The Autumn Tag

As today is officially the first day of Autumn, I thought what better way to mark it than with an Autumn tag post here on the blog. I couldn't find one I liked that I hadn't already done in the past, though, so I decided to come up with my own questions, and created my own tag to answer! 

I give you, The Autumn Tag:

What signifies the start of Autumn for you?

When the evenings begin to get darker earlier, the air feels chillier in the mornings and evenings, the leaves begin to change colour, and kids go back to school after the Summer break. It actually feels like Autumn to me as soon as we reach the 1st of September, even if it's not officially Autumn until a few weeks later; it always feels like the start of a new season.

What do you love most about Autumn?

The explosion of colour. I love it when the leaves change from green to oranges, yellows, reds, and browns; everywhere looks so beautiful with a backdrop of all those fiery colours, especially here in The Cotswolds.

What do you hate about Autumn?

The dark evenings and shorter hours of daylight. It's depressing. I wish we could have summer daylight hours all year round.

What are you most looking forward to this Autumn?

I haven't got anything exciting planned, so I guess I'm most looking forward to seeing the leaves change. 

What are your goals for Autumn?

I want to blog, cross stitch, and read as much as possible, work on improving my photography, up my survey-answering game to earn some extra money for Christmas, sit down and reply to all blog comments, keep training Rosie, carve a pumpkin, go for an Autumn walk, and a bunch of other stuff you can read about here.

What's your favourite Autumn memory?

I don't have a particular favourite Autumn memory, but I get all nostalgic thinking about walking down to the bonfire through paths of fallen orange leaves, and watching the fireworks on the RAF base with my family year after year. Their firework displays were / are always magical. I also love remembering childhood Autumns when we would squeeze through tiny gaps between the garden fences behind our street and the RAF fence line to scavenge for conkers.

What is your favourite Autumn activity?

Going for long walks or drives in the countryside to enjoy the gorgeous Autumn scenery and the fresh air.

What's your favourite thing to do on a cosy dark Autumn evening in?

I love to curl up under a cosy blanket, put on a movie, and do some cross stitching, blogging, and / or reading.

Best way to spend a rainy day?

Curled up at home watching movies, reading, crafting, and blogging.

Do you decorate your home for Autumn?

I still live with my parents because of my chronic illnesses, who don't tend to switch up their decor from season to season, but I would if I had my own place. I like to add a few Autumn decorations to my bedroom, though, like sunflowers, munchkin pumpkins, candles, and cosy bedding when I can afford to.

What's your favourite Autumn movie?

My favourite Autumn movies are actually quite random. At this time of year I love to watch Practical Magic, Stepmom, You've Got Mail, Little Women, War of the Worlds, The Village, The Others, Hocus Pocus, Labyrinth, The Time Traveller's Wife, Mona Lisa Smile, the Scream movies, I Am Legend... and loads of others. Most movies that get me in to the Autumn mood aren't scary movies, but cheesy films with an Autumn setting.

What TV show are you most looking forward to watching this Autumn?

I can't wait for season two of Stranger Things. I got hooked on season one last Autumn, and the trailers for the new series look amazing.

What are your favourite Autumn songs?

Most of the songs I love to listen to in the Autumn aren't proper Autumn songs, but these are the songs that I associate most with Autumn, and listen to a lot at this time of year:

Fallen (entire album)- Evanescence 

Grand Theft Autumn / Where Is Your Boy- Fall Out Boy

Suburban War- Arcade Fire

Pyro- Kings of Leon

Helena- My Chemical Romance

Wake Me Up When September Ends- Green Day

I Miss You- Blink 182

Two Beds and a Coffee Machine- Savage Garden

Lost In Paradise- Evanescence

As The World Falls Down- David Bowie / Labyrinth OST

Final Masquerade- Linkin Park

Love Will Tear Us Apart- Broken Social Scene

Not Like The Other Girls- The Rasmus

The Killing Moon- Echo and the Bunnymen

Head Over Heels- Tears For Fears

Set The Fire To The Third Bar- Snow Patrol

The Interview- AFI

Love Will Tear Us Apart- Joy Division

Broken- Seether and Amy Lee

A Little Less Sixteen Candles, A Little More Touch Me- Fall Out Boy

What's your favourite Autumn candle?

I love a good Yankee Candle at this time of year, particularly Salted Caramel, Tarte Tatin, Pain au Raisin, and anything that smells like baked goods. They make the house feel extra cosy.

What's your favourite Autumn comfort food?

My Mum's apple pie with custard has always been a favourite of mine. 

What's your favourite seasonal Autumn drink?

I don't do the whole seasonal-flavoured thing, but I love to treat myself to the occasional Costa hot chocolate when the weather starts turning colder.

What are your favourite Autumn colours?

All of the colours of the foliage; the oranges, yellows, reds, and browns which blend together to create an explosion of colour.

What are your favourite Autumn fashion colours?

I love burgundy, forest green, teal, mustard, plum, raspberry, wine, and rust.

What is your favourite Autumn fashion trend?

I really like the checked trend that's around at the moment, although I don't really follow specific trends. I just wear whatever I like regardless of whether it's in or not.

What's your favourite Autumn fragrance?

It has to be Red Delicious or Be Delicious by DKNY. The apple scents are perfect for Autumn.

What's your favourite Autumn make up look?

I love wearing gold, bronze, and green eyeshadows and liners with black or brown mascara.

What is your favourite eyeshadow palette for Autumn?

The Too Faced Chocolate Bar palette is rather gorgeous for Autumn; it has so many beautiful shades.

What's your favourite lipstick for Autumn?

I don't wear lipstick very often, but at this time of year I would go with a berry shade or a deep red.

What's your favourite nail polish shade for Autumn?

I can't get enough of forest green and burgundy nail shades at this time of year. My favourite was Racing Green by Barry M, but I think it's been discontinued, and right now I'm loving a Body Shop Colour Crush shade called Body Shop Green.

Do you like feeling the cold on your skin?

Yes, I love feeling the cold air on my face, as long as the rest of me is wrapped up warm enough. It's a welcome change to being boiling hot 24/7.

Do you go to a pumpkin patch or buy your pumpkins in store?

I've never been to a pumpkin patch. I'd love to go to one, but I've never come across one in my area. I guess they're more of an American thing? I've always bought my pumpkins from the supermarket or farm shop.

What's your favourite pumpkin recipe?

I've never tried anything pumpkin-flavoured. We don't really do the whole pumpkin-flavoured thing in England.

Do you enjoy carving pumpkins?

I do! I'm not very good at it, but I've always enjoyed carving them.

What are you dressing up as for Halloween?

I'm not planning on dressing up for Halloween. I haven't actually dressed up for Halloween since I was eleven!

How do you celebrate Halloween?

We don't make a huge deal out of Halloween in England- it's mostly observed by kids trick or treating. I've never done much to celebrate it as an adult, apart from carving a pumpkin, watching some Halloween / horror movies, and eating sweets. I would love to go all out for Halloween and celebrate it like they do in America, though. It looks like so much fun!

Do you decorate your home for Halloween?

Aside from a Jack O' Lantern or two, we don't decorate for Halloween at all. I might have to try a few more decorations this year, though.

What's your favourite Halloween movie?

My favourite Halloween movies have got to be Hocus Pocus, and the Scream movies- they're classics!

What's your favourite horror novel?

You can't beat some Stephen King at this time of the year. I particularly love The Stand, The Tommyknockers, The Shining, Pet Sematary, Under The Dome, Misery, and his short story 'The Mist'. 

Please feel free to steal the tag and answer the questions on your own blog! Remember to leave me a link to your post if you do- I'd love to see your answers!

What's your favourite thing about Autumn?

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The Autumn Tag

I've seen this tag pop up on quite a lot of blogs lately, so I decided I wanted to give it a go, too. I probably did this tag last Autumn, but perhaps my answers will have changed a little from a year ago. If you fancy giving this challenge a go, too, please go for it! I decided to make my own Autumn Tag image, but feel free to use it if you wish.

1. Favourite Thing About It?

My favourite thing about Autumn is... probably all the fiery colours of the foliage. As much as I hate seeing the greenery fade away and how barren the trees will soon look until the Spring (I find that so depressing), I can't deny how beautiful Autumn is, especially here in The Cotswolds. Well, you guys now how swayed I am by colour!

I love going for walks at this time of year, wrapped up warm in chunky knitwear, gloves, scarf, and boots, feeling that Autumn chill on my skin, and crunching through the crisp dead leaves. And I also love the fashion colour palettes in Autumn; the forest greens, teals, burgundys, mustards, and deep purples, and the prospect of new season purchases.

2. Favourite Drink?

I don't really have a favourite Autumn drink; I'm not much of a hot beverage drinker and what I drink generally remains the same all year round. I do occasionally treat myself to a Costa hot chocolate during Autumn and Winter, though, so I'll go with that. Costa hot chocolate with marshmallows- no cream.

3. Favourite Scent / Candle?

My favourite perfume scent for Autumn is DKNY's Red Delicious which generally gets worn from September until the spring. It smells like red apples and berries, and I think the scent is so elegant and reassuring. It's cosy, warm, and inviting against the crisp Autumn air, and sits perfectly between subtle and over-baring.

As for candles, I enjoy the scent of any of the cookie scented Yankee Candles like Christmas Cookie, Snowflake Cookie, Red Velvet, and Vanilla Cupcake which all smell like short bread is being baked in the kitchen. There's something so comforting and homely about the smell of baking when it's cold outside, and it reminds me of cold Sunday evenings growing up when my Mum would usually be baking something comforting like apple pie or a rhubarb crumble.

4. Best Lipstick?

It's been a long time since I last wore lipstick regularly, so I don't really have one, but I would choose dark reds and wines, and plum colours for this time of year. I'd recommend Inglot lipsticks, which I've been experimenting with recently.

5. Go To Moisturiser?

I use the same moisturiser all year round and have never changed it with the seasons. I use The Body Shop's Vitamin E Moisture Cream and have done for quite a few years now. It keeps my skin so soft and smooth, and the scent is pleasant, so I see no reason to ever change it. It's not tested on animals, either, which is another reason I love it.

6. Go To Colours For The Eyes?

I'm not sure I really have particular colours I reserve just for Autumn. I like to wear almost every colour imaginable all year round, and never let the seasons affect that. Generally, you'll find me wearing lots of greens, purples, golds, and teals, but that's the case all year round, too.

7. Favourite Music Or Band / Singer To Listen To?

My musical tastes don't change hugely from season to season. I have my all time favourite bands, songs and albums which I listen to all the time, and that doesn't ever change much. I do tend to play Evanescence's music often in Autumn, especially their debut album 'Fallen', and I play Arcade Fire's 'Funeral' album a lot, too. I love to listen to Linkin Park's earlier albums (especially Meteora), and Kings of Leon's Only By The Night compliments the season. There's a few songs on the end of Savage Garden's 'Affirmation' album ('Two Beds and a Coffee Machine' onwards) which have always been played in Autumn, too, and I really don't know why!

8. Favourite Outfit To Wear?

I love wearing chunky knit boyfriend cardigans layered over tea dresses, with a thick scarf, opaque tights, ankle boots, a knitted beanie hat, and a cute pair of gloves.

9. Favourite Autumn Treat?

Apart from the Costa hot chocolate, probably my Mum's home made apple pie with custard.

If we're talking non-food treats, then I love to treat myself to new boots, gloves, scarves, and knitwear for the new season.

10. Favourite Place To Be.

My favourite place to be in Autumn is probably just in my own home town. We have so many trees in our town so it's a pretty place to be when the leaves start changing, and I find home so comforting when the nights are drawing in. I love curling up under a blanket with a good book or a movie, or perhaps some kind of craft to do and getting all cosy.  I also love to visit Oxford around September, October time, as it's a really beautiful place when the foliage bursts in to all that colour.

What are your favourite things about Autumn?