Transitioning from summer to fall is the perfect excuse to make a few updates to my home, wardrobe, and life!  Summer is fun and busy, but I am soooo ready to spend a little more time indoors.  A few  seasonal refreshes are needed to embrace the best time of the year. Here are are a few updates I am making this fall…

1. Decorate with Fall Accents

We don’t do the scary Halloween decor, but love a nod to the season.  First up, I fill our mantle with pumpkins, gourds  and this year dried seeded eucalyptus. Next, requirement is an autumnal candle.  My husband found this delicious candle on Etsy.  It smells of Amber and Oakmoss and gives a warm, but not too overpowering scent.

2. Stock Up for Cold Season

Kids in school. Flu season. Changing temps. I head to CVS to make sure I have everything I need to combat germs.  Airborne, cough drops, nighttime cough and cold, Clorox wipes, you name it. When the onset of a cold appears on our house, I want to be ready.

 

3. Add a Few Faux Fur Blankets

There is nothing more cozy than a faux fur blanket.  Once you wrap yourself in one of these, no other throw can measure up.  Cuddled up with the kids, sipping on Egyptian Licorice tea, and watching a movie on Netflix is fall perfection for me.

4. De-clutter Your Closet

If you haven’t read The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up, you need to check it out.  This book will streamline and de-clutter your life.  Take stock of your summer clothes and make some edits. That old bikini that doesn’t give the proper support, the dress that maybe one day your daughter may wear… all candidates for donation.  Also, donate thoughtfully. Useable, professional items can be donated to organizations like Dress for Success.  Not so great items can be donated here to be repurposed.  Or if you have high quality designer pieces, check out a consignment company like The Real Real.

 

5. Change Up Your Grocery List

Time to makes some produce swaps.  These days, I’m reaching for apples and pears and forgoing the melons and berries. For veggies, I always want carrots, celery and onions on hand for soup. I also add squash {primarily butternut but an occasional spaghetti}, kale, Brussel sprouts, and parsnips.  Then I bid farewell to my Sancerre and roses and heavy up on the red wines.

6. Get Ready for Comfort Food

Beyond just seasonal produce, now is a great time to break out that slow cooker.  The increased hibernation calls for soups, stews, chilis, and comfort foods. I use my Le Creuset Cast Iron French Oven a lot, but it’s almost on a daily basis in the fall.

 

7. Start Thinking about that Holiday Card

I know, each year is seems like the Christmas season starts earlier and earlier. Since companies like Shutterfly, Minted, and Paperless Post make it easy to personalize your family holiday card, more and more people are going this route. Which means if you wait until Thanksgiving to start, you may be in peak production time and your delivery date may be jeopardy {I’m convinced the New Year card trend started because of this}.  If you plan to use a professional photographer, I would reach out soon. They typically book up fast, so best to get on their calendars now.

8. Switch to Burgundy Lips

Time to put alway the light glosses and vamp things up a bit. I mentioned in my Fall Wardrobe Essentials that a wine colored lip is perfect for the season.  Add some plums, oxbloods, and rich Bordeaux shades to your lip collection.  Also, keep lips smooth and hydrated for the upcoming months.

 

 9. Refresh Your Beauty Routine

For your skin, add a product with Vitamin C like Ursa Major Brighten Up Serum or an Orgaid Revitalizing Sheet Mask  to repair all the summer sun damage.  My lips get really dry so I’ve been applying a dab of Nivea Creme right before bed and doing a lip scrub a few times a week.  For more fall beauty updates, check out what the Beauty Insiders are loving here.

 

10. Shop for Fall Wardrobe Updates

Cozy sweaters, yellow, and metallics, are key Fall pieces I’ve mentioned in previous posts.   I’m still wearing white denim, which transitions so well into autumn.

 

11. Mark Your Calendars for Holiday Deals

Beauty companies are deep in holiday planning mode as we speak. Sephora has already released holidays kits.  Tarte launched their holiday kits at Ulta.  We all know Black Friday {Nov 24} and Cyber Monday {Nov 27} are big shopping days. But with the increase in online shopping, Green Monday {Dec 11} should also be on your radar. This day is the Monday with 10 shipping days to Christmas.  Lastly, companies expect you so do some “self-gifting”. Take advantage of all those deals and treat yourself!