Thrifting For Fall & How I Styled It #4
This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through links on my site, I may earn a commission at no cost to you. For more information, please see my disclosure policy.
There’s a slight hush in the air when summer begins to loosen its grip. The mornings feel cooler, the sun tilts a little softer, and even the trees seem to whisper that change is on the way.
It’s not quite fall yet, but almost—and that “almost” has its own kind of magic.
Summer is waning, the heat is dimming, and that small space of time is wondrous. We dig out the soup recipes and add warm clothing to our wardrobe.
Flowers fade and become dry; seeds fall and scatter underneath. Maybe some will take hold and return to live another day, come springtime. Nature can take almost nothing and turn it into something alive and beautiful.
Honey bees huddle together in their hives, forming a cluster to stay warm and conserve energy, following nature’s natural rhythms.
I watch the birds fly south across the autumn sky / And one by one they disappear.” — The Moody Blues, “Forever Autumn
The air smells different—still green and summery, but with a faint crispness that hints of pumpkins and woodsmoke.
Farmers’ markets carry the last of the peaches alongside baskets of apples, and you can’t help but think about pies and soups simmering on the stove.
Children walk to school while dried leaves begin to scatter across the sidewalk, and the air hums with the change that is coming.
Another season is about to go on stage.
Almost Fall: That Golden In-Between Season
It’s the season of almosts. Almost sweater weather. Almost falling leaves. Almost crackling fires and blankets piled high.
Tree branches will stand stark in the moonlight against the black velvet sky, while a skirt of leaves gathers, adorning tree trunks.
It’s that time when nature invites us to slow down and notice the small changes. To prepare our homes and hearts for the cozy months ahead.
“Every leaf speaks bliss to me / Fluttering from the autumn tree.” — Emily Brontë, “Fall, Leaves, Fall”
Sunlight filters through trees of gold, amber, and rust, casting a warm glow that softens everything it touches.
A cozy fall day carries a mood that feels both restful and quietly alive. The air is cool enough to wrap your shoulders in a shawl, but not so cold that it bites.
There’s a sense of stillness, punctuated by the rustle of leaves underfoot and the occasional crisp breeze drifting through the air.
Cozy Days Inside
Indoors, the coziness deepens. Candles flicker with soft light, a pot of something hearty simmers on the stove, and blankets seem to invite you to linger a little longer.
The day feels unhurried, as though time has slowed down to let you savor small pleasures.
Maybe it will be a mug of spiced tea, a favorite book, or watching leaves tumble from the branches outside the window.
I’ve begun stacking books up by my bed, getting ready for colder nights. The time of year when I love to curl up in a blanket and read.
As the weeks drift by, the leaves blow into corners and scurry around in the wind. Dancing, twirling in the dimmer light. The colors—burnt orange, deep crimson, golden yellow—glow against the dark sky, catching the light as they drift.
“Anyone who thinks fallen leaves are dead has never watched them dancing on a windy day.” – Shira Tamir
The falling of leaves is both an ending and a promise. Summer’s vibrancy gives way to autumn’s reflection, and autumn itself prepares for the stillness of winter.
It is a reminder of cycles, of letting go gracefully, and of beauty found in transition. A mood of comfort and reflection—part nostalgia, part anticipation. The world seems to whisper that it’s okay to pause, to breathe deeply, and to enjoy the warmth of the moment.
So linger in this golden pause. Step outside in the evening and breathe it in. The promise of fall is just around the corner.
Autumn has been my favorite season for many years. I love trading my tank tops for soft sweaters. The cooler, crisper weather is a welcome respite from the sweltering summer sun. And I love Halloween. I’m old enough to remember trick-or-treating from door to door in complete safety. Too bad, but those days are gone.
Such a beautiful post. Enjoyed this so much. A real feel good post. Thanks so much for sharing. Everything looks so nice.
Thank you!
Hello Brenda
I’m reading you from France so I beg you pardon for my english ! Your post make me thinking about Ray Bradbury ‘s novels when the story is in Automne or Indian summer. Have a good day with your friends and kittens. Friendly.
Thank you, Lawrence from France!
It is 6:33 am here 60 degrees but feels a lot cooler with the breeze. Most likely will be wearing a light jacket when I go food shopping in a little whiIe. I like going early when the stores are not crowded. Just had a book delivery from Thrift Books yesterday. I have 2 baskets filled with them in the bedroom. I also like reading at night. A few years ago I bought a pillow designed for reading in bed. The pine cone candle is unique. There are pinecones in a basket which were collected from the ground here on the windowsill in one of the bedrooms upstairs. Fall is my favorite season, God sure knew what He was doing when He created it.
Isn’t it wonderful to have books to choose from and read? Nothing better than reading a book under the covers on a cool night. Won’t be cool here for a while.
Brenda,
so beautifully written. I decided to open my E-mail after traveling (it’s 11:26PM Pacific daylight time) and I’m not tired yet! Your writing about Fall feels so personal.
Is this your favorite season? Autumn has always been my favorite. I love the cooler nights and mornings. The slow transition of trees changing and planting bulbs for next year. Setting the table with Fall dishes and wanting to cook more elaborately.
Getting my wardrobe unpacked with scarves and boots. Visits to local farms and the Farmer’s Markets. The slow waning of daylight hours… this is the best time of the year!
It is my favorite season, and next is spring. Hard to believe, but I’ve never been to a farmer’s market. I don’t know where they are, but I’ll have to ask around. Has to be much better than what you get from the grocery store.
Pre Fall… I like that. It’s still very hot by me, so I’m looking forward to Fall this year. I want to be able to open the windows and enjoy the free air conditioning! I’m not a winter person. I don’t enjoy the freezing cold, but Fall is just about the perfect weather!
I’d never thought much about pre-fall, but I love the fall months, so why not?
Fall is a special time of the year. I love fall gardening as much as in the spring.
Your description is spot on.
I haven’t done much fall gardening. It takes so long to cool off here that it seems cold weather hits as soon as the heat leaves. Not much in between. But I’d like to have a fall garden.
Beautifully written. Almost poetry.
Beautifully written. Almost like poetry. Thank you.
Of course and you’re quite welcome!
You describe my favorite season fall so beautifully. All of your familiar and new favorites are arranged so perfectly. I’m getting anxious to bring out some fall decor as well. Isn’t the candle so pretty and different. Thank you for some interesting decorating ideas and your words and to think about relaxing a little more and enjoying the fall season.
Enjoy pre-fall. Let’s us enjoy it a while longer.
This is so beautifully expressed! I’ve never thought of “pre-fall” as its own season, but it truly is. It’s the time of year I start to itch over the excitement of bringing out my mum arrangements and pumpkins….with Halloween items soon to follow. And now I think this is my favorite time of them all….even better than the liberating joy of shedding sweaters for spring warmth.
Can’t help but comment…your arrangement is so cozy and inviting with lots to look at, however, in my house, that little stuffed cat would be the first to be hauled off. Those candles would be pawed off next, along with the pretty stones. Then onto the contents of that tin bucket! The culprits? A pair of four footed, ginger colored mischief makers named Pumpkin and Mittens!
So far the kittens haven’t bothered what’s on there. It’s higher than a table, which is one reason I liked it. But they’ll probably discover it before long.