FAll doesn’t end in october
When the Halloween costumes come off and the sun rises on November 1st, it’s holiday whiplash. St Andrew’s shop lights switch from orange to red and green, my friends are blasting Mariah Carey, and here I am, still playing All Too Well (Ten Minute Version) on a loop, thinking, since when did we decide fall ends with October?
Don’t get me wrong, I love Christmas time as much as the next girl, but the month of November is still crisp and golden. Carved pumpkins are still sitting on windowsills. There are still a few autumn leaves left on the trees outside, and as long as that’s the case, it’s not winter yet, at least not for me.
our ancient town is the autumn aesthetic
I can admit that it might be an aesthetic thing. When the cobblestone streets are shining slick from last night’s rain and the sky is a light, welcoming kind of grey, it just feels so undeniably autumnal.
The air isn’t unbearably cold, but it is enough to pull out my wool coat and a thick scarf for a long walk along East Sands. One where the sea breeze can put a little pink in my cheeks while I wander past the casual cathedral ruins and up the gorgeous Fife coastal path.
This time is prime hygge season, such a sweet spot between the brisk, colorful haze of October and the frosty rush of December. Fall doesn’t end with Halloween; it merely changes tempo. November allows things to grow a quieter, gentler, maybe even a little melancholy — in a cute way. This month is really about comfort and simple joys; it’s not about denying winter, but rather about appreciating fall.
fall bucket list
I love a good list. There is something so therapeutic about putting a pen to paper, and it’s even better when the content gets to be fun. So here is a collection of what I put on my own silly little fall bucket list. I made it to encourage myself to be present and enjoy this month for what it is: the calm before a festive storm of Christmas markets and frantic last-minute gift shopping. Feel free to make your own or borrow mine!
- Have a fall baking day with my friends and make pumpkin coffee cake with a cream cheese frosting.
- Go for a leaf walk to crunch some under my feet and maybe collect some pretty ones.
- Have a fall vibe movie night and watch When Harry Met Sally
- Host or attend a friendsgiving dinner party and make Mom’s cornbread pudding recipe
- Write down 10 things I am grateful for… even if you don’t celebrate Thanksgiving, I think it’s still a good opportunity to prioritize gratitude this November
- Make a simmer pot with lots of cinnamon to make the flat smell festive
- Start a book with fall vibes like The Secret History by Donna Tartt
The Fun Flavors
November can get academically brutal with essays, readings, and deadlines approaching, so I like to think a sweet treat is the perfect comfort. Whether it is a personal reward, a motivation tactic, or a procrastination method, I support any and all efforts to obtain seasonal goodies.
Some people might be gunning for the gingerbread and peppermint mochas right about now, but I’m hanging on to the cinnamon, nutmeg, and maple syrup because there is still so much left to enjoy.
- Five Acres has new cinnamon buns in from a local Fife bakery, and they are absolutely delicious. Great to grab on the way to the Library with a study buddy. If you feel like sitting in, their baked oats feel like a warm hug.
- I usually am not a Starbucks girl, but this time of year, I will happily cave for a pumpkin cream chai or the classic pumpkin spice latte. They are the best seasonal drinks ever. Pro tip: the chai is better iced, and PSL is better hot — I order ½ sweet!
- Baking is my preferred procrastination technique, and if you’re up to the task, nothing is more in the fall spirit than a good pumpkin bread. Personally, I use the love and lemons recipe. I tend to order pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice from Amazon, but they’re also available at places like Morrisons or Balgove Larder.
- If you want something super simple, Sainsbury’s and Tesco both sell delicious maple pecan twists in their pastry sections that are cheap, very yummy, and most importantly, very fall.
Fall Overall
To me, the best thing about November is that it forces you to appreciate the in-between. It’s not the bright buzz of October or the stressful glitter of December, but rather a soft, fleeting space where everything slows down just enough for us to notice how beautiful it all is.
So join me this November in keeping the fall vibes alive. Let your pumpkin candles burn a little longer, keep the sweaters big and cozy, hold onto the warmth of autumn for a few more weeks. Winter will be here soon enough.