Top Centre - Clockwise : Fraiser Fir | Hammock, a.k.a. Thornbloom, Grateful, Thankful, Blessed Tea Towel | Winners, Tan Knit Sweater | H&M, Gold Tray | IKEA, Wine Glass | IKEA, Seeing Stars Essie Nail Polish | Shoppers Drug Mart, Glasses | All About Eyeware Optical, Glossier Highlighter | Gift for my 30th Birthday from Jasmine Alexander, Autumn Anthology | Amazon, Brown Silk Shirt | Suzy Shier, Into the Wilderness by Sara Donati | Lend from my Aunt

Frasier Fir Aromatic Candle

I first found this candle with my mom last Christmas. We both entered the Hammock store and stopped instantly in awe at the way this candle smells exactly like a real Christmas tree. This year I had to buy one. Especially knowing their business was suffering due to storm damage affecting their access to their flagship store downtown Halifax. It was a small thing to buy, yet I made sure to purchase this candle from them.

Grateful, Thankful, Blessed Tea Towel

With a newly renovated kitchen comes the desire to decorate it. That being said, I am always careful with decorations. I realize that personally, I tire of them easily. Focusing on seasonal decorations is a great way for me to enjoy decorating without boring too fast. I adore this set which reminds me of what Thanksgiving and the preparation for Christmas is all about.

Tan/Brown Knit Sweater

Mid Autumn, I was on the hunt for good deals. When I saw this sweater at H&M I was hooked. It was exactly what I wanted in a knit sweater. Loose, warm, complimentary and a muted tone. It is so warm. A luxury.

Wine Glasses

During our kitchen renovation this year, for some odd reason, we ended up breaking multiple water & wine glasses. I decided to look at what IKEA had to offer and was so pleased with this line. Previously I had stemless goblets. I adore those and still have three left, but there is something about these stemmed goblets that just speak to me.

Seeing Stars Nail Polish

Simply put, I am embracing brown this year and this nail polish color is making it happen for me.

Glasses

Getting my prescription updated this year led me to get a new set of glasses. I have a newer black pair that look similar to my old ones and this pair which I am enjoying wearing for a less aggressive look. I love that I can pop these on at a more formal event and feel that they are not taking away from my makeup / overall look.

Glossier Highlighter

Jasmine gave me this highlighter for my 30th birthday and I am still loving and using it. I love the way it adds a slight brightness to the face without being overt.

Autumn Anthology

Just as the last anthologies, I enjoy having each book in this series to read the natural rhythms of the seasons as the seasons unfold. I am a woman of seasons if you haven’t already gotten the hint….

Brown Silk Blouse

I am learning to re-love brown this year. I find it a comforting warm color to wear and the silk itself which is just so darn sexy.

Into the Wilderness - Sarah Donati

A lend from my Aunt in PEI this past summer. A good distraction while I wait for Outlander series season 5 to come out so that I can read book #5 The Fiery Cross.

Top centre - Clockwise: Tiger Sweater | Find from @littlethriftedcloset, Marie Cat | Gift from Auntie Heidi, Denim Long Sleeve | The Gap, Unicorn Headband | Freebie from Indigo, Cat Ears Headband | Joe Fresh, White Flower Long Sleeve | Old Navy, Pens | Gift from Auntie Jasmine, Artwork | From preschool, White long sleeve & pants | Old Navy, Reading is fun Frame | From Pre school, Jeans | Old Navy, Green Long Sleeve | Old Navy, Blue Flower Long Sleeve Blouse | Find from Auntie Nicole, Flower pants | Find from Auntie Nicole, Doughnut Pants | Carters & Gift from Mimi & Yeye, God Gave Us Thankful Hearts Book | Gift during an Autumn outing with Grandma & Grandpa, Gold Flats | Carters & Gift from Auntie Heidi, Little Wild Flower Pyjamas | Old Navy, Grey Sweater | Old Navy

Autumn started slowly. Many warm days in September and October early and it has only been during November that I have realized that we need to get more long sleeves and pants for the winter.

New to Her

The Tiger Sweater found by Little Thrifted Closet has been by far the staple item of her Capsule wardrobe for this season. It is big on her but will grow with her and allows for an extra coziness for her outfits when going about the autumn activities.

The Headbands were fun additions due to Halloween and a random giveaway we came across. For Halloween she was Marie, the Aristocat and having the simple white long sleeve & pants from Old Navy along with the headband from Joe fresh was a perfect minimal way to create the look.

Jeans from Old Navy are perfect. She is in a sweet spot right now, where Old Navy pants generally fit her width and lengthwise.

Still Going Strong

The green Old Navy long sleeve top from last winter which is a 4T still works great.

The Denim long sleeve from Auntie Heidi for Zoe's birthday is still the perfect addition to those preschool or days out and about!

Time to Go

There are t-shirts & a few long sleeves not pictured here because although she has worn them they have been outgrown in the course of the season.

The Blue blouse from Auntie Nicole is about to be one of those outgrown tops and I am so sad about it. It’s so precious on her.

Flowered pants now have a hole in them and we are so sad to see them go.

Top Centre - Clockwise : Brown Knit Sweater | H&M, Brown Keds | Soft Moc, Green Knit Sweater | Bootlegger, Brown Silk Long Sleeve | Suzy Shier, ‘Seeing Stars’ Essie Nail Polish | Amazon, ‘Less is Aura’ Essie Nail Polish | Amazon, ‘Spirit’ Lipstick | MAC, Blue Jeans | The Gap, Black Pants | RW&Co, Into the Wilderness by Sara Donati | Lend from a bookish Aunt, Black Pleather Jacket | Suzy Shier, Black Turtle Neck | RW&Co, Black Leather Boots | part gift from my parents : GLOBO Shoes, Rose Pyjama Pants | La Vie en Rose, White Cable Knit Dress | Magnolia Boutique, Green Pants | RW&Co, Black Pleather Pants | Zara, Autumn Anthology | Amazon.ca, Burgendy Sweater Dress | La Vie En Rose, Gold / White Silk Zipper tank | Bootlegger

Unfortunately this top down photo didn’t turn out as clear as I wanted it to. I thought about doing it again, but it’s that time of year where we have to pick and choose what we make a point of making a fuss over, and this isn’t one of those things this time around.

That being said, I ADORE this seasons capsule.

There are many things not pictured here (fitness wear, under tanks, pyjamas, black dresses & blazers.) But I figure those are staples all year round and if I end up wearing them a lot during a season or are in a big event that season, I will feature them in the capsule. Just know this is clearly not the only clothes I own for this season. Just the more curated look of what I wore on the daily with a few staples sprinkled in that didn’t make the cut for the picture.

New to Me

The cable knit sweater was a purchase I am still weighing if I feel was the right one. I may end up sharing this item with the bestie, Jasmine.

The brown knit sweater is a dream, along with the burgundy sweater dress which has pockets and hugs the body exactly how you want it to, while also leaving enough room to feel cozy.

The Silk Long sleeve is also new to me, and something I found for $13.00. I was so happy to have acquired it!

Still Going Strong

That Black pleather jacket is a dream. I adore how it keeps me warm yet still feeling chic heading to a meeting.

The brown leather KEDS are a forever joy for me. I am taking extra care of this pair, because I love them so so much!

The Gap blue jeans are a solid pair. They don’t have that new look to them anymore, but they are still holding strong after many days of wear and washes.

Time to Go

The white silk tank with gold zipper has not stood up with time. I am not ready to let it go just yet, but I am realizing that some pieces from Bootlegger stand and some do not. This has been one of those that don’t. The gold leaves on the white silk have faded quickly and it’s starting to loose its vibrancy. I loved it, so this is very disappointing.

Being a lover of music means I adore so much of it. With more and more access via streaming services, I have needed to find ways to curate my listening so I don’t get overwhelmed by it.

You can listen to this seasons curated playlist on Spotify.

Stand Outs:

Lover by Taylor Swift

Because ‘Lover’ might one of Taylor’s best albums yet & I love everything about this song.

Succession by Nicholas Britell

Because Jeremy & I have loved getting into this television series & everything about this opening song is perfection. A classical and modern mash up. The piano in this is so on point. #chills.

Problem by Scott Bradlee & Postmodern Jukebox

Because this band brings me back to my swing dance/blues class days (always started in the fall) & I the lyrics may be a great sassy wink.

Dunes by Alabama Shakes

Because this song has such deep grit and soul. love preparing for a weekend brunch with this playing in the background.

Thanksgiving comes early in Canada,

which has always slightly bothered me. In part, because I do like the idea of celebrating Thanksgiving closer to Christmas as our neighbours in the States do. Almost as if it was marker for the start of the holiday season.

Thankfully we are blessed to be Canadian and thus we cannot change the early nature of our thanksgiving long weekend.

A few traditions we have been working on as a family each year.

1. Write a list of 100 things we are thankful for.

2. Have a autumn themed brunch.

3. Do an age appropriate thanksgiving themed activity (colouring pages this year)

4. Take an autumn walk (if weather allows)

Within those activities there are the obvious spend time with each side of our families and generally, enjoy quality time together.

This year we were sick, so our plans had to shift a bit. We gave thanks for how 2019 has been growing and challenging us. No matter what trials we have journeyed through the year, we have so much to be thankful for. Seeing how quickly Zoë was able to rhyme off all the things she was thankful for brought us into a place of centred-ness, reflection and celebration for everything we have.

Even if we do have an early Thanksgiving, I believe it is the perfect heart, mind and soul preparation for the Christmas season to come.

Thankfulness is the beginning of everything.
Like a prayer before a meal.
A donning of a jacket,
lacing up of boots before a walk of exploration.

Thankfulness is a precursor.

& here we are.

Walking into the leaves of autumn. The night air is decidedly more crisp and the sun is slower to rise. Autumn was never my favourite but I am learning that I may like it more and more with each year that passes. There is something promising and comforting about it. The warm blankets, lit candles, baking in the oven and coffee that warms not just your stomach but your hands. A sense of renewal in the shedding of things.

Personally

This Autumn I am seeking to honour and encourage a new and steady routine. We had to put a lot on the back burner during the spring and summer to accomplish our necessary renovation and although I could remind myself it was all for a good reason, it was hard not to see the weekends and evenings waste away from us and the missed time spending with our friends, family and each other. We will embrace the Autumn weather and go for walks and I will continue tidying our house from our huge overhaul. Letting go of what isn’t for us anymore and finding a new way to connect with each other and those we love.

Professionally

The Spotlight Series is going back into the studio to film women. Through Brilliansea we are aiming to continue our project by mindfully curating the women we bring in. We want our project to display diverse and unique backgrounds in both life and experience. I am continuing to learn my place on the board of women in film and television and have given myself grace to learn how the association works before taking on too much. This season I am going to be pushing myself to grow and experiment behind the scenes of my work in both development and production areas. I am sensing that my season of carefully taking in and curating has been teaching and showing me where I can expand and accomplish new elements of my craft that will empower and equip me to create quality work.

& with that I step onto the fallen leaves with a bit of refreshed purpose and mind.