Although technically we’re squeezing out the last few drops of Summer, Fall always feels like a fresh start. Despite being out of school for over four years, my brain still functions like I’m on an academic calendar. It always seems to arrive at just the right time– I tend to end summer feeling spent from the hustle and bustle of events and growing weary of the 98 degree weather we’ve been having. Fall brings with it a change of pace: a changing season, cooler weather, and a reminder to slow down and savor.

In the spirit of savoring, here’s what’s inspiring me:

Animal print as a neutral.

I’m the new owner of some leopard-print mules and I have so much joy thinking about wearing them. As a child, my sister and I had matching hot-pink cheetah robes, so it’s always been somewhere in my world but I’ve steered away from it for a while. Perhaps it was my 6th and 7th grade years when our large grades were split up into animal-themed teams–tigers, pumas, leopards, lions, and bobcats, just to name a few. After two years of animal everything (think: weekly pep rallies complete with themed face paint and attire), I had gotten my fill of the animal kingdom. After a 14 year hiatus, I’m dipping my toe (literally) back into that world. Even when fabric shopping for reupholstery, I’ve found myself drawn to the animal prints rather than the plain options. My late grandmother who mixed patterns and had a designated room just for her shoes, would be proud.

Influence IRL

In today’s world that feels oversaturated with advertising, products, and constant influence, I’ve found it inspiring to remember who and what “influenced” me throughout my childhood. Social media has never been my strong suit, nor was it something I had access to from a young age in the way this younger generation does, so much of what has stuck with me came from something I saw in person or on paper. I can remember playing dress up in my mother’s closet, asking for a pair of high heels probably as soon as I could talk, always noting what the women were wearing whether that was through seeing photos of former First Ladies in history books or newspapers or just my mom’s friends outfits, or bookmarking the pages of interior designers in our local magazine. I used to live for the days when a catalog would come in the mail from a brand, filled with their clothing or home decor, and we’d make our Christmas list by circling the things that might have caught our eye. I’ve realized recently that I’ve fallen victim to not being able to decipher what is my style versus what I’ve adopted from the noise and influence around me. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely have some favorite follows that help me get my creative juices flowing when I “have nothing to wear,” but it has been refreshing to lean on the inspiration I was given “the old-fashioned way,” rather than what might come to me through blue light and the tap of an index finger.

Rapid Fire

Fleeting flowers of summer: Lily pads and sunflowers have taken over my camera roll after a recent trip to the botanical gardens. As ready as I am for fall, nothing quite compares to a summer flower.
Byrdie Golf Social Wear newest collection: The Sporting Season collection launched on 9/1. The plaids, browns and blues have me eager to add to cart. I have my eye on the Market Top.
The Correspondent: Can I recommend a book I haven't finished yet? I'm almost two thirds of the way through The Correspondent and find myself looking forward to it every single night

Currently listening: Stella Lefty’s new album Long Way Home - I can’t get enough!
3 fun follows: @avamarant (mostly vintage editorial photography, otherwise pretty mysterious but I love the vibes), @archivistcristina (Director of the Tiffy Archives who also shares gorgeous archival ads and photography), @sean_anthony_pritchard (unreal floral inspo)
Sitcom Summer: have y’all seen this “trend” of getting a weekday breakfast with your friends before work? There’s something surprisingly novel about seeing your friends in the morning, before the day gets going and everyone gets pulled in a million different directions. I’ve been doing this with a few friends lately, and it makes the day feel a little more lovely. We leave these breakfasts saying the same thing: “that was the best way to start the day.” This is your sign! Make a breakfast date! Might just be the most important part of your day.
And finally, I’ll dip my toe into a hot take (although I think plenty of people would agree with me): I’m quite disappointed by the September cover of Vogue. And I don’t even, like, follow Vogue that closely. Might I suggest the 1963 September cover as a palette cleanser.

And if you’ve made it this far… Thank you, thank you for lingering in The Margins with us, and for all your support of Ross Street Paper Co.

Xo!

Harper, Ashton, & Molly

The Margins 9.6.2026

The Margins 2.1.2026