The Cozy Reset: A September Edit
Life lately
Why I’m Excited for September
September just feels different. It’s like the month itself flips a switch and suddenly I’m alive again. Summer in Texas is… brutal. (If you know, you know.) By the time September rolls around, it feels like a reward. The air softens just enough, the evenings stretch out in golden light, and my whole routine resets. I go to bed earlier, I wake up on time, and life just feels brighter. Honestly, this is when I thrive.
There are a few things I’m extra excited about this year:
The Texas State Fair — coming back in September, and I’m already picturing it: riding the Texas Skyway as the sun sets, the fairgrounds glowing beneath me, lights flickering on like stars. It’s dreamy, colorful, and makes me feel like a kid again. The food, the rides, the pure joy of it all—I live for that atmosphere.
The Great British Bake Off — returning this Friday! Over the moon about it. Honestly, no show is cozier. It’s the purest good-feeling TV out there, and every season inspires me to bake something new.
Morning walks with Prue — toward the end of the month when the weather finally starts playing nice again. I can’t wait to start those little rituals back up.
Of course, not everything is dreamy. September also means leaf-raking season is on the horizon… and let’s just say, I don’t feel nearly as enthusiastic about that part. 😂
But overall? September is when I come back to myself. Candles lit at night (Dylan and I always go on a candle shopping date this time of year—Target aisle, here we come). Cozy baths. Caramel apples. And the colors—always those warm, golden-orange tones that remind me of Fantastic Mr. Fox. That movie feels like September bottled up, don’t you think?
So while some people talk about seasonal depression as fall creeps in, I feel the opposite. This season puts me in my best spirits. It feels like a gift after slogging through the heat of summer—a reward I intend to savor fully.
What Am I listening to: Autumn Vibes
Think Season of the Witch by Donovan vibes. Mysterious, slightly psychedelic, a little eerie but groovy. Most of the songs are spellbound, slightly haunted, swirling autumn groove. Some lean psychedelic, some folk, some bluesy — but they all live in the same shadowy, enchanted soundscape.
Binge Worthy TV-Shows
The Deli Boys
Premiered March 6, 2025
I’m absolutely obsessed with this show—I’ve already watched it twice. It’s hilarious, sharp, and the characters feel so real that you almost forget you’re watching TV. The actors nail every scene, bringing such authenticity that you can’t help but get attached. The writing is brilliant too; it’s laugh-out-loud funny while still being fresh.
What it's about::
After their father "Baba" Dar—a convenience‑store mogul—dies in a bizarre golfing accident, brothers Mir and Raj discover his deli chain is just the facade of a massive drug empire. Suddenly, they’re thrust into the criminal underworld, guided by Lucky (my favorite character) Baba’s fiercely loyal confidante.
Mir is the serous, dutiful overachiever son hoping to earn Baba’s approval; Raj is the carefree party-boy with a shaman girlfriend, Prairie, adding extra flair. The show brilliantly balances cultural humor, absurd crime comedy, and family drama — so much drama.
And then there’s the fashion: Lucky’s tailored power looks, Prairie’s effortlessly cool style… it’s all Pinterest-board worthy. The writers flipped the usual crime-drama stereotypes on their head, delivering something stylish, unpredictable, and genuinely fresh.
Wolf Like Me
Premiered January 13, 2022 (Peacock, 2 seasons so far)
This show is such a vibe—quirky, romantic, a little spooky, and totally binge-worthy as we move into fall. It’s the kind of series that feels tailor-made for spooky season: cozy yet eerie, tender yet sharp. And can we talk about the houses? There are three main homes in the show, and each one is pure design inspiration. I want to pin them all to my boards immediately.
What it’s about:
Gary (Josh Gad) is a widowed single dad still reeling from the loss of his wife, struggling to connect with his young daughter, Emma. Enter Mary (Isla Fisher), an advice columnist with a secret that changes everything. After a fateful car accident brings them together, Gary and Mary can’t seem to stay apart. Mary connects with Emma effortlessly—but Gary soon learns the truth: Mary is a werewolf.
Why it works:
On the surface, it’s a supernatural rom-com. But at its core, Wolf Like Me is about grief, healing, and the terrifying vulnerability of love. It balances humor and heartache with suspense, and it never goes over-the-top with effects—the simplicity makes it even more powerful. Fisher and Gad have electric chemistry, making the story both charming and haunting.
And then there’s the aesthetic: warm Australian light, dreamy interiors, and those unforgettable houses. It’s spooky season storytelling with heart and style.
If you have any recommendations of any shows you think I should watch, please let me know in the comments.
The Great British Bake Off Returns 🍰
This Friday my all-time comfort show comes back, and I’m over the moon. There’s just nothing else on TV that gives the same cozy, good-feeling energy as The Great British Bake Off. Every season inspires me to bake something new, even if it’s just whipping up a simple sponge cake.
To be honest, this show has been such a comfort during tough times. Whenever I’m sad or in a funk, I’ll put on GBBO and it instantly lifts me. Season 6 (with Rahul, Kim-Joy, and Ruby) has been especially healing for me—it’s pure joy to watch. 💛
I also adore Season 9 with Giuseppe—there’s just something about his calm, kind energy that feels like a warm hug. Those seasons in particular remind me why I love this show so much: the bakers are supportive, encouraging, and genuinely happy for one another.
And that’s the magic, right? You end up rooting for all of them. And then it’s so exciting to see how their lives unfold after the tent—books, TV shows, new opportunities. Watching those doors open is almost as joyful as the bakes themselves.
Each year, Dylan and I mark the return of GBBO with our own little tradition: baking a classic chocolate fudge cake together. We started it when we first moved in together five years ago, and it’s become our sweet way of kicking off the season. 🍫✨
This year I’m toying with the idea of soaking the sponge with hibiscus-Chambord syrup. Will see if I have time.
So tell me—which season has been your favorite?
What I been up to
My husband and I started a podcast, Over Wine & Olives. It’s super chill, nothing serious. Just the two of us talking about life, food and everything in between. If you want to get to know me better. This is the spot.
Our first episode is live: The First Pour.
🍽️Looking for more seasonal cooking inspiration?
Explore the Recipe Archive - lemon, orange, pomegranate, cherries, rustic meals and more.
What I’m Indulging in 🛁✨
LUSH has been my summer lifesaver. Showers are my default during Texas heat, and their body washes have made even the stickiest days feel soothing. But as autumn approaches, I make my yearly pilgrimage to LUSH to smell every bath bomb in sight. This year, I’m especially drawn to the Halloween collection (even if they didn’t bring back a few of my favorites from last year). Here’s what I’m loving and looking forward to:
Everyday Favorites
Dirty Springwash — My secret weapon on groggy mornings when even coffee isn’t enough. This tingly, minty shower gel with spearmint and menthol crystals wakes me right up and leaves me feeling fully alive again.
Super Fairy — Think cotton candy sweetness balanced with lemon-vanilla brightness. It’s a seasonal nod to Snow Fairy, but softer and less sugary. Trust me, it’s dreamy without being overwhelming.
Sticky Dates — A citrusy, cozy hug in a bottle. Made with date syrup, sandalwood oil, and orange juice, it’s hydrating and refreshing all at once. I’m a citrus girl through and through, so I lean into scents like this in the shower year-round.
Halloween Picks I Can’t Wait For
Midnight Magic Bubble Bar — A magical little mushroom with cocoa, vanilla, bergamot, and strawberry notes. Swirl it in the bath for pools of buttery, fizzy relaxation.
The Magician Bubble Bar — Deep berry-scented waters with bergamot and olibanum—like blackberry season bottled up, both bright and warm.
Bewitched Bath Bomb— Blackberry-scented bubbles with an uplifting bergamot twist. It’s spooky, fun, and a little enchanting.
In my Cart
Lately, I’ve been slowly building a gallery wall in my living room. It’ll probably take me a couple of years to finish, but I’m okay with that—it feels more special when you collect pieces over time. Right now, I’m completely obsessed with reduction linocut printing, a technique pioneered by Pablo Picasso and master printer Hidalgo Arnéra.
It’s one of those processes that’s as fascinating as the finished piece. Artists carve, print, and then carve more from the same block, layering colors as they go. Each layer is permanent—there’s no going back—so the final image is a beautiful balance of precision and risk. Watching videos of the process is incredibly satisfying (I’ve linked one below that explains it better than I ever could).
There are two artist that I found on Instagram that use the linocut technique, Elina Adrshina and Tatiana Svistunova.
I bought one from, Elina Adrshina, the pumpkins print. I love pumpkins, I like all the different shapes so this was a perfect piece for me. I want the other two cat prints. I don’t have a cat, my husband is allergic so this is the best I can do.
About I’m Lily Hawthorne — a writer, cook, and gardener creating a life shaped by flavor, fragrance, and feeling. I share citrus-glazed recipes, seasonal rituals, and reflections from the kitchen, garden, and home. This space is still growing, just like me — and I’m so glad you’re here to see it unfold.
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Lily, so you are in Texas? And you watch the great British bake off on tv? Lol. The two things aren’t strictly related, but I’m curious about both.
Wolf like me sounds hilarious! Peacock is a subscription service? Like netflix?