It’s been a long time since I last posted here. My poor neglected corner of the internet. Truthfully, I’ve been quiet because I’ve working on another project – every time I feel the urge to write, my energy and time goes into that. But once it’s done (even though that feels like a long way off, a forever-moving finish line), I’ll be back here talking about… whatever it is I talk about.
Anyway. Back to the topic at hand. Autumn. The season I live for. Maybe you’re excited about it too. Maybe you’re mourning the end of summer and need a little reminder that the leafy period from September to December isn’t all that bad. In fact, it can be pretty great.
Just in case you need some inspiration (or fancy joining me on the excitement bandwagon), here are some things I’m really looking forward to:
My autumn movie list
I bang on about this every. single. year. I’m not even sorry. Watching movies seasonally is one of life’s greatest pleasures. Anything featuring fall foliage, a rich, dark, warm colour palette, witches or magic is a potential candidate for the autumn movie list. And let me tell you, they’re even more enjoyable to watch when it’s raining outside and you’re wrapped in a blanket. I know, I’m 80 years old. Don’t judge me.
Every year I tweak the list slightly – so here’s my 2021 selection:
- Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)
- You’ve Got Mail (1999)
- Good Will Hunting (1997)
- Practical Magic (1998)
- Hocus Pocus (1993)
- A Little Princess (1995)
- Mona Lisa Smile (2003)
- When Harry Met Sally (1989)
- The Princess Bride (1987)
- Dead Poets Society (1989)
- Little Women (1994 or 2019, your choice)
And of course, autumn marks the beginning of our annual ‘watch a Harry Potter movie every Sunday in the lead up to Christmas’ thing. We start on October 31st with Philosopher’s Stone, if you’d like to play along.
Picking pumpkins
It’s tradition. And somehow, despite my sickness and a global pandemic in recent years, I’ve not let it slide. I appear to be getting increasingly extra with my pumpkin patch appearances though, so I’ll probably just show up dressed as a bat or something this year. Better suggestions are welcome.
My berets are back
I own at least 10 berets. It’s like a rainbow-hued stack of pancakes on my wardrobe shelf: dusky pink, raspberry, forest green, camel, white, navy, black, blue, burgundy, rust. I wear them with everything, and they hide a multitude of sins (largely unwashed hair). I’ve missed them, and I can’t wait until the familiar chill in the air tells me: ‘babes, it’s hat weather again’.
Hot chocolate
Hi, I’m Nikki and I am a hot chocolate fiend.
This is a) because I don’t like coffee, and b) because who doesn’t want to drink LIQUID CHOCOLATE?
‘Is it a specifically autumnal treat?’ I hear you ask. I actually have a rule for this: it’s hot chocolate season when it’s 16c or below – which tends take you from late September to May. Have I stuck to my own rule this summer? ✨No.✨ I can’t be stopped. But I feel like my hot chocolate binges will be extra delicious when the weather is cold.
Dressing up
There are more flattering examples I could have shared but none make me laugh as much as this. Who doesn’t love a silly, low-budget costume? And I will be doing it again before Halloween this year. There’s already a list of costume ideas on my phone.
Woodland walks
You know those walks when you have to remind yourself to keep looking up? That. When all you can see are trees, their leaves a symphony of colour in green, yellow, orange, red and purple. Phones away. This is your moment to relax and genuinely enjoy nature. And then you come home, cook up a batch of soup with heavily-buttered sourdough bread, and get cracking with an autumn movie. Heaven.
Other honourable mentions for the autumn list: the return of Strictly (I watch it unironically and I love it), crunchy leaves, soft scarves, the soothing sound of rain hammering on your window as you fall asleep, slipping your feet into a pair of comfy boots, berry-hued lipstick, lighting candles, watching fireworks in November and the chocolate orange muffins from Marks and Spencer. You’re welcome.
What will you be looking forward to this autumn?
