Fall for the rest of us – alex the girl

While I definitely love summer (long days, beach time, bbq\’s, travel, warm breezes), autumn truly has my heart. Crisp weather, reason to wear boots with tights, hot apple cider, leaves falling, light changing, cosyness, warm meals….

However, living in Southern California, fall doesn\’t really exist. The change is subtle; the light is different, there is a slight coolness in the air but you can still wear shorts, leaves go fall but chances are they were already brown, and tights fill shoppe shelves but wearing them makes one overheat.

For me, this proves a challenge – how do I survive my favourite season if it doesn\’t really happen? I had this challenge in Texas, in my travels to warm places, and then I thought there might be other\’s out there who love fall, who read about it in magazines or on others\’ blogs yet don\’t get to truly experience it.So, I wonder, what does fall for the rest of us look like? Here\’s a few ideas I\’m trying:

Seasonal produce. I live in a place with a lot of access to things year round but I\’ve bought a couple books on seasonal eating and am going to stick with that. Sorry, strawberries – I\’ll see you next year.
Light show. I love light. I pay attention to it (if you\’ve ever seen Bright Star I think you\’d agree that light was the 3rd main character). Seeing the shift in it, shadows, length, the softness, helps remind me that it\’s fall.
Dress for it. Oranges, browns, greens – seasonal colours. Plus boots! I don\’t get to wear my winter coats but the boots are coming out even if I have to balance it with a lighter dress.
Trips to where fall is happening; whether its 2 hrs out of town to see an apple festival or a cross-country trip to see the real deal.
Smell it. My summer candles which are normally floral change to warmer scents with names like \’cashmere\’ \’fireside\’ and \’campfire.\’
Design for it. I change out linens; fall colours come out, warmer textures appear, different duvets and sometimes even curtains.
Read. I pick up books that talk about fall, devour home magazines that have it and read bloggers fall trips with envy. This isn\’t always a healthy step to take!
Bake lots of pumpkin somethings.
Garden. I plant seeds, I clean up what\’s there and I make sure there\’s food/water for the birds.
Cosy up. From candles, to warm foods, to reading with a blanket tucked over with a window open – fall=cosy to me.

If you love fall but don\’t have it, what tips would you add?