Halloween, today

After a week of entertaining us folk at Franconia, this year's pumpkin has gotten a little sad. But we're happy he made it to the day of celebration.

Welcome autumn. Pass me another glass of mulled wine.

North London, today.

This afternoon I found myself in Newington Green. Never having been there before, I was taken by it instantly as I stepped off the 141.

I loved the way its shops, cafes, and charming collection of houses, were all wrapped around this small green space containing gleeful dogs and old men chatting on park benches.

I think I'd like to live there one day.

Darkness, today.

The clocks went back yesterday, which meant that yearly Sunday afternoon when you look up from the sofa / kitchen table / desk / bath and think to yourself "Oh my, it's dark! Already?!" Then you spend the rest of the evening remarking to your housemates, who also look puzzled, just how dark it is.

Then, the next day (always a Monday), you go to work (in the dim morning light) and at 4.30pm, you play the "isn't it dark?!" game again.

All of a sudden everyone goes into a flap, like an office of chickens; all bopping your heads to look out the windows, clucking to yourselves on the change of seasons.

Here's the sight that met me after work this evening. Shiny, deep October darkness.

London reading material, today.

More often than not on the tube, if you've forgotten your latest book club read, you can find something to run your eyes over.

Most of the time it will be a well-thumbed Metro or a castaway Evening Standard. But every now and then you get lucky.

This evening on the Northern Line, I actually struck gold. Sitting there on its lonesome, just like some throwaway piece of tabloid journalism, was a copy of today's Guardian magazine. It felt a bit like finding a first edition in a charity shop, only with better recipes.

Ten things to tell the next generation of women

1. There will definitely be times when it is actually not you. It's them.

2. Food is fuel. It's also something to enjoy good times with friends and family over. Try not to over complicate it.

3. Being a teenager sucks most of the time. Believe us, it does get better.

4. Learn to love being alone. We're all required to do it sometime and it's best to learn to savour it.

5. Experiment, take risks, and make terrible fashion mistakes.

6. Keep your terrible fashion mistakes for future generations to laugh at and then eventually embrace as the cycle of fashion revolves.

7. The days of dance cards are gone so just ask him (or her) out. Otherwise years later you may well regret never telling the dry cleaning delivery man you had a huge crush on him.

8. Grow your special friendships like sunflowers; tend to them regularly, make sure they're propped up, have enough sunshine, and get the right amount of water. Then you'll probably find they're actually big, strong oak trees which will be with you year in, year out. Despite the season.

9. Never give up control of your life to anyone. Always keep some money, special items, passions and secrets to yourself. That way you'll forever retain some independence and inner strength that's only your very own.

10. You are the best person to decide what you were put on this earth to do. You will definitely forget this at times. Women have so many opportunities and choices available to them now. Your sole purpose in life is not to have children (although you may choose to do that one day). Don't let anyone make you think otherwise. Be the master of your own destiny.

Old Street, today.

In my favourite caffeinated corner of East London, this is my Friday. A white chocolate and berry muffin, a couple of coffees, and a scribbled on dissertation draft.

Happiness.

Clapham, today.

Clapham is my hometown. Go south of the river, south of the city, and amongst the commons and parks of this side of London, you'll find leafy Clapham.

What I love about Clapham is that for me it feels like a real community. I know all of the shops, restaurant menus, and tramps.

We know the best places for coffee, macaroons, charity shop clothes, emergency birthday gifts, and Thursday night cocktails.

Five things that are making me happy today

1. Remembering just how cute bumble bees are
2. Hearing my housemate get in the shower at 6am this morning, thereby having a reason to stay in bed for another ten minutes
3. Nice looking men in navy trench coats with expensive umbrellas
4. Kicking leaves on my walk to the tube
5. Re-acquainting myself with earl grey tea

My bed cave in London, today.

I'm currently going through a re-decoration phase. It's all part of 'digging my toes in'.

I've just painted my bed cave (the alcove that keeps my bed cosy) white and dove blue. Now I lie here waiting for the paint smell to dissipate and the walls to totally dry before I move to phase 2.

It looks a little like a cell right now, but it's going to be very pretty, very soon.

Stay tuned.

And London, today.

I wore new red shoes today to a secretive speakeasy nestled out the back of Earl's Court. We ate sliders, mac & cheese, and drank potent cocktails under naked light bulbs.

London, today.

I want to capture London as she is for me, every day for the rest of the year.

Here's the side of her I saw today. A particularly misty evening walking across London Bridge.