1. Orange is everywhere.
It was years ago that Elle in "Legally Blonde" uttered the unsettling phrase, "Whoever said orange was the new pink is seriously disturbed," and I think she'd be eating her words these days. I've loved orange for as long as I can remember, but it's finally getting its due this year. I adore orange, so it's always so great for me when fall comes around and suddenly all of the store windows are putting up their orangey goodness. I love orange so much this season.
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2. It's the most wonderful time of the year.
OK, I know that phrase come from a Christmas song, but Halloween is my Christmas. You know that excited feeling in the pit of your stomach that you get when you're a little kid and Christmas is just around the corner? Yeah, that's how I feel for the whole month of October. I love love, love Halloween. I love the candy. I love the dressing up. I love the colors (hence the black/white/orange theme of my new apartment). I love it all (well, actually, I don't like anything having to do with frightening things, which makes my little obsession even more peculiar...). I get really, really into Halloween -- decorating, baking, sending cards -- so once fall comes around, it's a signal for the most wonderful, Halloween-y time of the year to begin!
3. The weather becomes dream-like.
Where I live, the summers are too hot and humid, the springtime is unpredictable, and the winter is way too cold for my tastes. Fall, however, is perfect. Sometimes I will walk outside and think to myself, "This weather could not possibly be more perfect." It's almost as if the perfect mix of sun and clouds and slight chill was combined together to create the best weather ever. In particular, I love feeling the contrast of a warm day followed by a chilly night. While I often miss the lazy days of summer spent poolside, nothing can compare with the perfect temperatures and soft breeze of an autumn afternoon.
4. The fashion world flourishes.
I know it's materialistic and totally uncool in the world of personal development, but I have to admit that I love fashion. I love picking out outfits, trying on clothes, and finding the perfect look. It's completely shallow, I know, but I really find something beautiful in matching colors and fabrics and experimenting with new ideas and trends. Fall is a really important time for fashion. So important, in fact, that there's even a movie out about Vogue's fall issue, The September Issue (can't wait to see it!). Fall is a big deal in the fashion world.5. You can curl up cozily by a fire.
Though, in general, I'd have to say that fire makes me a little nervous, I love a good fireplace fire. There is absolutely nothing in the world like grabbing a great book (or my Kindle!) and snuggling up to a fireplace alight with oranges and reds and even some deep blues. Even better is when you leave the room for a minute and return to find the fire still blazing, warm and waiting for you. There is nothing like curling up in front of a warm hearth (preferably with a cute animal of some kind) to get that cozy feeling that comes with fall. I'm not a fan of cold weather at all, but, when it starts to get chilly, a fire is a great way to turn up the heat.
6. Fresh school supplies pop up everywhere.
Yeah, it's been a while since I've been in school, but I still love new school supplies. There's nothing like a new pack of pens or a great new notebook to get this little writer all fired up. And markers! Don't even get me started on markers! I'm not even sure why in the world a 26-year-old needs markers, but I certainly love the feeling that comes along with opening a new box and exposing all of those beautiful colors. When I was younger, shopping for school supplies was one of my favorite things to do. I guess it just goes to show that even if you grow up, you don't have to stop doing some of your favorite things!
7. New autumnal smells permeate the air.
The first time you catch a whiff of smoke coming from a neighbor's chimney, you know fall as officially arrived. That smell mingles in with the dry leaves cluttering the ground and your olfactory senses can't deny that the smell of fall is in the air. When I lived in California, I missed this smell terribly. There is nothing that really compares with it and it's one of those things that would probably go unnoticed if a new (always sunny) environment didn't bring it to your attention. Now that I live back on the east coast, I am so aware of the changing seasons and cannot help but take notice of the way the smells change as the pages of the calendar flip by. Fall is filled with distinguishing scents and they fill my nose with happiness.
8. Leaves are always crackling underfoot.
If you love fall, there's nothing like the sound of leaves crinkling and breaking underneath your shoes. It's a sound and a feeling I don't think I've ever grown tired of, no matter how many times I've heard or felt it. In fact, I seek it out. If I can walk through a cluster of leaves or around it, you better believe I'm going to walk through them, doing my best to crunch as many as possible. As a kid, I used to enjoy jumping in piles of leaves, by the thought of being in a place where no one can see you. Kinda like hide and seek. But just because I don't jump in doesn't mean I don't enjoy a good leaf-crunching. It's one of the best fall-time activities there is!
9. The changing trees look like rainbows.
As the leaves change, occasionally you'll see a tree that's faded from red to orange to yellow to green. Or you'll see a row of trees that are all changing differently, creating a rainbow-like effect. Since I'm a big fan of color (and rainbows in particular), I love seeing the way nature creates its own on-the-ground rainbows in the fall. It's beautiful to see the leaves changing and it's also pretty amazing that they do it every year.
10. Warm drinks heat things up.
Now I've seen quite a few mentions about Starbuck's Pumpkin Spice Lattes on Twitter and on other blogs, so I'll start there. These things are delicious and you can't get them just anytime you want 'em. You have to wait until the fall. And all of that waiting makes them even more delicious. In addition to these delicious drinks, you can also indulge in hot chocolate and warm apple cider. Yum! There's nothing like some mini marshmallows or a swirling cinnamon stick to make you feel warm inside and out. It's especially nice when you can have one of these warm drinks outside, the heat from the liquid warming you every time you take a sip.
11. Football season has its big kickoff.
Anyone who knows me and is reading this is probably like, "Whaaaaat?" at the sight this one. I'll be honest; I am not -- and I repeat NOT -- a sports girl. I don't play sports. I don't want to play sports. And, quite honestly, I don't even like watching sports. But there's something about football season (and that's American football for all of you non-USA peeps) that is just exciting. People get so into the games (still not really sure why...) and whenever you watch a game with a bunch of people, there is just this energy in the room with everyone cheering for their favorite teams. Not to mention there are always delicious snacks to be had at any good football party...
12. Seasonal treats make their debut.
Some of my favorite foods come out in full force when the weather starts to cool down. For example, apples. They are at their best when it's fall. They are delicious by themselves or (if I'm lucky and my mom makes one) in a pie. And, even more important than apples is candy corn. There is absolutely nothing in the world better than a fresh bag of Brach's candy corn. (and, yes, they have to be fresh; stale ones are just no good). In probably two sittings, I could have a full bag of candy corn. Is that sad? I don't know. The world will never know. Since I don't eat these any other time of the year, they feel like an extra special fall treat when I pick up a big in mid-September. And, yep, there's one stashed in my desk right now!13. The spirit of change is in the air.
I saved one of the best for last. Fall, whether you like it or not, is all about change. The season is changing. The weather (in most places) is changing. Change is all around us and it's deliciously intoxicating. Though many people think of the New Year as a time for change, a time to make resolutions, I've always thought of fall as a great time to change things up. I guess this comes from the fact that, as a kid, fall is the new (school) year. After years and years of getting used to the idea that things would be new in September, I've kind of gotten used to thinking of fall as a time for new beginnings, and that's one of the most wonderful things about this time of year.
