This is taken from my weekly newsletter which hits inboxes every Monday morning. At the beginning of each month, I add in an Editor’s letter which you can read below and check out the other elements you can find in my weekly newsletters.
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Wednesday 4th October 2023
Hello, October.
Usually my favourite month of the year when I’m dusting the cobwebs off of my winter coats, watching Gilmore Girls and cosying up with a book on the sofa while it rains outside, hasn’t gotten off to the best start.
Yes it’s only the 4th day of October, but it’s 20 degrees outside. And it’s set to get even warmer this week with no signs of getting any colder.
This is not the October I know and love. This is practically still summer.
While I moan about the fact that it’s too warm as we Irish and those of us that live in the UK love to do, there is also some room for positivity in this newsletter.
It may still be hot outside, but we have the cold weather to look forward to. Bake Off is back on our screens, a new series of Race Across the World has started and I have Sex Education and Selling the OC to watch on Netflix.
It’s a great month for TV but not a great month for Pumpkin Spice Latte sales.
I hibernated for the month of September. I didn’t make any social plans and tried to save some money, spending my weekends on or around the island, close to home.
I’ve fully recharged the social batteries and am ready for a hectic and busy month of October. We’re coming up to our busiest period at work which I’m slightly dreading but the countdown until December 30th is on when I’m going to be on another flight out of here.
Because I spent the month hibernating, I actually managed to get a lot of OC work done. There were 19 new blog posts – don’t worry, I won’t list them all below – and three new YouTube vlogs, the first, second and third vlogs of our East Coast Road Trip.
The third vlog just went live this week and I’ve already scheduled all blog posts for the month of October.
I’m starting to focus a lot of my time and energy on YouTube now. It’s the platform I enjoy creating content for most and also consuming content too.
Plus, it boosts my bank account by around £60 each month which also helps motivate me to keep coming back and creating more videos.
Hopefully you’ll enjoy the content that’s to come this month and for the rest of 2023!
As always, you can follow my 2023 journey over on Instagram @orlaghclaire.
Orlagh Claire x
What I’ve Been Watching
Selling the OC (Netflix)
I’m always a little skeptical when Selling Sunset opens a new office and a new version of the series pops up on Netflix.
But oh my word, the drama. If anything, it’s 100x more dramatic than the LA office.
I’ve been sitting on my sofa with a bowl of popcorn, jaw hitting the floor with each and every episode. If you want cat fights and drama, this show is a must! Especially if you love the LA version.
What I’ve Been Listening To
Olivia Rodrigo
I’ve been listening to Olivia Rodrigo’s new album Guts non-stop ever since it came out a few weeks ago.
And yes, I feel way too old to be listening to Olivia Rodrigo and enjoying her songs, but there’s just something edgy about them that makes me feel like a teenager again. Call it a guilty pleasure, if you will.
What I’ve Been Reading
Magnolia Parks by Jessa Hastings
This was a toss up between Magnolia Parks and Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score.
I adored both books during the month of September and with both being series, I’ve already purchased the next editions because I simply can’t get enough.
I’m fully in my Booktok and romance book era and cannot stop reading them which makes a big change from the literary fiction that I’m used to reading. Maybe I’m a sucker for love, who knew?
You can find the ratings and reviews of all the books I read in September 2023 here.
Where I’ve Been Eating
Tab X Tab, Notting Hill
I’ve had this brunch spot on my list for the longest time, but had never got around to it until I finally did in September.
They’re avocado toast had always caught my eye on social media, and we both know how much I love an avocado toast.
It was… interesting to say the least. I wouldn’t go running back, but I’m glad I tried it!
Where I’m Going Next
To Be Decided
I might have a last minute trip to Europe coming up in two weeks’ time which would be an absolute delight – you’ll have to follow me on Instagram to see if that happens.
Otherwise, I have no plans to leave London until the end of November for Thanksgiving – more on that later!
Recent Podcast Episodes
49. Does A Dream Job Exist?
I’m debating if dream jobs actually exist and questioning whether what I think my dream job is, is actually my dream job. Can you have a job that you love, or is it just there to put food on the table?
48. Where I’ve Been So Far in 2023 and Why I’ve Been MIA Recently
I’ve been MIA for the month of May so thought I would give a little update on what’s been happening and where I’ve been.
Recent Blog Posts
There were 19 new blog posts on orlaghclaire.com during the month of September, with another 17 lined up already for October.
I’ve added in my favourites from the month, but there are plenty more to choose from if you head over to the blog!
I’m Stagnating – How Do I Stop This?
For a little while now, I’ve felt quite… stagnant.
I think stagnating might be the correct way to describe this feeling, but it could also be related to feeling uninspired, unmotivated, lost, unchallenged.
15 Books to Get You in the Mood for Autumn
The leaves are falling, it’s cold outside and probably raining, which gives you the perfect excuse to snuggle up on the sofa under a blanket, beside a roaring fire with a cup of hot chocolate in one hand and a book in the other.
Is Manifesting the Answer to Everything?
I’ve been manifesting for quite some time and I’m pretty sure I’ve written a blog post or ten on the subject before. Anyone can manifest, and I’m a big believer that it works. But recently I’ve been having a little trouble keeping the faith with it.
When Exactly is the ‘Right Time’?
When is it the ‘right time’ to move on from a job? When is it the ‘right time’ to ask for a promotion? When is it the ‘right time’ to move somewhere new and start a new chapter? When is it the ‘right time’ to do what you’ve always wanted to do?
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