we're well into fall now, but here are a few things that make letting go of summer a little easier...

1. goodbye skimpy swimsuit - hello sultry sweaters!
sweaters are in season and i love everything that goes along with this: tweeds, layered hoodies with jackets, corduroy, newsboy caps, crisp denim, scarves, blazers, argyle, cable tights, furry boots, cowl necks and soft mittens in rich browns, plums, reds, emeralds and azure. love it love it. as much as I like to carve out my own style, I'm going to go ahead and jump on the bandwagon and admit that I can't take my eyes off the Abercrombie fur- and fleece- lined hoodies. They're only $148... the perfect stocking stuffer. Doesn't someone want to buy me one? Also on the wishlist this fall: a great red croc leather satchel, brown juliet hat, dojo trouser jeans and some of these sweet little things.

2. sweet scents arrive!
stores everywhere are stocking their shelves with all sorts of delectible "freshly baked" body creams, hand lotions, body scrubs and heavenly sprays. I am a total sucker for any product with any variation of the words "sugar" "dessert" "pie" "cookie" "sweet" or "creamy" in the title. Smelling like dessert is apparently what my dreams are made of. I live for this time of year when I can stock up on these fab treats. Philosophy and Bath and Body Works have some delicious products; these are my favorites:

Vanilla Bean Noel Body Cream
Can there be a better scent? I submit that there cannot!

Pecan Passion Home Fragrance Oil
infuses your space with rich buttery baked goodness
how can you top it? whipped cream, I say!

"Crazy" Caramel Corn Temptations Body Wash
sounds sketchy but it's tres delicious. they didn't throw "crazy" in there for nothin'

Philosophy Egg Nog Body Wash
creamy and calorie free

Vanilla Frosting Body Set
pink sprinkles optional

Desserted Island by Cake
everything about this feels so right

Baked Apple Salt City Candle

Buttercream Cookie Salt City Candle

3. Football Season!
My Football for Dummies summer reading is really paying off (thanks, Howie!). A Saturday afternoon sprinkled with winning touchdowns, warm kettle korn, and athletes in spandex... how can anyone question the genius behind this combination? Smouldering heat or thundering rain, I truly adore collegiate football. I have a thing for mascots (ask Johnny), the wave and cheesy cheers. And I think the cougar cat roar blaring from the speakers is seriously just hilarious.

4. Saved by the Bell
Nothing spells autumn like the beginning of school. A fresh start, new year, a clean slate. I always loved school as a child (nerd alert!) and when the temperature drops and leaves begin to fall, I'm tempted to buy new composition notebooks, a box of colorful crayolas and freshly sharpened pencils. College is no exception. It's a thrill to begin new classes, open up my mind to new subjects and wrap my brain around new challenges. I'm not even in school this semester and it's killing me! BYU is on the agenda for Spring... I really just need to get crackin' and transfer my credits already. :)

5. Megan meets Martha Steart
I have no idea why, but when fall rolls around my internal Martha alter ego begins to emerge. Suddenly I want to start baking pumpkin muffins, simmer mulling spices, knit plush scarves (ok, I still don't know how...) and plan fantastic holiday get togethers. And I get this funny nagging to whip out my Stepmom VHS. I absolutely adore this movie and it is the epitome of fall to me. I aspire to be a mom just like the two in this movie - cool, spontaneous hipster stepmom Julia Roberts meets perfectionist Martha-Stewart-reincarnate mother Susan Surandon. One day I'll be the fashionable, savvy and chic mom who does it all. This movie just gets me excited for it. Am I weird? Yes.

6. Leaves changing + Standards
Fall is not only the best, but the only time you can drive up Provo Canyon and see the gorgeous leaves. I love to take a lazy afternoon to myself and drive up the Alpine Loop to take advantage of the colorfully-saturated foliage (did I just say foliage?), soak up the last of the warm sunrays and listen to some great driving music. I always revisit my collection of cool standards, lounge and jazz music about this time of the year and its a great prelude to all those swingin' Christmas tunes that will shortly arrive. Pottery Barn compilation albums are fab, along with anything from Michael Buble, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Jamie Cullum, Chris Botti and Vittorio Grigolo. Throw in a little classical and you're gold. The only improvement possible to the gorgeous autumnal view would be to experience it on a motorcycle. Wait, those freak me out. Sidecar...?

More things I love about fall:
the sounds of crisp leaves dancing across concrete
fantastic sunsets
halloween - one of my most favorite holidays!
trading in pool parties for cozy get togethers inside. my turtleneck toast is only weeks away!
I wake up at what is considered a ridiculous hour to some. In the winter, it's dark and still outside. I love being up early when the world is asleep. I go to the gym, run a few errands - it's the perfect, most peaceful uninterupted time. I get so much accomplished before much of the world is even awake.
hot postum + torani caramel syrup + splash of milk. tasty way to stay warm. second only to a sweet boy.