42. On California autumn
A reluctant case for cozy season from a pumpkin spice-hating summer girlie
Hi! Welcome to Sundays in high school. I’m so glad you’re here. One year ago I unexpectedly quit my 12 year career in corporate retail after suffering from major burnout and have been fumbling my way through a millennial existential crisis ever since. If you’re in the messy middle of a life transition (aren’t we all?), or a vulnerability junkie like me, then this newsletter is for you.
Today’s newsletter is on the lighter side. I’m no expert on mood boards and culture recs, but it called to me this week and, like any intuitive writer, I answered the call. (But don’t worry, I still managed to talk about my mental health 😉).
Autumn in Southern California can be kind of a letdown.
Look, I’m not complaining. But 75 degrees and sunny doesn’t exactly scream “apple picking in matching flannels.” You’d have to travel to the High Sierras to see the kind of vibrant foliage that seems common place across the East Coast. There’s nary a brownstone nor cobblestone to be found. Outdoor fires are largely considered too dangerous (wildfires, ya know?).
(Warning: unpopular opinion incoming.)
I’m also, to be honest, not really a “fall gal.” I don’t love Halloween (too scary). Same with corn mazes. Apple cider doesn’t really do it for me. I don’t own Blundstone boots. I don’t like Pumpkin Spice flavored… anything. “Back to School” is not my vibe.
I got my fill of seasons when we lived in Philadelphia for six years, and am no longer interested in spending 10 minutes dressing/undressing myself every time I transition from inside to outside. Down coats are meant for skiing, not your morning commute. I’ll happily take year-round sunshine instead.
If anything, fall gives me a bit of anxiety. If summer is freedom then fall is productivity. It signifies a return to routine. Gone are the long, sun-drenched days and instead we’re sharpening our pencils and buckling down. I find myself dreading the change of seasons, reluctant to put away my flimsy sundresses, and personally offended by the chill in the air.
I had granted myself permission to enjoy the summer, to not worry too much about the godforsaken question of “what am I doing with my life” and instead to lean into self-care and social time. Now that summer’s over, my self-imposed seasonally-dependent liberty is waning. The critical voice has returned with a stern, “Okay NOW you need to get your shit together.” I’m a precocious schoolchild, dragging my feet and pouting all the way from the playground to the classroom.
But there’s some beauty to be found in a California autumn. As I feel my resistance towards the season mounting I’ve opted to face it head on, a bit of exposure therapy if you will, although less enthusiastic than my tribute to summer. Read on for how I’m psyching myself up for the ‘ber months.
What I’m looking forward to this autumn:
All the warm beverages: chai lattes, mulled wine, tea (so much tea). Sam and I recently got into cardamom syrup and it’s been a game changer, adding the perfect amount of seasonal spice to our morning lattes. We bought ours from an online retailer who shall remain nameless but I’m tempted to try making my own using this simple recipe.
Redwood hikes. We’ve started a yearly tradition of hiking the Dipsea trail in Mill Valley, a small charming town in Northern California surrounded by redwood trees. This will be our 3rd year making the pilgrimage and I’m also determined to visit the Mill Valley Public library which looks soooooo dreamy. Those windows!
Exploiting my black cat. Do we even need Halloween decorations? I think not.
Reading in bed (1st choice) or cozied up on the couch (2nd choice). My TBR list is already pretty long, I just ordered All Fours, Margot’s Got Money Troubles and Such a Bad Influence based on overwhelming recommendations. What else should I read this cozy season? Also for all my romantasy readers, I just tore through Bride by Ali Hazelwood and if spicy love between a vampire and werewolf is your vibe then this is your book.
If there’s one thing I love about fall it’s beach sunsets. Although the sun sets earlier (yuck) it usually means that I can time my early evening walk to correspond with the dazzling displays of orange, pink and purple. And the way that golden light reflects off the waves? Gives me all the feels.
We are a scents heavy household. Candles, incense, all of it. I wish I could say I ascribe to some fancy candle company like Flamingo Estate but in reality we burn through candles so fast that I usually stock up at Home Goods where they’re $7.99. But we’ve recently been burning more palo santo at home and it gives the exact woodsy vibe that I’m going for this season.
Soup season. After letting my Le Creuset dutch oven sit lonely in the back of a storage closet since 2021, last year I finally embraced soup season. Tomato soup + grilled cheese is my go-to comfort meal but I’ve also perfected a sausage, white bean and kale stew that I’m quite proud of. Thinking of trying a sopa de fiedo or a chicken and rice recipe this fall.
Similar to summer I’m going to try really hard not to purchase too many new clothes this season (I was pretty successful! I basically lived in linen sets from Target). I have plenty of sweaters that are still in great shape, but I DO love this style inspo of green waffle texture paired with denim and a chunky brown belt. Similar here, here and here. No jacket required.
Rewatching Harry Potter movies. We took a break from our yearly tradition last year to rewatch The Hunger Games instead (also great, #teamgale), but I’m craving a return to Hogwarts, perhaps intensified by the passing of the late great Dame Maggie Smith, may she rest in eternal peace. We like to make our living room into a cozy pillow fort by moving the couches and piling all of our pillows and blankets in the middle which makes for the ideal movie-watching set up.
Truth be told, there’s plenty else to look forward to including a packed concert line up this month (Kasey Musgraves, Wild Rivers and Suki Waterhouse), and the return of some of my favorite heartwarming TV shows (Only Murders in the Building, Heartstopper and The Great British Baking Show).
At the end of this experiment I’m forced to admit that, really, fall is not that bad. Even the somewhat lackluster version we get in California. I’ll try to stop being such a Scrooge, I promise.
I’d love to hear from you:
Team summer or team fall?
What are you looking forward to most this season?
Until next time, thank you for being here.
P.S. If you enjoyed this newsletter you might also like:
There are parts of summer that I love, but I’d say I enjoy fall more living in California. I’m not the pumpkin spice/plaid kind of fall girl but I love cooler weather and darker evenings. I love curling up in a cozy blanket and watching movies like “You’ve Got Mail” that just don’t feel right to watch in the summer. I love the nighttime so the longer it’s night the happier I am. Love this article btw. I love that you’ve kept this up. You are such a great writer.
Just finished Heartstopper last night and my long lost teenage heart has been a flutter. It was such a cozy, precious, and gorgeous welcome to a new season! <3