Fall is finally here and I think the majority has been waiting for this time of year since January. The leaves have finally started to show some amber and maroon shades, there's a bite to the wind, and you already know I've had a Pumpkin Spice Chai or two. What I love about this season is making my place cozy, warm, and inviting—much like I set out this blog to be! I know decorating can be a great seasonal hobby for some, but for college students on a budget (and for those who might not feel like going to TJ Maxx or Home Goods for the 20th time this week), here are some extremely budget friendly ways to get your place feeling like Gilmore Girls without breaking the bank.
Switching Out Textiles...
A simple reshuffle of pillows and throws can make all the difference on the coziness meter of your space. Whether it's changing out a pillow case or flipping over a blanket, it is so easy to make a space feel more inviting and warm with tons of textiles and fuzzy cushions. You can't go wrong with more pillows! Pulling out a fun wicker basket to store them in for friends and family is also a nice considerate touch.
At Your Local Dollar Store...
The best way to gather inspiration for fall decor on a budget is at your local Dollar Tree or Dollar General. I always find the most inexpensive decor pieces and craft items, more specifically, to create unique and intricate seasonal pieces. I was inspired to create this fall wreath by my cousins who had a wreath making night, so I decided to recruit my good friend to try and create a small one with things I could find either around the house or only from the Dollar Tree. All of the leaves, pinecones, ribbon, string, and even the foam wreath itself were found for less than $10. Instead of gluing everything, we were able to cut the pieces and stick them right into the foam. Here are 32 Easy DIY Fall Wreath ideas! A mini wreath like this will get any door or candle looking festive.
Walls can use a little spruce with updated art and prints! I think the color and patterns on the walls can really impact the warmth of a room, so why not use prints to amplify it even more? No need to go out and buy new prints when you can either draw or paint, reuse, or update old pictures on the walls.
I love to save my old Rifle Paper Co. calendars and cut them out so I have an array of prints to cycle through and ones that can be perfect for every time of the year. I've never been to Copenhagen, but this print sure makes me want to go! You could even try newspaper or magazine covers to create a collage on my bulletin board as I have with my old film photographs for a vintage and eclectic type of look.
The best way to instantly make your house feel and smell autumnal is to bake to your heart's content. I made cinnamon banana-nut bread this weekend and even made some extra loaves for later. There are many simple recipes, so here is an inspired banana walnut bread recipe that I love to refer to. I've seen people drying orange slices, roasting cinnamon almonds, and making all of the pumpkin spice flavored baked goods you could dream of. Find the ingredients laying around and you might be surprised at what you can concoct.
This time of year brings so much joy as the seasons change and it shouldn't have to cost you. There should be no pressure to "update" your fall decor because there are so many easy ways to refresh and revitalize what you already have laying around your house. I've even made a #fallfeels2020 Spotify playlist to set the mood and that's really all you need.
This time of year is meant for big changes and also letting go of things that are built up inside us. If there's one thing I know well, it's reorganizing and redecorating a space, which can always be a mood booster. Don't let the seasonal blues get you down and be inspired to create the coziest abode you desire! What are some budget friendly things you do to make your space feel more autumnal?
The only thing I want my skincare to accomplish is making sure my face looks somewhat alive during my Zoom classes—that's not too much to ask, right? Well, as the season transitions, my skin has actually been doing quite well considering how dry it usually gets. Maybe it's because I have more time to dedicate to self-care and more time to consider what I'm putting in my body that might be affecting what happens on my face.
It's always a constant experiment, but I think I have it down to a tee because there are only a few new additions to my skincare routine. I don't always want to achieve the "glowy" skincare look, but my face has favored the extra moisture and I'm just rolling with it!
Drunk Elephant
My absolute favorite new addition to my skincare has been Drunk Elephant's array of cleansers, which I have to say are not financially the best products to choose (I always refer back to the Cera Ve cleansers), but I got these mini trial sized products and cannot get enough of them. Before you go and look up how much the Drunk Elephant Polypeptide Cream really is, for someone who has extremely sensitive skin to the point where most moisturizers make it burn—this has done wonders. I will keep buying trial sizes until I end up convincing myself to get the full size container. It also came with the silkiest makeup remover, which is the Slaai Makeup-Melting Butter and it sounds as delicious as it is effective. You apply it onto your dry and dirty skin at night and everything just vanishes. No rubbing, no burning, and no grime.
First Aid Beauty
First Aid Beauty is F.A.B. in so many ways. First of all, I can always score on products at TJ Maxx, who doesn't love a good deal? And it is always my default when I'm looking for hydrating and exfoliating products because I know it won't harm or be abrasive to my skin. The Facial Radiance Polish is like no other St. Ives product you've used. There are no harsh beads, but just flecks of natural shea nut shell powder which is biodegradable and supports your skin barrier. The height of summer left my skin a bit loved by the sun, so I revert to the Ultra Repair Cream on days when scaly hands, arms, and even my face arrives this fall and winter. To have the ultimate eye lift and de-puff, I've still been using the 5 in 1 eye cream which apparently tackles five common signs of aging!
Other Hit Favorites
Origins Clear Improvement Charcoal Mask —Origins' products have always been a classic go-to when it comes to finding a charcoal mask for anyone who is prone to breakouts, oily skin, and visible pores. You can always find Origins products at TJ Maxx, as well, so check there first! Any of their products are worth trying out, especially their masks and exfoliants.
Lancôme Advanced Génifique Face Serum —This was a bougie little trial size I received from Sephora. I'm not too keen on using serums, probably because I associate serums with aging, but I've found my skin to be much more perkier when I use this on my cheeks and neck.
Cera Ve Tinted Hydrating Sunscreen —Cera Ve was a new discovery thanks to Tik Tok, but I already knew their eye cream took the cake. When I found out they made a tinted sunscreen, I was all on board. It's one of the most affordable skincare and safest brands out there. The only downfall of this sunscreen is that they do not make any other shade, which is a missed opportunity. However, It was perfect for daily application during the summer and I'm trying to be more active using sunscreens all year round.
I've probably invested more in skincare than I have in makeup this year, which might not be such a bad thing. What products check out on your autumn vanity?
I have become indifferent to rainy days, mostly because nothing requires me to go out and about these days, but often times I enjoy listening to the rain out my window. There's no pining dread of having to leave the house anymore and do your hair just for it to get humid and frizzy. However, one reason I haven't been fond of rainy days is because my productivity level plummets and my motivation level digs itself a deep hole. Rainy days get a bad rap because we associate happiness with sunshine and warm weather—what's not to love?
On days when the storm hits, and in Chicago sometimes weeks, it's important to not treat rainy days as necessarily bad days. I know a lot of people who find joy from laying in bed all day, watching Netflix, and getting all snuggled up. As much as I wish that's what is was like on a Thursday morning, there's work to be done and things to check off the to-do list. At least in my mind, it's easy for us to hit the snooze button when there could be so many great things happening around us. As someone who loves to be engaged in new activities and adventures, there have been a lot of socially distanced events and things to do in the city on a not-so-sunny day.
Things to do during fall in Chicago...
My family was able to secure reservations at the Art Institute to visit the new Monet installation of over 60 of his iconic pieces. Art museums, and museums in general, are always my place of choice on a rainy day. It's always refreshing to become exposed to new mediums, new art, new work, and new ideas. I always fall in love with the intricate landscape paintings he's done, especially the Lilypads. Living in Chicago has allowed me the luxury to visit these exhibitions that not many people often get to see, and they had just recently opened the museum in September to the public, click here to learn more. 
Fall Feels...
Lately I've been feeling the fall vibes more than I usually do. Fall can sometimes make me feel more anxious than other months because of the impending doom of winter, but this year was different in that I was excited for my senior year to start. When I'm working on homework or even writing on the blog, I always have music playing—my fall vibes playlist, of course. There's something cathartic about selecting all of the sweater weather songs and artists who just fit the mood of rainy days, falling leaves, and cozy nights in. From Fleetwood to Vance Joy to Maggie Rogers, I've got you covered. Follow my fall feels playlist on Spotify, here!
I have got to stop thrifting when I'm bored, but I just can't help myself. The thrill of the thrift is SO REAL. I have found some pretty good items when I'm least expecting it. The top items I look for are picture frames, blue Ball mason jars, and books, books, and more books. I am not a book worm. I never was and I never will be. However, books are so much cheaper at thrift stores! Who knew. Books allow me to escape. Escape Tik Tok, the news, my own thoughts, and I can delve into a world unbeknownst to me. Thrillers are the best page turners and for awhile I struggled to lift the page past the cover. I am currently reading The Girl On The Train, by Paula Hawkins. It's a bit dated and I'm definitely late to this train, but so far it gives me chills before I go to bed.
This one is kind of a doozy, but updating your resume and getting your career sh*t together always helps, and a rainy day is perfect for tackling it. Either that, or building a portfolio or archiving your emails is always a productive way to spend a rainy morning. I know you don't want to do it, but let me tell yuh, your future self will thank you! Rainy days don't have to make you sad, and they don't have to be unproductive either, but I hope some of my suggestions inspire some new fun ideas for making the most of the seasonal blues. The weather's changing, but that doesn't mean your mentality should suffer because of it. What are some things you do on rainy days?
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