Let me be the first to say it: ITS FALL Y’ALL!!!
Fall is my favorite season, no question. I love that the weather loses the heat and humidity, that the air gets crisp and cool, and that the clothes get comfier! Fall is the ultimate time of year for me. Summer is over, kids are back in school, football is back, and the holidays are within sight. It is a time of year that I try not to rush. A time of year that I cherish, and a time of year that seems almost magical.
Each year, as fall approaches, I have my “Fall Must Have List”. The items that I absolutely, without a doubt, NEED to have in my life this fall. Items may come and go from that list from year to year. Some years I may go crazy with decoration ideas I saw on Pinterest or Instagram and some years I like to just stay pretty simple and basic.
Each year, however, there are 5 items that always make the list. They are my GO TO ITEMS FOR FALL. My Fall season simply cannot start without them!
CANDLES – For anyone that knows me, you will know I am a candle lover and that we are constantly burning candles (safely, of course) in our home throughout the year. Candles set the tone of a season in our house. They grab the attention when someone walks into a room and can trigger thoughts and memories that take you back. There are a ton of places to get candles. Personally, I am a fan of the Yankee Candles. I think they burn more evenly, have a scent that lasts the duration of the burn, and last the longest. A couple of my favorite scents: Crisp Fall Night, Spiced Pumpkin, Autumn Leaves, and Apple Pumpkin. If you go to their website, they run great specials this time of year. I always take advantage of their Buy 1/2/3 and Get 1/2/3 offer each season. It’s a steal!
PUMPKINS – While Fall is my favorite, Halloween definitely is not so this one may seem a little odd for me to suggest but I love pumpkins. Don’t confuse this with carved Jack-O-Lanterns, that’s not what I mean. I mean, good old, all colors, all shapes, all sizes…. PUMPKINS! I use them to decorate the porch and patio, I have smaller ones on the table in the house, and its pretty much guaranteed that my toddler has at least 2 hidden around the house. Pumpkins are the quintessential decoration that screams fall!! So versatile and easy to style. The best thing about pumpkins is you can get them almost EVERYWHERE and they don’t have to be overly expensive. Pumpkin patches, fall festivals, farmers markets, even grocery and craft stores have them for you to buy. Little hint – the pumpkin patches and farmers markets usually have the most diverse and fun selection!
MUMS – What goes better with pumpkins on a porch than fall flowers? Nothing, that’s what. My go to fall favorites are mums. Mums flower in the most beautiful fall colors that add that touch of the season wherever they are. My go-to fall colors are red, orange, white, and bronze! They are good and hearty, can take the cooler temps, and do not require too much daily attention. They are sun-loving so make sure they are placed in a spot that it can catch the rays! Keep the soil moist but no need to water every day, a missed day here and there is perfectly fine. Pluck off the dead blooms to keep them blooming and they best part is they are good right up until the frost starts to set in! Like pumpkins, mums can often be found all around town as well. Hit up your favorite greenhouse, farmers market, or flower stand. A lot of the pumpkin patches and fall festivals will have potted mums there as well.
APPLES – This one is really a no brainer. I mean apple picking, amiright? My favorite thing about this Fall must have is that it is something the whole family can get in on. The past several years, we have taken the kids to an apple orchard to pick apples and enjoy the season outdoors. Bonus… there are so many options of recipes for all of those apples so if apple pie isn’t your thing that’s a non-issue! Here are a few of my favorites: Apple crisp, apple spice cake, apple cinnamon muffins, apple sangria, and apple salad. If you are not familiar with these, google them or shoot me a message and I will hook you up with the recipe. There are so many great local orchards to chose from: Erie Orchard, Bennet’s Orchard, and MacQueen’s Orchard have always been our go to spots! Happy Picking!
A COMFY BLANKET – With cool temps comes the need for a comfy, cozy, snuggly blanket. Whether you are curling up on the couch with a good book, a sappy hallmark movie, or hunkering down for a nap… a soft and cuddly blanked is a must. I love to get a new one each year or maybe every other year. I tend to use mine so darn much, I wear through them rather quickly. I am obsessed with a good blanket and, full disclosure, I use them all year round. I prefer a softer fleece style but I am also a fan of the more chunky, sweater like material as well. Bed Bath and Beyond, Target, Home Goods, Amazon, and Macy’s are just a handful of places I have had luck with in the past for the best I have had. I prefer to buy in person as opposed to online for this item since I like to know exactly how it feels before I commit to a pick. \
