A Few of My Favorite Things for Fall

Happy first official day of FALL! I'm sipping tea, watching it rain, helping K read an assigned book, and celebrating this new...

It’s officially FALL! And better yet, the temperatures outside are supposed to start reflecting it. Finally!

Lately I’ve really leaned into creating a cozy atmosphere in my home, especially in the afternoons and evenings when we’re around the house. I turn on the lamps, light the candles, put on some cozy fall jazz or a favorite fall movie, and make sure the soft blankets are within reach. I really love when home feels homey. I’m a hygge kind of girly through and through. A perfect decorator? No. But a warm atmosphere creator? Yes.

There’s just something about this time of year that makes me want to slow down a little, simmer something delicious on the stove, and soak up the simple comforts of home. Of course, our schedules don’t always allow for the slowing down part, but I can certainly make the house smell like pumpkin bread while we’re running from one activity to the next, right?

So, in celebration of the new season, I thought it would be fun to share some of my fall favorites! From candles and cozy clothes to the recipes I make on repeat, these are the little things I’m loving as we settle into the season. I’d love to hear you fall favorites, too!

Candles

I’ve tried several brands you recommended to me this year and have been busy sniffing. Ultimately my favorites have boiled down to the following:

Sincerely Sarah Jane’s Autumn Leaves
Life if Lilac’s Fall Fever
Milkglass Pumpkin and Spice
I also have two of these flameless candles with timers inside glass pumpkins and love the way they flicker! They automatically turn on in the evenings, which sparks some major joy.

Home Decor

I love seasonal decorating, but most of my “decor” centers around leaves, candles, and switching out the pillow covers. Give me some rich fall colors, natural textures, a pumpkin or two, and I’m a happy girl.

Movies

Fall movies are in a different category for me than our family Halloween movies.

You’ve Got Mail (the GOAT). New York in the fall, bookstores, coffee shops, and Meg Ryan’s wardrobe. Need I say more?
Remember the Titans. Football, small-town charm, and a story that gets me every single time.
Pride & Prejudice. The scenery, the music, the cozy English countryside. It’s one of those movies I can watch over and over.
And while it’s technically a show rather than a movie, I can’t talk about fall viewing without mentioning Gilmore Girls. H and I are watching it together for the first time and it really does give the coziest vibes.

Clothes

I’m working on building a capsule wardrobe that is slightly elevated, so there’s two versions of my fall favorites here.

My go-to daily look:

Simple loose jeans like these – Comfortable, easy to style, and a nice change from the skinny jeans I lived in for years.
Fitted tank that comes in many colors and is great length for petite women. I love having a simple, fitted base layer to balance out looser jeans and sweaters.
Quince cropped cardigan – An easy layer to throw on when the mornings are chilly but the afternoons still feel like summer.

A couple elevated staples:

This lightweight quilted jacket – Perfect for the transitional weather when you need an extra layer but aren’t ready for a full winter coat.
These comfortable Chelsea boots – the fashion gurus tell me that this boot will make an outfit feel a little more pulled together without sacrificing comfort.

Recipes

Soups, chilis, slow-cooked meats, roasted vegetables, warm bread… this is my time to shine in the kitchen. A few of my favorites that will absolutely be making their way onto our meal plan this season:

David’s Famous Chili – A family favorite for good reason. Perfect for football Saturdays, chilly evenings, and feeding a crowd.
Fall-Spiced Pumpkin Chicken Chili – Sounds weird, but it’s so good. Trust me on this one.
Carrot and lentil curry (though I really want to try this WF copycat soup, too)
Vegetable Lentil Soup – Hearty, comforting, and a great way to get a big serving of veggies.
Shepherd’s Pie – Is there anything cozier than a bubbling casserole topped with mashed potatoes? I think not.
Pork Tenderloin – One of my go-to family dinners. I love serving it with roasted vegetables and a hearty fall side.
Easy Moist Pumpkin Bread – Because is it even fall if you don’t have a loaf of pumpkin bread on the counter?
Skillet Lemon Garlic Chicken & Orzo – An easy, comforting skillet dinner that works just as well for a busy weeknight as it does for a cozy Sunday evening.

Kitchen Gadgets

These are the kitchen gadgets I reach for over and over during the -Ber months.

Rice Cooker with ceramic insert – Pour, push go, perfect rice. Every. Single. Time. I love being able to get the rice going while I focus on the rest of dinner, and the ceramic insert is a big plus for me.
Claypot Multi Cooker Slow Cooker – a multicooker with sautéing, searing, and slow-cooking capabilities. It’s made from pure kaolin clay, which was a big part of its appeal to me, and I’m excited to try it out. It should be here this week! I’ll report back once I’ve had a chance to put it to work.
Bread machine – for weekly pizza dough but also because you can set it on delay and have it bake fresh bread overnight. It’s pretty amazing the wake up to the aroma of cinnamon bread wafting through the house.

Here’s to a Cozy Fall!

There’s just something special about the feeling of fall. A cozy home. A welcoming house. Good food. Opening the windows without bugs flying in. Couch cuddles. Cheering on the sidelines. Flickering candles. The sounds of fall jazz and football announcers… I’m so ready to soak it all in! I even painted my nails an Auburn Rust for the occasion.

I’m looking forward to leaning into all of it this season, even if that means occasionally pretending it’s sweater weather when it’s still 80 degrees outside.

I’d love to hear from you! What are some of your fall favorites? A candle scent, a movie you watch every year, a recipe you can’t wait to make, or a little tradition that makes the season feel special? Share with me in the comments. I’m always looking for new things to add to my fall favorites list!