a guide to your most whimsical fall yet
Shows, books, recipes, rituals — a guide to living inside the season, not just scrolling through it.
It’s a truth we all seem to know instinctively: the first breath of autumn stirs something in us. The season doesn’t rush in — it slips quietly into place, softening the air, gilding the trees, and turning even the most ordinary street into somewhere you want to linger. Autumn doesn’t shout for our attention — it wins it effortlessly, like a knowing glance across a crowded room. The veil between seasons thins, and we step through it — trading iced drinks for mugs that steam, sundresses for sweaters, long afternoons for long shadows.
Autumn is a season for gathering — ingredients, thoughts, intentions. A time for taking stock of what the summer has left behind and deciding what to carry into the next chapter. So let’s treat ourselves this season with experiences, with slow moments that remind us to look up, watch the leaves fall, linger over a perfect sunset, light the good candle just because. Autumn never feels long enough — so let’s savor it.
This guide is my invitation to make fall feel slow, intentional, and a little bit cinematic — to gather inspiration and build a life that feels as warm and golden as the light outside. We’re talking books, movies, and shows that beg to be watched under a blanket, wardrobe refresh ideas (because you know we’re all about the perfect sweater moment), ways to make your home glow from the inside out, a fall bucket list to keep you savoring the season, and a few quiet reflection prompts — because some things just don’t belong in the new year, and fall is when we set them down.
So, pour something warm, light a candle if you can, and let’s make this the dreamiest fall yet — together.
Fall Wardrove Refresh
September is when I start my slow rotation — jackets and sweaters come out of hiding, boots move to the front of the closet, and my favorite autumn pieces are ready by the time October arrives.
Here’s the thing: don’t stress about trends. The best wardrobe you can build is one that feels like you. While trends come and go, personal style is forever — and knowing yourself is the best fashion investment you can make.
Think about the colors that make you excited for fall — for me, it’s burgundy, deep forest green, and warm browns. Think about textures that make you want to reach for them on a chilly morning: denim, wool, chunky knits. And don’t forget a few statement pieces — the things that make you feel unstoppable: oversized sunglasses, knee-high boots, a beautiful coat, maybe a bold piece of jewelry.
Most importantly, build a wardrobe that supports your real life and reflects your actual personality. The goal is to open your closet and actually want to wear what’s in it. So this fall follow your instincts, ignore the trends.
Your Early Fall Checklist:
Cozy Knit Sweater – The one that makes you feel instantly put together.
Boots to the Front – Ankle boots for everyday, knee-highs for drama.
Your Go-To Jacket or Coat – Something you can throw over anything.
Statement Accessory – Sunglasses, earrings, or a scarf that feels so you.
Autumn Beauty Moment – A new lipstick, nail color, or perfume to mark the season.
Fall is the time to layer, have fun with it.
Feed Your Mind, Curate Your Own Fall Reading List
Combat brain rot by curating a fall reading list. Make it what you want it to be romance, gothic, philosophy. Join a book club, or read through your favorite celebrities reading list. I got my eye on Pedro Pascal’s.
Here’s what I’m curling up with this season:
Crime & Punishment – Fyodor Dostoevsky
This one sat on my bookshelf staring me down for months. I finally joined a book club whose first pick was this, so I’m starting fresh. This novel follows Rodion Raskolnikov, a poor ex-student in St. Petersburg who murders a pawnbroker to test his theory that some people have the right to commit crimes for the greater good. What follows is a spiral of guilt, paranoia, and redemption.
Perfect for when you want your autumn with a side of philosophical angst.
Eichmann in Jerusalem: A Report on the Banality of Evil – Hannah Arendt
Arendt’s brilliant coverage of Nazi officer Adolf Eichmann’s trial explores how an ordinary man, “just following orders,” helped orchestrate mass murder. It’s sharp, chilling, and forces you to think about the nature of evil.
Best read on a gray afternoon with a strong cup of coffee and a mind ready for big questions.
Some Recommendations:
The Master and Margarita – Mikhail Bulgakov
This one is a favorite — and yes, Pedro Pascal read it too. The Devil arrives in 1930s Moscow with his chaotic entourage, exposing hypocrisy and corruption in a swirl of satire, magic, and romance.
Perfect for when you want your fiction to feel like a fever dream: darkly funny, a little wicked, and full of love and redemption.
One Hundred Years of Solitude – Gabriel García Márquez
My dad gifted me this in Spanish, and it’s pure magic. It follows seven generations of the Buendía family in the fictional town of Macondo, where love, politics, ghosts, and fate tangle together into one lush, unforgettable saga.
Best paired with a rainy weekend, a blanket, and the sense that time is a circle.
Add It to Your Watchlist
Autumn is for curling up with a blanket, lighting a candle, and sinking into stories that feel like they were made for chilly nights. Sure, there are the classics — Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Gilmore Girls, Charmed — but sometimes you want to dig deeper. Here’s my watchlist of films and shows that feel like fall to me: some moody, some warm, all perfect for when the nights get long.
A classic. The colors of this stop-motion gem are all burnt oranges, russets, and golds — it is autumn in film form. Quirky, clever, and secretly very heartfelt.
Autumn in New York, long walks through Central Park, cozy sweaters, and the best banter ever written. A seasonal must-watch.
One of the most beautiful films — and scores — ever made. It follows Salvatore, a filmmaker returning to his childhood town for the funeral of Alfredo, the projectionist who shaped his early love of cinema. It’s about memory, friendship, first love, and the magic of film itself.
Best watched with tissues nearby and a glass of red wine.
A surprisingly fun, fast-paced watch. Two pampered brothers inherit their father’s shady empire and are hilariously (and dangerously) in over their heads. Perfect for when you want something light and bingeable with a dash of crime and chaos.
A love story with claws — literally. Funny, heartfelt, and just dark enough to keep you on your toes.
Perfect for anyone who likes their romance with a hint of the supernatural.
A sensuous, contemporary reinvention of Anne Rice’s revolutionary gothic novel, Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire. What I love is how human it feels despite all the blood. The show digs into power dynamics (who controls who in love, in family, in immortality), morality (is it possible to be a “good” vampire?), and identity — Louis grapples with race, sexuality, and what it means to still be himself after being turned. It’s darkly funny at times, painfully sad at others, and honestly feels like an opera about love and guilt — but with fangs.
French noir perfection. A serial killer must team up with her estranged son (a detective!) to catch a copycat. Moody, tense, and addictive — a perfect stormy-night binge.
It’s everything I love about Nordic noir: gray skies, falling leaves, and a constant feeling that something is lurking just out of sight. The show plays with themes of grief, family trauma, and justice, asking what people will do to protect the ones they love — and what happens when that love curdles into something darker. It’s haunting, clever, and perfect for a cozy, candlelit binge while the wind is rattling outside.
Perfect for when you want your night in to feel haunting, clever, and just a bit eerie.
I will never forgive Netflix for canceling this one.
Mysterious, spiritual, and completely haunting. Prairie returns after seven years missing — with her sight restored — and tells a story of near-death experiences, love, and parallel worlds. The OA isn’t just a TV series — it feels like falling into someone else’s dream. It’s tender, eerie, and quietly revolutionary, the kind of show that leaves you with goosebumps and questions you’ll be thinking about for weeks.
Perfect for when you want something surreal, goosebump-inducing, and quietly life-changing.
A Murder at the End of the World
A modern whodunit with a hacker-turned-sleuth. Remote retreat, reclusive billionaire, storm outside — this one is practically begging for a rainy-night watch.
Set in 1971 on a remote outpost of the Navajo Nation near Monument Valley, Dark Winds follows Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn of the Tribal Police as he is besieged by a series of seemingly unrelated crimes. The closer he digs to the truth, the more he exposes the wounds of his past. It’s moody, sun-bleached, and full of tension, exploring justice, identity, and the clash between tradition and modernity. The desert feels like its own character — vast, haunting, and holding more answers than anyone’s ready to face.
Perfect for when you want a tense, atmospheric mystery that feels sun-bleached and haunted.
Enhance Your Space to Embrace Your Autumnal Self
The beauty of fall is that you don’t have to completely redecorate to feel the season — small, thoughtful changes can transform your space into a sanctuary.
Here’s how I like to ease my home into autumn:
Start with scent: rotate in your favorite fall scent candles (I call this my “candle reset”) or simmer a pot of water with cinnamon sticks, apple peels, and cloves. Even adding a pinch of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice to your coffee grounds in the morning can turn an ordinary day into a little ritual.
Then move on to sight: swap a few prints or frames for artwork with warmer tones and autumnal textures. Change your pillow covers, lay out a tablecloth or runner on the dining table — even if it’s just a Tuesday night dinner. Drape throws over the arm of your sofa or a rocking chair, fold a quilt at the foot of your bed, and switch tea towels for deep, rich colors. Anthropology is my go to.
Lighting is everything this time of year. The days get shorter fast, so lean into soft, low light: skip the overheads, scatter a few lamps in cozy corners, and use warm, yellow-toned bulbs for that candlelit glow. A mix of lamps, candles, and maybe even fairy lights will make your space feel calm, welcoming, and ready for slow evenings of reading or movie marathons.
And don’t forget seasonal little luxuries: bake something that makes your whole house smell like fall (cinnamon rolls, apple pie, or a spiced cake).
Incorporate fall colors and textures (dried flowers) to your flower arrangements.
Curate a new playlist or soundtrack for your coffee runs or slow mornings. Set your alarm to your to a fall theme song or your Autumn playlist.
Five Quick Switches for Instant Fall Vibes
Rotate Your Candles – Bring back your cozy scents or treat yourself to a new one.
Swap Pillow Covers – Deep jewel tones or warm neutrals make the whole room feel different.
Add a Throw or Quilt – Folded on the bed, tossed on the sofa, or draped over a porch chair.
Change Your Tea Towels – Go for woven textures or warm colors for a subtle seasonal refresh.
Warm Up Your Lighting – Yellow-toned bulbs + scattered lamps = instant cozy atmosphere.
Dates to Look Forward to:
Fall moves fast — the days shorten, the leaves turn, and before you know it, the season is gone. I like to make a little list of dates to look forward to so I can plan for them and savor them properly. Here’s what’s on my calendar this year:
🍇 GrapeFest – September 11–14
Held in Grapevine (yes, The Christmas Capital of Texas — just roll with it), this festival is a full sensory experience: wine tastings, grape stomps, carnival rides, live music, and plenty of good food.
🌕 Harvest Moons – September 7, October 6, November 5
I have a friend who is a little bit witchy, and every harvest moon she reminds me to leave a glass jar of water outside overnight to soak up the moon’s energy. Then I use it in my bath the next day. Is there any science behind this? I don’t know — but it feels magical, and that’s enough for me.
🎈 Air Balloon Festival – September 18–21
Carnival rides, live music, BBQ, and watching the balloons light up the night sky — it feels like stepping inside a dream.
🍂 Autumn Equinox – September 22
It’s official — autumn has arrived. No more shame for drinking pumpkin spice lattes. Time for candlelit dinners, cozier evenings, and (dare I say) happier people.
🎡 The State Fair of Texas – September 25–October 19
Art exhibits, rodeo nights, petting zoos, and sunset rides on the Texas Skyway (my personal favorite — the view is magic). You might even spot Bella Hadid at the rodeo if the stars align.
🪔 Diwali – October 20
DFW does Indian food so well — this festival is a feast for the senses, with lights, music, and the most heartwarming food.
🎥 ParaNorman Remastered – October 25–28
One of my all-time favorite spooky movies, now in 3D — this is my official movie night plan.
🎃 Halloween – October 31
The best day of the year. Decorating my yard, planning my costume, and buying candy way too early is pure serotonin.
💀 Día De Los Muertos – November 1
Every year I make a small altar for my grandfather (even without a photo — just love and memory). This tradition is beautiful and deeply moving, and if you’re not Mexican but feel called to participate, do so respectfully and follow traditional altar steps.
⏰ Daylight Savings – November 2
The day the clocks go back. The nights come sooner, so make sure your lamps and candles are ready to make up for the lost light.
🥧 Thanksgiving – November 27
Cozy meals, reflective moods, and — my favorite part — the sides. I’m just going to say it: I don’t like turkey. But give me green bean casserole and I’m happy.
Bonus: Set a date for a Friendsgiving dinner or a spooky movie night. It gives you something to look forward to and helps you slow down and savor the season.
Things to Do This Fall (Your Autumn Bucket List)
Fall is fleeting, which is why I like to make a list of the little things I don’t want to miss — things that make the season feel full and intentional. Here’s what’s on mine this year:
Host a Fall Dinner Party – Think candles, soup, a good bottle of wine, and the people you love most.
Bake Something Spiced – Cinnamon rolls, pumpkin bread, or an apple galette that makes the whole house smell amazing.
Go on a Leaf-Watching Drive – Bring a thermos of coffee or cider and take the scenic route just to watch the leaves fall.
Visit a Farmers Market – Stock up on squash, apples, and seasonal flowers for your table.
Create a Fall Playlist – Something you can play while cooking, reading, or driving with the windows cracked.
Build a Reading Nook – A cozy corner with a throw blanket, a good lamp, and your current book stack.
Do a Candle Reset – Rotate in autumn scents and pick one new signature candle for the season.
Plan a Movie Night – Spooky (ParaNorman), cozy (When Harry Met Sally), or moody (your favorite noir).
Have a Picnic – At the botanical gardens, under the falling leaves. Pack a simple lunch and just linger.
Drive in Movie Theaters – something about this is so romantic and fun, you can take your dog with you.
Try a Seasonal Drink at Home – Pumpkin spice syrup in your coffee, mulled wine on a cool evening, or hot cider on the porch.
Take a Long Bath – With candles, music, maybe a few drops of essential oil — make it a ritual, not just a rinse.
Neighborhood Halloween Tour – Take a slow evening drive to admire everyone’s decorations. Bonus points for hot cocoa in the car.
Decorate Your Porch or Table – Gourds, dried flowers, lanterns, or even just a simple runner can make everything feel festive.
Create a New Tradition – Whether it’s a pumpkin-carving competition, a spooky-season dinner party, or an annual movie marathon, let this be the year you make it yours.
Write Down 3 Intentions – Things you want to leave behind before the year ends, and three things you want to invite in.
Choose a few and commit to them this month — even just one or two can make the season feel intentional and celebrated. Fall isn’t about doing everything, it’s about savoring the little things that make you pause, breathe, and enjoy where you are.
Intention Setting & Reflection
Fall always feels like the true new year to me — the air cools, the light shifts, and I feel this pull to pause and reset. It’s a time to look back at what summer left behind, take stock of what’s working, and gently let go of what’s not.
I like to sit down with a notebook, a cup of tea, and maybe a candle lit, and ask myself a few questions:
What do I want to leave behind before the year ends? (Habits, grudges, overcommitments.)
What do I want more of? (Peace, creativity, friendship, health, playfulness.)
What one thing can I commit to doing differently before January?
This doesn’t have to be heavy — it can be as simple as deciding to take a weekly walk or as big as setting a new boundary. The point is to enter winter feeling lighter, clearer, and more grounded.
I’ll often write down three intentions and keep them somewhere I’ll see them — on my desk, in my journal, even on the fridge — as a quiet reminder. By the time the holidays arrive, I’ve usually made at least one of them a reality.
Closing Thought
This, to me, is what makes fall so dreamy — we get a chance to start over, even if just a little. The season asks us to slow down, gather what matters, and gently set down the rest. By the time the year turns, I want to feel like I’ve lived these months fully — not rushed through them — and that I’m stepping into winter a little lighter, a little more myself.
So let this be your invitation: light the candle, make the list, pour something warm, and allow this season to hold you while you figure out what stays and what goes. That’s the real magic of autumn — the quiet transformation before the year ends.
I smell.. fall. (Recognize this sentence? :))
So nice to see Cinema Paradiso in this list - I adore this movie. Great post!