Welcoming A New Season: Autumn

It’s almost officially one of the best times of the year…fall! I look forward to this time of year because of all the warmth and coziness it brings. Watching the leaves change, carving pumpkins, enjoying pumpkin spiced lattes, and so much more, it is truly a special time of year.

I’ve already started to welcome the new season in my home and through weekend activities. I wanted to share my autumn bucket list (that’s typically the same each year) to provide some inspiration and encourage you to welcome the new season! This past weekend, Patrick and I checked apple picking off the bucket list and it was such a fun way to kick off the fall season.

Wishing you all a wonderful autumn season!

Autumn bucket list

  • Decorate the home with seasonal touches
  • Enjoy a pumpkin spiced latte πŸŽƒ
  • Try a new soup or chili recipe
  • Go apple picking 🍎
  • Paint or carve a pumpkin
  • Go fall camping πŸ•
  • Bake a fall inspired fall treat
  • Take a scenic drive to enjoy the changing leaves 🍁
  • Enjoy apple cider πŸ§ƒ
  • Visit a pumpkin patch
  • Rewatch a fall themed episode or movie πŸŽ₯
  • Create a craft or DIY fall inspired home decor
  • Enjoy a fall simmer pot at home
Apple picking!
First fall breakfast of the season
A day in the apple orchard
Fresh maple syrup
First sight of pumpkins!
DIY autumn wreath
Apple picking date
Bringing out autumn decor
Apple picking
Pumpkin waffles

Autumn Hygge Inspiration

The fall season is the perfect time to engage in cozy activities and embrace the slowness the season will bring. Fall always seems like the perfect transition phase to prep ourselves and our homes for the slower months ahead. I always look forward to this time of year and I believe that’s due to all the warm and cozy activities this season can bring. If you need a reminder of what Hygge is it’s a danish term which simply means making things more cozy and homey. I have enjoyed embracing this notion each season but I’m especially excited to incorporate hygge into my life this autumn season.

Hygge Inspiration to Incorporate this Autumn

  • Spend time outside to enjoy the fall foliage or engage in fall activities
  • Craft something for the home (garlands, wreaths, etc)
  • Gather pumpkins at a patch or stand
  • Enjoy pumpkin or apple flavored treats
  • Make a fall simmer pot
  • Create cozy corners at home
  • Create a fall bucket list
  • Plan a weekend getaway to enjoy the foliage someplace else
  • Bake some fall inspired treats
apple picking is one of my favorite fall activities
Fall activities outside
Homemade breakfasts at home
Crafts for the home
Visiting pumpkin stands
DIY pumpkin socks
Cozy corners
Gathering pumpkins
Autumn simmer pot
Spotting leaves on a walk
Apple picking date

A Weekend Away

This past weekend, Patrick and I booked a cottage to have a relaxing weekend away and to continue celebrating our anniversary. The cottage was located on a large country side farm with horses and cows surrounding the property. It was the most magical and serene environment to relax and have some time together unplugged.

While we were there, we spent time with the horses and named all seven. They were so friendly and would come up to the fence when they would see us. The property also had a pond that we were able to fish. Patrick is a passionate fly fisherman and he taught me how to cast a fly rod and I ended up catching four fish! I’m so thankful for this weekend, it was a much needed break from the usual routine. Hoping this inspires you to also take a relaxing weekend away.

One of the horses at the cottage
The beautiful yellow front porch
Rolling hills all around

Morning coffee on the porch
Learning how to fly fish
Cozy breakfast
Cottage Kitchen
Sunset from the porch
Morning coffee
Cottage living space
Morning pancake prep
Dining space

Home Updates

I wanted to share some recent home updates Patrick and I have been working on. A few spaces and rooms in our home have been on our ‘update to do list’ for a while and we finally got around to refreshing some of these spaces. Since we’ve moved in, our home has truly been a work in progress but it feels good knowing how much care and time we’ve put into creating a home that feels like us. I wanted to incorporate more photos of our favorite memories and places, as well as details that capture our love for exploring and traveling to national parks. There’s more eventually we want to accomplish but I’m very pleased with our recent updates.

Details I Added

  • books to highlight interests and favorite places on the coffee table
  • more personal touches such as photographs and meaningful travel souvenirs
  • crafts that add small detail to a space
  • baskets above the fridge for more storage + a cohesive look
  • throw pillows on the couch that are comfy and pull in others colors in the space
  • gallery art wall above Patrick’s office desk
  • peg board display for adventure and camp gear in Patrick’s office
Coffee table spread
Dining room
Dining room details
Magnet frame DIY
Bookshelf details in the sunroom
Shelf details
Bedroom scenes
Gallery wall in Patrick’s office
Living room corner
Living room to sunroom view
Kitchen view
Peg board to display camp and adventure gear + supplies

Spring Hygge Inspiration

Throughout the winter season, I embraced the danish notion of hygge, which simply means making things more cozy and homey. This is a practice I would like to continue incorporating into other seasons throughout the year. We are already close to the end of Spring and I have enjoyed finding small ways to make my spaces at home and engage in activities that embody hygge. Here are some of my tips and ways I’ll be embracing hygge for the rest of spring.

Hygge Inspiration to Incorporate this Spring

  • Add greenery or flowers to my indoor and outdoor spaces
  • Make a spring simmer pot
  • Spend time outdoors
  • Bake spring inspired treats
  • Watch the sunset or sunrise
  • Have cozy breakfast rituals on the weekends
  • Add color to my interior spaces through accessories or art
  • Enjoy morning coffee with new garden space
  • Have an outdoor picnic with friends
  • Create a spring bucket list
  • Plan a weekend trip
balcony garden
Spring inspired simmer pot
Time outdoors
Colorful, cozy layers
Spring inspired treats
Garden shopping
Spring sunset
Colorful breakfast spreads
Adding more colorful touches to the sunroom space
Coffee on the balcony
Spring picnic

Simple Ways to Refresh Your Home

Throughout the last couple weeks, I’ve been giving our place a refresh for the new year, which includes, deep cleaning certain areas, going through the cabinet or closet that’s become the “everything” spot, sourcing new or thrifted items to add into the home and placing items we already have in a new spot to give a fresh look. Although taking down the holiday decor and seeing my space bare again is sad, it’s also an opportunity for a home refresh. A refresh is always inspiring to me, and if it’s not yet for you, I’m hopeful this post can inspire you also! Here are some ways I’ve been refreshing our space:

  • Add fresh flowers or plants to a space. Not only is this good for you, it also offers fresh life and color into any space.
  • Add cozy layers. I did purchase new pillows for the couch, and this purchase had been a long time coming! I’ve been searching for an accent color I liked with our neutral couch and sage green felt like the right color. Pro tip–find pillows with covers that are removable so you have the option to switch out the cover in the future!
  • Add color. I decided to add satin bows to our shower curtain, this changed and completed the whole space! This could be done through new photos printed out, flowers, pillows, blankets, etc.
  • Rearrange pieces in a new place. I love the shelf I have in our kitchen because it’s fun to change for the seasons! I recently placed some pieces on the shelf that used to be in other spots and it gave the kitchen a fresh look without having to buy something new.
  • Add mirrors. I found an oval mirror at the thrift store months ago that I loved. It really completed the soft peaceful feel of the bedroom. Mirrors are such a great way to open up a space and reflect in more light!
Shelf decor for winter
Reading nook for chilly days
Bedroom space upgrade with soft colors
Shelf decor
Riley likes the new pillows
Bows for the shower curtain
Oval mirror for above the dresser
New blankets and duvet cover for the bedroom

There’s No Place Like Home for the Holidays

The holiday season brings so much warmth and comfort, especially within the home. I love decorating my home and adding cozy elements all year long but there’s something extra special about the holiday season.

Last year was my first year in this apartment. I bought and collected several pieces that are typical when adding holiday decor to a space (a tree, stockings, throw pillows, etc.). This year I wanted to add more homemade touches to the space that felt more personal to Patrick and me. Most of the additions this year were homemade or purchased second hand. I’m hoping this could provide inspiration when decorating for the holidays. My favorite touches this year were adding bows to the christmas tree, seeing more cultivated travel ornaments, wreaths to frame the tree, and lots of garlands.

This year I also focused more on decor and warmth I could create from natural elements such as a dried orange wreath or ornaments and a simmer pot to add winter scents to the home. Here’s some simple steps if you’d also like to incorporate this into your home:

dried orange garland

  • thinly slice 1-2 oranges (1 is plenty for one garland)
  • dry each slice with a paper towel to remove some moisture
  • place orange slices on a baking pan
  • bake at 200 degrees for 3-4 hours checking occassionally to flip
  • oranges will be done once slightly brown or harden

winter simmer pot

  • add water to a pot or dutch oven
  • cut and add 1 thinly sliced orange
  • cut and add 1 thinly sliced apple
  • 2-3 cinnamon sticks
  • sprinkle of cloves or nutmeg
  • splash of vanilla extract
  • add a handful of cranberries
  • for an extra touch, add rosemary or pine
  • bring pot to a boil and lower to simmer for 30+ minutes

wishing you all happy holidays! x

this year I add garlands and wreaths to frame our tree
ribbon and embroidered initials for our stockings
wreath on our mirror
alpine trees near the fireplace
ribbon bows were the newest cozy addition to the tree this year
reading nook near the tree
my favorite scene
close up of ornaments
festive kitchen corner
festive sheets in the bedroom
holiday simmer pots

Moments at Home

I’m starting a new category on the blog dedicated to my love for design and creating cozy spaces. For as long as I can remember I’ve been rearranging and designing spaces. It started with my bedroom as a child. I enjoyed switching the art on my wall, moving the furniture around, and adding different accessories regularly. I’d become excited to show my parents, siblings, and friends the changes I had made. These habits shifted to my first apartment when I moved to Italy, back to my attic space when I moved back home with my parents, and now to my apartment I currently have on my own. I’ve always been highly influenced by the spaces I’m in. It impacts my mood, productivity, motivation, and inspiration. I feel so much joy from creating a space that feels warm, inviting, and peaceful. It creates a safe place for me to return home to. It’s what makes a house a home.

My design style and aesthetic has definitely evolved over the years and will most likely continue to do so. For now, these are the spaces that make up my home. The spaces that fill my heart, mind, and soul with clarity and fulfillment. The spaces that feel like me.