Hello, lovely readers!
I am so pumped because yesterday was officially the first day of fall. Even though it still feels like summer and the heat is lingering, it is autumn in my heart, and I will be partaking in all of the fall activities asap, no exceptions.
With that in mind, I compiled together a list of things you can do to romanticize the fall season. From the early beginnings of chill in September, to the spooky and haunted vibes of October, to the cozy and warm vibes of November (yes, November is still fall in my book, not Christmas!), these are all things that are guaranteed to make your autumn months feel a little more magical.
Visit an apple orchard, cider mill, or farmers market
I understand this one can vary depending on where you’re located, as not everyone has things like cider mills or apple orchards nearby. But I’m sure you can think of a place to find apples, fresh produce, local goods, or baked treats! If you can go somewhere where you can try samples, mill around, chat with vendors, and feel the chill of the fall air, it will make for a perfect fall afternoon.
Make a hearty soup or stew from scratch
I’m determined to cross this off the list this year! Soup is genuinely one of the easiest things you can make at home, so it’s a great option for beginner cooks or anyone who gets overwhelmed by the concept of cooking something new from scratch. Some recipes I’m hoping to do this fall are my favorite chili recipe that I’ve done in the past and this Dilly Bean Stew that I found that I’d love to attempt!
Buy secondhand flannels
This is such an underrated and fun activity to do as a solo trip or with friends. One of my favorite items in my closet, a red and white flannel with the original Old Navy stitching in it from 1994, I found for like three dollars at Goodwill. You’d be surprised how many quality finds are at places like Goodwill or Salvation Army!
Light candles
Candles are a staple for many people during this season, and I love having candles lit in the home as well. For this season, I love lighting candles that specifically have a spicy scent like cloves or cinnamon, or any other scents that are smoky, rich, and feel like fall. For example, one of my absolute favorite candles to light during this season is a candle that smells like tobacco pipe.
Bake pumpkin treats
Baking is my jam during this time of year. I’m so excited to try some recipes, specifically this cinnamon pretzel recipe I found. But, I find that my go-to staples during these months are pumpkin muffins and pumpkin bread. Something about pumpkin and pumpkin spice in baking is so hearty and comforting. Plus, everything, from the muffins to the loaf, are such a pretty orange color. :)
Listen to jazz
Tis the season to listen to the genre of jazz. Crooners, smooth jazz, bebop; everything jazz adjacent is the best during fall. Some of my favorite albums to listen to these months are Time Out by The Dave Brubeck Quartet, Dream with Dean by Dean Martin, and In Tune by the Oscar Peterson Trio. And if you want a curated playlist, this is my “autumn jazz” playlist that is on repeat in my earbuds all of September. (I tried to make all the songs about leaves, fall, or adjacent themes.)
Plan or go to a bonfire
Sort of in the same vein as candles, the smell of a campfire is such a cozy scent during fall. Going out at night in the crisp fall air, bundled in blankets, making s’mores, and listening to music around a bonfire is the best during autumn. And you can make it as chill or as chaotic as you like! Last fall, I participated in some campfires that were very laidback, but I also went to a bonfire last fall where people brought trash and discarded furniture to put in the fire (someone lugged over a whole armchair, I’m not kidding). Either way, being with friends surrounded by a campfire is the best way to spend a fall night.
Schedule coffee dates with friends and loved ones
We’ve all gotten used to the grab-n-go aspect of coffee shops where we can order ahead on apps, but we rarely plan time to just sit in a coffee shop with friends or loved ones to talk and people watch. When I was in college, my best friends and I would go to coffee shops to work on homework and gab almost every day, and I miss it now! Planning time to sip your drink and just slow down with good company is so important if we want to ensure that we take time for slowness in our life. <3
Seasonally read
This is something that I love to do every year! I purposefully pick books that have themes, characters, or vibes that fit the time of year I’m in. For example, in October I’m planning on reading Dracula by Bram Stoker, The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare, and (hopefully, if I have time) Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice. It’s so fun being able to plan a reading list that coincides with the season or surrounding holidays!
Appreciate rain
This is so simple, and yet many people don’t do it. Rain is often thought of as a nuisance, but I personally love a good rain or thunderstorm. Listening to the rain, watching it fall, the smell of the earth afterwards; it’s all so beautiful! (There’s actually a word for the smell of the earth after it rains: petrichor.) I even have a friend of mine who would argue that walks outside are even better in the rain (Shoutout Claire!). All I’m saying is, instead of your natural inclination being complaints about the rain, there are many ways to appreciate it instead.
The Peanuts and Snoopy Takeover
Quintessential fall media! The Peanuts characters, especially Snoopy, always cheer me up this time of year, and I love listening to the music from the Charlie Brown cartoons by the Vince Guaraldi Trio. Some of my favorite tracks to listen to are the “Thanksgiving Theme,” “Oh, Good Grief,” and (of course) “Linus and Lucy.” Plus, many stores during fall stock their shelves with decor, clothing, and pajamas that are Peanuts themed, so now is the time to indulge! (And shoutout to my friend Rafa for being the biggest Snoopy fan I know <3)
Library afternoons
Libraries, by nature, reflect fall’s attitude; contemplative, quiet, relaxing. Spending an afternoon in your local library, or making a trip to a large city or university library, is a perfect way to spend a day. Even if you don’t have work to do or a book to read, browsing library shelves and putting titles on your “to be read” list is a lovely way to spend a day.
Card game nights
There’s just something so magical and elegant to me about decks of playing cards (maybe that’s why I’m collecting so many of them…). When I was in college, my roommates and I would love to host people over to play cards often. Even if it was a silly game like Go Fish or a complicated strategy game, we loved sitting around the table at night with mugs of tea or cans of spiked cider playing cards.
Shopping at small businesses
Maybe I’m biased because I work at an independently owned children’s bookstore, but I think there’s something really special about spending your money at a place where you know who it’s going to. Being able to meet the owners of the stores, learn about their products and the stories of how their business came to be is such a special feeling! And so many small businesses have great decorations, window displays, and products for fall and Halloween.
Getting mums or pumpkins
I love a good decoration, but even if the thought of decorating your house for a season or holiday sounds daunting, this is something easy that you can do to spruce up your front door. Mums and pumpkins are at every grocery store right now, so you can easily pick a pot or pumpkin up before you start your shopping. All you have to do is put them on your front porch, and they add a cheery air to your home or front window.
Thank you for reading this week. I hope you’re taking care of yourself! I appreciate you <3
- Lillian
LOVE this. And Autumn jazz!