A GrandmaCore November

    November may be one of my favorite months. It’s unassuming, but there is so much to love. Most of the year is spent running around, trying to fit everything in, even the fun things. But November hardly asks anything of us.

​Nothing more than a few school projects and a Thanksgiving Dinner, neither of which are that much to ask anyways. November isn’t full of Autumn like October, but it’s also not festive and chaotic like December. November is the cozy month. I am dedicating this month on the blog to helping you romanticize and love this November!

I personally want to have a Grandmacore November. In case you are unfamiliar, Grandmacore is an aesthetic that focuses on vintage and cozy things, in the vein of a grandma. I, for many years have considered myself to be an old woman in a young woman’s body, so this aesthetic is perfect for me. This November, let’s stay home and be grandmas.

Along with the Grandmacore aesthetic, my other inspiration for how I want to live this month is this image from my calendar (by Randi Lynn Reed).
    
​So let's get into the ideas for the perfect Grandmacore November. Just a little note, this aesthetic doesn't mean living like your grandmother, it’s just about doing things that tend to be classified with older people. It’s vintage style, but cozier.

Let’s start with some fashion inspo:

Sweaters - The chunkier, and older the better. You can get great sweaters from many stores this time of year, I love Old Navy. But bonus points if you can wear a sweater that actually belonged to your grandmother, or if you thrift one!

Heavily embroidered sweatshirts - These sweatshirts with embroidered designs are so grandma to me, and for some reason I want one.

Slippers - If you’re a retired old woman, there is no reason why you shouldn’t be wearing slippers around the house all day long.

Long skirts - when it comes to the grandma core aesthetic long skirts are a huge part of it. Especially if they have a vintage look to them.

​Antique and chunky jewelry - big rings, pearl necklaces, brooches, all of these are perfect if you want to look like a grandma.

Grandma hobbies. Here are a bunch of easy mostly at home hobbies that give grandma energy.

Thrifting - This can be done out of the house at an antique store or thrift store, or from the comfort of your own home using Etsy or Ebay. Thrifting is great because it’s a more sustainable way to shop and you can find some really great vintage things that you may not find at another store. 

Scrapbooking - Scrapbooking is my new obsession and I am looking for every opportunity to tell people how much I love it. It’s not complicated, it’s simply using stickers and paper to make something beautiful. One thing I love about this hobby (and the ones following) is that it’s something you can incorporate other hobbies and interests into. You can listen to an audiobook, watch something, drink a fun drink. Light candles, and make scrapbook pages about all of your favorite things and experiences.

Quilting - I have never done this and I don’t know if I ever will, but there is something so grandmacore about patching together different fabrics and making a quilt.

Crocheting or knitting - This is something I really think I won’t ever do… but again, it’s so grandma core. Pulling your project out whenever you want and having the satisfaction of creating something. Plus both knitting and crocheting can be used in so many different ways.

Embroidering - Now this is a hobby I have experience with. Embroidery is essentially drawing with thread. I love this slow hobby so much. It looks complicated, but it pretty easy to get started with. I recommend using pre-printed patterns.

Waking up early - This maybe isn’t a hobby, but it's something many old people are known to do. With the time change, I’m finding it  easier to wake up and see the sunrise, and there is something so refreshing and cozy about it.

Cooking and baking - I have always loved to cook and bake, but especially this time of year I find myself wanting to make food. The most grandmacore way to cook would be to cook recipes from your own grandmother, and making muffins, pies and cookies and then giving them to all of the people in your life.

Reading is also a large part of the grandma core aesthetic. Specifically, historical romance and classics (specifically gothic classics for some reason) seem the most grandmacore to me. I’m not going to dive too deep into this, because once I start you can’t stop me. 

As for music, think music that would have been popular in the 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s. This time of year I gravitate towards the crooners and vintage jazz. It gives an almost christmassy vibe, without actually being christmas music, and it’s just oh so vintage.

Watching Old Films - Black and white films starring actors such as Fred Aistair, Judy Garland, and Katherine Hepburn. And watching Vintage tv shows such as I love Lucy or the Andy Griffith Show. Old films on a cold night are one of the coziest things.

There are a few more grandmacore things to incorporate this november. Small elements that can create the cozy grandma environment we’re going for.

• Having a tea kettle always one
  
• Burning candles down to stubs
  
• Always making sure the people around you have more than they need
  
• Putting your work away as the sun goes down​
  

I hope you enjoyed this post, and that you have the coziest November. Love you!

Belle Thomas

Belle is the writer and dreamer behind An Old Fashioned Girl. She is passionate about reminding girls of their identity in Christ, classic books, history, Louisa May Alcott, and earl grey tea. ​​​