Guest Post: Huffpost

Five things to get excited about this autumn

The flip flops have been stored away and your tan is fading fast, but there's no need to mourn the passing of summer. From cosy fires to a whole new look, here are five reasons why we're excited about the coming months.

Natural high

Nothing lifts your spirits like a walk under gold, red and orange autumn leaves. Our beautiful countryside is transformed into a stunning colourful landscape that begs to be enjoyed after a Sunday roast. Getting fresh air will combat the winter blues and desire to hibernate, and kicking fallen leaves is not solely for the under 12's - that crunch is a guilty pleasure to us all!

New term, new look

You might not need to buy a pencil case and shiny school shoes any more, but we all recognise that fresh feeling that September brings. The new school year prompts a change in style and attitude at any age. Been meaning to learn a new skill? Enrol on a course for the autumn term. Try a different hair colour to compliment the dusky tones of your autumn/winter clothes. Speaking of which, no one can resist updating their wardrobe at this time of year, so whether you want heels, flats or fleecy styles, check out this season's must-have ladies' boots.  

Knitwear and opaque tights

Baggy knits and colourful cashmere smooth over all our lumps n' bumps, while thick tights will keep your legs warm so you can work that favourite floral tea dress all season long.

Log fires

A BBQ is great but there's nothing like snuggling up under a blanket and watching the flames of a log fire. Peaceful, meditative and definitely romantic, a roaring flame is the perfect accompaniment to a good book or an excuse to visit your local pub for a rainy afternoon. As if that weren't enough, you can also look forward to the fireworks and fun of Bonfire Night!

Filling food

Gone are the days of a light salad for lunch: embrace seasonal root vegetables by making homemade soups and stews, and sink into comforting classics like toad in the hole, sausage n' mash and pies for pudding and main. The dark evenings and dropping temperatures demand lengthy meals to warm us from the inside, so gather your loved ones and tuck in to tasty treats.

The Autumn Tag

The lovely Chloe from chloesway.com tagged me in makeup-pixi3.com's 'Autumn Tag'. I haven't done a tag in ages and thought the questions looked super fun. Don't forget to comment down below and tell me if you like posts like this! 

For Autumn, what is your...

1) Favourite thing about it?

Autumn is my favourite season, for so many reasons. My favourite coffee at Starbucks comes out - Salted Caramel Mocha. It taste and smells like Christmas. Autumn fashion has always been my favourite. I love jackets - they're my favourite item of clothing. I've just ordered two more from nastygal.com and i'm on the hunt for a black fur coat. November is also my favourite month, there is Bonfire Night (my favourite night of the year) and Winter Wonderland (a London fair-type thing) opens and it's just a wonderful month. There is also halloween in October, I just love Autumn! 

2) Favourite drink?

I just mentioned it above but I love the Starbucks Salted Caramel Mocha. It's only available for around a month of the year and I cannot get enough. 

3) Favourite scent/candle?

The smell of fire! There is a reason Bonfire Night is my favourite night of the year, and that's because of the smell. The smell of burning leaves is like an aphrodisiac to me - haha! My favourite candle is definitely Yankee Candle's Christmas Cookie but I do love all their scents for A/W.

4) Favourite lipstick?

I'm currently loving my Topshop Lipstick in Beguiled (a post about it here). It's a vampy dark pink but I'm hoping to pick up Covergirl's Euphoria when I am in New York - looks lovely. 

5) Go to moisturiser?

I'm currently loving my Origin's High Potency Night-A-Mins cream for night but I will always love my Nivea one. 

6) Go to shades for your eyes?

Probably golds and browns, champagnes for my inner corner. I'm always a neutral girl! The most I do is silver instead of gold and browns, and do more of a gunmetal smokey eye but for day times I tend to stick to my MUA Undress Me Too palette or my Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette. 

7) Favourite music/artist to listen to?

For autumn I always love listening to Ellie Goulding and James Blake. During the colder months my music usually slows down from house beats and dub-step drops to more mellow tunes. I love Ellie so much, and James Blake. I currently really love Jay Z's Magna Carta album, but I did also love that during the summer. My music taste doesn't really vary throughout the months but I do find me playing some songs more. I am currently loving Passanger's All The Little Lights album. 

8) Favourite outfit to wear?

I love black jeans, my favourites are currently my Topshop Joni Jeans. They fit like the overpriced American Apparel ones but nearly half the price. So black jeans, with a black top usually, like a crop tee. My one is from Forever 21, but again the American Apparel ones are 'the original' ones - you must know what I'm talking about. Every teenagers current obsession? I'm not huge on the trend but the tight crop tops that if they were longer would just be tight plain tees? So one of those, in black, worn off the shoulder usually with my Gogo Philips gold chain necklace with a large flannel shirt worn over top or wrapped round my waist. My newest one is from Jack Wills and is a red and green cheque. With a pair of black converse or cutout boots (I am yet to buy). 

9) Autumn Treat (e.g a new bag, jacket, shoes)

I've just splurged on two new coats, in the post now! But I am planning a shoe splurge. I really want a pair of the Office cut out boots with gold buckles. I also really want a pair of the classic Vagabonds. Lastly i'm desperate for the limited edition Vans in Silver Snakeskin - they're so cute and paired with black jeans and a black top I think would be adorable. I also really want a fur coat. If anyone has seen any on the market you have to comment! I saw an OK one in H&M but as it was quite cheap the fur wasn't soft nor was it a good length.

I found this post so much fun to write! Thanks Chloe for tagging me! I tag all of you but special shoutouts too:

Melissa @pretty-little-obsessions.blogspot.co.uk

Hannah @hazzaapee.blogspot.co.uk

Ellie @elliesramblings.com

Kayleigh @x-couturegirl-x.blogspot.com
Etienne @ etiennesjournal.blogspot.com 

Have you all noticed the design changes? Don't forget to tell me if you like them! Loads of exciting posts are scheduled this fall, I'm very excited.