This is not what it looks like here in the desert. I took this photo while I was living in Nashville in 2009. I really miss it there, especially this time of year. I haven’t seen color like that in five years. Fall is hands down my favorite season, mostly because it goes straight into winter. I love the cold weather and everything that comes along with it. I’ve compiled a list of my favorite things this season. Usually boots and sweaters would be at the top but it’s not cold enough here for boots and sweaters. It’s still t-shirt weather.
I love Celestial Tea. They have the best flavors this time of year. The Caramel Apple Dream is extra delicious.
While we were in Idyllwild for the Wine Walk my fiancé bought me this loose leaf tea. Pumpkin Chai Cream. It is perfect. We usually make this in our french press.
I know I keep repeating myself but I’m obsessed with Bulletproof Coffee now. I have come up with a few different recipes but my Mint Chocolate Bulletproof Coffee is my absolute favorite. It’s so much better than any of those creamers filled with fake ingredients. The magic is in those Dark Chocolate Honey Mints from Trader Joe's.
I’ve been trying to keep protein bars easily accessible so I don’t over do it with the Christmas goodies.
My favorite is the Think Thin Dark Chocolate Peppermint. They are limited edition but I really hope they end up keeping them around all year long. They pair well with my Mint Chocolate Bulletproof Coffee.
I love discovering new artists. I first heard Ella Henderson on Ellen. I really liked the song “Ghost” so I downloaded her album. My new favorite of hers is “Hard Work”. I was blown away when I heard her song “1996” and realized she’s only eighteen years old. She has so much talent for someone so young. Oh, and she's British. This may explain her level of talent.
I also heard Hozier for the first time on Ellen. When he sang I fell in love. I am always drawn to male artists who have a unique sound and he definitely has that. Every single song on his album is amazing. My favorite changes daily. I highly recommend listening to “Take Me To Church”, “Angel of Small Death & the Codeine Scene”, “Someone New”, “To Be Alone”, “From Eden”, “Sedated”, “Work Song” and “Foreigner’s God”. Oh my gosh. I just listed the majority of the songs on his album. He's Irish. Why does all the talent come from across the pond?
She’s no Hozier but I was highly impressed with Taylor Swift’s new album. Most of the songs are on my workout playlist. She’s come a long way from “Tim McGraw”. When I first heard Taylor while I was living in Nashville I did not like her at all. I usually don’t change my opinion of things or artists but she is the exception. I actually own all of her albums. I love Red as well.
I’m a little behind the times when it comes to TV shows. I usually don’t watch shows as they are airing live. I do record anything Kardashian and Ellen every day but I watch everything else on Netflix or Hulu. My parents mentioned Parenthood and how much they loved it. I had tried watching it a few months ago but I never got into it. I’m glad I gave it a second shot. This is such a great show! They cover every celebration and every trauma. I’m pretty sure 99% of America can find something to relate to on this show. I may or may not have cried a few times while watching.
I am a huge fan of crime solving shows. I’ve been watching Law & Order, SVU and Criminal Intent since I was a little girl. I came across The Killing on Netflix and it did not disappoint. I’m so upset that it only consists of four seasons and the fourth season only has six episodes. WHY?! I wish they would give me more!!! I was on the edge of my seat every episode. I’ve got my parents watching it now.
My fiancé and I always have a hard time agreeing on TV shows and movies. We have very different interests so things are never boring around here. We like to watch TV shows on Netflix from start to finish and when it came time to choose a new one we actually both agreed on House of Cards. This show is dark and good! I’m not really knowledgeable when it comes to politics but I’m actually learning a lot so it’s educational too. A lot of twists and turns that are unexpected.
I’m a little behind with movies as well. I don’t enjoy going to the theater so I’m usually watching last season’s movies at home. My favorites right now are what I like to call holiday classics. Must see movies during this time of year. The Holiday is at the top of my list. I love this movie, mostly because I love Kate Winslet.
Home Alone. No description necessary. My family usually watches this on Thanksgiving but we weren’t able to this year since I was with my future in-laws. Hopefully we can play catch up and watch it before Christmas.
I think we may like Home Alone 2 even more than Home Alone. Our favorite part is when Marv gets squished by a tool box and his mouth is smashed and he says, “That was the sound of a tool chest falling down the stairs.” We laugh so hard and we rewind and watch it again. We also quote that all year long.
I love finding notes from my fiancé on the fridge. Don’t ask me who’s on the magnet. I couldn’t tell you. #nerdstuff
My absolute favorite thing that came out of this season is my engagement ring.
And my absolute favorite moment of this season was when the love of my life asked me to marry him. I’m so glad my fiancé chose to propose in the fall because it just makes this time of year even more special.
