Today, I’m sharing my fall refresh essentials--everything you need to start the cozy season off right. Any change in the seasons and calendar is an opportunity to reset, reflect and refresh and get into the coziest, comfiest fall state of mind.
1:37 - #1: A notebook! If you’re familiar with Bri Books, you know I’m a massive fan of the power of journaling. Every autumn, I go to Paper Source and Barnes and Noble to scour the Leuchtturm1917 notebooks, which come in every hue under the sun. I love the bullet journaling approach (here’s an episode of Bri Books about how to start bullet journaling!) I’m starting your fall reset with a notebook because you have to know where you want to go to get to where you want to be. Having a designated place to dump thoughts, plans and problems alleviates mental clutter. (Here’s a link to my favorite Leuchturn1917 notebook.)
3:20 - #2: New tote bag! If over the last two years, your cute work bags have been replaced with linen totes, you’re not alone. The CALPAK Haven laptop tote has taken the place of my everyday canvas bag. Inside the CALPAK tote is a removable laptop compartment. My favorite function? The slit in the back AKA the ‘luggage pass-through,’ so you can slip through your carry-on luggage handle. The shoulder strap is super wide and you can even wear it crossbody. This is the bag that’ll define my fall ‘on-the-go' look. (Here’s a link)
5:40 - #3: Bluetooth earbuds! The ones I've been using all summer and will use into winter are the Jaybird Vista 2 wireless sports earbuds. They're designed for athletes--think runners, rock-climbers--who need reliable earbuds with strong sound performance. These earbuds come with surround-sense technology with two epic functions: amplify ambient sound and noise cancellation features. They hold a charge for about 24 hours, and the case itself is a charging port. Here’s a link to where to grab the Jaybird Vista 2 wireless sports earbuds, a definitive fall essential that you’ll use year-round.
8:20 - #4: Kitchen essentials! Namely the Balmuda kettle and toaster. When the temperatures cool down, I get excited to make hot beverages around the clock and roast vegetables 24/7. In this respect, the Balmuda kettle has become a non-negotiable. All of their products are designed with a minimalist aesthetic to be beautiful and functional. The precision-pour spout helps the water flow smoothly from the nozzle, which is great if you love pour-over coffee. From the painted stainless steel to the ergonomic handle, using the Balmuda kettle is a downright pleasure. I also recommend the Balmuda toaster, which saved my life this summer and revolutionized my approach to autumn cooking. You can use it for roasting veggies, warming bread, baking cookies, steaming fish, warming up leftovers, roasting veggies--basically anything. I love to roast salmon and fish in the toaster and it’s been worth every penny. If it’s time for you to make an investment in your kitchen appliances as the cozy season creeps up, the Balmuda kettle and toaster deserve a spot on your list and kitchen counter. Here’s a link to purchase the Balmuda kettle and toaster.
12:15 - #5: Tea and cider! Now is the perfect time to add tea and cider to your beverage collection. I buy cider by the quart or gallon at the farmer's market. I love to freeze the cider into ice cubes and add them to my glasses of water. Another unexpected way of using apple cider is in your cocktails. You can make apple cider slushies, cocktails, etc. at home to give a seasonal refresh to your beverage collection. My favorite autumnal teas are Traditional Medicinals and TeaPigs.
15:00 - #6: Handcream! Two hand creams I’ve been loving: Caudalie Nail and Hand Repair and Avya Nourishing Hand Treatment. I’ve been using Caudalie Nail Repair for five years now, and I buy a new tube each autumn. Rich in shea butter, avocado butter, polyphenols, the touch is so hydrating. If you prefer a rich hand cream that doesn't leave a greasy film, this is the one. Here’s a link to purchase the Caudalie hand cream. Up next: the Avya Nourishing Hand Treatment. Avya nourishing hand treatment is rooted in Ayurvedic medicine and has hyaluronic acid that helps hydrate and protects the dry chapped skin of your hands. The best part: the founder of Avya Skincare originally created the product as a face cream. Here’s a link to where to pick up the Avya hand treatment.
17:23 - #7: Aromatherapy tools! When you think of autumn, certain scents come to mind: pumpkin, newly dried leaves, apples, rain, mulled cider. Take that exact same energy, bottle it up, and you have Aromatherapy Associates’ atomizer diffuser. The atomizer is a waterless and portable diffuser, meaning you can carry it with you from room to room. Aromatherapy Associates is one of my favorite British brands, well-known in the wellness space for their innovative approach to aromatherapy. The diffuser disperses a microfine mist directly from the essential oil bottle. The best part: Since there is no water, it is easy to move around without the need to clean between uses. The ‘Deep Relax’ essential oil blend and the ‘Breathe’ pure essential oil blend are my absolute favorites for everyday use. Don’t overlook the power of scent in creating a space that feels warm to you. Here’s a link to where to purchase Aromatherapy Associates’ atomizer.
20:30: #8: A staycation! This autumn, hop on the highway and get out of dodge. Choose an easy location (no more than 150 miles away) and treat yourself to a long weekend trip. One of my favorites is going to the Catskills in New York state, especially the town of Kingston, New York. I find that the autumnal bliss I crave can be found 100 miles outside of New York City. Stone Ridge Orchard, a fantastic local orchard, grows everything from apples to pears in the autumn, and the pumpkin patches are plentiful. I highly recommend a trip to Kingston Wine Company in downtown Kingston, and a lazy afternoon spent popping into and out of vintage shops blows away the end-of-summer blues. Wherever you are in the country, find the hidden gems of your region or hometown to remind you that magic is all around--and you don’t have to pay thousands of dollars to be inspired and reinvigorated.
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