autumn master list
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 here for a while, you already know how much the seasons mean to me, autumn most of all. i’ve been waiting for this letter with the same anticipation i feel when the first chill arrives. the air smells of woodsmoke and the days grow shorter. traditions have carried me through some of the darkest seasons of my life, and i believe with all my heart that if you begin to make your own, they will heal your inner child too. they give you something to look forward to every year, a rhythm of joy you can return to again and again.
in this letter, i’m sharing the things that make the season whole for me: autumnal books and films, rituals and recipes, activities that anchor the weeks, and little objects worth tucking into your home. it’s not just a list but a love letter, and i’ve poured myself into it with the hope that it sparks something tender in you, too.
and this is only the beginning. i’ll be sending out two more master lists this month: one devoted to halloween, full of the eerie and the uncanny, and another that leans into dark academia, the autumn of libraries and long nights of study. for now, let’s step into the season together.
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 story about 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.
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.
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
-the new savant: only in new york***
-misc: ambre oriental*, mary by trudon, gabriel by trudon
(* 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 me two hours to the orchards for apples, cider donuts, and freshly pressed cider. i still remember the smell of the trees, and i cling to those memories today. every year when we came home, we made tamale pie and cornbread from my grandma’s cookbook. i think i’ll make it again this year.
pumpkin patch
visit a pumpkin patch, bring a film camera, and choose the most sincere pumpkin you can find. carve them at home and roast the seeds—three batches, always: one sweet, one salty, one spicy.
bake a pumpkin pie
pies can feel intimidating, but the first pumpkin pie of the season is worth every step. use leftover dough for pie-crust crisps, brushed with butter and dusted in cinnamon sugar.
pumpkin bread (and everything pumpkin)
the first pumpkin bread of the season sets the tone. soft, spiced, and gone too quickly. from there, lean into cookies, muffins, and cakes.
autumn playlists
make a soundtrack for the season: a jazz mix, an indie mix, and one for halloween. i’ll share mine at the end of this letter.
farmers market produce
welcome autumn into your kitchen with squash, apples, pears, and root vegetables from the market. flip through cookbooks and let what you bring home dictate the week’s meals.
scenic drive for foliage
if you’re not local to fall foliage, it’s worth the trip. pack coffee, a playlist, and someone you love, and drive until the trees shift into flame.
autumnal home
pull out the decor you already own and fill in the gaps with thrifted finds, ebay treasures, or staples from craft stores. your home should feel like the season itself.
friendsgiving
sometimes friendsgiving feels even more intimate than thanksgiving. set the table with pie, good wine, and jazz, and gather the people you love most.
fall festival
seek out a local fall festival, no matter how small. they’re filled with apple butter stands, hayrides, and the kind of joy that only exists in october air.
fall candles
there is nothing cozier than lighting a candle on a rainy day, reading with jazz in the background, and eating something sweet. see my favorites above.
chili and cornbread
our halloween-night tradition, though i think it deserves a place throughout autumn. spicy chili with sweet cornbread, eaten crowded around the table.
burgundy nails
dark polish feels right all year, but burgundy belongs especially to autumn.
movie night snacks
make a fall snack mix with popcorn, pretzels, candy corn, m&ms, and chex. pair with one of the films above for the perfect evening.
caramel apples
use orchard apples if you can. homemade caramel is best, but store-bought works. coat in peanuts, crushed graham crackers, or chocolate chips. messy, sweet, worth it.
apple picking
when i was younger, my mom would drive my brother and me two hours to the orchards for apples, cider donuts, and freshly pressed cider. i still remember the smell of the trees, and i cling to those memories today. every year when we came home, we made tamale pie and cornbread from my grandma’s cookbook. i think i’ll make it again this year.
pumpkin patch
visit a pumpkin patch, bring a film camera, and choose the most sincere pumpkin you can find. carve them at home and roast the seeds—three batches, always: one sweet, one salty, one spicy.
bake a pumpkin pie
pies can feel intimidating, but the first pumpkin pie of the season is worth every step. use leftover dough for pie-crust crisps, brushed with butter and dusted in cinnamon sugar.
pumpkin bread (and everything pumpkin)
the first pumpkin bread of the season sets the tone. soft, spiced, and gone too quickly. from there, lean into cookies, muffins, and cakes.
autumn playlists
make a soundtrack for the season: a jazz mix, an indie mix, and one for halloween. i’ll share mine at the end of this letter.
farmers market produce
welcome autumn into your kitchen with squash, apples, pears, and root vegetables from the market. flip through cookbooks and let what you bring home dictate the week’s meals.
scenic drive for foliage
if you’re not local to fall foliage, it’s worth the trip. pack coffee, a playlist, and someone you love, and drive until the trees shift into flame.
autumnal home
pull out the decor you already own and fill in the gaps with thrifted finds, ebay treasures, or staples from craft stores. your home should feel like the season itself.
friendsgiving
sometimes friendsgiving feels even more intimate than thanksgiving. set the table with pie, good wine, and jazz, and gather the people you love most.
fall festival
seek out a local fall festival, no matter how small. they’re filled with apple butter stands, hayrides, and the kind of joy that only exists in october air.
fall candles
there is nothing cozier than lighting a candle on a rainy day, reading with jazz in the background, and eating something sweet. see my favorites above.
chili and cornbread
our halloween-night tradition, though i think it deserves a place throughout autumn. spicy chili with sweet cornbread, eaten crowded around the table.
burgundy nails
dark polish feels right all year, but burgundy belongs especially to autumn.
movie night snacks
make a fall snack mix with popcorn, pretzels, candy corn, m&ms, and chex. pair with one of the films above for the perfect evening.
caramel apples
use orchard apples if you can. homemade caramel is best, but store-bought works. coat in peanuts, crushed graham crackers, or chocolate chips. messy, sweet, worth it.
make homemade apple cider (or applesauce)
use a crockpot to fill your home with the scent of simmering apples, cinnamon, and clove. ladle into mugs for cider or blend into sauce—both taste like autumn itself.
harry potter marathon
set aside a weekend for all the films, or listen to the audiobooks as background while you cook or clean. it’s the purest version of fall nostalgia, candlelight and scarves included.
make an autumn wreath
gather dried flowers, branches, and leaves so it lasts beyond the season. pinterest is full of inspiration, but i love adding small details—like the baby mushrooms tucked between petals and foliage.
watch it’s the great pumpkin, charlie brown
a tradition worth keeping, and still my favorite autumn film of all time. simple, sweet, and filled with the nostalgia of childhood.
wear cozy sweaters and fuzzy socks
come home, change into comfort clothes, and let yourself be a loaf—an autumnal loaf, wrapped in softness, unwinding from the day.
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
choose a mix of fresh and dried flowers from the farmers market, or pick up faux stems from a craft store if you’d like something that lasts. arrange them simply and let them bring the season indoors.
recipes to make:
-autumn trail mix
-pumpkin, brown butter, and sage ravioli
-soup in bread bowls
-apple cinnamon oatmeal
-spiced molasses cookies
-grilled cheese and tomato soup
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: like these ones with the matching socks.
-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. this is a new edition to my collection. 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.
-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.
music and misc:
-witchy grimes before elon vibes
-alison roman thanksgiving on a loop
okay, that’s all for today. i hope you enjoyed.
i love you <3
see you tomorrow.
(follow ig and tiktok for more)
and if you have the capacity to support my substack, please consider being a paid subscriber. it means the world to me.
So excited for fall. Also "i don't know what the hell this is but i want it" made me lol, especially after I clicked through!
LOVE this list