The Senses Have Seasons:

October has always felt like more than a month—it’s a season with a soul of its own. The light softens, the air sharpens, and suddenly the ordinary feels touched by something just beyond reason. In Mexican culture, this is when the month-long lead-up to Día de los Muertos begins—a time for honoring memory, story, and ritual. Through the lens of Mexican magical realism, homes become living characters, objects carry spirit, and every corner holds meaning.

This year, I’ve curated a few essentials for living fully into the season.

First, the October Homeowner Checklist: a ritual of preparation and beauty.

• Swap in heavier textures—velvet, wool, boucle.
• Refresh your entryway with soft lighting and layered rugs.
• Stock your pantry with cinnamon sticks, spiced drinking chocolate, and pan de muerto.
• Add marigolds to the table or windowsill—their petals are more than decoration; they’re a pathway for memory.
• And, as always, soften your lighting and let the shadows tell their own story.

Then, an Object of Desire: the FuegoZen Candle, crafted in Mexico by XINÚ: de las Américas. With notes of copaiba resin, styrax oil, cardamom, and beeswax, it is a slow-burning invitation to pause. Its sculptural ceramic vessel lives on after the flame has gone, becoming art for the everyday.

Historic St. Paul Lofts with October Soul

Downtown St. Paul has its own kind of magic—century-old buildings where exposed brick, original wood, and tall windows tell stories of the past. This month, I’m featuring two loft-style condos that embody that texture and character:

📍 523 Jackson Street Loft
A sun-drenched corner unit with polished wood floors, dramatic black-framed windows, and exposed brick walls that glow in the afternoon light. With skyline views and an airy openness, this loft balances historic texture with modern charm.

📍 500 Robert Street Loft
Moody and textured, this loft is tucked inside a converted industrial building with dark brick, original wood details, and vintage windowpanes that frame the city beyond. It’s a space made for work, rest, and reflection—with the kind of character only time creates.

Astrology Feature: Homes for Libras

As part of our Zodiac Homes series, this month’s feature is for Libras—balance-seekers ruled by Venus. Their dream homes are full of natural light, artful symmetry, and flowing energy. A place not just to live, but to connect.

October is a sensory season. It’s a time to honor Hispanic Heritage Month, prepare our homes with intention, and lean into rituals that carry memory forward. Whether it’s lighting a Mexican-made candle, layering textures for the season, or stepping into a loft where the walls remember, this month reminds us: the senses, too, have their seasons.