October Slow Living Favourites: Books, Cosy Rituals & Autumn Inspiration from the English Countryside

Believe it or not, we’re only just nearing the middle of October and yet I’m already planning a 7-week series for the beginning of the 2026. Work-wise, as a shop owner and aspiring writer, I have to be ahead. But in my day-to-day life, I feel like I want to cling to these sweet October days for dear life. So far, we’ve been having a beautiful Autumn here in the South West of England, and the coming weeks will unfold more of its beauty until we reach the peak in late October and early November.

I want to stay as present and engaged with the now as I can, so I don’t miss it, while my work life is already pulling me towards Christmas scents and New Year’s blog posts. I’m not complaining (I truly love it!) and I know that being a little ahead is part of my job. But it also makes me so much more aware of how precious the present moment really is.

Whenever I post pictures and videos online, I often get questions about clothes, the places I visit, recipes or books I’ve read. Some of you even ask if I can recommend music or ambience videos. So, I thought perhaps sharing a list of my current favourites would be a lovely way to answer those questions while also doing exactly what I love - sharing little things that bring me joy here and now, the simple details of everyday life that might not otherwise make it into my content.

None of the things I’ll mention below are sponsored and there are no affiliate links - except, of course, for our own products like candles and home decor. If that ever changes, I’ll be sure to let you know. The idea is simply to share what I genuinely love, in the hope that it might inspire you or answer those "where is that from?" or "what are you currently reading?" questions

1. The Crossing Places – Dr Ruth Galloway Mystery Series by Elly Griffiths

I haven’t been this enthusiastic about a thriller in quite a while - what a book! I picked it up quite randomly in a charity shop (2 books for £1), and it happened to be the very first in the series. Now I feel compelled to read them all! The second book, The Janus Stone, is already on its way to me and I can't wait to start it.

Finally a book about a woman my age (almost 40), with a not-so-perfect body, who lives in a remote cottage, enjoy takeaways, gets “sexy time” with a grumpy police officer (haha! But just to be clear, it’s not smut, and there’s little of that), all while solving murders of the past and present. The moody descriptions of the Norfolk coast, the mix of pagan and Christian beliefs and the suspense of guessing who the culprit was (I was right, but not sure until the very end!) kept me turning the pages. 100/10

2. Blue & White Vintage Pottery

A few months ago, while we were still living in our old house, I bought two vintage Wedgwood plates in a charity shop and set them aside for the new home. Recently, I finally hung them in my new kitchen - and something clicked. I never really liked blue as a colour, but for some reason, this china now perfectly captures the vintage charm and elegance I want to bring into my home.

I’m almost ready to make blue and white china my entire personality (lol, just kidding). I now make regular trips to my local charity shop and spend time scrolling through eBay in search of vintage pieces for my home. My newest find is a Britannia Pottery Peony gravy boat, which is potentially around 100 years old, as this design was primarily produced during the 1920s and 1930s. Don’t let anyone tell you that collecting china is just a grandma’s hobby. We, middle-aged women, have the right to pretty plates too!

3. Antiques on Instagram

Since we’re on vintage and antique themes, let me recommend an Instagram account: @MrStevenMoore. Whenever I talk about social media in my content, I try to be careful not to diminish it altogether - because overall, the internet is a good thing. There are good places on it and accounts that really make opening those little apps on our phones worth it.

I recently came across the account of Mr Steven Moore - the David Attenborough of teacups - and I’m absolutely loving it! Every Friday, he posts a quiz where he shows an antique item and lets people guess what it is. Eeek! If you’d like to make your Instagram feed more wholesome and learn “new” things about the past, I highly recommend following him.

4. Curry

I often get asked on my YouTube videos if my husband and I cook any traditional dishes from our countries and the answer is no. We have literally never, in all those years together, cooked Polish schabowy (schnitzel) or Romanian sarmale (minced meat wrapped in leaves). We both love Asian and Indian cooking (…and of course, the compulsory roast dinner on Sunday!) and in recent weeks I’ve been particularly bent on curry.

I think these kinds of cravings are signals from our bodies about what they need more of. The warming and nourishing curries feel like the perfect food for Autumn, thanks to garlic, ginger and all the spices that help support our immune system.

This is a nice, simple curry recipe and can be made even easier if you use a ready-made paste - we particularly like Patak brand (we usually get the mild curry paste). It makes cooking curry quick and easy, although we still like to add fresh ginger and garlic alongside it.

5. Music & Ambience For Autumn & October

This is actually one of the most asked questions! I always intend to include it in my monthly to-do lists or other blog posts… and then forget! I love having gentle music or an ambience video in the background while I work, something that matches my mood.

Right now, as I write these words, I have Adrian von Ziegler’s Autumn Forest playing - it’s gentle, slightly magical, even a little mystical and absolutely perfect for October. I’m also enjoying a Foggy Autumn Forest ambience video that’s about eight years old! I swear it must have been one of the very first ambience videos I discovered on YouTube and I return to it year after year.

6. Sweater Weather

I’ve been asked a lot about this particular jumper, but it’s old and I don’t have a link, sorry! I’ve had it for a few years now and I wear it every Autumn and Winter. The lesson here is that white or cream cable knit jumpers come back year after year, so if there’s a piece worth investing in this season, it’s that one.

I honestly feel like jumpers almost get better as they age. They stretch out a little, bobbles appear on the sleeves and they get that cosy, worn-in look I enjoy so much.

7. Oak Forests

Oaks make up a large percentage of the trees in the Quantock Hills. I never really thought I had a favourite tree - until someone asked and oak jumped straight into my head. Right now, here in Somerset, the oak forests are just so beautiful. The trees are still full of leaves, but they’re already dropping whole clumps in bright shades of yellow and orange.

At the moment, hands down, oak forests (or anywhere I can see some oak trees) are my favourite walking spots! If you are from Somerset (or will be visiting), the walk from Holford Green via the Coleridge Way - passing The Round House we call Hagrid’s Hut:) - is just lovely right now. This is where the photos were taken.

If you’re not local, simply Google oak forests near you - you’ll be surprised at how much detailed information about the woods and their tree composition is available online

7. Candles I'm burning

Last but not least - what candles I’m burning. I often get DMs asking me for recommendations from my own shop, which I find a little tricky… because I truly love every single candle! So I think the fairest thing is just to share what I’m currently burning for myself: Autumn Leaves (inspired by the oak forests of the Quantock Hills) and Vanilla Pumpkin, which is simply scrumptious. It’s a sweet, indulgent vanilla blended with the spices we all know from pumpkin spice. My next candle will be All Hallow’s Eve - frosty vanilla and chai, mmm

Let me know how you like this blog post, and if you think I should make it a recurring series. Every few weeks I could share little things that caught my attention, small moments and joys that usually wouldn’t make it into any of my other content.

Thank you for reading,
Adriana x