It’s FINALLY starting to feel like FALL. I already started my tour of pumpkin spiced lattes, several weeks ago, but the air is starting to feel like pumpkin spice weather. It seems like this fall is jammed packed with some awesome events; I don’t think I have a free weekend between now and Thanksgiving….. But I’m looking forward to one last concert, NC State Football games, the NC State Fair, Running a half marathon, traveling, and enjoying the last months of 2016. Fall décor and all things pumpkin spiced are in full swing at my house. So now that it is October, I feel like I can fully share all things related to fall with you.

My entry way is one of my favorite areas of my house. When Autumn rolls around I like to add some flare with some burlap, a lantern, pumpkins, pinecones and some awesome orange twinkle lights.

I love it. It was super easy to put together. The burlap is an old coffee bag I bought at the flea markets, the lantern and the basket were things I was storing in the closet, and the pinecones were from another display. The only new pieces were the white pumpkin and lights, which I picked up from Michael’s and Target. Here’s a close up.

I decided to decorate the outside of my house, this year. I usually don’t bother with the exterior, but I guess I was feeling extra festive. I bought a big pretty yellow mum, some pumpkins, a new doormat, and made a new sign for the door.

The sign was pretty easy to put together. I found the wood slatted circle, the extra piece for the stem, and the leaves at Michaels.

With a little bit of paint, and some hand lettering with the words “hello FALL,” the sign came together pretty quick.

Now that my house is decked out in fall…..it’s time to consume all things fall. I love pumpkin spiced lattes. Last year I made it my mission to try one from every establishment that served one in the Raleigh area…..Starbucks, La Farm, Sola, Caribou, Jubala, Whole Foods, Joule……there were so many I forget. The Starbucks PSL is way too sweet…..but it’s hard to pick a favorite from the others. PSLs are not an everyday treat so my favorite go-to coffee in the fall is the pumpkin spiced coffee from Trader Joe’s. I stock up on it, because once it’s gone, it’s gone!

I also love the pumpkin seed pita chips from Trader Joe’s. They’re dusted with cinnamon sugar and make a great snack. I just tried their pumpkin tortilla chips. I wasn’t sure how these were going to taste and if they would be good with salsa. All I have to say is that they’re amazing! It’s hard to describe the flavor, but you can definitely taste the pumpkin, but they’re not sweet.

I got to thinking the other day, “We consume A LOT of pumpkin stuff this time of year. I wonder what’s the growth statistic of pumpkin consumption over the last decade?” I don’t remember all of these pumpkin crazed items when I was growing up. I do love pumpkin spiced stuff, but it has gotten to be a little too much. What are your favorite fall things and treats?

Although fall will always come second to summer in my life, I love the transition to cooler weather and the holiday season. So here’s to the change in seasons, to new beginnings, to trying all things pumpkin spiced (until we’re sick of pumpkin), and to finishing out 2016.