Fall is just around the corner! Once the back-to-school season is in full swing, it feels like the end of summer zooms by. Around here, we could not be more excited! Give us all the seasonal drinks, pumpkin spice candles, sweaters, boots, and fall harvest festivals.
Ready to make the most out of our favorite season? Here's a quick list of things we're thinking about for autumn.
Transition Your Wardrobe — Sweaters are BACK!
One of the things we have been most looking forward to all year is transitioning our wardrobes. There is something so cozy about pairing a chunky cable-knit sweater with a tall leather boot.
But if it’s still warm where you live, plan for layering. Your summer tops can be great base layers to wear under your sweaters and cardigans, and your dresses can be paired with a pair of tights or stockings to make them more seasonally appropriate.
Start Planning Your Halloween Costume
We've made the mistake of waiting until the last minute to shop for Halloween costumes more than a few times… And those years we decide to go full DIY for the family… It always turns into a fire drill. Start planning now to get ahead of the game!
Give yourself plenty of time to get the kids their costumes (and come up with a plan B if they change their mind last minute!). If you're planning to DIY your costumes, head to the craft supply store now and scope out the best costume fabrics and templates. Save yourself the future headache and set yourself up for success when Halloween rolls around.
Fall Chores — Out with the Summer Decor, In with the Patio Furniture Cushions
With summer over and the kids back in school, you (hopefully) have more time to get the house in order, tidy up, and be ready for the coming holiday season. Make sure you bring in those outdoor cushions before the rains come. The same goes for summer toys and gadgets; bring them inside or store them away until next year.
A few more tasks that always seem to slip through the cracks for us are cleaning the gutters, weatherproofing the windows, replacing your heaters and humidifiers, inspecting the furnaces and fireplaces, and having your carpets cleaned before holiday get-togethers. It’s also the perfect time to turn your mattresses.
Start Planning Your Fall Vegetable Garden
Clear out your summer planters and garden beds and give them the autumnal treatment for a spring veggie haul! While summer is usually the best time for high-yielding fruits and veggies, fall gardening has a few huge benefits. The cooler temperatures make it easier to tend to your garden, and you’ll see fewer diseases or pests munching away at your precious harvest. A few of our favorite vegetables that you can transition from summer to fall gardening are:
- Cabbage
- Garlic
- Kale
- Carrots
- Brussels sprouts
- Peas
- Spinach
- Beets
- Broccoli
Fall Recipe
Bring out your fall cookbooks and start bookmarking the recipes you've been telling yourself you'd try for years. If you're feeling particularly ambitious, you can get ahead of schedule and start planning your Thanksgiving feast.
Speaking of fall recipes, we have one of Tanya's favorite fall recipes to share with you guys this season! We hope this hand-picked recipe inspires you. Make sure you tag us on Instagram @inkWELLpress if you try it!
Coconut Maple Granola
Mix Together:
2 C Uncooked Rolled Oats
1 C Slivered Almonds
¾ C Pecan Halves, chopped
½ C Unsweetened Shredded Coconut
⅓ C Brown Sugar
¼ C Pepitas, raw
2 T Flaxseed
Then Add:
2 T Coconut Oil, melted
2 T Grapeseed Oil
¼ C Maple Syrup
¾ t Kosher Salt
Later Add: ½ C Dried Fruit (cranberries, blueberries, cherries, etc)
Preheat oven to 250. Mix dry ingredients together, then add in in oils, syrup and salt. Bake on large sheet pan for 2 hours, stirring every 15-30 minutes. Once cooled, add the dried fruit.
*All measurements are pretty loose… make it your own