Top Ten Ways to Make Fall Festive

HAPPY SEPTEMBER, FRIENDS!  (A shout out to those of you who are boarding the Hogwarts Express today, or wish you were).  While it's true that the official first day of fall is a few weeks away, I like to get the season started as early as possible. Fall is, by far, the most anticipated season in my book. Isn't it true that people start daydreaming about scarves, sweaters and Pumpkin Spice Lattes in, like, August? Fall is the bomb. And, though busier than summer (unless you are, as I am, a super chill post-grad), there are ways to enjoy the season to the absolute fullest. For example:

1) Find a favorite coffee shop. As it begins to get colder, you will need to know where to go for any of the following activities: early morning latte, afternoon latte, dinner latte, coffee date, study corner.

2) Discover some fall jamz. Every season needs a playlist. For fall, try something chill and artsy. Mumford and Sons is always an option, but my favorite rainy/cold/snowy day music option is good old Frank Sinatra. Also Irish music. Weird?

3) Procure, by whatever means necessary, the perfect pair of jeans. I don't know about the more manly gender, but as a lady, finding great jeans is akin to hunting down a needle in a haystack in a snowstorm while a rock concert is going on. But some rockin' denim that will last you for the next six months is invaluable. You will wear them all the time, and the better you feel in them, the more it will show.

4) Go to something crazy, like Irish Fest. Fall festivals are the greatest. Google fall events in your city and pick a couple to check out. My personal favorites from the last few years have been the Irish Fest (Okay, I actually haven't gone yet but I plan to) and Sock it to Satan (real talk: I went. It was the greatest Halloween-meets-Jesus church event in the history of the world).

5) That Pinterest craft you put off all summer? Yeah, do that. Now is the time, folks. Carpe diem.

6) The PUMPKIN PATCH. The pumpkin patch has it all: an ideal photo shoot location, probably a hayride, definitely pumpkins. Hello, a perfect Saturday of family bonding.

7) Make a list of your favorite fall soups. Post it on the fridge for easy reference, then use it often. Yum. Try at least three new recipes this fall, more if you're feeling like June Cleaver.

8) Rake leaves with your best friends. It was a chore when we were kids, but now it's freaking fun. Make it happen. Drink tea afterwards. Leaf pile optional.

9) Pick a really killer devotional. It's fall... the time of schedules and checklists. Make daily JC-time part of that. Because lattes and Jesus is the closest thing to perfection on this side of the sun.

10) Cuddle up in a giant sweater. Have you ever spent the morning on the couch reading or knitting or just looking out the window? Best. Fall. Activity. Ever.

Well there it is, friends. Happy Saturday, Happy Fall, Happy Life.