Edinburgh Escapes, Autumn Mood & The Art of Doing Less (But Better)

October has flown by in a haze of golden leaves, cashmere layers, and a steady stream of oat lattes. We’re deep into cosy season now, and honestly? I’m thriving. There’s something so grounding about this time of year—when your social life slows down just enough for you to actually feel it all, and your calendar starts filling with dinners instead of parties, candlelight instead of disco balls.

Summer was all about saying yes to everything, flitting between plans like a sun-drunk butterfly. But October? She’s a little more reserved. A little more curated. This season is all about the edit—what (and who) stays, what gets quietly archived, and what deserves your full attention. Less is absolutely more. And strangely, it’s in the quiet slowness that I’ve felt most awake.

A Cosy Edinburgh Escape: Misty Mornings, Whisky Nights & Just the Right Amount of Rain

There’s nothing quite like Scotland in autumn. It’s misty skies, windswept hair, cobbled streets, and that kind of romantic gloom that makes you want to wrap yourself in tweed and write poetry. So I finally booked the Edinburgh trip I’ve been flirting with for months—and it was everything I needed.

A few highlights from the weekend:

• Mornings at The Balmoral – Rain tapping at the windows, Earl Grey in bed, and views of Arthur’s Seat from the breakfast table. It felt like being inside an old novel—with better room service and perfectly fluffed pillows.

• A misty hike up Calton Hill – Wild wind, dramatic clouds, and a necessary coffee from The Milkman to thaw the fingertips after. It was like walking into a Brontë novel—if Jane Eyre had a Moncler.

• Dinner at The Witchery – All gothic grandeur: velvet booths, flickering candles, and truffle everything. Possibly the most atmospheric meal I’ve ever had. I half expected Mr. Darcy to stroll in and order a negroni.

• Jazz & whisky at Panda & Sons – I still don’t love whisky, but the vibe was immaculate. Low lighting, smoky cocktails, and a soundtrack that made you feel like you were in a film noir.

• Book-browsing at Topping & Company – A whole shop of creaky floors, hidden poetry sections and actual leather-bound copies. Reader heaven.

And of course, I committed fully to the aesthetic: long wool coats, muted cashmere, and my new knee-high boots that make me walk like I’ve got a scandal. Every corner of that city felt like a Pinterest board waiting to happen. I came back with wind-burned cheeks, three unread novels, and a camera roll that looks like a Wes Anderson storyboard.

Back in London: A Gentle Reset

Coming home from Edinburgh, I felt… different. Calmer. Like the pace had shifted just enough for me to remember what being intentional feels like.

Since then, I’ve been moving a little slower, with more purpose. Less “what’s next?” and more “what feels right now?”

Recent rituals that are giving:

• Morning walks through Hyde Park – Leaves crunching underfoot, podcast in one ear, matcha in hand. A sacred 40 minutes before emails begin. It’s like walking through a painting, if that painting also included joggers and over-enthusiastic dogs.

• Dinners at home (but elevated) – Think candles, jazz playlists, and a slightly-too-large cheese board for one. Hosting myself like I deserve the effort. Yes, I lit a tealight for frozen gnocchi. No, I don’t regret it.

• Working from pretty cafés – Because the inside of my kitchen was starting to feel like Groundhog Day. Hagen and Soho House have become the new office. Bonus points if the barista knows your name and the banana bread is warm.

• Training that suits my body, not my calendar – Some days it’s Pilates, others it’s strength. And sometimes, it’s just stretching in pyjamas and calling it wellness. Movement without guilt is revolutionary.

Also: I've started journalling again. Not for productivity, but for peace. Even if the only line is “Today I felt like a leaf in the wind.”

Style: The Full Autumn Edit

We’ve officially bid farewell to “transitional dressing.” The weather has made its stance clear, and it’s coat season, baby.

Current wardrobe heroes:

• The Totême scarf coat – Is it slightly excessive? Maybe. Does it make me feel like a Scandinavian fashion editor? Absolutely.

• Cashmere roll necks – Soft, chic, and the quickest way to look like you read the FT Weekend.

• Loafers & knee-high boots – Depending on the vibe (boardroom chic vs. Brontë heroine). Boots for stomping through your soft girl era.

• Structured tote bags – I need space for my laptop, lip gloss, and unnecessary receipts. The tiny bag era is on pause.

Also: red nails are back. Dior 999, if we’re being specific. It’s bold, classic, and somehow makes every outfit feel more intentional. Honourable mention to my silk hair ribbons. Yes, I’m that girl now.

Beauty & Wellness: The Cold-Weather Glow-Up

With colder air and shorter days, I’ve had to shift the whole self-care strategy. We’re in repair mode now—hydration, protection, and just enough indulgence to keep things feeling bougie.

Current rotation:

• La Mer’s Crème de la Mer – Still outrageous, still iconic. A tiny pot of smugness.

• Diptyque’s ‘Feu de Bois’ candle – Smells like a chic fireplace in the Cotswolds. Burns dangerously fast.

• Facials at Pfeffer Sal – The ‘Glow & Go’ is doing the Lord’s work on my sun-damaged skin.

• Lymphatic drainage massage – Finally caved. Slightly confusing, mildly painful, possibly life-changing? Still undecided.

• Weighted blanket, silk pyjamas, and a spritz of lavender mist – I’m calling it bedtime couture.

Also: rediscovered the joy of a proper bath. With salts, oils, and no less than three candles. She is risen.

Pop Culture, Trends & What’s Happening Right Now

• Mob Wife aesthetic > Clean Girl era – Fur, gold hoops, and a don’t-mess-with-me energy. We’re reclaiming bold.

• Hailey Bieber has moved on from strawberry blush – We’re now in her moody lip liner phase. I’m following suit.

• Taylor Swift’s ‘Midnights’ is out – Swifties are crying in soft lighting. I’m not okay, but I am streaming.

• Mulled wine is back – And it tastes better on a Wednesday for no reason at all.

• Micro trench coats + oversized scarves – High drama, low effort. We love.

Also: hot water bottles as accessories. Call it cottagecore couture.

The Month Ahead: What’s Brewing

• A possible Copenhagen weekend – The Pinterest boards are already curated. I’m manifesting pastries and moody skies.

• Wardrobe refinement – Less panic-buying, more intentional pieces. If it doesn’t go with five things, it’s a no.

• More soft life moments – Slow mornings, long baths, and walking without purpose. It’s giving luxury. It’s giving peace.

• Getting back to writing longform – There’s something calling me back to essays, to stories, to pages without character limits.

October, you were golden, slow, and beautifully in-between. Let’s see what kind of magic November has in store.

Sophie x