Hey, what's up? It's fall, y'all!

So, It's really quite obvious I'm great at consistency when it comes to blogging.  Sorry peeps, it's always been that way. However, my favoritest time of the year is here which means a whole bunch of relaxation by the fire with PSL's, flannel coziness, and good books....theoretically.
Why not celebrate this season, right?
We only get it for approximately 2 months of the year around here in the good ole north Midwest. Personally, I wish fall would just take it's good time, last 6 months, and let the other seasons fight over the other 6. Really, it would make my life happier and solve all my problems. (Maybe not all....)
Anyhow, it seems to me that fall has a lot of little things that just make it grand. There's so much to find joy in, and since for many of us fall can be a really busy time of year, it's super important that we take a moment now and then to breathe and take in those little things so that we don't miss all the goodies heaven just dropped, in our attempt to survive. So to start off what I hope will end up being at least a couple of fall themed posts, I want to simply share some of those fall things that I'm really loving so far. Be forewarned, a couple of these things aren't exactly fall, but for me they add to the broader picture of what fall is looking like for me this year.

~ Outdoors!

Okay let's just take a moment to have a happy sigh that leaves are ever so slowly starting to turn and even though the weather is being moody we have started having a couple cooler days now and then. Unfortunately, it's been a bit rainy the last couple weeks ruling out regular patio fires at the in-laws, but it has not stopped me from heading outdoor a good deal more. Pregnancy and humidity just do not go well together, let me tell you. I like my sweatshirts and jeans. Also, life is just better with a toddler when mommy actually enjoys stepping outside. This winter will be interesting....but let's not get ahead of ourselves.

~Pumpkin Spice EVERYTHING

Now I know for some of you this is a gag-me subject, but I confess to having an ardent love for pumpkin. As soon as September came it was like every grocery store around began throwing up pumpkin stuff and I'm not too upset about it. However, I should also make mention of the fact that every year Trader Joe's goes through a maple fad and that's pretty great too. Two words: Maple Water. Don't roll your eyes at me. It's not every day that I will spend $2.75 on a carton of water. But oh my word it is so delicious. It feels the way you wish vitamins felt; healthy, refreshing, vibrant, energizing. I've never actually checked to see if there's any nutritional value. It feels so healthful, I don't feel the need to disappoint myself. And hello, what is Aloe Water??? Anyone tried that one???

But I digress.
Pumpkin Spice. So here's the thing. Pumkin Spice Lattes, or PSL's, are one of my favorites. I join the masses en route to Starbucks every September to begin a terrible calorie buildup that will not end till December. (Who am I kidding? That's when Peppermint Mocha's become a thing again.....no calories there.) The thing is this year I was so disappointed. My first PSL was so sweet I had a stomach ache at the end and had almost thought I should just give up on them forever when I tried on from Beans and Leaves in Long Grove, IL. You could actually taste espresso with your pumpkin spice! I think angels began singing....or my kid began kicking my bladder...one of the two happened. Guess who will be heading down to World Market the week to purchase some Torani Pumpkin Spice syrup? Yeah. Shameless.
Also muffins. I'm dying to find a new Pumpkin Spice meets Chai muffin recipe. Is that even a thing? I don't know, but it sounds like it should be a thing in my head. If any of you find one send the recipe my way....PLEEEEEEEEEASE!!!

~ Candles

Let's talk about candles for a minute. Anna and I recently stepped foot into Anthropologie and now I'm like ruined because I really want a new fall themed candle, but I want one that smells as beautiful as an Anthro candle....and comes in a snazzy tin. Must have the snazzy tin. I did find a Bath and Body Works candle called Fall Leaves and I'm not sure that it actually smells anything like leaves but it did smell nice. Cranberry Mandarin has been burning a bit this year. I feel like it could go either fall or Christmas, but I'm just gonna go with fall right now because it is delightful and so stinking yummy. Plus every time I burn it I want cranberry bread with cranberry maple butter because that is what my sweet sister gave me when she gave me the candle and I'm not gonna say that the whole loaf got eaten in a day, but I will say I couldn't find anymore the following morning. Darn house elves....
I will say, Saturday was a win for me because I went to TJMaxx looking for a butter dish and came out with Pumpkin Spice Tea Candles!!!

~ Plaid Blanket Scarves

Being pregnant has meant a little more effort this season in the clothing department. All those super cute skinny jeans that come out in the fall just do no work right on my pregnant figure - that could partially be because I've been trying to wear non-maternity jeans, button open, held on with a pony tail and belly band. Don't ask. I promise I'm going shopping this week for some maternity friendly pants. All of that to say, even though some of the cute skinny jean styles aren't workin out so hot, the blanket scarf is doing it's thing just fine. And Pinterest is amazing when it comes to new methods of scarf wearing. I'm loving it.

~ Fall Flowers

Is there anything as beautiful as those end of summer boquets? I don't think so. There's a lot of good gifts God gives us in the fall, but those flowers man. I mean just look at mums for example. Hello Beautiful!  All the Reds and Yellows and Browns and Oranges and oh it's too much. I just love it. It's one of my favorite parts about having a birthday in September.

Which leads me to...

~ Celebrations

I feel like fall was made for celebrating. There is nothing like gathering with family and friends in the fall to celebrate anything and everything. Celebrating Apples. Celebrating Pumpkins. Celebrating birthdays, and adoptions, and Haloween and Thanksgiving and Fires and S'mores - I celebrate S'Mores. I know people say nothing brings the family together like the holidays, but gosh I feel like fall brings the family together without the stress. And I love Christmas, but there's just a peace in the fall that kinda gets pushed aside for the joyous craziness of Christmas.


Well anyways, that's enough for this post. At some point this week I will actually decorate my house for this season I love, which includes painting a ton of acorns gold. Also I might try glittifying a pumpkin.....maybe. I'm on the search for a pair of size 10, comfortable booties. And let's not forget books. But I have to save something for a future post.

Bye for now!