Ode to Autumn

Good day, my lovely readers! I dislike having long breaks in between my blog posts, but I also feel as though forcing myself to churn out content would be detrimental to its quality. Still, I'm going to work harder to be a little more disciplined about my writing. It's something I truly enjoy doing, and I think it deserves to have some more of my time devoted to it. Anyway... I'm back with some more musings.

In the month or so since my last post, the seasons have been changing. September is my favourite month, not only because it's when my birthday falls, but because it's when the first little whispers of autumn fill the air. My house is surrounded by trees and greenery, and it is all beginning to change colour, with the first magical golden leaves appearing. I don't quite know why I feel so drawn to this season. Maybe it's because it's always so short and sweet, full of colour and vibrancy. Fail to take notice and you might miss it entirely. Perhaps it's that bittersweet feeling I feel every time it ends that makes it all the more special to me. When you know you only have a limited time to enjoy something, it motivates you to go out of your way to make every second count, and stops you from ever taking it for granted.

 The view from one of the windows in my house on an autumn day.

It is this time of year I seem to spend the most time outdoors, going on walks and bike rides, and taking pictures of as many crimson leaves as I can find. I love this in-between temperature, where it's too warm to wear a coat, but too mild to leave the house without throwing on a cardigan before you leave the house. 

As you may have guessed by this point, I am autumn obsessed. Therefore, it is only sensible I share with you some ideas for making the most of this season, so you can join in with my fall fanaticism.

• If you have rich, or earthy colours in your wardrobe, now is the perfect time to wear them! If you are into mori fashion, this season is surely where you will feel most in your element.
• If you're into tea, why not try out some new flavours? I've recently discovered there is such thing as gingerbread tea and I fully intend to get in on the action.
• Organise a lolita woodland ramble! If you live somewhere with a lot of wooded areas, it could be a nice change of pace to go on an autumnal outing with your friends. You could collect pine cones, and horse chestnuts for decorative purposes if you're into that kind of thing. I know I am.
• Take lots of pictures. Could this season be any more beautiful for vibrant, atmospheric photoshoots!? That contrast between the fiery leaves on the trees, and the perfectly clear blue sky always makes for some breathtaking images.
• Get started on your themed lolita coordinate for Halloween! I love to see broken dolls, tasteful guro, witchy outfits, and vampirey gothic looks. It's one day of the year you can be truly outrageous and imaginative with your coordinate as you won't look out of place to people outside of the fashion!
• Do some baking. Make spookily-decorated Halloween biscuits or share out fairy cakes at your next meetup. Have a go at deliciously warm apple pies or crumbles, and rich pumpkin desserts.
• Are you a scrapbook lover? Why not try adding pressed autumn leaves to your pages, and creating fun earthy mood boards.
• Go antique shopping! There's something so cosy and nostalgic about visiting secondhand shops. Perhaps you will find some new items to match the decor of your living space, or even a loliable item of clothing, depending on what kind of shop it is.

A picture I took at a shop called the Courtyard At No. 6 in Buckingham, England.

• Put together a Halloween meetup! You could visit a themed café, go on a local ghost walk, carve pumpkins (though make sure you have a cute apron on hand!) or host a movie night with your closest friends in your community! I personally like to do tarot reading on this day!
• Visit a local craft fair or event. These are fun places to browse and perhaps take home a special, unique item for yourself or someone you love.
• Channel some autumnal vibes into your creative outlet of choice. Make a vivid, nature inspired painting, write story set during this season, record a song inspired by your feelings during this season, or do a themed photoshoot. The possibilities for self expression are endless.
• Have a calm, quiet day to yourself to simply breathe in the fresh, earthy air and savour the gentle sunshine on your face. 

Many of these tips are based on the things I did last year and really enjoyed. I loved my university town. It was small, quaint, and filled with unusual independent shops, pop up markets, old listed buildings, and picturesque scenery. I can't help missing some of the places I used to haunt at this time of year, such as Secret Messages (click here to wander around the shop's three levels!) and the footpaths that weaved all around-- alongside the river, through woodland, and onto an abandoned railway bridge from which you had a clear view of the entire town. Oh, sweet nostalgia! Last autumn was a truly gorgeous time in my life, and I'm glad I captured so much of it through lovingly taken photographs. I can only hope I will be able to add some whimsy to life here in my hometown, where one has to do a bit more digging to find its beauty and quirks. I like the challenge, though, and hope to follow the suggestions from the above list I haven't tried here yet!

I overuse this photo, but it's probably my favourite non lolita picture of me, taken on Halloween 2014. It's so expressive of my love for this season (and for 90s style lunchboxes). I could have looked at those leaves all day long.

Do you like autumn? Have any special passtimes you enjoy doing at this time of year? I'd love to hear all about it! See you next time ❤