Morning Brew - ☕️ The new G.O.T.

Good evening. If you’re either 1) out of wine or 2) not in the mood to watch this evening’s presidential debate, I recommend you save this edition of The Essentials for later tonight, or attend the Borat watch party (see below). Just remember to vote. Happy reading. 

— Rachel Cantor 

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I’ve got big news that isn’t about Quibi, the upcoming NASA moon announcement, or the new Meryl Streep musical. With outdoor dining here to stay, every restaurant is now BYOB—bring your own blanket. To get fully bundled up and prepared for the outdoor dining scene come winter, you’ll need a going-out throw (G.O.T). Here’s how to dress the part: 

• Take some inspo from blanket-inspired fashion styles. 
• Check out these très chic G.O.T. options.
• Looking for a place to sport your new G.O.T.? Here are NYC and Chicago restaurants where you can stay warm while eating during a blizzard.

Restart: It’s not time to draw up New Year’s resolutions yet. But if you’re ready to hit reset on your wellness routine anyway, sign up for Refinery29’s Clean Slate newsletter. The best part: exclusive Kayla Itsines workouts, delivered right to your inbox. 

Chitchat: Thanks to Zoom burnout, my most engrossing in-person exchanges are now with my dog, Wrigley. Join me in following these tips to hold better conversations. 

Fly: After lugging around anxious, germophobic energy while traveling to Austin last weekend, I wish I’d consulted this guide on what Covid safety gear you need and don’t need when flying. 

Compost: For those of you who want to live the Al Gore lifestyle, start with these small ways to green your apartment. Composting in your apartment is actually doable, and you may end up reducing your waste by half (like me!). 

There are plenty of things to be stressed about, but hair isn’t one of ’em.

Everyone knows there’s lots to be stressed about these days. You know it. We know it. Our chain email-forwarding Grandma knows it.

But you know what everyone doesn’t know?

Stress can cause thinning hair.

That’s right: the world’s going up in flames, but with Nutrafol, your hair can be the least of your worries. As the only clinically effective hair supplement that targets stress as a root cause of thinning hair, Nutrafol helps you stress less and grow more. And by golly, it works.

Brew readers get 15% off Nutrafol’s De-Stress Hair Growth Kit with code MORNING15.

NYTimes Cooking

Cook: There’s nothing that can get between me and this butter-roasted salmon recipe. If you couldn’t tell by my past recipe recs, I only make dishes that take 30 minutes max, and this one is incredibly easy, flavorful, and an all-around winner.  

Watch: 

• There is nothing holding me back from watching the Shawn Mendes doc. Just look at him. Save the date for November 23. 
• It’s been 14 years since Borat first arrived in America, and he’s back again: Borat 2 is landing tomorrow. Here’s a review of the film, and as I mentioned at the top, you can attend tonight’s Borat watch party in preparation for the sequel. 

Play: I’m a “drink at least two cups of coffee and do the Daily Mini crossword every morning” type of gal. Chat with your friends while solving crossword puzzles together with Down for a Cross. 

Escape: Rent one of these treehouse getaways, and something magical might happen—like a trip back to meet Morgan le Fay. Or, how about an Essentials retreat? 

Read: When you need a story with a happy ending, one of these book recs will lift your spirits. 

Eat like Frodo: With the Hobbit meal plan, the answer is always yes to a second breakfast. 

Monster mash: Celebrate Halloween virtually with one of these personalized Halloween e-cards. 

In the spooky spirit: In need of some 2020 Halloween-themed decor inspiration? Look here. 

All aboard: Fangirling over this live map of the New York City subway system. 

Go green: Although many of us are not traveling as much as we used to, use Wren to track and log the carbon emissions when you fly.

Carlina Teteris/Getty Images

This is Pura Ulun Danu Bratan, the Balinese floating temple. Be right back—I’m cueing some white noise, lighting a eucalyptus candle, and drinking a cup of green tea. I was supposed to be visiting this temple in March, but you can guess what happened. I’m hoping I’ll make it there one day. 

While I have your attention, let’s all take three deep breaths. It’s an easy way to recenter at any place, any time. I do a five minute Headspace meditation every morning and keep track of my meditation habit in a bullet journal. Any fellow bullet journalers out there? 

After your three deep breaths, I’m here to remind you that tomorrow is Friday, in case you forgot. See you next week.