Pumpkin Spice season is upon us, and not a moment too soon!
I have been over summer since before it started, and being pregnant during the summer heat was no joke. I’m so happy to have that experience in my [proverbial] rearview mirror and am looking forward to the crispness of autumn.
If you’ve been a reader for some time you know that I’m a huge fan of the autumn season. It’s my absolute favorite and I look forward to it all year long — something about it is just so invigorating for me! I’ve got some favorites to share as we say goodbye to summer (or in my case, “good riddance!”) and transition to fall.
Pumpkin Spice Products
I am 100% that basic girl that loves pumpkin spiced everything!
(well, almost everything — some brands take it too far… 😬)
COFFEE
The phenomenon that started it all: the Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte (aka the “PSL”) and my fave, the Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew, are available in stores as of yesterday (August 24th)! SBux is also debuting a new fall drink that I am interested in trying (in the name of science, of course 😉) called the Apple Crisp Macchiato! I’m a little bit skeptical, but I’m willing to give it a try since I love their Caramel Apple Spice drink if I want something hot in the cooler months that isn’t caffeinated.
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La Colombe is one of our favorite coffee brands (outside of Seattle) and I was thrilled to see that not only are they offering a Pumpkin Spice Draft Latte in a can this season, but they’re also offering it in an Oat Milk option!!! It feels like a big commitment to order a pack of 12 if you haven’t had the product before, but I would be absolutely shocked if you were disappointed because La Colombe coffee is SO good!
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I wrote this post last year on how you can make your own pumpkin spice iced coffee at home (four ways!), so I recommend checking that out if you’re a pumpkin fan + cold coffee drinker like me. 😊
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A lot of coffee creamer brands offer a seasonal pumpkin spice creamer; not surprisingly, I prefer the Starbucks brand 😅. I will say that the flavored creamer is much better than their bottled pumpkin spice latte option (I would avoid that one) and it looks like they launched the seasonal flavor in their non-dairy option this year as well!!!
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Want to add some “autumn” to your coffees (or even smoothies / cocktails)? Look no further than Skinny Mixes drink syrups — they offer a ton of different flavors, but there’s a variety of seasonal pumpkin offerings (my favorite is pumpkin cheesecake!). I’ve been pretty obsessed with the brand ever since I discovered them.
OTHER DRINKS
Premier Protein launched their pumpkin spice flavored shakes a couple of years ago and they’ve been a seasonal favorite of mine ever since! I highly recommend the brand as a protein shake option in general, but this limited edition fall flavor is sooo delicious — don’t miss it!
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If you follow me on Instagram, you know that my love for Jamba Juice grew exponentially over the course of my pregnancy when I just COULD NOT GET ENOUGH FRUIT. 🤣 Any time we were running errands nearby I begged my husband to swing by so that I could grab a smoothie; I was at our local JJ at least twice a month, but maybe more some months. Lol When I saw that their Pumpkin Smash Smoothie was back for the season I got super excited! Not to be outdone by the coffee shops, they offer a plant-based option also. 🙌🏼 I’m not lactose-intolerant, but sometimes I just don’t want the bloat that you can get from milk so it’s really nice to have the alternative.
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You know that I am typically a champagne / rosé / margarita kind of gal, but pumpkin beers are my one exception. My favorites are: Pumking by Southern Tier Brewing, Night Owl by Elysian Brewing, and Your Worst Nightmare by Cloudburst Brewing, but there are a ton of micro- and macro-breweries that will put out at least one pumpkin beer offering during the season. I recommend giving them a try, even if you don’t think you’ll like them!
FOOD
Everyone loves Trader Joe’s and their seasonal products — autumn pumpkin items are no different! The Spiced Pumpkin Madeleine Cookies specifically caught my eye, but there are plenty of other sweet and savory offerings
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Who doesn’t love a delicious Pumpkin Soup when the temperatures drop?? This recipe sounds souper (ha!) tasty!
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If you’re looking for even more drinks, dishes, and desserts last year I collected a list of over thirty pumpkin / squash recipes that you can find here!
Autumn Apparel
I’m not planning on going “full fall” with my wardrobe just yet because we’re likely to still have a few warm days pop up here and there, but as the temperatures drop I want to have some outfits to wear that aren’t all summer dresses.
SWEATERS
Pullovers and cardigans, oh my!
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JEANS / PANTS
Jeans, plaid, ponte, and corduroy pants.
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SHOES
Saying goodbye to my sandals and putting out my favorite shoes for autumn weather — all of which can be found here. I just placed an order for these velvet Mary Jane style shoes (also available here and here) and I’m heavily considering the investment in these mules too.
BABY CLOTHES
As far as Sophie’s wardrobe goes, I am loving everything in the Jamie Kay Marigold Collection (specifically this, this and this)! I also stocked up on some basic long sleeved onesies and leggings from Baby Gap. These little fleece booties are supposedly great for staying on tiny feet (no lost socks!) so I also ordered a pair of those as well.
Seasonal Home Decor
There’s just something delicious about the rich textures and warm hues of fall that give me the warm fuzzies. Muted, dusty shades (like a faded blue, sage green or a mauve) along with the classic autumnal colors (all shades of orange, rich gold and juicy reds) just feed my soul, so integrating those elements of fall around our house always makes me feel super cozy.
MANTLE / TABLETOP DECOR
My sister in law recently got me some beautiful decorative mercury glass pumpkins for my birthday (boy, does she know me!). I have been drooling over this set of glass pumpkins for years now, and I actually love the ones that she got for me even more. The best part is that they have little battery-operated LED lights on the inside so they emit a warm glow that adds to the cozy ambiance.
Similar Glass Pumpkin Options:
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More Decorative [Indoor] Pumpkins:
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Garlands:
(for mantle or dining room table)
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Arrangements / Stems:
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Candles:
(Scented)
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(Decorative)
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GET COZY
These easy-to-add accents are great for incorporating pattern or texture into a space!
Throw pillows:
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Throw Blankets:
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Kitchen / Hosting Items:
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ENTRYWAY
I love decorating the front door / porch as it’s the best way to make a first impression on visitors, add some seasonal curb appeal to your house, and just generally boost your mood when you get home.
Wreaths:
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Decor:
(Florals)
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(Miscellaneous)
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Doormats:
(*Top Tip: consider layering over one of these)
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I hope you’re ready to embrace autumn with me and all of the fun that comes with it!
Happy [almost] Fall, friends!
xx, Natalie
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