fall season Archives

The End of Summer: Getting Your Wardrobe Ready for Fall

The long-awaited summer is at its end. We have truly enjoyed every single ray of sunshine, every summer breeze, and even an occasional warm, summer rain. We also had so much fun wearing all our colorful swimsuits and light dresses. However, we are now ready to embrace the fall, which is slowly approaching. It is time to start preparing your wardrobe for a new and exciting season and here is how to do it with style.

Refresh your collection with end-of-the-summer sales

We all know that the end of every season brings some of the best sales. The offers can be so amazing that you can get some incredible pieces for less than half of the original price. So, make sure to check out the best discounts by yourself. If you don’t have the time to explore the boutiques, pour yourself some homemade lemonade and look at what your favorite online fashion store has to offer. It is without a doubt that you will find some lovely pieces, such as a cute summer dress that you can layer with a biker jacket or a chic top to style over a long sleeve shirt. You may even find great prices for more elegant items to wear for a special occasion, like cocktail dresses, for instance.

Invest in staple pieces

There are a few clothing items that you will wear often during the fall and perhaps even in the spring. Therefore, they are worth spending a bit more in order to get high quality. First of all, you will certainly need a modish leather (or eco-leather) jacket. The one in black is a safe and versatile choice, but you can enrich your collection with other neutral colors. In case you already own a black biker jacket, but want another in a more statement color, burgundy is a great option, as this is one of the tones we love seeing during the fall. It will look fabulous when paired with chunky knits, denim shirt or layered over a maxi dress. Just add some cute boots and a backpack and you will get a chic, fall outfit.

Another fall essential is definitely a classic trench coat. It is best to get one in a neutral color so that it can be combined with any other piece from your wardrobe. It is perfect to wear over your trousers and silk blouses, as a part of work attire. Additionally, it is a great and elegant choice to layer over a romantic dress you would wear when heading to dinner at a popular restaurant.

Finally, don’t forget to invest in a high-quality, fitted blazer. You can spice up your wardrobe with a patterned version of this item, as a blazer will prove to be a versatile piece you can wear throughout the day. Throw it over a simple, cotton shirt when heading off to work and mix it with a pair of jeans and a white T-shirt for a casual, daytime look. In the evening, layer it over a satin, spaghetti straps dress and match the look with a pair of black stilettos and a trendy mini bag.

Revive your knits

As they have been sitting in your closet for a while, your jumpers, cardigans, and other knits may look a bit dull or even catch a musty smell that quite often ruins the clothes that have been in storage. This can be fixed by simply washing the items. However, bear in mind that knits and especially cashmere items shouldn’t be washed at a high temperature. To prevent any harm, hand wash your knits and do not tumble dry them.

Another issue that you may stumble upon when it comes to your beloved knitwear is bobbles. The little, but annoying balls that are caused by friction can destroy the beauty of any jumper. That is why you should put an effort to prevent them. In case they still manage to surface on top of your cardigans and jumpers, just gently shave them off with a razor.

Old clothes out, new clothes in

This basically means making a huge clear out prior to going shopping. Check your closet and divide your items into groups of what you most likely will and what you probably won’t wear again. The clothes that should no longer be a part of your wardrobe further divide into what is to be thrown away as completely unusable, what you will give to charity, and finally, what is good for recycling. This way, you will have more space for newer pieces and you will have a clear image of the fall items you already have and the ones you need to shop for (for example, you may realize that you own 6 pairs of grey jumpers and almost no midi dresses to combine into cute, fall outfits).

Finally, start preparing your wardrobe on time and enjoy the fall.

Article written by Sophia Smith
Sophia is a Beauty & Style blogger, Graphic designer and Style editor at highstylife.com

IMAGES ARE FROM UNSPLASH

Five Things You Should Do After Halloween

Halloween is definitely one of the holidays whose roots are buried the deepest in popular culture. As such, it is significant like no other holiday (aside from maybe Christmas and Thanksgiving). Still, whereas the latter two are holidays that you’re supposed to spend in a family dinner, Halloween has always been a bit wilder and more reckless.

Naturally, this means that afterward, you’re left with a bit of a mess, both in your head and in your home. Here are five things you should do to sort it out.

Turning a New Page

Halloween is not the part of the year during which we lead the cleanest, healthier lives. The fall depression often kicks in early October, which makes a lot of people engage in comfort eating, potentially even drinking more than they should. While it is supposed to be a joyous festivity, Halloween is usually the culmination of this slow process.

So, instead of waiting for your next New Year’s resolution, what you need is to turn the page right away. However, before heading to the gym, you might want to deal with the hangover and overall detoxification caused by the previous period. Here are some habits you need to change right away for maximum effect. You need to:

● Start drinking more water (even if it means forcing yourself to do so).

● Cut down on your sugar intake (you’ve had enough already).

● Take a couple of days to rest (from all the partying, possibly even party planning/preparation).

● Eat quality food (whole foods that provide real nourishment, as opposed to fast food).

● Get your metabolism going (you don’t have to run straight away; you can just walk more).

Keep in mind that all of this sounds simple on paper, but in practice, it’s not so easy to pull off. Give yourself time and don’t start too ambitious in order not to get discouraged. The sooner you start, the better.

Plan a Quiet Day

Before you start this major transformation and take actions to deal with all the leftovers from Halloween, you could plan one quiet day at home. Stay in bed the entire day and binge-watch your favorite show. Don’t answer your phone and try your best not to leave the house. You can spend this day listening to your favorite music, playing video games, or enjoying some other indoor hobby of your own choosing.

Keep in mind that both during the preparation stage and during the party, you probably spent a lot of time with more people than you’re accustomed to. Therefore, your social energy might be depleted. Doing something opposite might help recharge it a lot sooner.

Sure, you may not want to be alone the whole day. After a massive party, there’s nothing wrong with inviting a couple of your closest friends and looking for some brunch party ideas. This is a perfect compromise between socializing and doing something quite the opposite to the previous wild party.

Clean Your Home

After a successful Halloween, you are inevitably left with the scariest part: a mess to clean. It is still a tedious chore, whether it’s a mess left by the tricksters or the aftermath of your own party. But there is no need to get spooked out as there are a lot of tips that can make it at least a bit less painful. So, after you’re well-rested, you should probably get to it as it will be a lot easier to clean while the pumpkin stains are fresh.

First, you’ll want to deal with the trick part of the trick or treat. Removing the residue toilet paper, and you want to do this before it rains, can be done by wrapping the end of a stick in duct tape. If there was egging involved, pick up the eggshells and hose the place down.

Now there is the treat part. Candy can leave sticky stains on walls and furniture. Instead of scrubbing it, you should soak a rag in hot water and press it to the stain. Humidity and heat are supposed to loosen it, so you can just wipe it afterward.

In the end, you are left with the mess in your own house. Vacuum glitter, confetti, and feathers left from the costumes remove pumpkin stains with dish soap, use rubbing alcohol to clean fake blood, and you’re all set to start thinking about fall decorations for Thanksgiving.

Decide What to Do with Your Costume

While a Halloween costume is an incredibly important part of the tradition, it does have one major flaw – you’re unlikely to wear it again (at least anytime soon). Even if you and your friends organize a masquerade every year, you can’t just appear wearing the same costume time and time again. So, what are you going to do with the costume? There are several options.

● First, you can sell it on eBay. Especially if it’s a costume you’ve made, the chances are that it’s completely unique and will attract a lot of attention. This way, you solve the issue and buff your budget a bit. After Halloween, you might need this.

● You can start a family costume closet. Here, you will keep all the costumes you and your family have worn over the years and turn it into yet another tradition.

● One more thing you could do here is try to merge two costumes into one. There are often elements of a costume that could, if repurposed, become something else entirely. This will help you be ready for next year’s Halloween costume.

● Donating them to charity is always an option. This way, you get to do something humane just as the holiday season is about to arrive.

● If you’ve never attended a Comic-Con, now might be the time to consider it. After all, you have a great way of blending in.

One last thing worth mentioning is that these costumes are also great for cosplay, prank video calls, and similar other events. Moreover, costume swapping is a thing worth considering—all in all, plenty of options.

Reuse Pumpkins

A lot of people carve pumpkins prior to Halloween as a decoration. Now, while fresh pumpkins are a delicious treat and a universal ingredient, the last thing you want is to eat a pumpkin that has been sitting outside for God knows how long. So, what do you do with them?

The first thing you want is to save the pumpkin seeds. When roasted properly, these can turn into a proper treat. All you need to do is sprinkle them with salt, add a bit of olive oil (or butter), and there you have it. Instead of turning them into a snack, you could also use them to make pumpkin seed pesto or topper for guacamole, etc.

A pumpkin stock is another fantastic idea. Why? Well, mostly because you can freeze it and keep it somewhere safe so that you can reuse it in one of your post-Halloween recipes.

Just because you can’t eat the pumpkin after it’s been outside for a while, this doesn’t mean that the local critters will be as picky. You can cut it into small pieces for the foraging animals. If you know a farmer, you can ask them to take the pumpkins off your hands. For pigs and goats, a pumpkin is one of the best treats there is.

Lastly, if you’re dabbling a bit in gardening, you can process the pumpkin in question and turn it into compost (or at least add it into a compost).

In Conclusion

Keep in mind that your post-Halloween activities will greatly be determined by the type of Halloween that you have. Therefore, if you have a kid-friendly party, you might not have a hangover to deal with. If this year passes without neighborhood pranksters, the cleaning part will be a lot simpler. All in all, you now know what you’re up against and can proceed to make necessary plans.

About The Author

Stacey is a freelance writer living in Minnesota with her cat, and she’s passionate about yoga, languages, home improvement, and drinking strong coffee. Find her on Twitter @StaceyShann0n

Celebrate The Fall Feels Season With These Ten Leaf Changing Ideas

Okay, Summer ending is ALWAYS a bummer. Truly it is.. however, the fall season brings its own joys and pleasures. So here are ten things to do to celebrate fall that I am rearing to enjoy. Celebrate Fall as one leaf turns orange and then the next and so on an so forth. Fall means breaking out the smokey colored clothes and corduroys. Oh and did I mention boots? YASS the boots!!

1.) Pumpkin Spice Lattes

Pumpkin ANYTHING–is a must do. I mean– I am having a latte anyway, so why not add some spicy goodness? Nutmeg, cinnamon, pumpkin and apple are all savory spiced in teas and coffees as the season begins.

2.) Fall Picnic

There is nothing sweeter or more romantic than a fall picnic with your love.. So break out the wine- and charcuterie plate or put together some sandwiches and your favorite snacks. Put a sweet playlist together and find a remote spot or a nearby park. With the kids in school those places are a bit quieter and much more serene. Spend some quality time together and get close as the cool breeze encourages extra cuddles.

3.) Patio Dining

The ‘squitos’ are asleep, the crisp air beckons and the patios are open! So put on that dress you love to twirl in and support local with a nice evening dinner. Leave the cooking for another night. Take it as an opportunity to discuss holiday plans and to enjoy each others company. You can hold hands as you stroll to your favorite local eatery. And jus be a couple!

4.) Happy Hour With Friends

Go from work to play seamlessly with your coworker wifey and work family. As restaurants regain their footing since COVID-19 began, show them some love and gratitude by enjoying their specials with your favorite work crew. And don’t forget to tip big! Celebrate Fall with your closest friends.

5.) Shop til you drop

Shopping with your bestie is one of the best things to do as you and your BFF both Fall into the season. It’s sweater weather and hat season so find your local boutique, consign and sell last years items you no longer covet and find your new and next items together!

6.) Keep Summer Alive

Perhaps you just want a little more Summer? There are a few things you can do to delay the inevitability of the change of seasons. Pop on some punchy summer nail color, add tights to your summer dresses and replace your summer sandals with boots. Or take a trip to a summer destination with your beau or bestie. You are bound to get some great deals right now.

7.) Find a Fall Festival

Apple orchards, pumpkins everywhere, local music, tasty festival eats will get you into the season. So get your fall bucket list on and remember to layer those clothes!

8.) Celebrate Fall Host A Fall Party

Fall is the perfect time to entertain friends. People are back from their Summer vacations and have not quite taken off for their Thanksgiving dinners. So plan an outdoor fall bbq, beckoning your friends over for some time together. You can keep the party outdoors while the weather is right.

9.) Binge Some Streaming Series

There are so many shows and so many streaming outlets to binge from. Catching up on Gossip Girl via Netflix is one way, but why not check out some Docuramas too? There is The Way We Move, for example. And remember, as we get into spooky season, maybe it is time to get into the creepier shows like You.

10.) Start Planning Spooky Season NOW

Halloween Costumes? What will you be? Are you hosting the Halloween party? is there a theme? How many Halloween movies can I watch before the big day? And how should we decorate or place? Getting into Fall green lights getting into Halloween season too.

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6 Ways to Simplify Your Life This Fall

The turning of the season is always a good time to take stock and reassess. Fall is traditionally a time for harvest, laying away what you’ll need for the coming winter.

In modern times, this season is perfect for paring down as well as stocking up, and preparing for holiday celebrations while planning for a fresh start in the new year.

With that in mind, here are six ways to simplify your life this fall.

Get a Grip on Your Budget

If the pandemic proved one thing, it’s that you should maintain an emergency fund and keep an eye on your household budget. However, if you’re one of the many Americans living paycheck to paycheck, you might wonder why you should bother when you rarely, if ever, have anything left after paying bills.

However, examining your income and expenses can reveal savvy ways you can save. For example, refinancing your vehicle or refinancing your home could cut down on what you owe over the life of the loan, saving you money each month. That’s found cash you can use to pad your savings if your stimulus stash has already dwindled.

Review Your Insurance Coverage

Another savvy money move to make this fall is reviewing your insurance coverage. If you lost work or had to move due to COVID-19, you might be eligible to re-enroll in new marketplace coverage if your new employer or circumstances leave you without a health policy.

Please don’t risk bankruptcy — illness and accidents don’t discriminate. Plus, many insurance carriers no longer waive charges for COVID-related expenses, and experts still don’t know for sure what will happen with the delta variant.

You should also review your auto and renter’s or homeowner’s policy. If you haven’t had any accidents, ask your carrier if you’re eligible for a discount. Did you invest in a bunch of equipment to work from home during the pandemic? You might want to increase your property coverage in case of theft.

Organize Your Living Space

If your home has started to fray at the seams since your last quarantine cleaning binge, it’s time to organize. Doing so before the start of the new year lets you begin 2022 on a fresh note.

Start with your garage. It doesn’t take much carpentry skill to hang a pegboard for organizing small garden tools. Build high shelves to keep antifreeze and other chemicals away from little hands.

Then, tackle your closets. Make three piles — to keep, to donate or sell, and to repurpose or recycle. Pledge to practice one-in-one-out living by discarding an old item of clothing before buying something new.

Start a Daily Agenda

Do you want to supercharge your productivity? One of the best ways is to plan for each day in black and white. You can update your to-do list each evening before leaving work and make a master family schedule once a week.

What should you tackle first? Experts recommend “eating your frog” by scheduling your most burdensome chore first. Once that’s out of the way, the rest of your day will feel like a walk in the park.

Plan to Eat More Healthfully

You returned to the office, and you’ve had a killer day. You resolved to eat more healthfully, but you’re too exhausted to peel an onion, let alone fire up a wok. The drive-thru it is. But it doesn’t have to be if you get your meal-prep game on point. It all starts by looking at what you typically eat and discovering ways to streamline the process on your off days.

For example, if you live for salads, chop all your veggies and store them in stay-fresh containers so that all you need to do is blend the ingredients you want in a bowl. Then, stock your freezer with healthy microwavable home meals that provide far more nutrition than fast food.

Tackle Your Holiday Planning Early

Do you find yourself standing in line at 8 p.m. on December 24? Why not get an early start on your holiday shopping this year? That way, you can spend time mindfully selecting each gift for those you love instead of making do at the last minute.

If COVID-19 changes left you with an empty wallet, use this time to DIY. You can make thoughtful and useful items like homemade beauty products and stash them away until December.

Simplify Your Life This Fall With These 6 Ideas

Getting yourself organized and tidy makes you feel better and lets you go into the holidays and new year feeling accomplished. Simplify your life this fall with these six ideas!

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About The Author

Oscar Collins is the managing editor at Modded. He writes about cars, fitness, the outdoors, and more. Follow @TModded on Twitter for more articles from the Modded team.

10 Things You Need To Do With Your Bestie This Fall

You and your bestie literally had the best summer ever! And you’re now so ready for the Fall season. Pumpkin everything is what you’ll see everywhere starting now, so…

1. Before you indulge yourself with your first Pumpkin Spice Latte of the season…

…You and your bestie should enjoy your very last, extra large, ice coffee brew and make the last sip be your official transition to the Fall, as you recap all the memories you made together during the summer.

2. You both know that It’s definitely time to move on from your summer flings.

You’ve talked about it A LOT, and deep down know they’ve run its course. You’re both so ready to cozy up with the new flavor of the month, so be blunt little hoes with each other and encourage a little slutty behavior next time you’re out. Go get the new guy!

3. But if you happened to have found real love during your summer fun.

First remember, ’Chicks over Dicks’ then make sure you take advantage of a nice chilly night under the covers to tell your guy “I love you” for the first time. Be ready to text your girl first thing the next day, as you promised her to give her all the deets, and she’ll be there for you no matter what happened.

4. Make Halloween plans like right now.

So whether you decide to spend it low key, watching horror films while stuffing your faces with mini KitKats and Candy corn, or going all out at a costume party with friends. Start planning and “Trick or Treat” yo self!

5. You’ve been probably talking about new hairstyles all summer, so have fun with a little change, be the color or length.

Whatever matches your personality and goes well with the cool autumn vibes. You know you’re dying to cheer each other’s new kick-ass style.

6. You might also wanna update your makeup bag.

Another trip to Sephora is calling your names, so go and have fun watching all the pretty colors that are gonna look so good on you this fall season. Speaking of pretty colors, this Fall you should definitely get…

7. Sweater weather matching sweaters…

…because you both wanna be comfy AF while you binge-watch your new TV show pick on Netflix.

8. Hearty soup anyone? You might suck at cooking or be a master chef wannabe.

Whatever it might be, Fall calls for soup, so plan out a night to make it from scratch or order it from your fave restaurant in town. Either way, pair it with a nice glass of wine and enjoy every spoonful while gossiping the night away.

9. Fall is typically when the unexpected case of the blues hits hard, so like each other’s ride or die, make sure you make it a point to be there for each other a little extra every day during this season.

After all, you’ll take a bullet for your bitch and…

10. Every season is a good time to make a bucket list together and celebrate that you’ll always be best friends forever.

Hosting a Fall Barbecue: 9 Points to Remember

Fall barbecues are a comfortable alternative to their summertime cousin. Cooler temperatures mean you won’t melt when you fire up the grill, most insects have called it quits for the year and you won’t find yourself glued to your seat with sweat. All in all, fall’s a great time to fire up the grill.

So how can you throw an autumn barbecue? Follow the steps below to make your outdoor soiree a smashing success.

1. Plan for Crazy Weather

Fall weather is unpredictable, especially across the Northeast and Midwest. One day it’s sunny and 80 degrees, and the next it’s windy with a high of 50.

For the most successful fall barbecue, plan for inclement weather. Weigh or otherwise tie down decorations so the wind doesn’t carry them off. If you don’t want guests traipsing through your home, clean out the garage or screened-in patio so invitees have a place to sit out of the sun or rain.

2. Send Out Formal Invites

Invites send the message, “I’m a classy adult.” Plus, an RSVP tells you how many people to plan for and how much food and other supplies to buy.

Include the basics of when and where and add information about what guests should wear. This reduces embarrassment — showing up in a dress when everyone else is in jeans can make guests feel awkward. You can also indicate whether you want people to bring along a potluck dish or whether you’ll handle the menu yourself.

3. Plan Your Menu

Did you know meat has seasons, just like produce does? If you’re barbecuing in the early fall, wild poultry like duck and pheasant come into season. It’s why we eat turkey at Thanksgiving. In late fall, beef dishes reign supreme. While factory farming means you can find the meat you crave any time of year, buying it in season improves the flavor.

Fall means pumpkin-spice everything, making planning the dessert course easy. Vegetables such as winter squash and carrots come into season, and they grill very well when skewered and brushed with olive oil.

4. Honor Dietary Restrictions

Many people follow specific diets for health or conscientious reasons. For example, those with celiac disease can get very sick if they consume gluten. Many people adopt a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle out of concern for animals and the environment.

Offer menu items tailored to meet more than one restriction. For example, whip up this cowboy caviar that’s both gluten-free and vegan. If you serve your meal buffet-style, let those with restrictions go to the front of the line to minimize the risk of cross-contamination.

5. Elevate Your Drink Game

Alcohol can drive up the cost of your fall barbecue. You can save money by allowing guests to bring their own brews. You can even make doing so fun by incorporating a wine or beer tasting and asking everyone to bring a favorite to share.

You can save money by whipping up both alcoholic and virgin punches perfect for the season. Punch bowls save you time from refilling drinks as guests can serve themselves. You can also keep the alcohol content lighter to save additional cash and prevent any unwanted issues.

6. Provide Fun Activities

Sure, you want to sit around and gab, but the best parties include fun activities for all. Have fun interactive games planned, such as charades. Break out the volleyball net and the cornhole game. Guests will appreciate the chance to burn off their meal while having a blast.

7. Build an Epic Playlist

Music creates a mood. If you want a cheery barbecue, create an epic playlist full of uplifting songs that get people dancing. Ask your guests for input, too. You can include a spot on your invitations for them to list some favorite jams to add. Then, dock your iPhone and rock on.

8. Make Cleanup Easier

Barbecues rule because they create less of a mess to clean up. You don’t have to worry about guests spilling merlot on your white carpet if you’re all outside.

Set out trash and recycling bins in advance. If you hate doing dishes, you can find eco-friendly disposable plates and cutlery that won’t end up choking marine wildlife. Silicon wine glasses won’t break and cut bare feet, and they look way better than red plastic cups.

9. Enjoy Time With Guests

Relax and have fun with your guests. If you’ve followed the above tips, your barbecue won’t require much work during the event itself. Yes, you want to win barbecue of the year, but doing so doesn’t require you to play full-time maid and butler. Mix and mingle with everyone and thank each guest for attending. They’ll look forward to your next event eagerly when they feel welcomed and relaxed.

Throwing the Perfect Fall Barbecue

Fall’s cooler temperatures make grilling more pleasurable. Why not welcome autumn by throwing a classic barbecue for your friends and family?

Author Bio:
Dylan Bartlett is a lifestyle blogger who writes about dating, relationships and similar topics on his site, Just a Regular Guide. Follow his Twitter @a_regular_guide for frequent updates!