Brett Hayden
- Oct 19, 2020
- 4 min read

Fall Favorites

Updated: Oct 20, 2020

Autumn has always been my favorite season. I love all things "spooky," the changing leaves, and the cooler weather that comes with the "-ber" months. There's just something so beautiful about the peacefulness of the changing of the seasons from summer to autumn mixed with the spooky and historical aspects of Halloween. Plus, fall always means the cutest clothes.

Moving to Austin, TX from Wisconsin came with a big difference in what autumn looks like. No colorful leaves, no 50-60 degree temps, and the pumpkin patches are harder to come by. Now this is not to bash Texas, because I am loving my new state; I'm just saying I've had to get extra creative with how I get in the fall spirit this year!

So I present to you, some of my favorite parts of fall, whether it feels like autumn or not!

First things first: decorating!

Let's be honest, there is no celebrating fall without pumpkins (real or fake). Most of my decorating efforts went to our patio this year, after pinterest-ing ideas hour upon hour. After hunting down (literally) the perfect doormat for 2 weeks, I paired it with numerous pumpkins and tried my hand at mums (turns out they're pretty high maintenance).

I noticed this year that my decorations were more fall-oriented & less Halloween/spooky. But, my sister did find me a vintage light up pumpkin that was just like one our grandma used to have that I was so excited about.

After a few weeks of gathering décor, it felt like my favorite spaces were finally put together. Now we just need some patio furniture so I can sit & admire my outdoor efforts...

Candles, Candles, Candles

Is it even possible to get in the spirit of fall without making your home smell like a caramel pumpkin swirl? I think not. I've been stocking up on fall scented candles all summer, but if you're normal and you haven't, Bath & Body Works always has the hook up this time of year. One of my favorites this year is called "Leaves" (get it here: https://amzn.to/3odCdx0 )

I also couldn't help myself when Austin & I were visiting the Magnolia Market and they had their "Fall" candle lit in the home store. Needless to say, we came home with one of those. (The 20% off Labor Day Sale really validated the decision in my mind.)

I've had an autumn related candle lit everyday since the end of August; even when it was still 100+ degrees in Texas. There’s just something about a scent that can really make it feel like fall, even if it doesn’t look like it outside!

Trick or... no, just treats!

I always know it's officially spooky season when the Halloween themed Oreos hit the shelves (a personal favorite). Definitely a guilty pleasure of mine that I keep in stock during the fall months. I also can't help myself from making a batch or two of apple crisp each year. This year my sister tried out a peach crisp & it was to "die" for (lol).

This was the first season I spent living near a Trader Joe's and boy, their seasonal selection is unmatched! Pumpkin bread, pumpkin pasta sauce, pumpkin breakfast bars, pumpkin flavored Joe-Joe's, the list really goes on and on. Plus they have the best prices for real pumpkins and festive décor.

Can't Forget the Halloween Movies

For me there is a big difference between Halloween movies and horror movies. (Most of the time) I would much rather celebrate spooky season re-watching my childhood favorites instead of a gory, make-you-jump, prevent-you-from-sleeping slasher film.

Here are some of my favorites & where you can find them on demand!

Netflix

- The Addams Family

- Sleepy Hollow

Disney+

- Hocus Pocus (obviously)

- Halloweentown

- Halloweentown II: Kalabar's Revenge

- Halloweentown High

- Casper

- The Nightmare Before Christmas

(Purposefully left out "Return to Halloweentown" because they should have never replaced Marnie in the first place...)

Amazon Prime Video

*Click on any of these titles to be taken directly to the movie for viewing!*

- The Addams Family

- The Addams Family Values

- The Craft - Sleepy Hollow

- Practical Magic

- Witches of Eastwick

- Ghostbusters (2016)

- Ghostbusters (1984)

- Beetlejuice

- Edward Scissorhands

- Halloweentown

- Halloweentown II: Kalabar's Revenge

- Halloweentown High

- The Nightmare Before Christmas

Seasonal Boooooze (or Brews)

I love the fact that in honor of spooky season, beer brands make festive brews. A personal favorite of mine is Leinie's Fall Harvest Shandy, which tastes just like autumn in a bottle.

Growing up in Wisconsin, I learned how to say "Leinenkugel's" before I learned that my mom had a real name. (Okay, probably not, but it was very early on). The point is, I was very excited to try this shandy because I have been a fan of their Summer & Grapefruit Shandies for years. When I was packing for my move to Texas, I made sure to include 2 six packs of the Fall Harvest because I was sure it wouldn’t be available down in the south-land. It’s really that delicious.

When I started running out of my shandies (at the beginning of September...), I had to find an alternative. Luckily, Trader Joe’s pulled through once again with “Howling Ghouls.” A second-best pumpkin brew.

I love curling up on the couch at night with 31 Nights of Halloween or a classic Halloween movie & sipping on a pumpkin brew.

THE FASHION

Fall clothes are unlike any other season. It's not so cold that you have to cover an entire outfit up with a parka (speaking form my experiences growing up in WI), but just cool enough that you can wear cute layers and hats! Neutrals and jewel tones are fall staples. Just combine a tan or brown with a dark purple, red, or green and you have the perfect ~moody~ color pallet for the season.

There's nothing cozier than layers, long-sleeves, beanies, and cute booties.

Being 80+ degrees in Texas still, I've had to improvise.

Shop some of my fall looks!