autumn master list

Sep 01, 2024

hello.

“autumn is my season, dear. it is, after all, the season of the soul.”

-virginia woolf

it’s september. we’ve made it.

i love writing to you and if you’ve been subscribed to my newsletter for awhile, you know how much i love the seasons, autumn in particular. i’ve been looking forward to sending you this letter for quite some time, mostly because traditions have been something that have kept me grounded during the darkest of times and i’m certain that if you decide to create new traditions, it will heal your inner child and bring you so much joy. you’ll have memories and things to look forward to every year.

in this letter, i’m sharing autumnal books, films, things to do, things to buy, autumn activities, foods to make, music to listen to and more. i put every ounce of love into this so i hope you enjoy.

lastly, i will be sending out two other master lists this month: something spooky for halloween as well as a dark academia list so stay tuned for that.

let’s not waste anymore time and get right into it…

films:

it’s the great pumpkin charlie brown (1966)

coraline (2009)

when harry met sally (1989)

over the garden wall (2014)

fantastic mr. fox (2009)

stuck in love (2012)

that awkward moment (2014)

a charlie brown thanksgiving (1973)

the nightmare before christmas (1993)

autumn in new york (2000)

edward scissorhands (1990)

juno (2007)

moonrise kingdom (2012)

harry potter (2004)

the first wives club (1996)

one fine day (1996)

runaway bride (1999)

conte d’automne (1998)

stepmom (1998)

dead poets society (1989)

you’ve got mail (1998)

winnie the pooh and the blustery day (1968)

tv shows:

-friends (1994)

-twin peaks (1990)

-wednesday (2022)

-felicity (1999)

-the nanny (1993)

-scooby doo (1969)

-the sopranos (1999)

-the vampire diaries (2009)

-pretty little liars (2010)

-pushing daisies (2007)

-charmed (1998)

-chilling adventures of sabrina (2018)

-gossip girl (2007)

-sex in the city (1998)

-american horror story murder house (2011)

books:

the secret history by donna tartt: a gripping tale of elite college students whose obsession with ancient greek culture spirals into murder and moral decay.

frankenstein by mary shelley: a pioneering sci-fi novel exploring the consequences of playing god through the creation of a monster who wrestles with his own humanity.

the practical magic series by alice hoffman: a charming blend of witchcraft and family drama, following the owens sisters as they navigate love, loss, and magical inheritance.

babel by r.f. kuang: a darkly imaginative historical fantasy set in a world where language and translation hold the keys to immense power and conflict.

harry potter by j.k. rowling: a beloved fantasy series about a young wizard’s journey through magical school, battling dark forces and discovering his own destiny.

bunny by mona awad: a twisted satire of academia and female friendship, where a scholarship student at a prestigious university finds herself entangled in a bizarre and sinister sorority.

jane eyre by charlotte brontë: a classic novel about a strong-willed orphan who overcomes hardship to find love and independence, challenging social norms along the way.

ninth house by leigh bardugo: a dark fantasy that explores secret societies and occult magic at yale, where a freshman with a troubled past becomes entangled in a world of hidden power.

my dark vanessa by kate russell: a haunting examination of a sexual relationship between a teacher and his student, and the lasting impact it has on her life and sense of self.

crime and punishment by fyodor dostoevsky: a deep psychological exploration of guilt and redemption, following a young man’s moral struggle after committing a heinous crime.

the very secret society of irregular witches by sangu mandanna: a whimsical and heartwarming story about a young witch who must balance her magical abilities with a life of secrecy and community.

vita nostra by marina dyachenko: a dark fantasy about a girl who is taken to a mysterious academy where she must grapple with magical transformations and sinister forces.

the goldfinch by donna tartt: a richly layered narrative about a boy who survives a tragic event and clings to a stolen painting as he navigates a tumultuous path through life.

the picture of dorian gray by oscar wilde: a provocative tale of vanity and moral decay, centering on a man who remains eternally youthful while his portrait bears the weight of his sins.

the bell jar by sylvia plath: a powerful and introspective look at mental illness through the eyes of a young woman struggling with her identity and sanity.

dead poets society by n.h. kleinbaum: an inspiring story of a teacher who encourages his students to seize the day and think for themselves, challenging the constraints of their traditional academic environment.

coraline by neil gaiman: a darkly whimsical tale where coraline jones discovers a parallel world that mirrors her own, but with sinister twists. as she confronts her "other" parents who want to keep her forever, she must summon courage and cleverness to escape their clutches and save her real family.

slewfoot by brom: set in 17th-century new england, this haunting novel intertwines folklore and dark magic as a woman named abitha confronts a sinister entity. the tale delves into themes of vengeance and the supernatural, exploring the price of defying malevolent forces in a colonial setting.

if we were villians by m.l. rio: a literary mystery centers around a group of shakespearean actors whose lives mirror the tragedies they perform. when one of their own is found dead, the intricate dynamics and secrets of their friendship unravel, revealing the high cost of living in a world of art and deceit.

the atlas six by olivie blake: six talented students are selected for a prestigious magical academy, each wielding unique powers. as they vie for a single position and confront dark truths about their world, alliances shift and their very lives are at stake in a test of ambition and trust.

recently, i sent out a newsletter with gothic horror literature for those of you who also enjoy dark and grotesque books.

lastly, there are a few cozy vintage books i adore during this season. susan branch and gooseberry patch books remind me of my childhood. i think you’ll enjoy them, too.

fragrances:

-l’eau papier by diptyque: notes: musk, sesame, mimosa, wood (highly recommend the perfume solid as well)

-orpheon by diptyque: notes: notes: juniper, jasmine, cedar, tonka (highly recommend the body wash- the best diptyque fragrance in my opinion)

-whispers in the library by maison margiela: notes: vanilla, wood, cedar, pepper

-portrait of a lady by frederic malle*: notes: rose, clove, raspberry, sandalwood, musk, benzoin, amber, cedar, vanilla, ambergris

-the noir 29 by le labo*: notes: fig, bay leaf, bergamot, cedar, vetiver, musk, tobacco, hay

-falling trees by regime des fleurs: notes: oak, juniper, benzoin, myrrh, incense, moss

-1996 by byredo: notes: juniper, iris, voilet, amber, leather, patchouli

-bibliotque by byredo: notes: plum, peach, violet, leather, vanilla. patchouli, musk

-molecule 01 by escentric molecules*: notes: iso e super (all time favorite fragrance- it’s a “your skin but better” scent. very warm and woody)

-love and crime by ex idolo: notes: blood mandarin, pink pepper, sugar, star anise, vanilla, cacao

-unknown pleasures by kerosene: notes: lemon, caramel, earl grey, vanilla, honey, tonka

-tahota by indult: notes: vanilla, musk (this is the best vanilla fragrance to ever exist)

-santal massioa by hermes: notes: sandalwood, massioa, milk, dried fruits, sugar

(* all time favorites)

candles:

-byredo: peyote poem, bibliotque*, altar

-diptyque: opopanax*, l’eau papier, encre*, terres blonde*, musc

-anthropologie: caramel apple cinnamon, sweet cinnamon vanilla, pumpkin soufflé, oatmeal cookie*, pumpkin and sweet vanilla*

-bath and body works: nostalgia… marshmallow fireside*, caramel pumpkin swirl, apple crisp, autumn chai, fall apple cider, cuddle weather, a day at the cafe, cranberry woods

(* all time favorites)

if you’re looking for a candle burning alternative, consider this candle warmer. this is arguably the best purchase i’ve ever made on amazon.

activities:

-apple picking: when i was younger, my mom would drive my brother and i about 2 hours to the orchards to pick apples, eat apple cider donuts, and make freshly pressed apple cider. i still remember the smell of the orchards and cling to those memories today. every year when we would get back home, we would make the most delicious homemade tamale pie and cornbread- a recipe from my grandma’s cookbook. i think i’ll make it again this year, too.

-pumpkin patch: visit the pumpkin patch, take photos on a film camera, pick the most sincere pumpkin in the patch, bring them home and carve them. don’t forget to roast the seeds. i usually roast three batches of pumpkin seeds: something sweet, something salty, something spicy.

-bake a pumpkin pie: baking pies can be intimidating and time consuming, but i can promise you it’s worth it. you can also make pie crust crisps dusted with cinnamon and sugar with the leftover dough.

-bake pumpkin bread and all the pumpkin treats: the first pumpkin bread of the season. there’s nothing quite like it.

-make an autumn playlist: a jazzy one, something indie, and one for halloween (i’ll be attaching links at the end of this letter)

-visit the farmers market for autumn produce: welcome autumn into your home by filling your kitchen with a bounty of autumnal produce. skim through cookbooks and find recipes to make with the things you find at the market.

-take a scenic drive to see fall folliage: a trip worth investing in if you’re not local to fall folliage.

-decorate your home autumnal: go through all of the autumn decor you already have, fill in the gaps from thrifting collectible items from ebay or buy some staples from stores like michael’s or joann’s.

-host a friendsgiving: for some people, friendsgiving is more special and intimate than traditional thanksgiving. invite your closest friends and create an intimate jazzy autumnal dinner with good food, good wine, good conversation, and pie.

-go to a fall festival: most cities and small towns have annual fall festivals. i highly recommend going this year with friends to engage in all the fall fun.

-buy fall scented candles: see the list above* there is nothing cozier than lighting fall candles on cold rainy days, reading a book, listening to jazz and eating a maple pecan scone or slice of freshly baked pumpkin bread.

-make cornbread and chili: this is a traditional dinner we make every year on halloween night. but it’s something that should be eaten frequently in autumn.

-paint your nails burgundy: my nails stay dark 365 days a year.

-make fall snacks for movie nights: watch one of the movies i listed above and make a fall snack mix with popcorn, chex mix, m&ms, candy corn, pretzels, etc.

-make caramel apples: use the apples you picked from the orchard. you can make your own caramel sauce (worth it), or get caramel from the store. adorn your apples with peanuts or chocolate chips or crushed graham crackers if you please.

-make homemade apple cider: or homemade apple sauce. this is where a crockpot comes in handy.

-have a harry potter movie marathon: for all the fall vibes. you can listen to the audiobooks, too.

-make an autumn wreath for your door: i like using dried flowers so it lasts longer. there are tons of ideas on pinterest. anthropologie makes these baby mushrooms you can put on your wreath between leaves and flowers.

-watch the great pumpkin charlie brown: this is another tradition for us and it’s arguably my favorite autumn movie of all time.

-wear cozy sweaters and fuzzy socks: the best way to unwind from a long day is to come home, change into your comfort clothing, and be a loaf. now you can be an autumnal loaf.

-have an autumn picnic: picnics are perfect because you can have one for each season, you can tweak the theme, and make it special to reflect the weather. baby pumpkins, soup in a thermos, good bread, a cheese spread, a pumpkin treat of some sort, wine, maybe hot cocoa with marshmallows (keep it warm in here), a mini speaker, a dark academia or autumnal book, you can bring a mini chess board, or a craft to do with a friend. as we get closer to halloween, you can carve mini pumpkins on your picnic.

-make a fall bouquet: pick a mix of fresh and dried flowers at your local farmers market. you can go to a craft store for faux flowers if that’s your preference.

-jump in to a pile of leaves: maybe you’re not down for this one? if you are, never jump into a pile of leaves with a wet sucker.

recipes to make:

-autumn trail mix

-chili and cornbread

-pumpkin, brown butter, and sage ravioli

-soup in bread bowls

-cinnamon rolls

-apple cinnamon oatmeal

-apple cider

-spiced molasses cookies

-grilled cheese and tomato soup

-apple pie bars

-maple pecan sticky buns

things to buy:

before you buy anything, i recommend sorting through all of your storage bins and looking at what you already have. if there’s something specific you’re looking for, i’d opt for ebay or thrift stores to buy them second hand, especially if you’re looking for vintage collectables and things of that nature.

-fall fragrance and scented candles: see above.

-halloween pajamas: this is a tradition for my daughter and i. each year, we always buy a new pair of autumn/ halloween themed pajamas. this year, we bought the american eagle snoopy halloween set, but they’re already sold out. here’s another alternative. these pumpkin pj’s are cute, too. american eagle has the cutest halloween clothes and accessories. these socks, i need. this shirt, and this one are perfect. old navy also makes halloween pajamas, the skeleton and candy corn ones are my favorite.

-baking supplies: now is the perfect time to invest in baking supplies, especially as we get closer to the holiday. if your finances are tight, baking treats make great gifts. if you don’t already have a stand mixer, i highly recommend getting this timeless classic kitchen staple. (and the one linked above is 15% off on amazon. you can also order mini waffle makers to elevate your breakfast experience. i have the pumpkin, ghost, and skeleton waffle makers. The spider waffle maker is on my list this year. these mini apple shaped hand pie molds are the cutest. i make pumpkin bread every year and always use this nordic ware loaf pan to make it look festive. this loaf pan is perfect, too. i’ve wanted this staub pumpkin cocotte for a very long time and this year, i’m going to take her home with me. they also make a larger pumpkin cocotte for soups and larger dishes. i highly recommend these fall pie punches for baking pie this year. you can use the leftover dough and cut out mini pie crisps for decorating your pie (or eating). these peanuts halloween cookie cutters are perfect. can you tell i’m excited? i could literally talk about this for hours… days… months even. okay, lastly, another unnecessary treat, this halloween advent calendar is such a cute tradition to start this year.

-fancy autumn baking mixes: you absolutely do not need these. but this is one thing i guiltily save for every year and that is the williams sonoma baking mixes. specifically the pumpkin bread mix, pumpkin pecan waffle mix, or the pumpkin chocolate chip pancake mix, and the pumpkin pecan butter. if you’re not into pumpkin, they make an incredible apple spice bread mix.

-a cozy blanket: i’m going to recommend two for you. this one is very expensive, over-hyped, but worth the money if you’re in the space to splurge. it’s the softest most plush comforting blanket i own and it made me truly understand linus’ attachment issues to his blanky. and this one (or this one), the perfect festive alternative for half the price.

-autumn decorations: if your current autumn decorations are scant and you’re wanting to add to your collection, michael’s and joann’s are great places to shop for staples. the vermont country store has a lot of the vintage style decorations if you’re into that. anthropologie makes very cute, very expensive holiday decor. i’ve built a very small collection of anthro decor over the years and they’re some of my favorite pieces. for example, these ghost or pumpkin tapered candles. this lucky cat vase. this pomegranate vase is stunning. this pumpkin dish towel as these ghost cotton tea towels. i don’t know what the hell this is, but i want it. target also makes great fall decor. this boucle pumpkin and faux pumpkin are gorgeous.

-autumn mugs: another item i collect. i still have mugs from my childhood that i adore. here are a few i’m loving this year. this pumpkin and ghost mug set, ghost mug from pottery barn, the cindy pumpkin mug from anthro, (not a mug) but these juice glasses are perfect- i love the apple and the leaves, this black cat and witchy mug are high on my wishlist.

-autumn doormat: anthropologie makes the cutest most festive doormats. they might be worth the investment if you plan to keep them for years to come. this kitty doormat is high on my list. into dogs? here’s one for you. this fox is adorable. another fox doormat for woodland lovers. and here’s a more simple one.

-seasonal snacks: there is nothing that brings me more joy and perusing the halloween aisles at target and looking at all the fun snack packs and holiday treats. this is one area where i have zero self control. i love packing little goodies like these in my daughter’s lunch and i’ll usually pack extra for her friends to enjoy.

-rain boots: hunter’s are back this year. get them in forest green.