Autumn: the essential collection

Seems nearly everyone I’ve encountered the past few weeks have been divided into one of two camps: those who cannot wait until the snow flurries or those bemoaning the end of summer. The mind boggles. How can fall possibly be overlooked when it’s so full of deliciousness?! Obviously, they’ve never been introduced to the season’s classics.

So without further ado, I present ‘Autumn: the essential collection’ . . .

1. Something to warm, from the inside out.  Coffee, tea, or hot cocoa it makes no never mind–so long as you have it handy, in ample supply. | Harney & Sons Hot Cinnamon Spice tea

2. Entertainment to share. With Autumn comes shorter days, the perfect excuse to do nothing but lounge about with those you love. When you must come in from the chill, and you’re too tired to entertain, that’s when you snuggle in with a good movie–chances are good, BBC will have just the thing. | Cranford + Return to Cranford 

3. Cameras. That’s right, plural, as in ‘more than one’ camera. Just think: Leaves and gourds, holidays and parades, dinners and loved ones–oh, the pictures to be had! It’s best to have cameras of all sorts and varieties (especially festive sorts), so as not to miss one single memory.| Lomography camera with flash

4. Festive mugs. Holding a steaming mug of goodness is a mighty fine way to warm your hands. Holding a festive steaming mug of goodness is all the better. | Dragon + Wolf mugs

5. A good dose of comfort. No, I’m not talking Southern Comfort (though, now that you mention it, a splash or two is quite helpful for those pesky colds that tend to crash the party this time of year). I’m talking comfort food–baked goods and starchy dishes so delectable it brings a tear to your eye. Of course, if Michelle Obama saw that she’d be appalled. So, go ahead and throw in some dark chocolate–then you can say you’re eating for your health. Win + win. | Cranberry pumpkin seed chocolate by Poco dolce 

6. A wrap of luxury. Once you wrap up in a faux fur blanket, you’ll never go back. It’s like being Queen (or King), without all the headaches. | Faux fur throw 

7. Candles. Nothing sets the mood quite like candles. In the fall, you can light them morning, noon, and night (with appropriate care, naturally). Fine glass holders make candles giddy, with flames that glow and dance. I recommend those from Scandinavia–they know a thing or two about glass, you know. | Littala Kivi Water tealight holder 

8. Good books. Since the days are shorter and weather a bit too cheeky for many activities, you must find adventure where you can–and what better place than between the covers of a book? Exactly. For that very reason fantasy and adventure books practically beg to be read in Autumn–but, you know, whatever strikes your fancy. | Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norell