The Chic Girl’s Autumn Bucket List
As an October Baby, Fall is for sure my favorite season. And if you’ve been here on D.I.D. with Cazoshay for a while or know me personally, then you know that is definitely true. Living in Arizona for nearly eight years has further enforced that Autumn is truly a mindset. You don’t have to have rain, crisp air & colorful leaves to appreciate the season, although they certainly help.🍂
Living with disabilities, it’s been important for me to make joy accessible for myself. I can’t do many of the things I used to enjoy doing, at least not in the same ways, so I’ve figured out how to adapt them to my current abilities. One thing I’ve noticed about this Disability Life is that a lot of the tips I’ve come up with work not only for those who are living with disabilities & chronic conditions, but also those who have busy schedules, are parents, or are otherwise sometimes (or often) looking for quicker & easier ways to do things.
Another important aspect of this Disability Life I’ve learned is that I don’t have to compromise my chic, elegant style! This list is proof of the concept that things can be accessible, without compromising being chic. The following is my Chic Girl’s Autumn Bucket List, the must-do activities for an elegant and enjoyable Fall, in no particular order.
1. Create a Fall Capsule Wardrobe
My go-to color for every season is black, but this is the time of year when many a chic girl-about-town turns to autumnal hues like browns, tans & deep burgundies-so don’t let me stop you! (I do love a good oxblood accessory…) Having a capsule wardrobe means you won’t have to search for clothes & think so hard about what you’re going to wear-which makes getting dressed quicker, easier & more enjoyable!
I suggest curating your Fall wardrobe from items you already have. If you must pick up something new, go the thrifted route. The British Fashion Council have said that we have enough clothing on the planet to dress the next six generations. Chic girlies care, & the environment & our future are no exceptions!
You can find upscale items on Vestaire Collective or my personal favorite, The RealReal. I’m actually thinking of having a Fall Clothing Swap Cocktail Party. Of course I’ll post the details here if I do. I like to do a second “spring cleaning” at the start of Fall so I can go into the winter months lighter & not bogged down by a bunch of extra belongings I’m not using anyway. A fun little cocktail party where ladies can drop in and “shop” is the perfect way to usher in Fall lighter, chicer & more sustainably.
2. Create an Autumn Playlist
One of my favorite mottos is, “life is a movie, starring you!” Every good movie has an equally good soundtrack. Spotify has some nice ones, whatever your vibe happens to be. I listen to jazz all year ‘round, but if any genre represents the season of Autumn specifically, it’s jazz. Bonus points if your soundtrack is at least partially curated on vinyl.
A few playlists to get you started:
*Cue Nat King' Cole’s “‘Tis Autumn” as your “going to get coffee” montage begins to play…
The Orpheum Theater, downtown Phoenix, AZ
3. Tour an Historic Building or Home
I’m not one for haunted houses, so touring an historic building or home is the chicer (& less scary) option. You can learn a little local history & view some lovely architecture at the same time. Here in Arizona, the elegant & picturesque Wrigley Mansion gives tours & also has a jazz series. I haven’t been yet, but it’s on my Autumn Bucket List.
Blanton Museum of Art, Austin, TX
4. Visit an Art Gallery or Museum
The cooler weather is an opportune time to spend the day in an art gallery or museum soaking up the creativity. The chic girl is also the cultured girl, so autumn is the perfect time to put on a nice outfit & head to one of your area’s art venues. This activity is great because it can be done alone, with a friend or even as a date. Afterwards you can get yourself a little treat at your favorite coffee shop to round out the day.
5. Create an Autumn Reading List
Autumn is the perfect time to get cozy & immerse yourself in a good book (or two!) I recommend going with philosophy, the classics or self-improvement. History & memoirs aren’t bad options for the season, either. Really you can’t go wrong with whatever you choose. Here are a few recommendations:
To Hell with the Hustle by Jefferson Bethke
When Broadway Was Black by Caseen Gaines
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Blue Butterfly by Eugene Ward
Breakfast at Tiffany’s & Three Stories by Truman Capote
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux
Macbeth by William Shakespeare
*Accessibility Tip: Any book can become an audiobook when you use your iPhone’s Spoken Content feature. It works on iPads also. As someone living with a TBI, this has been a game changer! Many audiobooks are also available free on YouTube.
Autumn in Alaska
6. Go on a Walk
This is certainly one thing I miss about living in Alaska & Portland. The walks here in Arizona hit different, & that’s putting it lightly. I’m still not used to autumn trees being replaced by cactuses & it averaging over 100 degrees at the start of September. Whatever the weather is like where you live, you can romantacize your autumn walk no matter the environs. First, the outfit, of course. A chic autumn outfit from your sustainable capsule wardrobe makes the occasion, so start there. Whether you’re in the city or you have access to those beautiful changing colors in a more nature-filled environment, taking in the scenery is a great way to enjoy Fall, appreciate your surroundings & get active at your own level of fitness & accessibility.
7. Visit a Pumpkin Patch or Fall Festival
Most cities & towns have Fall Festivals, if not some version of a pumpkin patch also. You may have to venture a little bit outside of your immediate area, but it’s worth it to be fully immersed in the joy & excitement of the season. Fall festivals can look like a lot of things, but delicious seasonal drinks & food are almost always a given, yet another reason to don your chicest pair of boots or loafers & join the celebration.
8. Have a Fall Picnic
Fall is the perfect time for a picnic! It’s not unbearably hot, there’s not as many bugs & the snow hasn’t arrived yet to make picnicking impossible. Not a chef? No problem. Stores have plenty of ready-made items that are perfect for picnics (hello, Trader Joe’s!) A simple charcuterie board, some hot spiced cider & a nice dessert are all you really need, but of course you can make it as elaborate as you’d like.
9. Tour a Winery
Many cities & towns have local winemakers, & many of those makers give tours! This is a chic autumn activity you can do solo, with friends or as a date-whatever your current mood desires! A quick Google search will tell you what options are available where you live. And if there’s nothing close by? Another chic option of course is to take a little mini-vacay to your closest winery, naturally. Or you could sign up to attend a wine tasting at a nice restaurant in your city.
10. Watch Fall Movies
There are few things in life more enjoyable than a good Fall movie marathon. That may be an overstatement, but this is definitely one of my favorite Autumn activities. Grab your favorite snacks, a nice wine (or non-alcoholic beverage of choice), get comfy & check out one of these flick picks:
When Harry Met Sally (duh)
Fantastic Mr. Fox
You’ve Got Mail (duh)
Sleepy Hollow
Julie & Julia
It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
Scream (the first one)
Bonus: It’s not a movie but rather a tv show. Only Murders in the Building! It’s so good & is chock-full of chic New York style. Plus if you binge it, it’s basically like a movie, right? (Stream on Hulu)
11. Day of Pampering
Just because you’re likely under more layers doesn’t mean you should start slacking on self care. Because Self Care=Self Love. It’s a way of showing that you care about yourself, & are not just caring for others & attending to all the numerous things on your to-do list. You can schedule a service at a day spa or do it in the comfort of your own home. A few ideas? Face masks, manicures & everything showers are always great options.
12. Try a New Recipe
Autumn is the perfect time to try some new recipes, especially with seasonal ingredients (do I see a trip to the Farmer’s Market in your future???) Autumn meals are meant to be comforting while allowing you to enjoy spending time at home, sometimes while entertaining too. A simple roast chicken, a butternut squash soup…the possibilities for delicious new recipes is endless. Try Pinterest, TikTok, or visit a used bookstore & pick up a new cookbook to experiment with. Who doesn’t love a good bookstore in Autumn?
Did I leave anything off the bucket list? I hope you’ve enjoyed this post! For more inspo, view 10 Dinner Party Conversation Starters & my easy 5-Minute Shower Meditation.
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