Stephanie Jean

It finally feels like fall most of the time! Where I live is always a little tricky- the Gulf Stream is our next door neighbor, which brings warm weather with it long past warm weather should be here. Last week it reached 70 one day, even though it barely reached 35 two days before that. Welcome to New England, I suppose.

But now that we’ve had a couple straight days of fall weather, I thought it would be the perfect time to share my list of fall essentials. This season is all about changing, getting comfortable for the winter and making way for a new cycle, so I hope this list fully embraces that attitude and everything this season stands for.

• Cozy sweaters.
  No, you can never have enough cozy sweaters. I suggest stores like Old Navy, Forever 21, Francesca’s for your fall sweater needs. I’ve found plenty of cozy ones that didn’t break the bank beyond their doors.
• A signature fall flavor.
  Are you a pumpkin spice kind of person? Or is apple more your thing? What about salted caramel or cinnamon? Any way you throw the dice, fall is time for warm, soothing flavors.
• A comforting scented candle.
  I recommend soy candles- they’re better for the environment and they burn longer and brighter! My favorite this time of year is cinnamon, but anything pumpkin, apple, cinnamon or even vanilla would be an excellent fall candle.
• A hobby to keep you feeling energized.
  While it is super easy to get into hibernation mode this time of year, you still need energy to make it through the holidays. Find a low key hobby to keep you busy, like yoga, coloring, meditation, crafting, etc, so you don’t just turn into a zombie and become a vegetable in front of your TV.
• Fashionable boots.
  Put those flip flops away and break out the fashionable boots! Pulling my boots out always feels like I’m saying hello to old friends. Better enjoy them to their fullest, because the window before winter and snow and slush is short.
• A good book.
  To me, there is nothing better than curling up with a cup of tea and a good book. Whether it’s an old favorite or something new, be sure to pick one up for those cozy fall nights.
• A mantra.
  Just something you can repeat to yourself as the seasons change to keep from feeling down about it (I can’t be the only one who watches the leaves turn to brilliant colors and fall to the ground with a small amount of sorrow, knowing that nothing but grayness awaits me until March). For me this year it’s “Help me to stay awake in this shifting season. To remember that things have to fall apart sometimes in order to bloom.” It helps me remember what this season is for and that in just a few months, the grayness will once again be washed away by color.

I hope you have been fully enjoying this season, wherever on Earth you are! Is there anything you would add to this list?

Until next time, namaste, beautiful souls.

Some pictures from my autumn adventure visiting a good friend in New Hampshire! We went glassblowing (my first time!) which I’ll be sharing in another post soon! Xoxo…