Cozy finds, grounding habits, and a reminder that slowing down is its own kind of glow-up.
🍂 Saturday Notes from Love Middle Life
We’ve officially reached that moment where you walk outside, feel that crisp air hit your face, and think, okay fine, fall, you win.
But instead of fighting the darker mornings and shorter days, I’m leaning in — layering up, lighting candles, and making peace with the shift. This season doesn’t have to drag us down; it can actually hold us if we let it.
So today, I’m sharing two things that are making this transition feel a little softer: my fall favorites (Amazon cart approved) and a few simple rituals to carry us through.
🛍 Here’s What’s in My Get-Ready-for-Fall Cart
Because if we’re going to partner with the darker months, we might as well do it in corduroy, comfort, and good scents.
1. Corduroy comeback. I found these high-waist, wide-leg vintage corduroy pants with pockets — real ones, not the decorative kind. They’re giving “cool aunt who knows good coffee shops” energy, and I’m fully leaning in.
2. Shoe switch. This summer I wore my black-and-white Adidas Sambas on repeat. This fall, I’m moving into the Handball Spezial Earth Strata. Same vibe, warmer tones — and they somehow make every outfit feel intentional, even if I’m just running errands.
3. New season, new scent. I’m trading rose for vanilla this fall. This body mist smells like cozy sweaters and clean sheets — soft, familiar, and just a little flirty.
4. TikTok made me do it. The fall skirt set that’s everywhere? I caved. It’s adorable, surprisingly comfortable, and easy to mix and match. I love a piece that can do double duty.
5. Cozy uniform alert. I’m a sucker for a matching sweat set — it’s my version of armor and self-care rolled into one. This one is oversized, ridiculously soft, and perfect for everything from writing to “resting my eyes” on the couch.
🕯 Five Rituals That Carry You Through
And because midlife is as much about energy as it is about outfit energy — here are five simple rituals that make the darker months feel a little lighter:
- Morning light. Even five minutes outside or under a light lamp helps your body remember the sun exists.
- Weekly connection. One walk, call, or coffee with a friend keeps your soul from hibernating.
- Creative play. Doodle, bake, redecorate, plant something — joy counts as productivity.
- Move for joy. Dance in your kitchen, stretch, or go for a walk. Movement is medicine, not punishment.
- Mark the solstices. Light a candle, pause, reflect, and honor where you are in your own season.
📝 Closing Thought
The darker months don’t have to drag us down. With a little prep, a little hibernation, and a little renewal, they can actually restore us. The solstices are like signposts, reminding us to honor endings, sit in stillness, and trust that light always returns.
So this weekend, pour something warm, light that candle you’ve been saving, and take a slow moment to enjoy it all — the cozy, the quiet, and the in-between.