The Fall List

Written By Jenn Hodges

Happy October! The third and fourth quarters of the year are my absolute favorite, and while I’m often touting “summer forever!” I really do love October so much. The warm summer-like afternoons. The cool mornings. The colors. The mist. The Charlie Brown coziness. It’s really wonderful.

A funny thing about having kids is, every once in a while, you’ll see little peeks of yourself in them. My experience with kids is this: as much people want to be like “you’re just like your dad” or “you sound just like your mom” - they’re generally their own little people. Such a mish-mash that it’s really hard to say they’re just like anyone. But then again, here and there, they’ll say or do something that just pings.

Yesterday was one of those days. Let the record show, that on September 29, I asked my 9 y/o if he wanted to watch Hocus Pocus after dinner. He shook his head. “No, not yet mom. Let’s wait until October 1st.”

I nearly screamed, because that is so me. Delayed gratification and waiting for the right moment to enjoy something with unrealistic expectations that a good thing can be even better if it’s enjoyed under the correct circumstances. Everything in its time is a constant refrain around here and you know what, I agreed immediately with him. October 1st is a better time to start watching halloween movies. It will be better that way.

So instead, we watched the Super Mario Bros. movie for the billionth time.

***

Now, being that we’re a little ways into the official fall season, it is also the right time to start indulging in fall style. The window is small, but GD the season of jackets that are more fashion than function + ankle boots not meant to trudge through the snow, is such a good one. I nurture the idea of strappy heals with cropped jeans, flared corduroy in warm rusty shades, and suede trench coats that better never see a drop of rain. Oh and miniskirts in decidedly cool weather fabrics, like leather or corduroy! As I said, a short window indeed.

I’m going to share with my you my top pics for Fall, modeled after The Strategist’s Fall 100. I don’t need that much stuff, but I do have a small collection of wishes -

FALL STYLE

I am slowly developing a fall uniform, which seems to consist of flared corduroys in warm rusty colors + sneakers + a well fitted wool coat to tighten it up and keep it looking more intentionally casual than sloppy.

Corduroy Flares

Mini Skirts in cozy fabrics // The window for this is short, but I encourage you, do not miss it!

Sneakers in warm shades

Long, fitted jackets

Miscellaneous // A few extras I can see myself prancing around in all season.

FALL BEAUTY

It’s time to put staying moisturized back into hyperdrive.

Face

Body

Miscellaneous //

FALL ACCESSORIES

Switching over to a fall bag is one of my favorite seasonal swaps. Nothing like a suede bag in a warm cozy color!

Bags

Accessories

Miscellaneous // I should have parked the Balm Dot Coms in the beauty section, but I’m a millennial who still covets the Glossier branding like an accessory, so bear with me. The espresso flavor/scent is so delicious

FALL MEDIA DIET

We are kicking off the fall semester of our personal curriculum. We are dabbling in hobbies. We are listening to things that feel nostalgic. We are nurturing our love of crime podcasts.

Books

Playlists

TV and Movies

  • Only Murders in the Building is a highlight of my fall annually. V excited to sort out this year’s mystery!

  • Season 2 of Nobody Wants This because Esther looks decidedly more friendly this season

  • Is it Cake? Halloween? is hitting Netflix in a few days and let me tell you, my kids and I huddle around the TV and enjoy this show WAY too much. Looking forward for a spooky edition.

Miscellaneous // A fun whimsical swap idea: switch out your computer or phone background photo with something seasonal. I have good luck with The Every Girl’s monthly tech designs // Diamond painting is a new-to-me hobby keeping me off my phone, comes in all kinds of designs but I am leaning, of course, towards this ghostly scene.

FALL HOME

Coziness at home is thee most important part of the fall switchover. I’m talking candles, lamps, strings of lights. If I’m going to be indoors for the next six months, now is the time to make this place feel like the nicest place to be.

Things to Eat and Drink

Things to Put in Dark Corners

  • I love the way taper candles make everything feel fancier. These striped candles are purely for the aesthetics and I love these cheapies from Target (that do not drip!) for daily drivers

  • A basket of blankets is a nice way to corral the piles - I just picked up a couple rich brown blankets for the season

  • Do not overlook the Better Homes & Gardens candles at Walmart. I have this one and it smells smoky and wonderful this time of year.

  • Just for fun - ghost taper candles.

Miscellaneous // Drift air fresheners will make your car smell like a rich person drives it. Swap out the fragrance for Q4 (teak is still my favorite, but apple picking sounds so nice for October) // Lean into an analog life! Toss this screenless digital camera in your bag for all the beautiful landscapes you want to snap a picture of.

Happy fall to you! What are you excited about this season?

Jenn Hodges
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