Welcome to Coveteur’s Consumer Diaries! As our co-dependent relationship with the algorithm deepens with time, the bottomless scroll has turned us all into 24/7 consumers. As we consume varying degrees of news, targeted ads, trailers, shopping, and user-generated content, all accordioned together in an endless feed—our consumer habits have reached a fever pitch. In each Consumer Diary, we are taking the cultural pulse of the week and asking Coveteur staff members about what they consumed this past week.
Our Seasonal Affective Disorder lamps may not have enough voltage to combat the daily deluge of global news, but with Halloween just around the corner, we have a lot of discounted drugstore candy to look forward to. In addition to candy, we’re all excited to consume Britney Spears’ newly released memoir full of dishy and heartbreaking details about everything from Justin Timberlake to her audition for The Notebook. While I still think “The Woman In Me” sounds a bit too close to Tobias Fünke’s “The Man Inside Me,” I am ready to support our iconic, twirling queen unconditionally. I’m most excited to hear the audiobook narrated by none other than five-time Academy Award-winning actress (and forever my Jen Lindley) Michelle Williams.
In occult news, we’ve transitioned from the airy and baroque sensibilities of Libra season to the edgy, emotional, and “ooky-spooky” energy of Scorpio season. With a partial lunar eclipse of the Full Hunter’s Moon on the 28th, brace yourself for intense emotions and unexpected truths to bubble to the surface. As noted by our resident astrologer Harriet And The Star, “It is this time of year, they say, when the veils between the living and the dead become thinner. This means we are more porous to other realms and realities.” So, if you are a witch (or merely a fair-weather witch for the weekend), make sure to tread lightly with your Ouija boards.
From seasonal staples to self-care splurges, find out what the Coveteur staff consumed this past week:
1. The Manhattan Vintage Show
“I attended the Manhattan Vintage show this past weekend and found so many gems. I bought an adorable dainty gold watch and a midi plaid button-front skirt — the ultimate seasonal staple. There were so many vendors and pieces I had my eye on (especially this pair of Prada mules that were a size too small) that I needed to restrain myself from spending my weekend budget on clothes vs. food. Girl math truly took over.” — Samantha Wu (Marketing Coordinator)
2. Bobbi Brown Extra Lip Tint
“I don’t even know when or where I picked up this Bobbi Brown lip tint, but I started using it again recently and have since dubbed it an everyday staple. Billed a “color-enhancing lip balm,” the product does exactly what I want: moisturize my lips in this dry weather and give my current zombie-like pallor a subtle flush of color.” — Camille Freestone (Senior Style Editor)
3. Pumpkin Snack Cake with Espresso Cream Cheese Frosting
“My best friend made this snack cake for a girl’s night recently, and it was so shockingly good, I made it again the next day. More spice forward and less pumpkiny than you’d expect, it’s a perfect seasonal treat for even those who avoid PSL culture at all costs (myself included). The espresso cream cheese frosting is also *chef’s kiss.* So easy, so delish. Make it ASAP.” — Emily Greene (Marketing Strategy Director)
4. The ‘Scream’ Movie Anthology
“I’m 100% the last person on the planet to see all of the Scream movies, but my fiancée and I decided to do a week-long binge in the lead-up to Halloween, and I’m shocked at how good they actually are! The 90’s OGs are so camp, they’re impossible not to love. If you’re looking for an excuse to stay in this weekend, you’re welcome. ‘Tis the season bbs!”—Emily Greene (Marketing Strategy Director)
5. A Teapot from Beverly’s Shop
“I’ve been on the hunt for a tea kettle for my new apartment (specifically of the chrome variety, as I’m currently obsessed with that sort of retro Italian modernism). This week, on a lunch break, my colleague and I popped into the newly opened Beverly’s Shop (owned by the ever-so-stylish Beverly Nguyen) on the Lower East Side. I found the affordable kettle of my dreams, and it’s now perched upon my stove looking great.”—Camile Freestone (Senior Style Editor)
6. Bottle of Blood 16oz.
“As I get older, I have less and less energy to devote to a Halloween costume, and I usually find myself throwing something together a few hours before a party. I’ve kept a trusty bottle o’blood in my cabinet because it can really take a 10-minute costume to the next level. Pro tip: Give enough time for it to dry on your outfit/skin, so you don’t risk smearing it everywhere. Also, it’s $7.99 and available on Doordash—you can’t beat that deal.” — Andie Eisen (Culture Editor)
7 .Practical Magic
“As a kid, I had an unhealthy attachment to Sandra Bullock and watched all of her 90s films obsessively (yes, even The Net—a thriller about a floppy disk). Sure, this movie has 24% on Rotten Tomatoes, but it’s a seminal holiday classic, and I’m happy to say it’s having a renaissance online for its cottage-core aesthetics, 90s fashion, and semi-newfound cult status. It took a while for this film to find an audience because the plot is a bit too dark for a family film, but the tone is far too corny for an edgy drama. Cheap CGI and thinly-veiled copaganda aside, Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman are serving straight c*** in every scene, and their performances (outfits and hair) are worth adding this film to your Halloween queue.” —A ndie Eisen (Culture Editor)
8.OneFifteen pants
“I just got these cute cropped pants made with lightweight black soft cotton with covered buttons at the cuff. It’s like a sailor pant for someone who doesn’t sail and lives in NYC.” — Greg Brossia (Chief Digital Officer)
9. Cloudnova Running Shoes
“In my attempt to add running to my list of hobbies, I splurged on the Cloudnova running shoes. After having the same pair of gym sneakers for over five years, I was due for a new and improved pair to add to my never-ending shoe collection. After a few wears, I can truly say these are worth the hype.”—Samantha Wu (Marketing Coordinator)
10. Intimissimi Living in Luxe Silk Nightgown
“This is the most comfortable and soft nightgown. Paired with a long trench coat and knee-high boots, I treated it like a slip dress, and it was so easy to transition the style for a night out.” — Samantha Wu (Marketing Coordinator)