9 Reasons Why Autumn is Awesome

Autumn is well and truly upon us, as today marks the autumn equinox, and I could not be happier about this! Okay, so it’s not that I’m wishing away the summer, but the summer of 2018 has been a blazer, and given us more beautiful, sunshine filled day, than any summers in my memory. And I feel like I can tick the summer off. We had a gorgeous summer, and my summer quota has been fulfilled; sunshine, holiday, tan lines, beeches, bbqs, weddings, memories, birthdays. The list goes on.. wonderful memories were made, and some of the happiest of times were had. Autumn, I. Am. Ready. For. Ya! Admittedly I’ve been on the autumn hype since September 1st, but Since the first day of the month, the season, so far has not disappointed! We’ve already had a pretty wonderful share of dark, rainy days, made for snuggling up under your fleeciest throws in front of a good series binge, with all the candles alight, and a hot beverage at hand, whilst being evened out with those cold, dry, crisp mornings, perfect for adventure; wondering out into nature, and enjoying a woodland path to crunch and kick up leaves on.

So, all of these seasonal joys have got me thinking! (Dangerous, I know..) But mainly, my conclusion is this; Autumn is pretty bloomin’ wonderful, is it not?! I’m going to share with you my thoughts on exactly why this season is just so ruddy great!

1) Seasonal Coffees

Starbucks especially, really up their game this time of year, with the classic PSL, and caramelised pecan latte. I’m still team PSL, but if they were to slip some maple into the pecan bad boy, then we’d have a battle.. (IMAGINE!!! 😍) .. Truth be told, my coffee intake generally rapidly reduces during the summer months, but come mid September, I’m a fully fledged coffee addict. In my teens, I worked as barista, in a jolly little independent coffee shop, where I became quite the coffee connoisseur. To this day, if I see a coffee shop that sells origin coffee, I. AM. THERE. Hands down the best coffee beans in the bizz.. I’m a coffee snob. There, I said it! I’m one of those, ‘Can I have a tall, skinny, pumpkin spiced, double shot late, not too hot, with cinnamon sprinkles, no cream, please?’ kind of gals.. (optimum coffee temp is between 60 & 70- anymore than that and you’ve burnt your beans and spoilt the flavour… oh gosh, I really am I coffee snob. 😳) If I’m spending nearly £4 on a coffee, it’s got to be done right. – I’ll make my request with a warm smile on my face, and a friendly tone of voice, of course, because I know exactly how perverse I am being, but imagine if I made those demands with a bitch face and bad attitude.. Nah, I don’t fancy drinking someone’s spit, ta.. Plus, manners don’t cost a damn thing. It’s nice to be nice. I’m just particular when it comes to me coffee..

I also always indulge in my favourite Jordan’s Skinny Syrups this time of year too, to make my home bevvies that little bit more delicious! Plus, £4 a day on Starbucks?! I’m not Richard Branson!.. This autumn I’ve gone for two new flavours; Maple Bourbon Pecan, and Pumpkin Caramel! YUUUUUM!!!! This brand seriously never disappoints.

2) Autumn is for Adventuring

There’s no denying that these months are absolutely beautiful! The warm golden, yellows, reds, and browns, set the landscapes on fire, and create a spectacular glow for all to see! Even when the rain is pouring down, and the skies are a purpley-grey, I’m always up for a wander in the great outdoors at this time of year! The temperature is at a happy medium- not too hot, not too cold! And the same path looks different as each day passes; the trees change colour, the leaves fall, puddles come and go, and mushrooms and toadstalls appear from the undergrowth, and the bark of old trees. When you look around and take it in, this season is so beautiful, and full of change and transformation, it’s hard not to fall in love with it. There is so much beauty to be witnessed. Long walks come so very easily to me during these ‘ber months. My daughter is at such an inquistive age, and there’s nothing i enjoy more than exploring the great outdoors with her, discovering an enchanted fairy hideout, or collecting shiny gold conkers! Where ever you may go, there is treasure to be found.

3) Snuggley Evenings in Front of Good Telly

We all know it. TV suddenly gets SO much better! I mean, GBBO is back!!!! I don’t watch a lot of telly if I’m being honest, but there’s definitely better viewing options during these snuggley months, and if there’s nothing to take your fancy on TV, you’re spoilt for choice over on Netflix. We’ve just finished the latest season of iZombie, and have moved on to the most recent season of American Horror Story; Cult. – I’ll be honest, I am not loving this one. The clowns are just a no from me.. Just waiting for October, when Sabrina (the teenage witch), makes a dark, but exciting comeback, in The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. Not gonna lie, I am seriously EXCITED for this!!! Apart from a good binge on Netflix, I’m also a sucker for a good box set, and if you get as obsessed as I do, I’d say that splashing out on the DVDs of a series you love, is definitely a smart investment. My favourites are One Tree Hill and Game of Thrones. Both of which I can watch over and over and over and over. And they will never ever get boring.

4) The fashion!

You simply cannot deny that fall fashion is just the best! The perfect combination of style and comfort; Scarves, boots, oversized jumpers, chunky knits, knee high socks. Its easy to just be effortlessly on trend in the Autumn. Just style it out with an enormous scarf, or better yet, a cute little pair of pixie boots. I love the warm autumn colours; the browns, the beiges, the mustard yellows, golds, orange.. The only downside, is the erratic weather, meaning you need to think carefully about the level of layering you wish to step out the house in. Too far one way will result in that uncomfortable level of boob sweat, whereas one layer too little may well leave your nips with a spot of frost bite.

5) Nature’s wonderful treasures

I guess this one goes back to the adventuring point really. But it really is such a fundamentally eluring part of the season. From blackberry and apple picking, to gathering conkers, acorns, pine cones and autumn leaves, to discovering a few covered picture perfect cob web, glistening in the morning sun, to stumbling into a fairy ring; There’s treasure waiting to be found at every turn! There’s something so enchanting about being outdoors, especially in the woods, at this time of year. People will tell me it’s just an old wives tale, but I swear by my trusty batch of fresh conkers, to keep the eight legged intruders out of my home.

6) Pumpkin season

Pumpkins are great. They are versatile, and generally really cute! When you think of pumpkins, perhaps the first thing that springs to mind is jack-o-lanterns, and carving your masterpiece pumpkin, before igniting it with a T-light candle in celebration of Halloween. There is so much fun that can be had when it comes to sculpting your Halloween pumpkin. Okay, so apart from carving pumpkins, maybe the infamous pumpkin spice latte springs to mind? I’ve already told you how big a fan I am of those bad boys, but how about a pumpkin spice tart?! Yum! If you are planning on carving up some pumpkins this October, why not make use of the whole fruit. Pumpkin makes for a delicious soup, and even a scrumptious vegetarian curry!! – Don’t knock it, until you’ve tried it! Just the smell of pumpkin baking in your oven, or stewing in a pan, will fill your home with the most beautiful autumnal aromas. Last year, I got adventurous with the copious amounts of pumpkin that remained after our pumpkin carving endeavours, and even ended up making a pumpkin & coffee cake. Full recipe here. It went down a treat amongst our family, on our October holiday in Dorset.

7)Fall scented candles

Pumpkin spice, warm apple pie, autumn leaves, salted caramel, sugar and spice, ginger bread, pecan, walnut, cinnamon, mulled wine. You name it; if it’s scent is fall themed, you just know that it is going to smell absolutely glorious! Yankee Candle have a ridiculous wealth of scents on offer for the fall fanatics, but if you are looking to spend a little less, pretty much every home store will have a fair selection! My personal favourite places to score an autumn scented candle, are TkMaxx, Home Bargains, and B&M. I most recently managed to bag a couple of huge pumpkin spice pillar candles from TK Maxx, for £4 each. They have been lit on numerous occasions, and it has barely made a dent. BARGAIN.

8) The hot beverages

The coffees had their own section, but the general hot bevvies that increase in consumption this time of year, are well worth a mention! I’m pretty rarely found without a hot beverage close by at this time of year. And as much as I love my coffee, after the 6th cup, I need to seriously consider my caffeine consumption. Haha. For a comforting, but lighter option, I love a flavoured fruit tea. At the moment, I have a box of Rhubarb & Custard, and Apple Crumble tea bags, on the go in my drawer at work. After a long walk in the gorgeous autumn scenery, there’s nothing better than curling up, as the light starts the dwindle, with a mug of hot chocolate, complete with all the trimmings. Or for the weekends, mulled wine, or hot apple cider. Warm alcohol feels a little bit like drinking magic, and just fills me to the bones with seasonal joy.

9) All the hygge vibes

If you haven’t yet heard of the concept of hygge yet, I would highly recommend you have a look into it, or invest in The Little Book of Hygge. Hygge is more than cosiness, and there is no season more hyggeligt than the autumn, when leaves start to fall, and the nights draw in. Think warm, happy, fuzzy feelings, and the overwhelming sense of contentment, perhaps you’ve felt of a Sunday evening, snuggled up in the warmth of your home, after a really good weekend. Or getting into your favourite pyjamas, lighting your favourite candles, and reading your favourite book. There are loads of examples I can give you, but when I think of hygge, my mind automatically goes to the autumn. Despite the the decline in temperatures, the ‘ber months fill me with so much warmth. And I think that that’s down to the hygge factor of the season. The earlier evenings, are the perfect excuse to light the candles and get turn to cosy up.

So there we have it, my 9 reasons I think that this season is bloomin’ epic. Wishing you all lots of fall fun and autumn adventures!

Lots of love