We’re over halfway through the semester, and between Homecoming, Halloween, and the chaos of mid, my once-organized life has completely unravelled—gone are the days of colour-coded calendars and meal prepping. Instead, I’ve leaned into the “I’ll figure it out later” and “Sh—t! That’s today?” mentality.
But despite the whirlwind, I still have time to share some of my recent recommendations with you. Because, no matter how messy life gets, there’s always something new and exciting to watch, read, listen to, wear, or visit.
Watch
If Abbott Elementary had a quirky, wine-drunk aunt, it would undoubtedly be English Teacher on Disney+.
This fresh comedy, created by internet sensation Brian Jordan Alvarez, offers a hilariously relatable peek into the chaotic world of a Texas high school. Written by, and starring Alvarez himself, the show centers around its protagonist Evan Marques, a well-meaning, but occasionally scatter-brained, high school English teacher. He’s navigating the eccentric world of his students, the equally unpredictable behaviour of his oddball coworkers, and his friendship-turned-situationship with his ex-boyfriend, played by Jordan Firstman.
Prepare to be obsessed with the series, and Alvarez himself, whose online presence is just as chaotic, his TikToks, bursting with the same offbeat energy as English Teacher.
Read
One of my favourite recent reads, Bunny by Mona Awad, has been living rent-free in my brain ever since I finished it.
The novel follows Samantha, an outsider in an elite MFA program, as she becomes entangled with a strange clique of women known as the “Bunnies.” Awad’s razor-sharp writing captures the absurdity and menace of the Bunnies’ world while delving into themes of loneliness, identity, and power.
It’s a deeply unsettling yet compelling read that, in many ways, made my own frazzled world seem organized in comparison. Fair warning— this book’s a little weird, but it’s incredibly well-written and keeps you on edge the whole time.
Wear
Blue light glasses are the unsung heroes of my daily survival. Designed to filter out blue light emitted from digital screens, these glasses help reduce eye strain, headaches, and disrupted sleep caused by prolonged exposure.
When I’m furiously typing away at 1 a.m., doom-scrolling into oblivion, or pretending to be productive at Stauffer, my trusty glasses are there, shielding my overworked eyes from total destruction. Let’s be real—they also give me a put-together air which makes me look like I have my life sorted (even when I don’t).
Miu Miu’s Spring 2024 show proved eyewear can be as stylish as it is functional. Taking inspiration from fashion icons like Bella Hadid and Sabrina Carpenter, you, too, can protect your eyes from glaring screens while looking effortlessly cool.
Listen
Nothing screams chaos better than Charli XCX. While many may have retired their Brat summers now that the leaves have changed, I’m here to encourage an autumn extension. Her latest deluxe edition of the iconic album Brat, now revamped as Brat and it’s completely different but also still brat, has an equally iconic feature on every track, with the likes of Billie Eilish, Lorde, and The 1975 making appearances.
My personal favourite out of the star-studded track list is a toss-up between “Club classics featuring bb trickz” and “everything is romantic featuring caroline polachek.” If you haven’t listened to the original album, don’t renew your lease for that rock you’ve been living under. Charli’s buzzworthy lyrics and electrifying beats are a timeless staple, guaranteed to stay in heavy rotation of my playlists for months to come.
This deluxe edition takes the chaotic brilliance of the original Brat and pushes it to new heights, proving Charli can continuously evolve without losing the essence of what made the album so iconic in the first place.
Visit
I know you’ve seen the posters for it, so it’s time to just do it—go on a haunted Kingston tour. Whether you’re a skeptic or a true believer, this experience offers a thrilling exploration of Kingston’s spookiest sights.
The tour’s chock-full of haunting stories and local legends that’ll make you see some downtown locales in a whole new light. It’s guaranteed to be a fun time, full of slightly awkward laughter shared with the rest of the group. Even if it feels a bit ridiculous, get into the Halloween spirit—this chaos is all part of the joy and it’s sure to create a hilarious, unforgettable memory to bond over with your friends. Just make sure you don’t let any ghosts follow you home!
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