Ode to autumn
I always feel melancholic at the end of the summer. I wish I could be one of those people who gets excited to throw on a jumper or watch the leaves turn to rust but, for me, the drop in temperature and drawing in of the nights signals a farewell to my favourite season, with many long months before the promise of more sun-baked mornings, suppers in the garden and far-flung adventures (should we ever have those again…). Yet if there were something to ease me into the months ahead, it would be this issue, for luckily, the rest of the Red team is embracing autumn with gusto.
Just take Oonagh Brennan’s fashion story on page 71, a love letter to this season’s trends (I’ll admit, I’m a tiny bit excited to recreate a version of the outfit shown above), then there’s the richly spiced veggie dishes and desserts, masterminded by Yotam Ottolenghi and Sabrina Ghayour respectively, in our Living section, from page 105, which will bring warmth to our tables and, on page 106, our interiors story Take It Slow, reminds us about the value of creating a cosy home that feels like a refuge.
Elsewhere, the magazine is ever a beacon of positivity. I adore Caitlin Moran’s words on the joy of middle-age on page 36, Stephanie Yeboah’s honest account of her tumultuous relationship with her body on page 38, and Katy Young’s advice on embracing your greys on page 100. In Self, from page 141, we are focusing on how to have a happy head, with the diet, breathing techniques and daily rituals that can help you maintain good mental health.
Finally, I am overjoyed that Oti Mabuse is gracing our cover this month. I’m a huge Strictly fan, and Ella Dove’s interview with her on page 28 proves that she’s every bit as warm, graceful and determined as I’d imagined. I do hope you enjoy it, too.
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