I can’t believe we are fully in the middle of the fall season right now and the holidays are just around the corner. But before we jump to the holidays, in this post, I want to talk about some of my fall favorites.
While I normally have a hard time with the fall season because of daylight savings and the clock change, (Does anyone like that the sun sets at 4 pm?!) this year I’m taking a different approach. I’ve decided to embrace everything about the season, cold weather, darkness, and all!
With that in mind, I wanted to share with you a list of my fall favorites, a round-up that includes 9 easy ways to enjoy and make the most of the fall season.
Fall Favorites – 9 Ways To Get The Most Out of the Season
1. Hearty Homemade Soups and Curries
When the weather gets cold, I turn to hearty homemade soups and curries to keep me nourished. I wanted to share a few recipes that I’ve been cooking on repeat the last few weeks. This is my go-to butternut squash soup recipe. I also love a simple lentil soup. And this Thai chicken coconut curry is the bomb!
2. Fall Coats and Jackets
One of my fall favorites is all of the stylish coats and jackets you can find. Of course, my husband is not happy about this because my collection takes up most of our coat closet but isn’t married life about compromising? 🙂
Some of my favorite jackets and coats include this double-breasted short puffer jacket, this oversized Sherpa teddy coat, and can you ever go wrong with a classic, black leather motorcycle jacket? I love this dressy boucle coat I bought a few years ago, and a straight-cut, camel coat never goes out of style.
3. Bring on the Hygge!
I figured out the best way to cope with the darkness of mid-fall and winter. Do what the Danes do and embrace Hygge! What does that look like? It means lots of candles, string lights, and whatever makes your home feel bright and cozy.
Some of my favorite candles right now include the Hotel Lobby Candles from the well-known lifestyle blogger, Lindsay Silberman, and this holiday collection from Target and Studio McGee. We recently purchased string lights from Amazon to wrap around the railing of our entire terrace, and it was one of the best investments we’ve made to make things feel bright and cheery. Last but not least, we have a couple of cozy throws including this cream-colored one and this cable knit throw. Add a few pillows or wool poufs and you have a full-on, cozy, hygge home!
4. Watching NYC Come Back to Life
It has been so heartwarming to see NYC come back to life after the darkest months of the pandemic. As soon as September hit, it’s like everyone reemerged from a cocoon and took to the streets. There’s a palpable buzz again in the city, that special NYC energy that you can’t find anywhere else, and I love it!
If you don’t live in the NYC area and are curious about planning a trip here, do it! The holidays are a fantastic time to see the city and with restaurants, shops, and even Broadway open again, there is so much to see and do. For more travel tips, check out my favorite outdoor things to do in NYC, and my top picks for eating and shopping in Brooklyn. Also, I recently visited Summit One Vanderbilt, and it was spectacular. If you want to see incredible views of NYC, add this destination to your list. (And then head a few blocks over to Bryant Park for ice skating and hot chocolate!)
5. Fall Walks and Fall Foliage
Another fall favorite is hiking, to check out the beautiful foliage and scenery. While there are some fantastic trails you can visit just outside of the city, you can also enjoy the fall foliage in NYC’s amazing parks. Obviously, there is Central Park, where a stroll in the fall can literally feel like you’re walking on the set of some of the most iconic movies that have been filmed in NYC. When Harry Met Sally comes to mind!
Other parks that I love include Riverside Park on the Upper West Side, and Fort Tyron Park, at the Northwest tip of Manhattan. You’ll get spectacular views of the Hudson River from this park. And of course, I can’t forget Prospect Park in Brooklyn, which is my own backyard! The point? Wherever you live, I’m sure there is somewhere close by where you can get outside, take a walk, and enjoy the glorious colors that nature provides every fall. If you’re still looking for inspiration, check out my recommendations for great day trips outside of NYC.
6. Sweater (and ok, Sweatshirt) Weather
The fall season means it’s time to put on some cozy clothing! I just bought a couple of new sweaters that I can’t wait to wear. This year, I’m all about the cozy Sherpa sweaters and Fair Isle sweaters. And of course, I love a classic turtleneck sweater. But let’s be real. Most days, when we’re working at home, we’re in sweats, right? I have a growing collection of sweatshirts and hoodies but I’m not mad about it! I bought this sweatshirt last year and still love it. And at half off, this soft, fleece hoodie sweatshirt is a steal!
7. Fall TV
I know, you’re probably thinking, fall TV? Is that even a thing anymore with so many shows on the air and release dates happening all the time? While it’s true that the Fall TV season as we know it isn’t quite what it used to be. But a lot of the networks still hold out for fall when releasing new shows or second and third seasons. I admit, I’m a little behind on some of these shows, but this is what I’m excited to watch: The new season of You, The new Netflix show, Maid, Succession, (my husband and I recently caught up on this show and are completely hooked), The Morning Show, and The Shrink Next Door with Will Ferrell and Paul Rudd.
8. Weekend Naps
My husband will be so happy I’m including weekend naps in this round-up because he is the king of napping. And honestly, I think he’s on to something! There’s something so decadent and wonderful about taking an afternoon nap. It feels luxurious. I also think it’s one of the best ways we can embrace self-care. We are all overworked, stressed, and tired these days. I often wonder how much happier the world would be if we all got enough sleep. So this fall, I’m embracing weekend naps. And if you’re having trouble falling asleep at night, check out my post with 6 tips to help you get better sleep.
9. The Highlight of the Fall Season – Thanksgiving!
I love celebrating Thanksgiving because it’s a chance for our busy family to come together and connect for a few days. And of course, there’s the food! We have quite a few good cooks in our family so the holiday always turns into an incredible feast. If you’re looking for a few new dishes to add to your table this year, here are some holiday recipes that I love!
Cranberry Maple Bourbon Smash Cocktail
Slow Cooker Cheesy Garlic Herbed Mashed Potatoes
If you want to keep a healthy balance while celebrating the holidays, check out my round-up of healthy and delicious holiday desserts.
What Do you think of These fall favorites?
Now I’d love to hear from you!
What are your fall favorites? How are you making the most of the fall season?
And what are your go-to recipes for the Thanksgiving Holiday?
Please comment below with all of your tips and recommendations, and I hope you enjoy this wonderful time of year!
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