the first cold morning of the season
I woke up this morning and the air through my window smelled like wood smoke and apples and I genuinely felt like I had stepped into a novel. Pulled on my chunky Aran knit and wrapped my Burberry plaid around my shoulders — the big one, cream and camel — and just stood at the window holding my coffee like I was posing for a Pinterest board.
Started rereading Little Women again because it feels morally wrong not to read Louisa May Alcott when the leaves are this colour. Made a huge pot of butternut squash soup. Lit three candles. Did approximately zero of my actual homework. A perfect day.
library day & the most perfect afternoon
Spent five hours in the library today and I regret nothing. Found the most beautiful little reading nook tucked behind the periodicals — low light, a view of the courtyard, absolute silence. Brought my plaid Coach tote and worked through my entire history reading list and two chapters of economics notes.
The walk home was peak autumn. Leaves on the pavement, air that smells like rain and bonfires, and I stopped at the little café on the corner for a pumpkin spice latte that I refuse to be embarrassed about. Posted my history notes below if anyone needs them!
on cosy things & the art of staying in
There is an underrated joy in cancelling plans to stay home with tea and a good book. I did this tonight and I am not apologising for it. Put on a cream cable knit, made cinnamon toast, and reread my favourite chapters of Persuasion. Anne Elliot understood the assignment.
❧ all notes are free to copy, use, and share — just be kind and credit if you can ❧
A breakdown of the four main causes — useful for essay introductions!
- Militarism — European powers built up huge armies & navies, especially Germany & Britain (naval arms race 1906–1914)
- Alliances — Triple Entente (Britain, France, Russia) vs Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy)
- Imperialism — Competition over colonies in Africa & Asia created tensions
- Nationalism — Pan-Slavism in the Balkans; assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand (June 28, 1914) as the spark
Key date: Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia July 28, 1914. By August 4, most major powers were at war.
- Marriage & Society: Marriage as economic necessity for women; Lydia vs Elizabeth as contrasting approaches
- Pride: Darcy's initial arrogance; Elizabeth's intellectual pride — both must overcome it
- Prejudice: Elizabeth's misjudgement of Darcy based on first impressions (cf. novel's original title First Impressions)
- Class: Lady Catherine de Bourgh represents rigid class hierarchy Austen critiques
Key quote: "It is a truth universally acknowledged…" — ironic opening; Austen signals her satirical intent immediately.
Aerobic respiration equation:
C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ → 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + ATP
- Glycolysis: Glucose → 2 pyruvate (cytoplasm); net gain 2 ATP
- Krebs Cycle: In mitochondrial matrix; produces NADH, FADH₂, 2 ATP
- Electron Transport Chain: Inner mitochondrial membrane; produces ~34 ATP
x = (−b ± √(b² − 4ac)) / 2a
- Use when you can't easily factorise ax² + bx + c = 0
- Discriminant (b² − 4ac): > 0 means 2 real roots, = 0 means 1 root, < 0 means no real roots
- Always write the formula out first in exams before substituting!
| Subject | Assessment | Date | Score | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| History | Unit 3 Essay — WWI Causes | Oct 10 | 87% | B+ |
| English Lit | Pride & Prejudice Analysis | Oct 7 | 92% | A− |
| Biology | Cell Respiration Quiz | Sep 30 | 78% | B |
| Mathematics | Quadratics Test | Sep 27 | 95% | A |
| Subject | Task | Due | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| History | Read Chapter 12 — Trench Warfare | Oct 16 | ✓ done |
| English Lit | Close reading: Persuasion Ch. 23 | Oct 17 | ⏳ in progress |
| Biology | Diagram: Electron Transport Chain | Oct 18 | ⏳ not started |
| Mathematics | Problem Set 7 — Quadratics | Oct 15 | ✓ submitted |
| History | Essay outline: Haig as "Butcher"? | Oct 21 | ⏳ not started |
❧ you found your way here — say hello! ❧
your notes on WW1 literally saved my essay!! the MAIN acronym is SO useful i wish my teacher explained it like this. also your blog is so cosy i want to live in it 🍂☕
found this through a neocities ring and i'm obsessed!! the aesthetic is everything. adding to my links page immediately 🍁
hi!! just wanted to say i love your site so much. the pride and prejudice analysis was really helpful!! hope you're having a lovely autumn 💛
send me a letter ✉️
springtimejoyss@gmail.comI love getting emails — about notes, books, Gilmore Girls, autumn things, or just to say hello 🍂
I try to reply to everyone, even if it takes me a little while!