BIG GIRL TIME

There is something about fall that makes me want to get my life together.

Maybe it’s the cooler weather. Maybe it’s the candles, the coffee, the cute little outfits, or the fact that everything suddenly feels like it needs to be warm, cozy, and cinnamon-flavored. Whatever it is, I love it.

And honestly, I haven’t felt super inspired to write lately. So instead of forcing myself to sit down and create some profound piece of content just because I feel like I should, I decided to write about something that actually sounds fun right now: my fall starter pack.

This summer was BUSY. Like, back-to-back-to-back-to-back vacations, events, work, travel, and life changes busy. I feel like every time I came home from one thing, I was already thinking about the next thing. Between traveling, working, showing up for events, and just navigating everything that comes with regular adult life, my summer felt like one long to-do list, but with cute outfits and airport terminals sprinkled in between.

And don’t get me wrong, I had an amazing summer. I got to travel, experience new things, make memories, and live a life that I’m genuinely grateful for, trust me I was OUTSIDE. But I think my brain and body are ready for a little bit of a slower season. Not necessarily boring, because y’all know me better than that, but just a season where the little things can feel exciting again.

So instead of making some dramatic list of everything I’m changing this fall, I wanted to talk about the things that simply make this season feel better. The drinks, clothes, scents, food, music, and little routines that make me want to romanticize my very normal adult life just a little bit.

Basically, if I could put together a fall starter pack for my life, this would be it.

The Fall Drink: A Warm Matcha, Please

My fall drink is officially a warm matchaaaaa.

Listen, I know everybody has their pumpkin spice latte era when fall comes around, but I’m currently in my warm matcha era. And I’m thinking a warm matcha with pumpkin foam, pumpkin syrup, and a little salted caramel syrup.

Yummmmmm.

There is something about a warm drink when the weather starts cooling down that just makes me feel like I have my life together. Even if I absolutely do not.

And I think that’s what I love about fall drinks in general. They’re not just something to drink. They’re part of the experience. Give me my warm cup, a cute outfit, a little chill in the air, and somewhere to go or honestly, nowhere to go and I’m happy.

The Fall Uniform: Comfortable, But Still Cute

My fall wardrobe is still a little complicated because I’m still working and specifically traveling for work, so I don’t have the luxury of dressing like I’m heading to a pumpkin patch every day.

My fall uniform needs to be comfortable enough to move around in, practical enough for work and travel, but still put together.

Think comfortable work pants or a long satin skirt with an easy top, sweater, or jacket. Something that works for the weather transition without having me sweating one minute and freezing the next.

I love fall fashion, but I also believe clothes need to cooperate with my actual life. If I have to travel, work, walk around, carry things, sit in a car, get on a plane, or spend an entire day running around, I need an outfit that can keep up with me.

So this season, I’m going for comfortable, easy, slightly elevated, and weather-appropriate.

Basically, I want to look like I tried without feeling like I tried too hard. That’s the goal.

The Fall Candle: Warm, Cozy, and Grounding

Fall candles are one of those little things that can completely change the feeling of your space. As soon as the weather starts getting cooler, I want my home to smell like I have my life together—even if there are dishes in the sink somewhere.

For me, I love a warm vanilla scent, but not one that’s so sweet that it smells like I’ve poured an entire bottle of frosting into the room. I want the vanilla to feel warm, soft, and cozy. Something that makes you want to curl up on the couch and stay there for a while.

But I also really love fall foliage scents, especially for the home. There’s something about those earthy, woodsy, slightly crisp scents that feels grounding to me. And honestly, I think that’s one of the reasons I love them so much. They don’t compete with every other scent happening in your home. They just make the whole space feel warmer and more settled.

After such a busy summer, I think that’s exactly what I’m craving this fall: things that make my home feel like a place to land.

A good candle burning, something warm playing in the background, my space clean, and nowhere I absolutely have to be? Yeah. That’s the kind of fall energy I’m looking for.

The Fall Meal: Give Me Comfort Food

Fall is when I stop pretending I want a light, refreshing little meal and fully embrace comfort food. Sorryyyy, but something about cooler weather makes me want food that makes me happy from the inside out.

And honestly, I don’t even have a specific category for what counts as fall comfort food. If it makes me feel warm, satisfied, and just a little bit happier after eating it, I’m counting it. Give me pasta, mashed potatoes, a cozy soup, a good bowl of rice and something flavorful on top, mac and cheese, a hearty dinner, whatever. I am not here to discriminate.

I think food just feels a little different in the fall. Maybe it’s because we’re naturally spending more time inside, or maybe it’s because our bodies are begging for something warm and satisfying, but I find myself craving meals that feel like a hug.

And this is also the season when I randomly become a sweets girl. I don’t know what happens to me. I’m usually not thinking about dessert every five seconds, but put a little chill in the air and suddenly a warm pumpkin cinnamon roll doesn’t sound optional. It sounds like a necessity. A pumpkin cinnamon roll in the fall? With a warm drink? Please leave me alone. I am busy enjoying myself.

The Fall Playlist: Romanticize Everything

Something about fall makes me want to listen to love songs.

I don’t know if it’s the weather, the colors, the earlier sunsets, or the fact that everything just feels a little more romantic, but my fall playlist starts sounding like I’m starring in a romantic movie.

And I’m not talking about sad love songs. I want the sweet ones. The songs that make you think about your person. The songs that make you want to drive around at night with the windows cracked, grab a warm drink, and stare dramatically out the passenger-side window for absolutely no reason. There is just something about romantic love in the fall that feels so cute. Maybe it’s because fall already has this cozy, intimate feeling to it. You’re layering clothes, staying in more, cooking warm meals, lighting candles, watching movies, and spending more time in spaces that feel comfortable. So naturally, my music starts matching the energy.

Give me the love songs. I’m ready.

The Fall Activity: Actually Enjoy the Season

After being on the go so much this summer, I don’t think my fall needs to be packed with a million plans.

I want to actually experience the season.

I want to go somewhere and see the leaves change. I want to find a cute fall festival. I want to go apple picking or walk around somewhere pretty. I want to get dressed up for a fall dinner. I want to go to a football game. I want to have a cozy night in with good food and a movie. I want to take a random little day trip just because the weather is nice. Basically, I want plans that don’t require me to recover from the plans afterward. That’s probably my biggest fall goal: enjoying things without feeling like I have to maximize every moment.

Sometimes a good Saturday can literally just be getting dressed, grabbing a coffee, walking around somewhere pretty, and coming home before it gets too late. And honestly? That sounds perfect.

Sometimes it’s just a warm drink, a good meal, a cozy home, a good song, and a little more time to actually enjoy your own life.

TTYL! Thanks for reading!