Autumn exists to remind us that things must end to begin again
Forever inspired by this sentiment 〰️
As we enter into this new season I am realizing how much around me is changing. The leaves, the temperature, our household. The only thing constant is change and although I would love to hold on to these moments longer I am leaning into it and embracing these sweet fleeting days. September not only brings a new season but a new routine and more structure. As much as I’m looking forward to a routine, I’m really going to miss the slower pace of life that summer brings. However I am looking forward to a much more simple and intentional fall. Fall feels like a season for replenishment, a time to harvest, or maybe just acknowledge all that this year has brought so far. With so many things to do and make and see it can feel like a whirlwind of a season. So, I found if I make a list I hang in plain sight of the important things to do and celebrate, they tend to actually happen. Print one out for your family too so you can fill your days with all this season has to offer as well.
Our memory making list consists of:
Pumpkin patch + carving pumpkins - Pigeon Roost, Van Buren & Duplers
Indoor + outside fires
Mulled wine at Rock Side Winery in Lancaster
Decorate for Fall, Halloween + transitioning into Thanksgiving
A date for cider in Granville at Seek No Further Cidery
Trick or Treat - Beechwood Trails + passing out candy at our house
The Old Shoe Factory Antique Mall in Lancaster & get donuts at Donut World (you guys - they are amazing & open 24-7)
Picnic at Infirmary Mound Park
Fall Granville Barn Hop October 18th + 19th
Apple picking at Lynds
Tractor Show at Foundation Park September 27-29th
Trip to the Columbus Zoo
Cosi for Paw Patrol + the Dino exhibt in November
Sunday Soup (every Sunday I make a soup)
Pataskala Hometown Festival - October 12th
Take a hike at Black Hand Gorge
The Rural Society Sale - October 4th + 5th
A trip to North Carolina to visit family
A trip to Michigan to tour The Madison, Jean Stoffers home during the holidays
Host Thanksgiving Checking out Roesbud's restaurant in Delaware
A few key dates & silly celebrations to add
September
18th - National Cheeseburger Day
make smashburgers for dinner
29th - National Coffee Day
treat yourself to a special coffee
October
4th - National Cinnamon Roll Day
make some! or go to Rolls By the Pound in Newark + get one
17th - National Pasta Day
Pasta for dinner - make your own if you can!
31st - Halloween
cozy up by the fire + watch your favorite spooky movie
November
3rd - Daylight Savings
we fall back, gaining an hour
6th - National Nacho Day
Nachos for dinner - so easy & fun
17th - National Hiking Day
take a hike! we love to go out to Black Hand Gorge
28th - Thanksgiving
dont forget to wear stretch pants
Recipes on repeat throughout this season
The Golden Snitch Cocktail-
This reminds me so much of my favorite bourbon cocktail, gold rush, but with a fall twist to it! Be careful because these are dangerously delicious. If you prefer a long drink, top with sparkling water or better yet, champagne!
recipe adapted from half baked harvest
Creamy Quinoa Soup-
I love this hearty soup on a chilly day. Pair with a piece of buttered sourdough bread and top with parm cheese!
This is my go to recipe for making chocolate chip cookies but I tend to swap the coconut for oats in the cooler seasons.
Here are a few of my favorite things I have been loving for this Fall season
Polaroid printer - I love a tangible photo especially the nostalgia a polaroid gives but I never remember my polaroid camera or the image doesnt turn out. This is the best way to print those special moments on a polaroid film.
Tapestry booties - these are so fun, I love a statement shoe!
Double Signet - I have a signet ring I wear on my pinky I found at an antique store for $1. I love it so much and have been dying to invest in a really nice one. Although I still love the traditional style this double signet is so neat, almost gives that euro shank effect.
Fragrance - I typically switch up my scents with the seasons but for a year now I have been loving this perfume!
Knit Cardigan - The quality and price point on this cardigan is unbeatable, I have three different colors in this specific style. Its heavy enough and falls perfectly as a cozy sweater for fall. Love the stripes!
Jeans - I am in need of a pair of classic blue jeans since having Cope and I love the way these fit and loook!
Hat - I love houndstooth and this is such a cute fall ball cap
Drop Knobs - If you are in need of new dresser hardware I love these, a little vintage nod.
Chandelier - I think this is a fun and feminine chandelier, perfect for a girls room.
Table - rather pricy but I love the style, the scallop edge is everything.
Brass star garland - So festive and fun! Great to add to your celebration decor stash
Hand Candelabra - Funky and feels fitting for the fall season!
Table Lamp - As the days become shorter and darkness appears sooner I love to layer lighting with lamps and think these are perfect on top of my dining table (when I get it) for a dim dinner.
Flower paper - A neutral but beautiful paper that feels vintage but so timeless.
Tissue box cover - As we head into cold season I reach for the tissue box more often and anytime I can fuse form with function I am all for it!
Glasses - Very pretty and delicate
Lumbar pillow - This tapestry pillow has such rich and warm colors, perfect for fall
Ghost earrings - Playful and festive earrings for October.
Ghost Bucket - A Halloween staple for flowers or candy!
Bat pillow - Ok, how cute! Really everything on their website is adorable, pricy, but adorable!
Witch print - Love Janet Hill art and this is a great addition to bring out each season
Ghost garland - I actually love this as inspo for a diy project, seems easy to do with some air clay.
Pumpkin bag - I want to find a trick or treat bag and this is perfect! The drawstring is a great addition and the pumpkin feels so nostalgic.
Bat Pj's - Glow in the dark!! Seasonal pj's are a must and my boys will be matching
Alphabet book - I love to add new books to our collection and this is a fun way to work on letters.
A few local loves lately
These cookies are so good. My favorite is the cookies & cream but I have loved every other flavor Ive tried. I find them best enjoyed after being in the fridge.
Ok I know everyone is making their own sourdough at home, well believe it or not that is something I am not interested in and if you arent either you must try this sourdough. Not only is the bread so soft it actually has that nice sour taste to it like you want in a sourdough bread.
Things I am listening, watching & reading
I have recently been turned on to the book Evergreen by Lydia Millen and have been listening to it on Spotify. I want to get my hands on a physical copy so I can highlight and dog ear some of my favorite points. She speaks on the seasons and if you have been around for a while you know I love to change with the seasons. Her "evergreen" way of thinking is very much aligned with my own thought process so it has been a nice listen on my walks to continue to fill me with inspiration.
Recently have started Bad Monkey on Apple TV. I am a big Vince Vaughn fan and have found this show pretty good. Some of my other favorite Apple TV shows are: Palm Royale (obviously), Loot, Presumed Innocent, Defending Jacob, The Last Thing He Told Me.
We also started The Perfect Couple on Netflix. So far so good, I love a mystery!
Ive been listening to my Spotify playlist Thirty FUN
I made this Dec of 23' when I turned 31. I wanted to make a full years worth of my favorite songs through the year instead of making a handful of small playlists.
House projects on the docket
Around the house during this season I am decorating for fall and Halloween. My favorite is to do the front porch and I have kept some branches from my neighbors tree falling down over the summer for my porch this year. I love the big googley eyes on the house and picked some up from Hobby Lobby to add to our house and tree for Halloween!
The dried hydrangeas in urns is a simple and inexpensive way to decorate from Halloween to Thanksgiving.
Besides seasonal decor I do have a few projects in mind.
Our sunroom which is always a favorite room is currently our play room and will continue to be until we finish our basement. Its such a great space but lacking design - its all white with dingy old windows begging for character. I am thinking painting the windows what other color than green of course! refreshing the furniture and actually styling this space. I need a window treatment since these windows are original and over 100 years old, they are rather drafty. I am not finding anything I love that I also want to spend the money on since I have 12 windows!! So I always say, if you cannot find it or afford it - make it! Im thinking about making my own curtains so I can custumize the size and have fun fabric while not breaking the bank. Excited to give this room a refresh so we can actually enjoy spending some time in here come these cooler days.
An easy DIY for Halloween is turning taper candle sticks into ghosts! Sharing this DIY reel on IG very soon. Its as simple as warming the candles in warm water to soften them and shape, draw on a silly face and there ya have it!
I am making a plan to redo my gallery wall on the staircase, I am wanting to add in old family photos, mirrors and mixed frames for more character.
If you remember back in June I decided to sell our dining table on a whim (thanks postpartum irrational thinking). Well we have since ordered a new table and it has been on back order expected to ship late September. I have to convince my husband to hang the ceiling medallion I have had for a while before it arrives and be on the hunt for new chairs to pair with the table before Thanksgiving! I always host so I am hoping to have chairs by then and wrap up the dining room until we do a full renovation. I love these green chairs for the end and I am thinking about these wooden chairs for the rest with seat cushions that are easy to change and clean, cause ya know, kids.
Things I am looking forward to
Leanne Ford's book The Slow Down
I preordered her book and it is expected early October and I am thrilled to dedicate a day pouring over the pages and soaking in some inspiration with a glass of red wine. I have always loved Leanne's style, simple, white, not to fussy yet balanced with creativity.
The Madison Holiday House Tour
I have been wanting to attend Jean Stoffer's home tour and this year is it! My mom, sister and I are taking a girls trip to Grand Rapids, Michigan to attend and I am so excited. I love Michigan and I already have an itinerary of where we will stay, eat and shop!
Hummingbird House
My sister is closing on a house a few down from mine. She onced lived across the street until a job took them to Texas for a few years, well now they are back! I never in a million years imagined that we could be neighbors again but God works in beautiful ways. I am so excited for our kids to be so close to eachother and the sweet memories we will make. I can picture them running down the alley back and forth between our homes. Not to mention designing this home -- we have already named it the Hummingbird House since the attic window has a stained glass hummingbird
OBX
season 4 pt 1is coming October 10!
Making new candles
With a new season comes new candles and scents! I always associate different seasons with appropriate smells, fall reminds me of richer, masculine scents. I love to make a handful of new candles for the season especially since the days are becoming a little shorter, there is nothing better than the ambiance of candle glow. I am most excited about this giant one I made (its 20 oz!) the vessle is vintage and purchased for a few dollars on auction. The scent is vintage noir, a perfect balance of worn leather and burnt oak, so cozy and it will be lit all season long. If you are local and interested in filling any of your vintage vessels just let me know and I will share the current scents you can choose from. At $2 an ounce I will make you a candle with a wooden wick in your desired vessel, easy payment and porch pickup or drop off!
I recently made these custom matches that I thought were so fun to have around the house and let our friends and family take! I think this would be such a cute and custom housewarming gift paired with a candle
Seasonal Inspo Board
If you have read until the end, I thank you! I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writting it. I love to share and if you took away even a small nugget of inspiration I will be happy. With this fast paced world and stories that quickly fade or a post that goes unnoticed I want to dive into slowing down and sharing more intentional things that can live on here forever. Bringing back the old blogging days, snail mail, happy to read an email over your morning coffee kind of thing. I am not interested in just showing off beautiful things but rather to share meaningful ways to make your life beautiful as well. Have a lovely season, make the most of it and come back in a few months when I share Christmas and holiday things with a new year on the horizon.
Love your newsletter and all the intentional thought you poured into it❤️. Put me down for a candle or two and I’ll bring the vintage containers👍