Oh, yeah baby! It’s officially my favorite season,💗 fall. Even in San Diego, where it is technically not yet sweater weather (wearing cutoffs and a tank as I write this post), there are things that I do to make it seem like the season has shifted. Since the weather stays pretty temperate year round, I rely heavily on a slight change in wardrobe, and by overhauling my decor to resemble the inside of your local pottery barn :). In a few, affordable ways, even the little changes can make things feel special to the season and really get you in the mood. Here are my go to’s that will easily get you in the spirit of fall too.

Upgrade your candles
A very simple and affordable update that you can make almost immediately is transition out your candles. One of my favorite things to do each fall is explore each new scent and purchase small tins that I know I can burn through before the end of the season. This way, I’m not holding onto my pumpkin spice latte in the middle of January. My favorite go to places to purchase candles are Anthropologie, Home Goods, and my friends online shop, Coco Chantel Candles. I highly recommend purchasing candles with natural ingredients so you’re not spreading toxic chemicals throughout your home.

2. Mix-up the menu

Since I love to cook and bake, I often change up my weeknight dinners depending on what time of year it is. Focusing on the obvious, I generally stick to heartier, warm meals in the fall and winter, and then lighter, fresher fare in the spring and summer. Some of my favorite go to recipes I’ve included below and certainly bring a sense of the seasons with each bite.

Easy Tuscan Bean Soup - Bonus! This recipe is vegetarian, super healthy, and stocked full of veggies.
Meatballs with Zucchini Spiraled Noodles - You can obviously just use pasta here, but I would rather get the extra veg, and enjoy a slice of garlic bread and a glass of red wine without guilt.
Skillet Roasted Lemon Chicken - Can’t post about recipes and not talk about my home girl Ina Garten. This recipe is insanely easy and makes the house smell incredible.
Soft Chewy Molasses Cookies - These are great for fall and can carry you into the winter months. With cinnamon, ginger and of course, molasses, these are cozy and comfort in every bite.

3. Pumpkins and skulls erywhere

One area I update every season is my bookshelves, with cute and meaningful knick knacks to bring the time of year to life. This can be extremely inexpensive and make an impact that reminds you on the daily what time of year it is, for all of us Californians :) Also, here are some of my high low tips for adding chic seasonal decor to your home on a budget.

4. Embrace in seasonal activities

There is always something fun to do in San Diego, however, I always try to take advantage of the seasonal events that only come around once a year. For fall, that would be apple or pumpkin picking (see here my guide for San Diego), enjoying a great football game at my favorite bar, hosting a pumpkin carving night with my closest friends, or going on a hay ride. Make sure you take the time to enjoy the season before its gone.

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