Ideas to make the coming autumn lovelier ( or at least a little more bearable)

[Labradabradorable]

Looking out at the garden this evening I can see the light is a little more golden and the shadows a little longer. Autumn is around the corner, which I normally greatly look forward to on a hot late-August drive home through France, piled high with wine, well-read and dripping with idleness. I suspect this year’s bracing camping in Wales might just be a reminder of the rain and mud to come.

Any ideas to make the coming season a little nicer? So far I’ve come up with :

Blowing my birthday John Lewis voucher on a nice candle ( Diptyque Feu de Bois) and a couple of velvet scatter cushions
A houseplant for my bathroom window
Booking some riding lessons for all of us
Embracing the darker mornings and getting up early to walk the dog. Also, joining a beginners agility group.
Regular swimming and encouraging the kids to come too
A lovely bath foam ( I like L’Occitaine almond)
Buying good pyjamas and new boots
Planning some pretty woodland walks
Planning some good autumnal food (crumbles, stews)
If possible, doing a few days extra work and booking for DD and I to go to Paris. That might be wishful thinking as my summer energy ebbs.

Any other ideas welcome! 🍂

Placemarking because autumn is my favourite season

I spend half my life snuggled under a blanket and drinking hot chocolate so not much difference for me!

Peacemaking...am going to make a definite list over the next few days.

I might invest in a Woodwick Candle for the sitting room.DD has one in her bedroom which is fabulous. DW Home candles from T K Maxx are also great.

Love buying new PJs/loungewear, socks (another vote for bamboo) and slippers

Going to treat us to a Velvetiser when it gets properly cold

Looking forward to dawn walks again

Peacemaking?!

Placemarking

Hoping no hot flushes this year I really want to enjoy my oodie and throws .

Do people recommend brushed cotton bedding? It’s something we’ve never had but I like the sound of it for Autumn.

@LeonoraFlorence

Do people recommend brushed cotton bedding? It’s something we’ve never had but I like the sound of it for Autumn.

I have mine on year round

I used to tell myself I love the summer but I don’t. I’m uncomfortable in summer. Despite the cold and the rain I am far more comfortable in the autumn/winter. I’m happy I’m layers and sweaters and listening to the rain outside from my snuggly bed. The only thing I hate about winter is that I don’t have an open fire anymore. I miss it so much.

For me, autumn usually starts at the end of September. Every year we go to a campsite on the beach for a weekend around that time (we live in the south of France, we can't ever afford to rent anything during the school holidays, being a teacher that makes things somewhat complicated 😅 , hence a weekend in September). It marks the end if summer for us. This year there weren't any availabilities until the second weekend of October, so autumn is officially postponed, which is a shame as it's my favourite time of year (this thread confirmed that)!

DrCocunut

I suffer from SAD and dread the coming months. I use a lamp and find it helps me, it worth trying if you feel down through the winter months.

@MotionActivatedDog

I used to have an open fire, then a log burner.

Moved to a 70s place when I got divorced and have now discovered lots of crackling log fire videos on YouTube, which I stick on with an appropriate scented candle for extra cosiness.

It's not quite the same, but it's pretty good .

Good idea @MintyCedric! I actually bought myself one of the electric heaters that looks like a log burner just to give myself the impression I was as cosy as I wanted to be. It’s quite nice with just the flames on and no heat too.

@Theoldcuriosityshop

DrCocunut

I suffer from SAD and dread the coming months. I use a lamp and find it helps me, it worth trying if you feel down through the winter months.

What kind of lamp please?

@MotionActivatedDog

Good idea *@MintyCedric*! I actually bought myself one of the electric heaters that looks like a log burner just to give myself the impression I was as cosy as I wanted to be. It’s quite nice with just the flames on and no heat too.

I had some fairy lights in my fire grate for a while and at a glance they looked like the fire was going.

@IHateFlies

Autumn is my favourite season (I love them all) I always wondered if it was Because I was born in autumn. Anyone want to back up or disprove my random theory?

I was born in early July and my favourite season is autumn. Summer just exhausts me! Sorry

Darling I'm a July baby and autumn is my favourite season (also hate the heat).

*17CoffeeBeansGalore

Anyone looking for lovely stationery for themselves have a look at www.wrendaledesigns.co.uk

They have some beautiful things. Enjoy!*

Thank you for reminding me about this designer! I saw some lovely cake tins by them in a shop in York and completely forgot the name. The cushions look lovely too.

I was born in April and really dislike summer and spring.

It looks like I won’t be getting any awards for my random theory.
Autumn is just fab for its own sake

I bloody love autumn and will enjoy trying out lots of these ideas and recipes. I really enjoy sitting in my garden in autumn, drinking hot chocolate and eating homemade cake, wrapped in a warm blanket with plenty of candles and a good book. I particularly enjoy it because every other bugger is inside so it tends to be perfectly peaceful - unlike (horrible) summer!

This looks like a nice thread 🙂 will see if I've got anything new to offer when I've RTFT

Ooh this is a thread I need! What a lovely idea.

I usually dread autumn. I have MH issues all year round but depression usually escalates around the time of the clocks changing. I’m hoping I can avoid it this time as I’m finally on decent medication, but the more I can do to make it a positive time the better! Going to read this thread and make some notes :o

One of the main things I’m doing so far though is trying to use the summer to get organised for the new term so that I don’t start on the back foot.

Autumn is my favourite season (I love them all) I always wondered if it was Because I was born in autumn. Anyone want to back up or disprove my random theory?

I was born in early spring and that's definitely my favourite season. I've always loved the Autumn but it just can't compete with Spring

@TerrylikesYoghurt

I bloody love autumn and will enjoy trying out lots of these ideas and recipes. I really enjoy sitting in my garden in autumn, drinking hot chocolate and eating homemade cake, wrapped in a warm blanket with plenty of candles and a good book. I particularly enjoy it because every other bugger is inside so it tends to be perfectly peaceful - unlike (horrible) summer!

A lady after y own heart regarding the sitting outside.Its perfect to me too.We had a gazebo one summer,just a cheap thing and it was useless so Mr Lump bless his tight fisted heart buuit me a wooden one to use all year! I decorated the roof with solar lights inside and I keep my side panels on and go get wrapped up and sit there for hours with my warm drink,sometimes hotwater bottle and a good book,Everyone thinks I am barmy but I love the escapism,especially on a rainy night too all snuggly and dry inside! This thread is so good.

Thanks everyone who has shared ideas, so many things to try. One inspiration I’ve taken from this thread is to try to spend more time in my garden. We have greenery, many roses that should stay in bloom and our garden is probably nicest in the evenings. So I’m firing up the fire pit ( aka repurposed bucket bbq) for some twilight ‘s’mores and hearty bowls of chilli.