Getting ready for fall means collecting all the items that make life cozy!
- Candles. Like so many others, I love the Bath and Body Works/White Barn candles. A few fall favorites are Autumn (notes of gala apple, fig, eucalyptus, fir balsam), Leaves (notes of apple, nectar, warm clove spice), and flannel (notes of “crisp autumn air”, bergamot, mahogany, musk). Bath and Body Works are just great. The scents are incredible, they burn really well, and they have some of the best throw I have experienced in a candle. However, they are certainly not cheap. When I can’t wait for a B&BW sale, I have found some other great options that are kinder to my wallet at places like HomeGoods, Marshalls, and Target.
- Apple cider. Make that apple anything. Apple pie. Apple crumble. Apple candles. Picking real apples from real apple trees outside. The rest of the year I’m not one to get that excited about apples. But fall rolls around, and especially if you live on the East Coast, you need to capitalize.
- Apple cider donuts. Get their own bullet. I had never had apple cider donuts until I was a senior in college – a tragedy, I tell you. I’m making up for lost time, and if you are unfamiliar, I suggest you do too.
- Pumpkin. Don’t worry I didn’t forget pumpkin. Pumpkins have really come into the lime light in recent years, so I know this goes without saying. But seriously, pumpkins are great. They make great decorations and great food, and I have nothing against the pseudo-pumpkin flavoring that pops up this time of year in coffee, ice cream, oatmeal, and desserts of all varieties. Especially pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. Yes, those I highly recommend.
- Tea. All the tea. I have too much tea. I have no complaints about having too much tea. I get too excited and buy all the tea. I drink tea year-round, but there’s something about a warm mug on a cool evening that I love.
- Sweaters. I get so excited to break out the sweaters. I appreciate many kinds of sweaters, but I especially love the huge, fluffy ones. They make me feel like I’m wearing a blanket, but I can go out in public.
- Socks. Big, comfy socks to wear around the house. They should be so big and fluffy that they are almost more slippers than socks. Trying to wear these giant, fluffy socks with a shoe would be ridiculous.
- Hand cream. The weather cools. My hands dry. Gotta be prepared. Ideally, these hand creams have scents in line with the candles we already discussed, but Eucerin is also clutch.
- Flu shot. Also cold medicines and cough drops. I find it’s best to stock up before it’s snowing and I’m really sick and getting to the store will be that much more onerous.
- Soup. You’ll notice a theme here. I like stuff that’s warm. Note that the canned ones have lots of sodium, which I don’t like quite so much. But here are a couple of favorites for chicken noodle and lasagna soup.
- Décor! Pumpkins and gourds. Scarecrows. Anything pertaining to Halloween. I love the warm reds and oranges of autumn decorations. Be sure to check out my fall decorating post for tips!
- Books. I’m sure this comes as no surprise, but the fall is an excellent time for reacquainting yourself with a book. Give me a blanket, socks, tea, and a book, and that’s pretty much all I need. I find that autumn is a great time to read something a bit on the darker side, so my reading list typically features Stephen King and a mystery or two. So far, my list for Fall 2017 includes Forty Autumns, End of Watch, In Cold Blood, and A Doubter’s Almanac.
