and my sister, and it felt like the perfect way to cap off my sporty season. I am also obsessed with the exclusive Polo bear x US Open t-shirt I bought and immediately spilled coffee on (it came out).

This marked my first month as a weekly publication, which was as daunting as it was enriching! Thank you so much for your interest and support on keepsake, and always encouraging me to grow as a writer.

See you next week,

Julianna

p.s. If you’d like to be featured on keepsake please consider submitting to keepsake yearbook club. If you want more info or wish you knew about this sooner make sure you keep up with the keepsake chat :)