I looove the fall. To be honest, it doesn’t start to get chilly in Tucson until November, which bums me out. But I love snooping on your guys’ Instas and seeing all your autumn-y fun! I will say that when it gets cold in Tucson, the temp does take quite a dip. There’s no in between in desert weather: either Satan is conducting the heatwave from Hell or you’re frozen even though you’re wearing 17 layers. And the change happens basically overnight.
Regardless, this is the season of all things cozy and cuddly. It’s my favorite time of the year because of the endless ways to unwind, relax, and create great memories.
01. Load up on candles and fall decor.
This is the time of year that all the amazing fall scents come out! I recently picked up this pumpkin spice one from Target and it’s the perfect amount of sugary and nutmeg smell. It created such an incredible atmosphere in our home as soon as I lit it. My other favorite places for fall decor are Pottery Barn, Jo-Anns, and Michaels. Jo-Anns has some gorgeous wreaths and garlands this time of year!
02. Toast marshmallows.
S’mores are not just for summer! When I think about toasting marshmallows, I often think about crisp fall nights cozied up under a blanket (love this plaid one) and telling stories with friends. Take your s’mores to the next level by drizzling caramel on the graham cracker before stacking it or sprinkling some cinnamon on the marshmallow before roasting it.
03. Knit something big and cuddly.
Now is the season of everything soft, oversized, and cuddly. Pillows, sweaters, cardigans, scarves, all of it! Knitting is relaxing and there’s loads of cozy knit kits that you can snag. If you feel like you don’t have time for knitting or want the benefits of soft and cuddly without the work, grab a big sweater like this and check out what’s in The Cozie Shop for more! 🙂
04. Create a bedroom of cozy comfort.
Stock up on pillows. Switch your quilt for a big, fluffy duvet (this one is under $35 and highly rated!!). Change up your colors to bring warmth into the room. For example, if before your room was primarily playing off white, switch it to cream and a light beige. Put on new sheets with a higher thread count. Decorate your nightstand with some mini pumpkins and some great fall reads. Put up fairy lights around your headboard for an added sense of magic and coziness when you settle in with a big mug of hot chocolate and a fantastic read!
05. Delve into your book stack.
Chillier weather just means more time to snuggle up with a good book. You’re always welcome to check out the Read tab here to find what you should be reading this fall. I also highly recommend checking out the #bookstagram tag on Instagram for any more ideas, great finds, and beautiful book accounts to keep you inspired all season long!
06. Host a movie night with friends.
Nothing says “FALL” like Harry Potter. Nothing. Build a fort in your living room by collecting all the pillows and blankets in your home and setting up camp. Load up on popcorn and snacks to pass around. Hot chocolate is mandatory, obviously. Okay, so, you’re the 1% that’s not into Harry Potter, which is… well, anyway, there’s a ton of other fantastic autumn movies to choose from! Start whipping out the Halloween flicks (Hocus Pocus is always a must) and old ’90s rom-coms for a nostalgic and memorable night!
07. Make homemade apple and pumpkin everything.
After you make your way home from a fun-filled day at the pumpkin patch and apple orchard, it’s time to bring out the flour and turn your kitchen into the best fall bakery anyone has seen! There is no better way to make your home smell amazing than to make something amazing. I’ve listed below some fall favorites (links are recipes!):
- apple pie or apple hand pies
- apple bread
- applesauce
- apple muffins
- apple cider
- apple cider donuts
- pumpkin bread
- pumpkin pie
- pumpkin cookies
- pumpkin latte
- pumpkin donuts
- pumpkin cinnamon rolls
- cute halloween sugar cookies
08. Campfires and inflatable pools.
So, you want to have a campfire without sitting on the ground and getting attacked by bugs? Problem solved: inflatable pool like this one. And, to make this experience about 1000x better, fill the pool with blankets and pillows and snacks. Ta-da! Stargazing and campfire fun without bugs and itchy grass! It even makes sleeping under the stars even more blissful. 🙂
09. Surround yourself with positivity.
Now is a good a time as any to detox your toxic friends and family. The holidays can be stressful for even the most optimistic of people. But, this season is meant to be a season of joy. Don’t leave space for people who jeopardize your peace. If somebody robs you of that, it’s time to question whether or not you continue your relationship journey with them. It’s hard, but not everything is meant to be forever, especially if it hurts.