All the Fall Things + September Favorites
This is my secret to getting into the ~autumnal~ mood.
Early last week, a girlfriend of mine reached out and said, “Help me like fall, I feel so blah about it right now.” So I told her my secret to getting into the spirit of any season:
Romanticize it.
Create the magic you’re craving.
Do you know who’s really great at creating magic? My mom.
My love for fall is definitely her influence.
It started with our annual back-to-school shopping trips. Sometimes, we’d mark a date on the calendar in advance. Other times, it was a spontaneous plan made over breakfast.
We’d make a day of hitting all the stores, picking out new binders, pens, a new backpack, and, of course, a new fall wardrobe. My mom doesn’t love shopping per se, but autumn excites her, and the way she’d beam over a cute sweater, or a nice breeze, or the promise of changing leaves, made me excited.
That, and her decorating.
As you can probably tell from my last post, I adore decorating my house for fall and Halloween (and Christmas… oh, just wait until Christmas). To quote Will.I.Am., “I got it from my mama.”
My mom’s decorating skills are elite. She doesn’t just add seasonal touches to her home; she transforms it into an autumnal wonderland. You wouldn’t know the woman doesn’t love Halloween; the entertainment center in her living room suggests otherwise (she made a ceramic tree with a face of a ghost, and hangs miniature skeletons from its branches every year - it’s epic).
Creating an atmosphere that evokes the emotions you want to feel (in autumn and beyond) is a key component to manifesting that energy. I suggest focusing on setting that mood around your space first, before moving on to the next integral step: Filling your calendar with fall activities.
Time is of the essence in the fall. I appreciate every cool morning breeze, warm cup of tea, and cozy cardigan that gets me through the work week. I take a pause during the work day to enjoy the fresh air, the leaves turning brilliant colors outside my window.
The weekdays are calm.
I make sure my weekends are a balance of busy and cozy, so as to not miss out on the season while it’s here.
Last weekend, we were in South Carolina with family, saying goodbye to summer on the beach, by the pool, and sipping summer cocktails.
This weekend, I was (and still am) in fall mode. It’s all-encompassing autumn vibes at the Guerra household, friends.
It started with a hot stone massage on Friday afternoon at Mosaic Salon and Spa in Woodbridge. It was my first time getting the service; I’d rate it an 8.5 out of 10 and would recommend it (especially around that time of the month ladies).
The spa is about an hour away from home, so I stopped by my mom’s for a cup of tea and visited with my nephews as I waited for rush hour traffic to pass. I ended the night watching Hocus Pocus 2 with Mark. We ordered pizza and ate ice cream from our favorite shop nearby. It felt like a blockbuster movie night, but the 2022 version.
Saturday was one of my favorite days of the season: The day I swapped my summer wardrobe out for my autumn wardrobe.
If you’re thinking, “what’s so exciting about hanging and folding clothes?”
Allow me to explain.
I started this tradition the first year Mark and I were married and it’s a whole to-do. It usually takes place on the last Saturday of September/first of October. In the morning/early afternoon, I’ll treat myself to a hot beverage of sorts (usually something pumpkin-flavored, but we found a cafe that does peanut butter lattes, so I switched it up this year…), lock myself in my bedroom, turn on either a fall-centric film or Halloween movie (this year was Autumn in New York starring Richard Gere and Wynona Ryder - it was just eh), and take inventory.
I sort through my sweaters, cardigans, and blouses. I try everything on to determine what stays and what goes, and I create outfits in the process, planning when and where I’ll wear them.
This takes up almost the entire day. It’s just a little bit of me-time, and I thoroughly enjoy playing stylist.
Mark and I wrapped up the weekend at the Giant’s game on Sunday. We got lucky with the weather. The forecast called for rain, but it was sparse, and the temperatures stayed in the low 60s. I wore a knit sweater, a teddy coat, and a beanie. I ate a hotdog and enjoyed every second of my date outdoors with my favorite guy. (Thank you, Guerra siblings, for including me in my husband’s 30th birthday present!)
I’ll continue to fill my calendar with all the fall things until Thanksgiving, so stay tuned for more autumn bucket list ideas. Hopefully, I can offer some inspiration to get anyone who needs it, in the mood, too!
In the meantime, I’m a tad late on monthly favorites, but you seem to be enjoying them, so I don’t want to miss a post completely. Read on to find out what I was loving in the month of September, and I’ll keep my eyes peeled for October’s highlights in the weeks ahead.
Welcome to Monthly Favorites!
At the end of each month, I will (try my very best to) round up the things I loved over the course of those few weeks. This is an especially exciting part of my newsletter because I get so many fun products in PR, but don’t always get to write about all the things I’m obsessed with.
So, here we are. Up ahead, I’m listing my favorite things in September. Please note that, at this time, I am not affiliated with any of these brands, nor am I getting paid to write about them.
Ok, let’s go!
Beauty
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
$12.99, target.com
CeraVe’s Hydrating Facial Cleanser is the stuff of the Gods. My sister-in-law (hi, Maria!) let me use hers while we were on vacation, and oh my goodness, you guys, it is incredible. Just a little bit goes a long way, and the formula feels like and has the same effect as lotion. It left my skin feeling incredibly soft to the touch and kept it hydrated amidst the South Carolina sunshine.
rhode skin by Hailey Bieber peptide glazing fluid
$29, rhodeskin.com
I reviewed rhode skin’s entire first collection for INSIDER back in July, and its peptide glazing fluid remains a staple in my skincare routine. When I came back from South Carolina, and was, sadly, without the CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser (I intend to stock up ASAP), this was my go-to to regain my skin’s hydration. I’m low on product and have added my name to its waitlist so I can restock when it becomes available.
Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Mask
$60, sephora.com
Three words: Fall in a jar. Part mask, part exfoliator, it’s a sweet, seasonal indulgence for your skin, and will make for a deliciously indulgent addition to your Sunday night skincare routine.
Fashion
LNA Lovro Sherpa Half Zip
$169, lnaclothing.com
This half zip from LNA reminds me of something similar my older sister (hi, April!) wore in the 90s. As soon as the temperatures dipped, even just a few degrees, I was living in this sherpa. I guarantee if you splurge on the sweater, you will, too. (Note: Runs large - I wear an XS and it’s oversized.)
Uncommon James Poppy Necklace
$52, uncommonjames.com
My mom bought me the Poppy Necklace from Uncommon James for my birthday last year, and I go through phases where I’ll put it on one day and just won’t take it off for weeks at a time. It’s a dainty accessory, perfect for everyday wear, and can be worn as a choker or short necklace.
Snacks & Supplements
Sunday Scaries Extra Strength CBD Gummies
$49, sundayscaries.com
I am a big fan of Sunday Scaries original CBD gummies. These are even better. One gummy contains 25mg of hemp extract, whereas the OG contains 10mg. If you need to chill out, pop one of these babies, it’ll do the trick. (Bonus: I, personally, think they taste better than the original formula, too.)
Home
Cuisinart Smart Stick Two-Speed Hand Blender
$49.99, bedbathandbeyond.com
My mother-in-law gifted me the Cuisinart Smart Stick Two-Speed Hand Blender last year and it will be getting a lot of use this year. Tis the season for soup, and I’ve already made a pot of potato leek with this baby. It was phenomenal, and now I want to make liquid meals all the time.
Bath & Body Works White Barn Birchwood Trail Wax Melts
from $3.50, etsy.com
Here’s the story about this candle from Bath & Body Works. It’s sold out online, but you can still find it in select stores. If you spot it (or feel inspired to sample the scent via these melts from Etsy), I implore you to buy it. Coming from a girl who’s hard of smelling, this scent is divine. It’s woodsy and cozy, and the quintessential fall candle if you dig the outdoors. We burned this all day, every day until it was completely void of wax. I will be taking a trip to BBW to purchase a replacement STAT.
Good Reads
We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
$10.19, amazon.com
We Were Liars by E. Lockhart is of an acquired taste. My sisters thought it was weird, I thought it was brilliant, and even cried at the end. Granted, I’ve loved E. Lockhart ever since I read The Boyfriend List in middle school, will read pretty much anything by this author that you put in front of me, and probably enjoy it. This was, obviously, no exception.
In case you missed my byline:
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Thank you Jules! I enjoyed the article!