Okay, NOW it's actually fall y'all!| babblings' report #006 celebrating the autumn equinox, attempting ethical traveling, +fall movie watchlist
*this is too long to read in email, switch to the web for the whole thing!*
Happy fall y’all! Welcome back to the babblings’ report, I haven’t done one since May but thought this was the perfect opportunity to bring her back and I’m going to try to go back to doing these monthly. There’s some fun fall themed articles and updates on what I’ve been up to. If you’re reading this on desktop (which I always recommend) you’ll notice little horizontal lines on the left hand side, hover over those and you can use it as a table of content. 🌟
🌞 Celebrating the Autumn Equinox!🌛
The reason I say it’s finally fall now is because the day this goes out (September 22nd, 2025), is the Autumn equinox. Equal parts day and night mark the beginning of a new season. Now usually I am a girl that’s ready for fall and early nights as soon as it’s August 1st. But the more I get in tune, living with the seasons, the more I remain in a summer spirit longer. As most people pulled out their decorations and mugs already, grabbing their PSL (though I’m a apple flavor girl over pumpkin) I’ve been steady in the lingering end of summer. Maybe because I spent the beginning of September in Puerto Rico where there is no hint of Autumn, but I like to think it’s because I’m within the cycle of nature. Also, I’m not currently depressed, so that makes a big difference. Anywayssss, it is fall now and what better way to usher in the new season than by honoring the Autumn Equinox. Below are some ways I’m celebrating and hopefully some ideas for you. Also, the date is really arbitrary and a way for us to sync with our modern calendar, so this energy can be felt and celebrated for weeks. Big or small any acknowledgement of the season can be a ritual. *On desktop or mobile click the pictures to enlarge and scroll through* ⬇️
As I was double checking my instincts on ways to celebrate I found this great article for you to check out: https://www.thornandclaw.com/blogs/news/how-to-celebrate-the-autumn-equinox?srsltid=AfmBOoqGNIqUwxBnC9V0KdO-1vzzeZlIiZ8SnvWvCa7piBlXLNgsdDhC
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🌴 Attempting To Travel Ethically
I spent so much of my summer traveling and nevermore has the question, what does it mean to travel ethically, been on my mind. When I planned my trip to Puerto Rico I saw the privilege in what I was able to do, especially amongst so much going on in the world. I felt it didn’t make sense for me to travel if I didn’t do it at least intentionally. This meant being intentional about on how I navigated planning the trip and mostly resulted in having to choose the more expensive option. Which isn’t fun to do, I get it. But if that meant staying at the more expensive place, for a shorter amount of time, because it was the more ethical and sustainable option, in the grand scheme of life, that’s a bargain. So here are a few things I was intentional about on my latest trip:
local owned accommodations
staying somewhere that was owned by local, queer, women, on an ethical hosting platform, was the best decision I made. Like I said I had to stay for a shorter amount of time, but it was worth the community I built with the owners that lived on the property, it was worth supporting their livelihood, and backing ethical businesses.
using local transportation services
I stayed in Isabela on the west side of the island, more specifically Jobos Beach. Places like this have economies that thrive off of tourism. Opting for local transportation services is always a good idea no matter where you go. It supports local economies and you can find people that are incredibly reliable and that you can build a relationship with and use your whole trip. My driver also recommended another great driver when he wasn’t available to help me. It is more costly, but again worth it.
eating and shopping locally
Again we want to be supporting the local economy and we do that by putting money in the pockets of people that actually live and are from the area we’re traveling to. Now I’ve been known to get a cheeky fast food when traveling, but you really want to avoid chains or resort restaurants. You’ll find better food! Also, when you can shop at local markets, farm stands, or bakeries it’s always smart. There was a little market about a 10 minute walk from me that I could grab bread from local bakers and other small staples from.
BEING KIND! BEING AWARE!
I think this is the biggest impact you can make. When you go somewhere you’re not familiar with or don’t know the language, a smile and an attempt to say hello in the native language can change the way you interact with area and how locals interact with you. Be mindful that this isn’t your space, you’re a visitor, so leave places better than you found it. Be mindful of trash and if you’re interacting with the land in the same way locals are. My biggest tip is observe and do as the locals do.
Keep an eye out for a blog post coming chronicling my travels to PR, with pictures and videos, coming soon. We aren’t all perfect all the time. There wasn’t a way around me taking a plane, but I try to offset the disturbance of my presence in a foreign place by being intentional and respectful.
🍁 Autumn Movie Watchlist
I’m really over everyone’s fall movies that are just Harry Potter, Twilight, or Practical Magic. Nothing against those (except we NEED to stop promoting streaming or buying HP, personally I’m working on thrifting all the dvds because they are very sentimental to me ) and I will for sure be doing my annual twilight marathon, but the usual “fall stuff” is starting to feel a bit stale and repetitive. And I’m a Taurus! (fixed sign!) So you know I’m all about comfort movies and repeats but I want more for US! Also!!! Autumn lasts from September 22nd – December 21st, and I find it gets confused with Halloween. Now of course Autumn is literally the epitome of decay and has a spooky feeling, but to me it’s also romantic, nostalgic, cozy, and has a child like whimsy. So I’ve compiled a list you can watch now through December on a lazy Sunday or movie night with friends. To compile this truly nostalgic list nothing mentioned was made after 2010. 4k tends to be the opposite of cozy, in my opinion. I really make these lists for myself, like in 2 weeks when I can’t decide what to watch I’ll look at this lol.
If you do want a SPOOKIER MOVIE LIST, check out last year’s October watchlist: https://babblings.net/543-2/
Hide and Seek (2005) ❤️ Not Watched ❤️
A thriller with Robert De Niro and a young Dakota Fanning, sign me up! They move to upstate New York and there’s an unsettling, autumnal feel. Excited to watch!
https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/2pI5x1PhcMY?rel=0&autoplay=0&showinfo=0&enablejsapi=0
The Princess Bride (1987) 💚 Watched 💚
A classic! One of my favorites, it’s bringing the whimsical vibes, so cozy, and a feast for us hopeless romantics.
https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/WNNUcHRiPS8?rel=0&autoplay=0&showinfo=0&enablejsapi=0
Shrek (2001) 💚 Watched 💚
Honestly, let’s do a Shrek movie binge while we’re at it! I recently rewatched Shrek while on a trip and it holds up like no other, so fun, and if you did a Shrek watch party think of all the fun snacks you could make! Fiona is on my Halloween costume list too. Either you get it or you don’t.
https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/CwXOrWvPBPk?rel=0&autoplay=0&showinfo=0&enablejsapi=0
Brown Sugar (2002) 💚 Watched 💚
A lazy Sunday with Taye Diggs and Sanaa Lathan on my TV is actually a dream scenario. Which I regularly partake in 🤗 Let’s order Chinese take out, drink a bottle of red wine, and watch these two hotties figure life out. We could bake cookies too! I feel like rom coms are very fall, just me?
https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/1cMkcfL8w5k?rel=0&autoplay=0&showinfo=0&enablejsapi=0
Dead Poets Society (1989) ❤️ Not Watched ❤️
I don’t know how I’ve never watched this but it’s giving a Secret History without murder and melancholy. The late great Robin Williams always warms my heart, and the books, sweaters, and academia scream AUTUMN!
https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/ye4KFyWu2do?rel=0&autoplay=0&showinfo=0&enablejsapi=0
Anastasia (1997) 💚 Watched 💚
The soundtrack gets me every time! It’s so beautiful and here we get a little hint of winter for when it’s almost time to transition out of autumn.
https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/M0vnBeHeuzs?rel=0&autoplay=0&showinfo=0&enablejsapi=0
Pride & Prejudice (2005) 💚 Watched 💚
Okay but actually do I even need to say anything? Like either you get it or you don’tttttt…
https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/Ur_DIHs92NM?rel=0&autoplay=0&showinfo=0&enablejsapi=0
Bridge to Terabithia (2007) 💚 Watched 💚
I loved this movie and book in elementary school and haven’t done a rewatch in forever! You get the vibes it’s fantastical, heart warming, heart breaking, and we spend most of the movie in the forest… very fall.
https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/VxSs4mpFFRk?rel=0&autoplay=0&showinfo=0&enablejsapi=0
Signs (2002) ❤️ Not Watched ❤️
What’s more fall than a fucking cornfield???????? Also spooky ✅ excited to finally watch this one!
https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/dUw26F0WfLg?rel=0&autoplay=0&showinfo=0&enablejsapi=0
Monster House (2006) 💚 Watched 💚
We’re keeping with the spooky vibes from here on out because, well, fall is still spooky like I said. I haven’t rewatched this in a minute but I just know the animation will still hold up. For when you’re in the mood for fun spooks!
https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/yB9vThNAIjs?rel=0&autoplay=0&showinfo=0&enablejsapi=0
The Craft (1996) 💚 Watched 💚
Practical Magic’s older, wayward sister is one of my favs. A cult classic, it’s sinister, weird, dark-whimsi-goth, fun! What happens when you get power, who do you become? The iconic line: “Mister, we are the weirdos.” get ready for a ride, hehehehehe
https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/MmY8B1JH7dU?rel=0&autoplay=0&showinfo=0&enablejsapi=0
Black Swan (2010) ❤️ Not Watched ❤️
Okay seriously how have I never seen this? (It was maybe too close to home. I’m a former dancer) Psychological thriller, ballet, Natalie Portman loosing her marbles, it’s time I finally cross this off my list.
https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/5jaI1XOB-bs?rel=0&autoplay=0&showinfo=0&enablejsapi=0
Donnie Darko (2001) ❤️ Not Watched ❤️
Okay so I either watched this and fell asleep or watched the first 10 minutes and didn’t finish?? I remember pieces and the idea, but nothing else. Excited to really watch and digest this thriller with so many good names by the way!!
https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/ZZyBaFYFySk?rel=0&autoplay=0&showinfo=0&enablejsapi=0
Frankenstein (Out November 2025) ❤️ Not Watched ❤️
An exception to the old movie rule and a reason for me to finally finish reading Frankenstein. Mary Shelley.. I love you babe 😘 This is coming out in November and I’ll definitely be making a night of it to watch this gothic story come to life! I have very high hopes for this, unlike others (side eye the new Wuthering Heights movie).
https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/x–N03NO130?rel=0&autoplay=0&showinfo=0&enablejsapi=0
