From The Pumpkin Patch

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

No, not Christmas. Trust me, this is even better. I’m talking about autumn: the season of crunchy leaves, knitted sweaters and cosy nights in.

“But it’s only September!” I hear you cry. You guys, this is the time to get organised! Imagine waking up on the first cold day of the season and realising that you don’t have a single autumnal candle to burn, and that all your cosy sweaters are still buried deep at the back of your wardrobe? I can’t think of anything worse.

I have a confession to make – I’ve been adding to my autumn Pinterest board since July. But I’m actually being very restrained this year, as I don’t have plans to go pumpkin-picking until at least October 1st. I can’t say the same for my closet, however – the shops have been overflowing with cosy sweaters, hats and scarves that I just couldn’t leave behind.

In case you haven’t noticed, I really, really love this time of year. So if you’re in need of a little cold weather inspiration, you’ve come to the right place! I’ve decided to share my absolute can’t-live-without-them autumn essentials – a mixture of fresh new pieces alongside the trusty favourites that I reach for every year.

Grab a mug of spiced apple tea and get cosy – I guarantee this post will spark all the autumn feels!

Deep Brown Cardigan – This was a birthday gift from my boyfriend, and I’ve barely taken it off since. Isn’t it just the perfect colour for autumn? It’s an Urban Outfitters find, and I’m seriously impressed. Definitely a staple this season!

Mustard Sweater – I actually picked this up in the sale a few months ago for only £8! I can’t resist a thick knit sweater, and the colour is so autumnal. This one is from Miss Selfridge, and I can already tell that I’ll be wearing it over and over all season long.

Walking Boots – These are perfect for muddy autumn treks through the forest. I originally had my eye on a pair of Timberlands, but with my habit of wrecking expensive shoes I decided to opt for this cheaper version from New Look. They are so comfortable, and look perfect with ripped jeans and a snuggly sweater.

Candle – I know Yankee Candles are pretty basic, but they do have some really great autumn scents. This one is Autumn Glow, which makes my whole apartment smell like a crisp fall day.

Nail Polish – I’m really into dark nail colours lately, and these two just scream autumn. The first is a rich brown (New Look‘s Terracotta) and the second is a perfect matte grey (New Look‘s Charcoal). I’m pretty lazy about painting my nails in the summer, but there’s just something about the colder months that makes me want to try all the dark, vampy shades.

Lipstick – I often don’t even bother with gloss during summer, but as soon as the temperature drops you’ll find me digging out my berry-toned lipsticks. This is my trusty ‘Divine Wine‘ shade from Maybelline – I know they’re not cruelty-free, but I bought it before I went vegan and decided to just finish it off. I usually opt for rusty, deep brown eye looks during the colder months and this lipstick is the perfect finishing touch.

Gloves – I always keep a plain pair of black wool gloves in my bag, but sometimes you just want to feel a little bit posh. At least, I do. I picked these up from Accessorize a few years ago and they’re still going strong. Of course, it goes without saying that the leather and fur are faux!

Slouchy Socks – It wouldn’t be a British autumn without a pair of cosy socks! These look super cute peeking out of ankle boots, and keep your feet warm when you’re pottering around the house. I got this pair from ASOS, and I want them in all the colours.

Pom Pom Earrings – How adorable are these? I spotted them in Zara and just couldn’t resist. I don’t wear earrings much, but I think these are going to become a staple. You can’t go wrong with pom poms this season!

Checked Scarf – This is an absolute must-have during the colder months. Another ASOS find, it keeps me toasty warm and doubles as a blanket on the train. Plus, it makes you look pulled together when you really haven’t tried that hard!

Seasonal Tea – There’s nothing better than a warm drink on a chilly morning. I don’t drink coffee or regular tea, so when autumn rolls around I go crazy for the seasonal herbal teas. Teapigs have a whole caffeine-free section on their website (how amazing is that?) so I bought three flavours to try: Apple and Cinnamon, Creme Caramel and Sweet Ginger. I have a feeling my kettle will be boiling non-stop this autumn!

Isn’t this time of year just so magical? I think Emily Bronte said it best: “Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree.”

Here’s to a leaf-crunching, tea-drinking, pumpkin-picking September!