Fall is my favorite time of the year! The best festivities, activities, and food are about to appear everywhere! As I’m currently writing this, I want to wear a sweater and light a Bath and Body Works candle with my favorite jazz music in the background. Unfortunately, summer in the south won’t grant my wishes so instead of hating summer for like 5 minutes (or forever), I am dedicating this entry to my favorite forms of media and activities for the best season.

First…MUSIC!

Jazz music is the cure for coping with the weight of studying during the fall semester. You can find my playlist here. One of my ‘traditions’ over the past two years have been going to my local Goodwill and listen to the Charlie Brown Halloween record. It’s such a joyride!

Other artists I’d listen to fall into the folk/acoustic genre, you can find me playing this kind of music at the coffee shop on my workdays. You can listen here.

If you’re a swiftie like me, Red and Evermore will be on repeat, AND 1989!

Next is Movies!

I like to watch some dark academia, fairy tales, and feel-good Halloween movies during the fall including:

Dead Poets Society (1989) - Robin Williams brings this film together. It gives the boarding school and fall vibes and allows the boys in the school time to allow themselves to appreciate literature. The innocence of life is brought out of the film, and since it’s based off of a book, the ending will make you cry, as indented.

Red Riding Hood (2011) - I love any project Amanda Seyfried is in! I’m a huge fan of fairy tale retellings that have a dark twist to them and I felt that it was done well here. Who loves a good love triangle? I just googled this movie, and I didn’t know that Leonardo DiCaprio produced this like WHAT but okay.

Snow White and the Huntsman (2012) - This fairy tale/fantasy retelling is my favorite. I love how exciting this film was, it kept me intrigued to learn more about the character’s identity and have a new motive overall for the protagonist, not every girl needs to be saved but instead to become the savior.

Dark Shadows (2012) - This film has all of the spooky vibes! The super naturals take over a 18th century estate in Maine and the previous owner definitely doesn’t know how to feel about this family. This fits in Tim Bruton’s list of projects with the gothic, fantasy, and horror themes that are in every still of this movie.

When Harry Met Sally (1989) - A rom-com that has settings in the fall? Yes, please! This movie is ICONIC, from the scenery to the soundtrack provided by Harry Conrick Jr. and the fashion style feels timeless. If you haven’t seen this one, it follows a guy and a girl who try to test a theory if they can be ‘just’ friends.

Other movies to put on your watchlist:

It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown (1966)

Good Will Hunting (1997)

Practical Magic (1998)

You’ve Got Mail (1998)

Stepmom (1998)

Remember the Titans (2000)

Harry Potter Series (2001-2011)

Twilight Series (2008-2012)

And finally, my favorite part, the activities!!!!

• Go thrifting for fall sweaters, and then snoop for some records

• Order a fall themed drink (I know a lot of people don’t care for pumpkin spice)

• Paint pumpkins! I’ve done this for the past two years. When I was younger, I was scared and grossed out over the pumpkin guts so now I stick to my artsy side.

• Movie marathon! I would watch the Harry Potter series and wish I was there (p.s. I still do) #Hufflepuff

• Go window shopping at home decor stores, maybe buy a candle or two, and allow myself to buy one mug for the fall. This is a tradition for me as well!

• Reading! I will probably pick back up The Great Gatsby to add to my Fitzgearld collection (*Reads only for Zelda iykyk*) This year I plan on reading/listening to some fantasy romance novels. If you have any recommendations, please let me know on Instagram!

• I would love to go to a cider mill! If you didn’t know, I’m originally from Michigan, and a few years ago, I went to visit some family up there and we went to a cider mill for the first time, and I loved it! There’s not any near me so I’ll have to dedicate a day to drive to one and enjoy some apple cider donuts! I love the atmosphere and the cider, of course!

• Baking is a MUST during the fall! From cinnamon rolls to Pillsbury seasonal cookies, it’s vital to make those! Plus, it makes the whole place smell like heaven!

You’ve reached the end of my ode to my favorite season, even though we still have a lot of time until September 22nd, or the beginning of that month for some mentally. I hope that you challenge yourself to do at least one of the activities or watch one of the movies listed above! I want to embrace the coziness and prioritize rest. So many things change in the fall so I’m preparing for what the Lord has in store for me during that time of year. For now, I’ll romanticize this upcoming semester and try to wear sweaters with shorts lol.

Keep pouring,

Khalie x