As the weather gets cooler and the days become shorter, we welcome back one of the prettiest seasons in the calendar - Autumn! As we go about our everyday lives, commuting to and from work, doing the school run or just being out and about we can't help but notice the beauty Autumn brings.
Here are 10 things I love about Autumn:
1. My Birthday!
Yes I am a September baby! I'd say I was a typical Virgo. September is a special month in my family because there are so many birthdays. The effect on my bank balance during September is pretty much the same as Christmas lol. This time of the year is a time for reflection, as I turn a year older I look back at the things I've learned and how much I've grown as a person in the last twelve months. It's also the start of a new year for me, new chapter, and I'm always incredibly grateful to hit a new milestone and to continue on this journey.
2. The Trees!
I was driving along a tree-lined street the other morning and as I drove the leaves on the trees were falling like snow around me. The sun was shining and the colours were so pretty. Accents of gold, yellow, copper, red, brown and orange covered the streets. Scenes like that just take my breath away. In the chaos of life and the everyday routine, it was one of those moments when you just take a second to look around you and appreciate the beauty of nature. The trees are doing what they are meant to do. The same thing they do every year. It's a process of loss, regeneration and rebirth, as the new leaves come in for Spring. It's a life cycle that we bear witness to year after year, yet every year it seems to bring with it new beauty.
3. Long Walks.
During the week I spend a lot of time in my car, driving kids from A to B, so whenever I get the opportunity, I love going for long walks. We are lucky enough to live within walking distance of beautiful parks, rivers and green spaces so that does motivate me to get out and about. The kids love being outdoors and Aaliyah always insists we take bread with us so we can feed the ducks. The weather this time of year is great. When theres frost on the ground and you can't feel your fingers that's not the most appealing time to go for a leisurely stroll. So I like to take advantage at this time to have as many outdoor adventures as we can.
4. Transitional Pieces.
I have a little confession!... I love to shop! I love planning my wardrobe around the different seasons. I especially love my Summer wardrobe as I definitely invest more time and effort into what I wear during the warmer months. In the Winter I can get away with not putting much effort into an outfit because I can just hide under a big cosy coat. Living in the UK means we don't experience as many sunny days as we'd like, so I love items that I can carry over to Autumn. I find ways to enjoy my Summer clothes for as long as possible. I like to layer items during Autumn and by re-introducing knee-high boots and ankle boots I am able to continue wearing some of my favourite dresses and skirts from Summer. My go-to items for Autumn are light knits, off the shoulder jumpers, skinny jeans, jumper dresses, shirt dresses, denim shirts and high-waisted jeans.
5. Autumn Colours.
Whether its clothes, nail colours or lipsticks I tend to gravitate towards darker, richer colours. I love Burgundy or dark Cherry colours for lips and nails. Lately I've been living in my khaki green Mac. I've had it for about 5 years and its one of those pieces that I wear every year and I always get compliments. On colder days I wear it with a scarf and it's been perfect for the weather we've had so far. I've seen a few online retailers doing Burgundy Aviator Jackets this season. They have caught my eye. I'm actually tempted to get one. For example boohoo.com (here) and prettylittlething.com (here) offer their own versions of the trend.
6. Coffee Dates!
Now who doesn't love a Pumpkin Spice Latte at this time of the year? During the colder months I enjoy day-dates. When its dark and cold outside, I'm less excited about going out in the evenings. However, I'm all for catching up with friends, or escaping the kids for a few hours with the O.H, and enjoying any kind of caffeinated beverage with lots of cream on top. (Its the little things in life that make me happy :))
7. Home Touches.
I like to make my house as cosy as possible as I know we are all going to be spending more time there. I love scented candles. I like to update my cushions by adding different textures. I like suedes and faux fur at this time of the year, and my favourite faux fur throw takes its place back on the sofa. As a family we are not big on halloween, but being unable to resist all the marketing and halloween paraphernalia I'm bombarded with every time I go to the local supermarket or to the shopping centre, in keeping with the spirit of things (no pun intended), you may find a few pumpkin shaped lanterns and the odd eyeball or spider, sitting above the fireplace or on a side table from around mid October onwards... and you will definitely find lots of candy.
8. Cosy Nights In.
I love when we are all together, cuddled up on the sofa, watching a movie. The lights are turned down low and there's the twinkle of a few candles. A good movie and lots of snacks, thats my perfect night in.
9. Good Food.
I love good old hearty food this time of the year. Soup, with dumplings, Meat Stews, Anything with lots of Gravy makes me happy. I'm less inclined to eat salad during the colder months, but I do make sure we eat lots of vegetables. All year round there's lots of fruit in the house. The kids eat a lot of fruit, especially Aaliyah, so I always make sure that we have plenty. Aaliyah's favourite thing to have for breakfast at the moment is porridge with half a banana sliced on top.
10. Christmas is just around the corner!
I love this time, just before all the madness starts. I've still got time to think about presents, how we're going to decorate the house and all the things I want to do during the Christmas period - like take the kids to Winter Wonderland and visit relatives. Christmas is my favourite time of the year and I try not to get stressed out. For me it's more about spending time with my family and making amazing memories. It's less about what's under the tree and more about who's around it.
