A Nation in Mourning, Personal Reflection & A Shift in the Season

September was not the month any of us expected.

What began with the usual back-to-routine energy—coffees clutched in trenches, the promise of new notebooks, the gentle flirtation with autumn dressing—suddenly paused. The entire rhythm of the city changed in a heartbeat.

The Queen Died.

On 8th September 2022, Queen Elizabeth II passed away. And whether you were a monarchist, mildly curious, or simply someone who grew up seeing her face on your stamps and fivers—it hit. It was the kind of moment that felt suspended in time. We all remember where we were, what we were doing, the way the notification popped up on our phones, and how—even if just for a second—we all stood still. It wasn’t just the end of a reign; it was the end of an era. For many of us, she had been the one constant.

London in Mourning: A City Stood Still

There was a strange hush over the city. The streets felt subdued, as if even the taxis had dropped into whisper mode. People queued for miles—over ten miles, in fact—to view the Queen lying in state. Fourteen hours of quiet respect. There was something profoundly British and oddly moving about it. Strangers offered each other tea and biscuits in line. There were flasks, umbrellas, thermals, and thermoses. And patience—so much patience. As if the very act of queuing had become a kind of shared prayer.

I passed through Green Park one evening—florals everywhere. Hundreds of them, strewn across the lawn, handwritten notes tucked into stems, Paddington bears nestled next to chrysanthemums. The scent of roses in the damp autumn air was thick, heady, and almost cinematic. Children placing drawings beside corgis. Elderly couples holding hands and crying silently. It was public grief, but it felt deeply private too.

David Beckham queueing for 13 hours, just like everyone else? I nearly wept. It wasn’t just the commitment—it was the humility. That quiet defiance of celebrity. He didn’t cut the line. He didn’t ask for an exception. He just waited. And cried. Like the rest of us.

It was a week of shared glances, small nods, and the kind of national unity we haven’t seen in years. Offices closed early. Shops played classical music. Even the buses had black ribbons tied in their corners. We didn’t speak in headlines—we spoke in hushed tones and knowing looks.

History wasn’t something we were reading about—it was happening around us. And for once, everyone knew it.

A Shift in Energy: Autumn With a Softer Mood

Beyond the public mourning, something shifted personally too. Maybe it was the symbolism, maybe it was the weather finally changing—but I felt quieter. Not sad, just… still. Reflective. As if something internal had slowed to match the city’s new pace.

Social Scene: A Slightly More Polished Pace

Life didn’t stop entirely, but it softened. Everything felt more intentional.

• Weekend brunch at Granger & Co. – Sweetcorn fritters, oat flat whites, and gentle gossip with the girls. Comfort food meets comfort zone.

• Dinners in Soho – Red wine, flickering candlelight, and conversations that stretched without rushing.

• Tate Modern mornings – I pretended to ponder abstract art but mostly wandered for the solitude. Rewarded myself with a slow-latte at Allegra after.

• Cosy wine bar evenings – Currently obsessed with Noble Rot, Bar Crispin, and Dalla in Notting Hill. Give me a mood-lit booth and a glass of something full-bodied and I’m yours.

Also: officially put away the summer dresses, though I’m still resisting tights. We’re in the leg denial phase.

Work Mode: The Romanticised Reset

Something about September always sparks a desire for structure. For fresh starts and new systems, even if only one-third of them actually stick.

• Bought a new planner from Papier – It’s blush-toned and completely empty but spiritually motivating.

• Working from cute cafés – Currently splitting my time between Kiss the Hippo, Hagen, and The Lacy Nook. Bonus points if there’s a cinnamon bun in the vicinity.

• Pilates at Heartcore, followed by an almond matcha from Arôme – Because pretending to be the woman who has her life together sometimes becomes reality.

Will the productivity last? Probably not. But I’m enjoying the fantasy.

Style: The Art of Light Autumn Layers

September fashion is my happy place. That brief window where you can layer without sweating or shivering.

Current rotation:

• Oversized blazers – Still wearing the one I impulse-bought in Paris. Feels chic, feels safe.

• Knee-high boots – With skirts, with oversized shirts, with everything.

• Light knitwear – Enough to embrace the chill, not enough to scream “winter panic.”

• Structured leather totes – Because straw is for picnics, and we’re in our polished era now.

• First trench coat moment of the season – Paired with a soft blow-dry and smug energy. Felt untouchable.

Also: switched to darker nail polish and instantly felt like a better decision-maker.

Beauty: The End-of-Summer Glow Plan

Skincare has entered its autumn era, and she’s doing the most:

• Augustinus Bader ‘The Cream’ – Still daylight robbery, still worth every drop.

• Westman Atelier blush in ‘Chouchette’ – Peachy, glowing, Parisian-approved.

• Dior Lip Oil in ‘Mahogany’ – Because “rich girl autumn” starts at the lips.

• Aromatherapy Associates Deep Relax Oil – My sleep hygiene is currently better than my email hygiene.

Also: booked a facial I can’t afford because self-care is the new religion.

Mindset: Slowness as Strength

This month reminded me that change doesn’t always come with fanfare. Sometimes it arrives quietly, wrapped in history and candlelight.

Key takeaways:

• Some moments define eras. Pause for them.

• Change isn’t always visible—sometimes it’s just a shift in pace.

• Slowing down isn’t laziness—it’s grace.

• A good book and a blanket solve more than you think.

Also: I’ve rediscovered the joy of logging off. No dramatic exits, just subtle retreats.

Pop Culture, Trends & What’s Happening Right Now

• Sad Girl Autumn is back, but this time she’s moisturised and emotionally intelligent.

• Everyone’s apple picking and pretending it’s spontaneous. I support it.

• Soup is trending—again. It never left, in my opinion.

• Stationery sales are peaking. This is your sign to buy that £22 pen you’ll never use.

Also: “quiet luxury” has gone mainstream, but we were already there. Beige and navy forever.

The Month Ahead: What’s Coming?

• More embracing autumn exactly as it is—not rushing to Christmas, not mourning summer.

• More listening inwards instead of defaulting to the group chat.

• More trusting the process—even when the process feels oddly slow.

September, you were heavy, honest, and necessary.

October—bring the colour, bring the clarity.

Sophie x