Soup, Sweetness & Seasonal Wardrobe Curation

This week's theme returns to that foundation we established September 1st — the practice of curating seasonal joys with intention rather than simply letting autumn happen to us. If you're wondering what this approach is all about, you'll find the complete philosophy in that week's series about making living itself an art through conscious seasonal choices.

Today I'm sharing three autumn essentials that perfectly capture this philosophy: the comfort of homemade soup, the discovery of exceptional cinnamon rolls, and the thoughtful curation of a seasonal wardrobe. Each represents a different aspect of intentional living — nourishing ourselves, seeking out genuine craftsmanship, and making conscious choices about consumption.

The Soul of Soup Season

When I think of French recipes, French onion soup immediately comes to mind, followed by hearty stews like boeuf bourguignon. But what I've discovered living here is that pumpkin soup holds a special place in French autumn culture — not just in Paris, but throughout the entire country.

I've found a recipe that has become my obsession: a combination of butternut squash, pumpkin, and spices that tastes like autumn in a bowl. It's so good that I just have to share it with you, whether you're planning to recreate it at home or seeking inspiration for your own seasonal cooking.

For those visiting Paris and renting apartments during their stay, or for those living here with small kitchens, I'll also share my favorite places to purchase exceptional soup to take home and reheat. Because sometimes the most artistic choice is knowing when to cook and when to support artisans who do it better than we could.

A Sweet Discovery

I've discovered a location that serves what I can honestly say are the best rolls I've encountered internationally. Yes, they have cinnamon, but they also offer cardamom, vanilla, and black sesame varieties that have left me completely obsessed. This place recently won a significant international award, and after you hear about it, you'll understand why.

This discovery represents exactly what I love about living with curiosity — sometimes the most extraordinary experiences hide in unexpected corners, waiting for us to stumble upon them.

The Philosophy Behind French Wardrobe Curation

The third element, seasonal clothes shopping, requires some context, because I want to address something I see misrepresented in content about French lifestyle.

Some creators of French lifestyle content promote shopping hauls and aesthetic purchases that fundamentally misunderstand how people actually live in France. The truth is that excess is culturally frowned upon here. In the rural communities where I spend time, once you have enough for yourself, your responsibility turns outward to your community — sharing resources, food, firewood, whatever might be needed.

The average annual gross income in France is 40,000 euros, making budget consciousness essential. French culture genuinely values recycling, upcycling, and reusing whenever possible. Those shopping hauls and lifestyle acquisitions you see online simply don't reflect how French people actually approach consumption.

My Seasonal Wardrobe Strategy

Instead, I've developed a three-part approach that aligns with both practical needs and French values:

First: Replace the Basics These are fundamentals that need regular replacement… for me, often pieces closest to my skin that take the hardest wear. In Paris, hard water and European washing machines are particularly tough on clothing, turning darks muddy and whites gray more quickly than you might expect. Thursday's itinerary includes where I source these necessities.

Second: Vintage Validation I use vintage shopping to test concepts before investing. Over recent years, I've been drawn to tweed blazers, but I wasn't sure I'd wear them enough to justify a quality purchase. So I found beautiful vintage pieces in the Marais for around 20 euros each… classic cuts from England, Ireland, or Scotland that made their way to Paris. After having them cleaned and wearing them extensively, I can confirm the style works for me.

Right now, I'm seeing cape-style coats everywhere, and while I'm attracted to the aesthetic, I have practical concerns about functionality in daily Parisian life. Vintage stores offer the perfect opportunity to experiment with styles I'm uncertain about.

Third: The Annual Investment Each year, I audit my closet carefully and choose one significant piece - something classic enough to outlast trends, quality enough to last decades, and perfectly aligned with my personal style. This year, I have my eye on a particular sweater in a color I don't own, from a location I'll share in Thursday's full Marais itinerary.

Thursday's Complete Marais Experience

This week culminates with a full day in the Marais that encompasses my entire wardrobe philosophy: where to start with perfect coffee, where to hunt vintage treasures, where to source quality basics, and where I'm considering that investment sweater (which you can buy online too!). The day ends with carefully chosen eateries that make the entire experience feel like a celebration rather than a chore.

Even if you're not planning to visit Paris, I hope this itinerary inspires you to approach seasonal wardrobe updates with similar intention — considering what you actually need, experimenting with concepts before committing, and choosing investment pieces that reflect your authentic style rather than fleeting trends.

The Deeper Thread

What connects soup, cinnamon rolls, and thoughtful shopping? They all represent the choice to engage consciously with our daily needs rather than defaulting to whatever's convenient or heavily marketed. Whether we're nourishing our bodies, seeking genuine craft, or curating our personal aesthetic, these decisions compound into the texture of our lives.

This is living as art in its most practical form — not grand gestures, but daily choices made with intention, appreciation, and respect for both our resources and our authentic selves.

Whether you're here in Paris or creating similar rituals in your own corner of the world, this week is an invitation to approach autumn's practical needs with the same care you'd give to any other creative endeavor. See you tomorrow!