I’m just loving this October!

Bluer-than-blue October skies. Crisp morning air. Clear starry nights.

Plaid. Light cardigans. “Fur” lined ankle boots. Slouchy socks. Hair that behaves.

Pumpkin spice EVERYTHING.

Putting little sweaters and hoodies on my dog, not because he actually needs one yet but just because he looks so dang cute! Walking him early in the mornings, smiling at my staid neighbors who have all suddenly gone collectively insane. and have glowing ghosts and pumpkins strewn around their yard and skeletons lounging in the flower beds.

And then, of course it’s National Vegetarian Awareness Month. A warmup to World Vegan Month in November.

As well as Sober October. (Coincidentally, National Liver Awareness Month is also October.)

On October 3, 2025 Taylor Swift kicked off The Showgirl Era with new music and The Official Release Party of a Showgirl. More of an event than a movie, adults traded friendship bracelets and sipped cocktails and mocktails. I chose the beautiful sparkling orange, zero-proof Glitter Bomb. See how easy it to do Sober October? Children came, often with their dads(!), both fathers and daughters wearing heart-shaped glasses and orange feather boas. And we all tried to do “the land, the sea, the sky” dance.

Which leads me to … Fall fashion that’s suddenly fun! Watch for Showgirl style and glamour to overtake the supremely ugly colors and styles being pushed this fall! We’re all depressed over the economy and other things – do we need dirt browns, grays the color of an overcast sky, and weird purples reminiscent of those red wine stains you could never quite get out of your carpet? Taylor’s suggesting lots of orange, mint green, aquamarine, shimmery gold, silvery sequins, and sparkles. Not much of a Taylor Swift type – more an Elizabeth Taylor? That’s fine, too – think jewel tones such as cherry and ruby reds, worn with white diamonds. Really, any pretty color or bit of sparkly shine will work, if it helps bring out your inner showgirl.

Missed the release party? Check your streaming apps.

Charlotte Vegfest 2025

Taylor Swift was last weekend. THIS weekend belongs to Charlotte VegFest, THE vegan event of the year, happening TODAY (October 11th) at Victoria Yards in Uptown Charlotte, from 12:00 – 6:00 PM. (Across from Seventh Street Market.) General admission is free.

If you’ve never been, you’ve got to go!

If you haven’t been for a few years, you’ve still got to check it out! It’s not the same! The first VegFest was held in the parking lot for Eco-Licious, then morphed into a block party. Then it entered into a trade show era inside hot, cavernous, echo-y and often unairconditioned buildings. Under President Jameka Whitten (who’s got a bit of glamorous “Showgirl Style” herself, and usually has the biggest smile and longest legs in the room) the event has turned back into an outdoor festival with free fun activities like fitness classes, a live DJ, live performances, panel discussions, and a cooking demo by chef extraordinaire Julia Simon.

Lots of free samples!

Be sure to budget money for the vegan food trucks and hot food vendors. You may want to purchase lunch from one food vendor and something to take home from dinner from another. And plan to spend a little money at Vendors Village (dozens of vendors!) seemingly selling everything veg-friendly except hemp this year.

VegFest is also amazing for its diverse crowd and strong spirit of camaraderie.

This takes me back to a conversation I once had, about a dozen years ago, with someone connected to an animal rights organization that was once stationed here. This person explained that “studies” showed the “most likely person to become vegan” was a college age white female. So that was the target audience. This person further pontificated that I was “too old” to be effective in teaching, coaching, or influencing people about the vegan lifestyle.

What a charmer this person was.

Sorry, I digressed, but my point is if you are expecting VegFest to be a crowd of blonde sorority girls, you’re in for a huge shock. Black entrepreneurs have done a fantastic job breathing new life into the vegan movement, and Black communities have embraced tasty, healthy, cruelty-free eating and keep spreading the word and vibe.

There’s also lots of men. There’s even lots of Gen Xer’s like me. Boomers, too!

Looking for something to do AFTER VegFest? Try Sneak CLT, which has both alcoholic and nonalcoholic cocktails! (See how easy Sober October can be?)

Note: Due to health reasons, I am not volunteering for VegFest this year. (That’s me in 2023, peeking out from behind the huge white tee.) However, I do hope to come by to take photos, so please say hi if you see me!

Finally, October is Spooky Season. Although for some of us, it’s ALWAYS spooky season.