Falling into Autumn is cozy, romantic, and peaks your appetite for “limited time only” favorites. Fall is fabulous and can be so much more wonderous than the ubiquitous flannel and the “been there done that” pumpkin attitude. Seasons are meant to be celebrated with eager curiosity and familiar fondness. Embrace this Fall with new and nostalgic ideas that are easy and affordable. Reclaim your creativity and personal style as nature transitions from bright to burnt hues and cooler temperatures arrive. Here are 10 tips to ease your mind, heighten your emotions, and embrace your personal Fall vibe.
1. Treat yourself to a new coffee cup, travel mug or office lunch bag
It’s not always the kids that need new supplies. “Back to the office” season should fit in somewhere. Last year’s NASA or #1 “Anything” mug can be replaced with something funny, admirable, or inspirational this Autumn. Can’t decide what fits your personality, just try a new Fall color to lift your spirits on those sluggish mornings.
If you’re a commuter, invest in a better travel mug to keep your fancy drink or just joe coffee hot when you need it. Pick up a fresh new lunch bag that actually keeps your food’s temperature just right or try a fancy bento kit that keeps your food nice and neat.
2. Jump into new pajamas, chunky socks and flannel sheets
There’s something about getting into a warm bed cozy with flannel sheets and warm pajamas. There are plenty of fall plaids and autumn colors to choose from. It’s time to get comfy and cozy going to sleep with super soft, brushed cotton or forever warm fleece. Forget the slippers! Bring home the essential knitted or fur lined socks that keep your feet warm all season long.
3. Fill your fridge and pantry
Fall is filled with back in season flavors and goodies. Try pecan flavored pancake syrup, dulce de leche cream or salted caramel apples to get yourself in the harvest time spirit. Keep a few goodies on hand when you have guests or its family movie night. Bring home Pumpkin flavored anything into your kitchen from Chai tea, dairy cream, pancakes, hot chocolate, pop tarts or granola.
Go apple picking and buy a from scratch apple pie instead of a birthday cake. Looking for healthy options? Drinking fresh pressed apple juice or hot apple cider is filled with astounding health benefits. Figs, persimmons, dates, and pomegranates are Autumn favorites. You don’t even have to cook them; grab and go or leave them on display in a harvest themed bowl.
4. Decorate your space with nature and earthy textures
It’s easy to bring the outdoors in. Fresh flowers always add cheer and warm up any room. Choose from deep purple or turmeric-colored mums, scarlet red snap dragons or earthy Aztec marigolds. Are flowers too fussy or out of your budget? Pick up fall themed decorations or picks at your local craft or dollar store. Just gently push them into your plants and voila! You’re all set. Pinecones and leaves from a nearby park placed at your doorstep can immediately stage your home for Fall.
Baskets aren’t just for Dorothy or Little Red. Cruise your local upscale thrift store or discount retailers for fun pumpkins, cornucopias, and traditional farm baskets. Harvest time is basket time. Fill them with cinnamon scented pinecones, colorful pint-sized squash, or make it your new table center piece filled with anything Fall. Many discount and craft stores have the cutest fall kitschy home décor, and you can never go wrong with the welcome fall wreath or garden scarecrow.
5. Fill your space with yummy scents and Fall fragrances
Nothing can help sell a home faster than the scent of fresh baked cookies in the kitchen. Scents relax the mind and promote happy memories. Candles are an easy addition to your fall mood revival. Scents like apple pie, bright cinnamon, smokey clove, rustic sandalwood and country maple immediately change the atmosphere into Fall. Oils, scented sticks, air fresheners, and plug-ins are perfect options.
Bring a small basket of potpourri into your bathroom or place a small dish near family photos to dress up your place for Autumn. Pick up a bag of cinnamon scented pinecones and leave them inside your home or inside your guest bedroom.
6. Learn to cook or bake two of your favorite Fall comfort foods or desserts
Let’s face it, we’re always juggling our time and trying to balance everything during the holidays. So, learning just two new “go to” recipes is an easy way to bring Fall comfort into your home. Remember, if you can read, you can cook. You definitely can pop it into the microwave or put it all in the crock pot, so don’t worry. Comfort foods like casseroles and anything potatoes have a lot of room for near misses.
Not everyone has a loving partner that can whip up a homemade apple pie from scratch. Pies are easier to bake now because you can purchase incredible tasting premade crusts. And if they know it, they won’t mind at all. They want a piece of your fresh baked pie! It’s time for s’mores and you don’t need a fire pit anymore. Discount stores sell small DIY smore kits that are easy, fun, and no mess. Spices like nutmeg, clove and cinnamon really transform a stale kitchen into a place you want to hang out and keep the party going.
7. Purchase a pair of boots
Walk into Fall wearing boots that make you feel confident and comfortable. There are so many to choose from; why not surprise yourself and choose something new for the first time. Maybe you’ve always wanted a pair of Sporto Duck Boots, pointed cowboy boots, ankle booties, or the cute fur lined boots. Maybe you need a new pair of “Back to School Boots” for work. It’s time to get walking.
8. Fall-ify your wardrobe
There’s something romantic and chic about a fisherman’s turtleneck or cable knit sweater worn with denim jeans and any kind of boot during Fall. Maybe you’ll pair it with a wool scarf when you visit a new downtown or layer it with a blazer on an evening date along the boardwalk. Fall season is all about layering your look.
Accessorize your wardrobe with a classic wool cap, black leather gloves or a traditional vest that is perfect with everything. Trench coats can level up any wardrobe. Plaid flannel barn coats, solid white tank top and knit hats add interest when the air turn chilly on evening walks. Tights, infinity scarves, cardigans and the classic over-sized sweater are key pieces to pick up this Fall. Have you thought about wearing a dazzling poncho?
9. Make a list of activities, books and places you want to discover this Harvest season
Maybe every year you say “next year” because you keep missing the local harvest festival or Fall event. Write it down and put it on the fridge or immediately enter it on your google calendar. You’re not fully committed, but if you find that you have a free weekend take a peek at your list.
Connecting with nature on weekly walks, visiting farmer’s markets, and taking an Autumn workshop can be added to your Fall wish list. Give your eyes a much-needed rest and put down the kindle. Start reading a new book. Ask around, we’re certain your co-worker has a best seller to recommend, or a friend has just finished reading Many Lives, Many Masters or Still Alice. No pressure, remember it’s just your own personal entertainment guide.
Oktoberfest concerts are on their way so start asking for company to join you. Sometimes Autumn means planting in your garden or having friends come over for wine and board game night using Brach’s candy corn and pumpkins as play money. Keep adding to your list all season long.
10. Declutter and get organized
Yay! The kids are back in school, and you can reclaim your dining room table. It’s the perfect time to sort through closets and start switching out the summer clothes for warmer items. It’s time to put away the summer sandals and just keep your favorite flip flops handy. Do this for clothing, too.
Look for your umbrellas and make sure they open properly. Have a peek at your windshield wipers, it might be time to replace them before the rainy season approaches. Donate or give away the clothes that no longer fit or clothes you are confident you will never wear again. Find a local charity that could use your old sports equipment and bicycles. Reorganize your junk drawers and replenish them with new batteries and ball point pens.
Have your children rummage through their toys and stuffys and decide which items they no longer play with. Yes, that’s probably easier said than done. Take a look through your pantry for expired items and make room for the holidays. And finally, start your holiday gift list and maybe this year you’ll finish shopping early.
Fall Play List:
- A Little More Summer-Jason Aldean
- September-Corb Lund
- I Love A Rainy Night-Eddie Rabbitt
- Autumn’s Not That Cold-Skip Ewing
- Thank God I’m A Country Boy-John Denver
- Circles-Post Malone
- Cold One Comin’ On-Montgomery Gentry
- Unforgettable-Thomas Rhett
- Yellow-Cold Play
- Thank You For A Life-Kris Kristofferson
- Cold Weather-Zac Brown Band
- Rain Is A Good Thing-Luke Bryan
- Bruno Mars-Just The Way You Are
- Here’s To The Farmer-Luke Bryan
- Autumn’s Not That Cold-Lorrie Morgan
- Chills Of An Early Fall-George Straight
- Heart Of Glass-Blondie
- Bring The Harvest Home-Chris Knight
- Indian Summer-Brooks And Dunn
- International Harvester-Craig Morgan
- Homegrown-Zac Brown Band
- Fall-Clay Walker
- Garth Brooks-She’s Every Woman
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Cindy is an OC native fond of PCH road trips to places like Santa Rosa or Carmel. She’s a mother of three spending her free time baking apple pies, cooking green enchiladas, and listening to 80s music. She’s a beach girl at heart and Cancun is her go to paradise.