October 2025 | Issue 9 | Wonder
The Edit
Wonder. Fall is well underway and the spooky season is upon us. Mystery, magic and wonder are here for us to witness and take part in. For one day, we can give ourselves the opportunity to play pretend and lean into that curiosity, no matter our age. What or who could I be if there were no impossibilities? What a wonderful thing it is to imagine and find freedom in the unknown.
Children have the amazing innate ability to dream freely and to see the world through delighted eyes, without fear of failure and with a deep desire to learn. As we get older, it can be difficult to keep our childlike wonder alive but it is never out of reach. It can be rekindled when we do something simply for the joy of it. When we are present and witness the extraordinary in the ordinary. When we question assumptions and approach life with inquisitiveness and openness.
The world is filled with magic and wonder - the way our planet is somehow spinning in space, as we live out our days safely on solid ground, how our heart pumps blood through our veins, the warm feeling we get in our chests when spending time with loved ones - these are all great examples, we need only notice.
“The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper.” - W.B. Yeats
Design Inspiration
Design Tip 1:
Painting with Hasbrouck Brown by Benjamin Moore - HC-71 - gives richness to any room. With red undertones, this mahogany brown strikes the perfect balance between spice, warmth + drama. Pair it with warm neutrals, other earth tones like rust or mustard yellow to bring out more of it’s characteristics or mix in contrasting blues + greens to give your space more depth and vibrancy. This color demands authority and has versatility - moody, grounded or sophisticated, you decide.
Design Tip 2:
To create wonder in your home, focus on captivating the senses and designing a space that feels immersive. Blend together different textures + fabrics, mix vibrant colors, make a gallery wall with unique frames or even incorporate a mural or patterned wallpaper. Whimsical rooms call for unconventional elements and unexpected surprises. Perhaps, some charming, warm lighting + vintage touches as well. Put your personality into your creation, maybe even pull inspiration from your favorite movies or books. Let your imagination guide you.
Tunes in the Office
Mind
Looking up at the clouds or standing before the ocean, you’ll have no choice but to marvel at the world’s expansiveness and beauty. A feeling of awe occurs when we experience something beyond our comprehension. Our prefrontal cortex activates and dopamine is released. The default mode network of the brain or DMN, becomes active, similar to when your mind wanders or when you are daydreaming. When this happens, the feeling of being connected to the world around you grows, leading to more empathy + understanding.
Wonder also stretches the mind leading to fascination and curiosity. Sink into an interesting Ted Talk or inspiring speech, listen to thought provoking music, visit a museum or engage in conversation exchanging philosophies + ideas. Give yourself free time with no planned activity so your mind can wander. Your mind naturally wanders when you are bored, which can lead to unexpected connections between ideas. This is why you may experience an epiphany while completing mundane tasks.
Maintaining a sense of wonder can have a great effect on your mood and fosters creativity + flexibility. It may seem silly at first but try adopting a child’s perspective and looking at things as if you’re seeing them for the first time. Whenever I am feeling jaded or pessimistic about life, I think of the little ones in my life + how much joy it brings them just to do the simplest things. They are always asking questions and wanting to understand the world around them. Being around children presents an opportunity to connect with your own inner child as well.
Currently Reading
Originally published in 1938, “Rebecca” has been praised as the best novel of the century. The story opens in the picturesque city of Monte Carlo, where we meet our heroine. She is captivated by a charming widower, who hastily asks for her hand in marriage. She feels like the luckiest woman in the world… until she arrives at his incredible estate. She begins to uncover more about his late wife, Rebecca, as her lingering memory becomes inescapable throughout the estate + within their marriage. Will our heroine’s fate end in tragedy just like the one who came before her?
Good Eats
This dreamy pasta dish is perfect for October. It warms the soul on chilly evenings + features this month’s favorite veg, pumpkin! Add some other autumnal ingredients into your meal rotation like, pears, figs, brussel sprouts and kale.
“You’re never too old to let wonder and magic inspire you. Happy Halloween + thanks for reading!”
-Cass ♡