If you’re an avid fan of Tik Tok like me, then you may have at some point come across the hashtag #codeorange on your feed. But what exactly is Code Orange? It’s typically a call to action to fellow autumn lovers that the shops have begun to release their Halloween stock in store, sometimes even as early as July – cue the endless videos of hauls from the crowned head of autumnal homeware, TK Maxx.
It’s also the signal that we can officially start preparing for the cooler days ahead, like sweater-wearing, pumpkin spice latte-adorned squirrels burrowing for winter. It finally becomes socially acceptable to pull out the Uggs, flannel shirts and cosy fleece blankets and to start re-watching Gilmore Girls for the 2785th time.
I’ve always loved autumn – even before it was considered "cool". It is by far the superior season. The crisp weather agrees with me (as someone who can’t deal with temperatures above 20°C) and the beauty of the dying foliage, in its various hues of yellow, orange and red, takes my breath away every time. I love the build-up to Christmas, with all the best events squeezed in between – the renewal of focus that comes with the "Back to School" season (as well as an opportunity to unashamedly indulge in my love of stationery and planners), Halloween, Bonfire’s Night and Thanksgiving (I know I’m not American, but I don’t care).
As someone who has always found summertime depressing, the return of shorter days comes as a welcome relief. I cannot count the times I have felt both anxious and miserable due to the internal and external expectations to be "out there" enjoying the sunshine and living life to the fullest. There is nothing more depressing and isolating than being stuck indoors on a summer’s evening and hearing people outside having a good time with friends or enjoying a drink in a beer garden when you have to work or have no one to hang out with. This is compounded by the fact that I haven’t been on holiday in over ten years (due to numerous factors such as a lack of money and passport!) and yet every year, I have to face the same nagging questions about whether I am finally going to go abroad this year or be bombarded by pictures on social media of other people lounging on a beach, living their best lives.
This immense wave of pressure thankfully subsides once September comes around and the sun-soaked days of summer are traded in for the cosy Tumblr aesthetic of Autumn. With the nights drawing in and the cooler weather, I no longer have to feel ashamed for spending the majority of my evenings inside, watching Netflix – because that’s what everyone else is doing too. My introversion gets to shine at this time of year because the season is all about embracing comfort, tradition and homeliness rather than adventure, novelty and excitement.
If you’re a lover of autumn like me, then you will probably be aware of the numerous memes and videos taking the p*ss out of the "Basic Fall Girl" stereotype, where white women clamber over each other to take the most Instagram-worthy shot of themselves in a pumpkin patch and consume everything pumpkin-spice related. I must admit I most definitely fall into this trope, but instead of being ashamed of it, I have decided to wholeheartedly embrace it.
And my first step in doing this is to curate a guide for both myself and my fellow Kindred. readers on how to make the very most of this most glorious of seasons – a "Basic Fall Girl" starter pack, as you will.
Fall-proof your home
The very first task that should be on your to-do list is to prepare your space for the cooler days ahead. You’re probably going to be spending a lot more time indoors once September hits (unless you’re a year-long hermit like me) so you will want to establish a cosy, welcoming environment that you will happily enjoy hibernating in for the long months ahead.
The first port of call of course is to drag your ass down to TK Maxx and Homesense and raid their shelves for Halloween-themed decorations, candles and kitchenware – beware though, most of their best stock runs out by mid-August so you’ll have to be quick! Other stores that have a great range of autumnal homeware include Next, Lights4Fun and Anthropologie.
Here are some of the key staples you’ll need for giving your habitat an autumnal glow-up:
Candles, candles and more candles. Nothing creates a warm ambience like the glow of candlelight on a cold, dark evening
Stock up on classic autumnal scents. Look for candles and diffusers infused with fragrances like pumpkin spice, maple, apple, cinnamon, cloves, salted caramel and candy corn, to name a few!
Bring the outdoors inside. Decorate your home with the produce of the season, whether that be mini pumpkins, squashes, acorns or pinecones, real or synthetic. If you want to go the extra mile, why not create your own cornucopia or centrepiece with a tiered tray or glass bowl?
Don’t forget the leaves either. There are plenty of amazing leaf garlands and wreathes to buy online from Lights4Fun, Amazon or Etsy or you could try making one yourself!
Opt for an autumnal colour palette for your furnishings to give a feeling of warmth in your home. Brown, ochre, burnt orange and barn red give a rustic touch to your space.
Blankets are a must and can be used as throws for beds, sofas or for bundling up under the stars. Choose classic tartan in warm colours or fleeces with autumnal motifs like pumpkins, woodland creatures and falling leaves. The same goes for other soft furnishings such as bedding, pillow covers and tablecloths
Swap the roses and peonies for seasonal flowers like sunflowers and dried wheat
If you’re lucky enough to have your own front porch, why not decorate it with haybales, wooden crates, ginormous pumpkins, outdoor lanterns and of course, an appropriately themed doormat? No one could accuse you of not being festive!
You could also create your own Autumn-themed bar cart. I purchased this bar cart from Primark last year and decorated it with some of my autumnal buys. They’re perfect for creating a unique feature in a room or a hallway, especially if you don’t have much space and can be used for decorating for other holidays like Christmas and Easter
Add some (pumpkin) spice to your wardrobe
Next, put away those sandals and summer dresses and grab your knits and boots because it’s nearly sweater weather season again, baby! Now is the perfect time to start updating your autumn/winter wardrobe before the leaves begin to turn and the colder weather kicks in.
Just like your home decor, you should opt for a warm colour scheme for your autumn closet, along with plenty of plaid and layers.
Below are a few essentials that you should add to your shopping basket the next time you hit the high street:
Flannel shirts
Long-sleeved sweaters
Long cardigans
Checked shacket
Camel coat
Teddy coat
Boot socks
Suede boots
Brown knee-high boots
Loafers
Uggs
Cosy Loungewear
Blanket scarf
Brown or wine-coloured fedora hat
Knitted beanie hat
Get outside
With the nights drawing in and the days getting shorter and shorter, it’s important that we still get out as much as possible for both our physical and mental health. Yes, the weather might be crap, but Autumn is such a beautiful time of year and sadly, it goes by in a flash.
If only you do it for the Insta cred, here are some ways you can embrace the great outdoors this coming season:
Go on a nature walk. Whether it’s the local park or the middle of the woods, immerse yourself in the beauty of the changing foliage every once in a while
While you’re out there, go on a scavenger hunt. Look for your typical autumnal droppings like acorns, pinecones and conkers and use them to create your own cornucopia or for a craft like these pinecone bird feeders. Or look for some stunning leaves and press them into a book or use them for leaf art
Relive your childhood and have a good old-fashioned conker fight! Drill a hole in a couple of conkers, tie some string through them and you’re good to go. Just be careful not to knock someone’s eye out though!
Rake the leaves up in your garden (and your neighbour’s) – not only will you get in a good workout and breathe in some fresh air, but you’ll be doing a good turn for someone else. Plus, there’s nothing more satisfying than jumping into a huge pile of leaves!
Find your local PYO farm. Whether you’re after some cute mini pumpkins and squashes to decorate your home with or want to go blackberry picking for a fruit crumble, now is the perfect time to get down to your nearby farm or orchard to learn more about seasonal produce (and get those Insta-worthy pics)
Fancy an autumnal break? Why not book into a log cabin or tree house? Not only do you get the chance to immerse yourself in nature but it’s a fantastic idea for a short break away, especially if your idea of heaven is snuggling up to a fire, reading a book. If money’s tight, you could also give camping a go. Just don’t forget the s’mores and someone to cuddle up with!
Season your tastebuds
With the changing of the season comes a chance to embrace the rich produce that Autumn has to offer. Swap the fresh summer salads for starchy crops like sweet potatoes, squash, corn and pumpkins and trade in summertime fruits like strawberries and watermelon for apples, blackberries, cranberries and pears.
Here are a few ideas on how you can bring some rustic flavour to your dinner table:
Get down to your local farmer’s market for fresh, organic produce. Your body and the environment will thank you for it
Hearty meals are a must. There’s nothing better than coming back home from a long day at the office with a homemade meal waiting for you. Some autumnal staples include stew, chilli con carne and sausage and mash pie with red wine onion gravy
Get that blender out that’s been gathering dust in your kitchen cupboard for eternity and start making some batches of soup. Not only will you have several days’ worth of healthy work lunches to go, but they’re easy to make and there are endless delicious options to try: how about some pumpkin or butternut squash soup to warm your hungry belly up?
Autumn is all about the pies, darling. Whether it’s the apple, pumpkin or pecan variety, serve up a slice of wholesome goodness at your next dinner party. Just don’t forget the whipped cream!
Why not have a go at making some seasonal-themed baked goods too? Try your hand at making some leaf cookies, candy corn cupcakes or these Bonfire night-inspired cupcakes
What’s better than the smell of fresh homemade bread? Ditch your classic white loaf for these cinnamon rolls or this pumpkin and caramel bread recipe
Have leftover fruit that you don’t know what to do with? Harvest time is all about canning, pickling and preserving so why not use any surplus produce to make some jams and preserves or gin? They make great Christmas presents too!
Don’t forget the hot drinks! Along with the OG that is the Pumpkin Spice Latte, how about trying some other flavours of the season like cinnamon, maple or salted caramel? If you’re looking for something a bit stronger, sip on some apple cider or mulled wine
Join in with the festivities
Summer may be ending but it doesn’t mean the fun has to! There are plenty of things to look forward to during the autumn months that don’t involve dodgy suntan lines and mosquito bites!
Grab your diary and add these events to your to-do list:
Get ready for "Back to School" season. Ok, so you may no longer be at school but now is the perfect time to get organised and stock up on all your stationery and office supplies after the long summer break. Treat yo’self to a new lunch box and handbag too while you’re at it
A harvest festival marks the start of the autumn season and celebrates the successful gathering of the year’s crops. Join in with the festivities by attending a local harvest supper in your area or by donating tinned food to a church or food bank
September also spells the start of the NFL season, and nothing says fall more than watching a game of American football. Grab some friends and head down to the park for a kick about or if you’re more of an observer, go and see one of the NFL games coming to London this October
Oktoberfest is an annual festival held in Munich, Germany over two weeks, and has been celebrated since 1810 to commemorate the marriage of the crown prince of Bavaria. Steeped in Bavarian culture, the festival attracts millions of people from across the world who come to enjoy the traditional music, costumes (the lederhosen is always a big hit), bratwurst and of course, the beer. If you don’t fancy travelling to Munich, London also hosts its own Oktoberfest too
Known as the Festival of Lights, Diwali is celebrated by millions of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains every year and usually takes place between October and November over the course of five days. Diwali falls between the harvest and new year celebrations and is seen as the festival of new beginnings and the triumph of light over darkness. Houses, shops and public places are decorated with small oil lamps called diyas and festivals are held with dancing, singing and firework displays, as well as the consumption of traditional Indian food and sweets. Many UK cities now hold Diwali events so why not go and experience one for yourself?
Samhain, the pagan religious festival that marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the "darker half" of the year, is also known as the "Feast of the Dead" or by non-pagans as Halloween. Despite being the spookiest day of the year, nothing brings a community together more than a spot of trick-or-treating and it’s probably the only time you’ll ever willingly go knocking on your neighbour’s door, begging for sweets. If you’re too old for apple bobbing and fancy dress though, you can always send a shiver down your spine by going on a ghost hunt tour, sleeping in a haunted house or visiting a scream park like Shocktober Fest
Remember, remember, the fifth of November! Bonfire Night (probably the UK’s most eccentric festival to date) marks the failed assassination plot of Guy Fawkes to blow up parliament and kill King James I in the year 1605. I have no idea why we Brits still like to celebrate attempted murder over 400 years on but I’m not complaining. Take part by heading down to your nearest firework display and tucking into hot dogs, toasted chestnuts and marshmallow skewers - all whilst keeping yourself warm against the glow of a raging bonfire on which Guy Fawkes sits
Thanksgiving may be an American holiday, but it has slowly grown in popularity here over the pond too – especially with the introduction of Black Friday into the British shopping calendar. Thanksgiving is held on the fourth Thursday of November and is modelled on the 1621 harvest feast shared by the English colonists (Pilgrims) and the Wampanoag people. A typical Thanksgiving meal consists of turkey, cornbread stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberries and pumpkin pie. Some places that serve a Thanksgiving meal here in the UK include Bodean’s BBQ and The Jones Family Kitchen or if you would prefer, you could host your own ‘Friendsgiving’ meal at home and express thanks and gratitude to your loved ones. Once the meat sweats have subsided and you’re properly fed, you’ll then be ready to hit the Black Friday sales the following day!
Burrow down with some autumnal entertainment
If you’re more of an indoorsy kinda person at this time of year, then don’t worry because I’ve got you covered! Christmas may have the upper hand when it comes to seasonal entertainment, but did you know that there are some great Autumn-inspired shows and songs out there too?
Get your Netflix/Amazon Prime/Spotify account fired up and add these to your list of things to watch and listen to this fall:
Films:
Stepmom (1998)
Dead Poet’s Society (1989)
Casper (1995)
Hocus Pocus (1993)
Hocus Pocous (2022)
Pocahontas (1995)
Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987)
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
When Harry Met Sally (1989)
The Craft (1996)
The Crucible (1996)
The Addams Family (1991)
Addams Family Values (1993)
Halloweentown (1998)
Little Women (1994)
Twilight (2008)
Autumn in New York (2000)
Sleepy Hollow (1999)
It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966)
TV shows:
Gilmore Girls
Friends (The Thanksgiving Episodes)
Gossip Girl
Goosebumps
Buffy The Vampire Slayer
The Vampire Diaries
Charmed
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