Falling for Fall

The official start of fall is this Friday, and I couldn't be more excited!  In Texas, fall is really what I like to call summer/winter.  It's an approximately nine minute span of time between summer and winter.  If you blink, you will miss it.  I mean, we usually decorate the Christmas tree in shorts and then go directly into wet, freezing cold.  It's odd. However, despite the Texas weather, fall is always my favorite season of all. There is so much to look forward to - Thanksgiving and Christmas, namely, and lots of good comfort food to begin cooking again.

Enter North Carolina.  How I love thee, North Carolina.  Last Sunday, Brent and I ate lunch at a restaurant outside on the patio, and I was perplexed / flabbergasted / overjoyed to find that I needed a fleece!  An honest-to-goodness, zip-it-on-up fleece.  I was nearly giddy with excitement.  I'm finally going to experience FALL in all its fall-y goodness. 

Here's what I'm looking forward to this fall:

#1:  Comfort Food
I am looking forward to chili, baked pasta, and roasts.  There is nothing better than a Sunday afternoon at home with the aroma of a slow cooked meal in the oven or crock pot.  I'm going to try this Rachael Ray Tex-Mex Corn Chip Chili and this Autumn Mac & Cheese I found on Pinterest.  You should also try my mom's roast pork loin.  Yummmmm!

#2:  Scarves
I am in love with infinity scarves.  I don't know about you, but I can never seem to tie a scarf so that it looks good.  With an infinity scarf, you just put in on, and it looks perfect every.single.time.  Good thing they are cool right now because you can get one in every color and print under the sun in just about any store.  I snagged this one from Urban Outfitters, and I am obsessed with it.  It matches, like, everything.  I think this exact one is sold out now (sorry) but they still have lots of cute ones!

#3:  Tights & Leggings
I am a huge fan of tights & leggings!!  I personally think leggings feel like pjs which is A-OK with me.  They are warm & cozy as well as fashionable, so who can argue with that?  I love this look from Pinterest with the purple tights, yellow skirt, and black top.  Not sure if I'm brave enough to wear it, but maybe- just maybe.

#4:  Boots & Booties
Last year I fell in love with the bootie, and I'm delighted to know they are still around.  I just bought these adorable booties from Target - the Verana - for $29!  Love.

If I had an unlimited budget, I'd buy both colors of these:

But since I don't (have an unlimited budget) I've got my eye on these:

#5:  Fall Candles
I have a small obsession with Slatkin candles from Bath & Body Works. Well, I have a large obsession with Bath and Body Works in general, but that's neither here nor there.  Anyway, when the three wick candles go on sale 2 for $20, I go into a candle ordering frenzy. They are quality, people - it's worth it. I just purchased my fall candles (2 for $20 sale, obviously) and I am enjoying them every day. My very favorite is "Autumn", but as soon as October hits, I'll be busting out "Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin" as well.

#6:  Fall Leaves
I'm not sure I totally believe it, but I've heard tell that leaves actually CHANGE COLORS in the fall.  I know... crazy talk.  Still, I see pictures like these of the Duke Gardens on the Duke campus in the fall, and I can hardly wait.  If there's a pile of colorful leaves, I may jump into it.  Just saying.

What are you looking forward to this fall?