Hey guys! If you're like me and live in an area where it'll still be 90 degrees until November, it can be hard to get into an autumnal mood. BUT in my mind August is the beginning of Fall, since while I was in school it marked the beginning of the fall semester. Also, since college football starts this weekend, I feel like its a great time to start posting some fall content :-) So now that it’s the end of August (& cool weather is just around the corner!) I put together a list of a few of the things I’m most excited about for this upcoming season!

Decorating my yard.

My roommate and I were just talking last week about having a Saturday yard work day where we add some mulch, cut back some trees, and I think I'm going to add sprucing up m porch décor to the list. I just need to fid some mums, break out my fall wreath, and maybe add an outdoor lantern or two.

Break out the fall candles!

Last year, when all the fall candles went on clearance in October to make way for Christmas scents, I stocked up o a few of my favorite cozy candles. Some of my favorites so far this year are: Cedar Magnola (Hearth & Hand, Target), Pumpkin Cider (Pier 1), and Butter Pumpkin (Pier 1).

Sitting Outside

This is an easy one, but one of the things I'm most excited for once we start getting cool weather! I'm so excited to get to enjoy sitting on my porch in the evenings with a cup of coffee (or apple cider) wrapped in a blanket. I live kind of close to campus, and during the fall there's an incredible energy that envelopes Tuscaloosa (and probably many other college towns), but from my porch I can sometimes here the band practicing for game days in the evenings during football season and its the best.

Invest in a new sweater/cardigan.

I really love clothes. I didn't really realize how much I loved them until this year but I'm pretty sure that's where 30% of my money goes. I always feel like a cardigan or sweater is a good autumnal investment because 1) I'm cold ALL THE TIME, so I'll probably wear the cardigan year round, and 2) Even if you aren't chronically cold you'll still need them for fall and winter! Here are a few that I love that won't break the bank.

Nordstrom: BP. V-neck sweater, Waffle Knit Duster Cardigan, Button Back Sweater.

Modcloth: Charter School Pullover, Homecoming 'Round the Mountain Cowlneck, Mosy into Cozy Cardigan.

Go to a pumpkin patch

This is one that is on my list EVERY year and I've never been, but this is going to be the year, y'all. I want to go find the biggest pumpkin in the whole patch, and then have a pumpkin carving party on my porch.

Make Chili

Every year I like to make a BIG pot of chili, this year I'm hoping there will be a few days were I'm off that I can enjoy sittin' on the couch in leggings and fuzzy socks while I eat some chili and watch football (or a good Hallmark movie!).

Visit a Brewery

I feel really lucky to live in a place that has several breweries in town, but that's also close to a city that has a lot of them too! There's a list of ones in Birmingham that I'd like to visit, you can see the full list of BHM breweries [here.]

Decorate my mantle.

Some people like to make elaborate table-scapes for every season, but since I use my table as an office/painting space/catch all, I don't really like having to move all the décor off of it every time I want to paint. So I think that made me start viewing my mantle as the spot I decorate every season. If you follow along with LBS on Instagram, you've seen my boho-cactus mantle for summer, and you may have seen the beginnings of my transition to fall yesterday. I'm kind of leaning towards a black, white, and brown fall palette this year, but who knows where my brain will go in the next few weeks!  

Bake A Pie.

This one might seem a little on the nose. But I love baking pies when the weather turns cooler! My favorite recipe is the Ritz cracker Mock Apple Pie Recipe! One year I made it and an apple pie, then HAD to try a slice of each to compare! (yum!)

What are you most excited to do this fall?!