Part of falling in love with Southern California has meant accepting the absence of dramatic seasons around here. After 5 years in New England (read: 5 years complaining about winter), I find myself longing for those crisp autumn mornings colored with crimsons and golds falling from the trees.
I remember walking to class and seeing colors like this.
Not my life anymore.
Now as the official season of summer is coming to an end, I’m longing for autumn rhythms to fall into place. I even want to jump on the Pumpkin Spice Latte bandwagon (but move aside, Starbucks, we make our own syrup) because there’s something about sipping hot drinks on chilly mornings.
I’ve been trying to put a finger on exactly why autumn can be so marvelous. Is it that when the weather gets cold, we become more introspective? Or perhaps we’re more ready to hug our friends and loved ones because the summer heat has finally abated? Perhaps it’s the advent of the holiday season, when we will all gather around tables and celebrate the blessings of the year.
But if the weather doesn’t fit the season, can we still celebrate fall? Absolutely! At least, I’m trying.
8 Ways to Celebrate Autumn
1) Start eating seasonally.
In my experience, seasonal produce doesn’t vary even if the weather seems uncooperative. Here in Southern California we still start to see squashes, pumpkins and apples around this time of year, even as the temperatures barely dip below 80 degrees.
Eating seasonally is not only cheaper, but it helps to feel as though we are all part of the same harvest. Don’t know where to start? Check out this delicious butternut squash soup I made!
2) Enjoy earlier mornings.
Do you love that crisp breeze that is quintessentially autumn? Then join me in my mission to get up earlier, and get outside for a brisk walk. As part of my morning routine, I’ll be rising earlier to go on a stroll and enjoy the cool morning air.
Even if the temperatures will still rise to summer levels during the day, I can relish in the cool morning air and pretend that fall is arriving– because it will, eventually.
3) Wear fall colors.
Fall fashion is so tempting– scarves, boots, and hats are fun to wear. But, for those of us in the desert who can’t imagine donning boots at any time of year, there are still fall colors.
My fall capsule wardrobe is forthcoming, and it will be filled with navies, reds, grays and mustard yellows. And I’ll be pulling out my darker lipsticks too!
4) Put that PSL on ice.
Too hot for a warm drink? Pour your chai tea and pumpkin-spice latte on ice and enjoy the flavors. Pumpkin spice is a delicious combination of cinnamon, cloves, ginger and nutmeg. Make your own mixture, or you can check out this little bottle on Amazon. Add to your coffee for an instant fall touch.
5) Decorate with fall textures, scents and hues.
Even if your autumn and winter will be fireplace-free, you can decorate with flaming reds, yellows and purples. I’ve been loving red sunflowers at the farmers market, as well as finding succulents that have a touch of red in them.
And of course, who doesn’t love fall candles? I’m picky when it comes to fragrance, so I recommend Nest or Diptyque products. For an indulgent gift that will bring all kinds of joy this season, check out this delicious Nest Pumpkin Chai candle.
6) Start testing Thanksgiving recipes.
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, and I can spend months deliberating over what we’ll cook. Thanksgiving meals tend to be variations on a theme, but that doesn’t mean it has to be the same every year!
If I’m thinking to try a recipe for the first time, I’ll practice it at home first. Simply the act of putting these dishes together brings about that festive feeling– no matter what the temperature is outside.
Check out last year’s Thanksgiving menu here.
7) Make time for family and friends.
I think what we ultimately love about autumn is the feeling of coming home. No matter what the year has brought, autumn is a time of winding down, reflecting, and coming around the table with those we love.
So why not be intentional about that tradition? Gather more friends around the table. Reconnect with family members before the holidays roll around. Catch up with old comrades from previous seasons of life, rather than sending them an impersonal holiday greeting in December. The possibilities are endless!
Related: 7 Essential Steps to Simplify Your Life This Fall
8) Download my FREE fall-themed iPhone wallpapers!
I took these photos two years ago when I was still living in Cambridge, Massachusetts. I knew I would be moving to Southern California the following year, so I became extra intentional about taking photos of the gorgeous foliage of the Northeast. Enjoy these wallpapers on your phone!
Click here to download “Celebrate” phone wallpaper!
Click here to download “Breathe” phone wallpaper!
[Tweet “How to celebrate #autumn no matter where you live– plus FREE phone wallpaper! via @daisylinshih”]
I love early mornings, so I love the idea of getting ready and going for a walk outside. Not only will that help you wake up for the day ahead, but it’s super relaxing! Definitely on my schedule! 🙂
These are all excellent! Loving that celebrate phone screen wall paper- thanks!
I’m thinking starting your holiday family visits now is a wonderful to avoid holiday burnout!!
I LOVE fall too! So excited about PSL’s, fall clothes, and always eating seasonally 🙂
I just love autumn! I am really hoping we get more of an autumn this year, last year the wind and snow came before the fall colors could! This list makes me want to go out and buy all the fall candles!
I was just drinking a spicy chai tea with a soft blanket over me. It feels so much like autumn here in the Central Coast already 🙂
Great post Daisy.
http://www.everydaycontent.wordpress.com
Yes!! the advent of fall is much nicer than the advent of winter…
Oh yes, I hear you on those awful winters. I don’t miss that at all– I’ve fallen on the ice too many times!
Absolutely! berry is such a great lip color for this season. I also like a fiery orange!
It really is delightful!!
Thanks Jessica!! I hope some good fall weather is coming your way, friend!
Yes… I love it too! Sadly no sweaters or boots for me right now, but hopefully we’ll see some changing leaves 🙂
Yes yes yes!! Me too. Hope you’re doing well, Hannah!
Thanks Hannah! 🙂 I’m admiring all of YOUR fall photos!
Glad to hear it, thanks Jo-Anne!
Thanks Lani! Yeah, she’s over at The Lady Errant Design, and she’s amazing!
And I must say, Hawaii and Colorado sound rather like extremes! We were in Vail last winter and froze our little bums off!
Oh you are so right about the cold pumpkin pie! I do love the introspection that cool weather and warm homes seem to bring.
Thank you Marcella! Loving the mornings (and evenings) so far!
That is so great! I’ll definitely check out your piece on embracing autumn– haha!
aw that’s sad! feel free to come hang out with us and our cacti over here! 😉
same here, Chelsea!! it cooled down a bit today but is back in the upper 90s this weekend…
Love your blog’s new look – sorry if it’s not new, hahahah, but it’s new for me b/c the last time I was here you were in a dress. + It looks like “Kelly” designed your page? In any case, I loved your “Unlocking Kiki” article so I decided to see what you were up to.
Most of my life I’ve lived in temperate climates (see Hawaii) so I never experienced seasons until I moved to Colorado. It’s nice to have experienced both. So. Cal is truly amazing through – if you are missing the snow, just head up to Big Bear 😛
Excellent ideas. I’ll see what I can do here in Cambodia!
Some bloody great ideas just so you know
I love this, Daisy!! You have such great thoughts on how to incorporate this fun season into life..no matter where you are! Thanks for the fun tips! 🙂
I LOVE going for a walk in early-ish in the autumn and winter mornings — the cool, clean air is my absolute favorite!
Dance A Real
Fall is by far my favorite season! So excited to be able to wear sweaters and boots, see the show Mother Nature puts on with the leaves and snuggle up with blankets and cozy fires.
Love this post! All of these are great ideas and fall is definitely my favorite season. Can’t wait to start putting these ideas into action! 🙂
I LOVE these ideas, Daisy! Fall is such a magical season, and not just because of the weather. It always makes me feel a little more introspective as we get closer to the holidays and winding down the year. And yes, enjoying a PSL over ice is certainly delicious and even more reminiscent of cold pumpkin pie than the hot version!
Fall is my favorite season! And oh, the beauty of it all is so delightful and cozy.
I have been enjoying darker shades recently, strange as I automatically gravitated towards them. The darker berry shades are currently dominating my makeup stash. LOL! I look forward to Thanksgiving, all the glorious food!
Shireen | Reflection of Sanity
I think these ideas are wonderful! I do complain about Ohio winters all the time. Snow up to your hips, it’s just not fun. But I don’t think I’d do well some where that didn’t have all the seasons. I’ve been wearing fall colors, vampy makeup. Sure it’s still 80s here, but I know it’s coming. (; Oh and yes pumpkin on everything please! haha
http://www.accordingtokiki.net
Even though I hate the cold, I love the smells, tastes and colours of fall! x
Loooove! It’s still 90 degrees here so this is fantastic.
I live in Quebec and it’s funny to read how everyone living in a warmer climate is excited for Fall. It’s the opposite here! People are sick of the cold and don’t want summer to end. Funny how we always wish we lived in a different climate!
These are so great, especially for those of us in places where it’s not super cold/windy/rainy yet.
Funnily enough, I wrote a “tips for embracing fall” post yesterday, though it’s from a bit of different, er, perspective (i.e. from someone (me!) who’s not really a fan of fall): http://bit.ly/1OU7qN9
Great tips, autumn morning are lovely, totally agree with you on the crisp feeling 🙂 I’ve downloaded your beautiful ‘breathe’ background – thank you!