If I could live in one season forever, it would be fall. 

 

But, I guess, then it would lose some of that magic along the way, right? 

 

Every day just seems to have a bit more oomph to it, you know what I mean?

 

 There's a sparkle in the air, a hope in your chest, a heart that is pumping a little harder and it feels like something exciting is just around the bend. 

 

Still waiting for the trees to start changing around here, but it's cooler, so I can't complain. 

 

So many things to love about the season, whether you're into the spooky or not. 

 

The colors, the way the sunlight dances across the wall at the end of a day. Lighting a candle after a hectic day or in the afternoons when I'm working from home, just reminds me to slow down and focus on the positive (I started during Covid and never turned back). Walks without worrying about dying of a heat stroke and passing out because of the temperatures. Flowers being sold on the corners, like you'd see in New York City. Admire the trees changing in the park or sit on a bench to reflect and have a quiet moment. 

 

October is flying by. It's the last week of the month, to be exact. 

 

Whatever it is about this month and the festivities (Halloween or otherwise) you enjoy, there are a few ways to pep it up without breaking the bank. 

I wasn't a huge Halloween kid growing up. I dressed up and liked trick or treating and harvest festivals/carnivals at church. But, a lot about the night just gave me anxiety. Creepy movie previews, crazy things seemed to happen, people coming up to your door and never knowing when it was going to happen, pets getting freaked out. It just wasn't for me. 

 

It really wasn't until I met one of my best friends in high school where I changed my view on it. I'm not a fan of the scary, but I'll take a little silly, spooky fun just for kicks and giggles. Give me a fun costume party, some treats, pumpkin decor, throwing the leaves or other festivities, like street fairs, baking something fun, antiquing, lighting a candle for a cozy night in and a fun Halloween movie or sitcoms I grew up watching on Nick at Nite or Disney Channel. 

 

We didn't decorate specifically for Halloween, but we always had some pumpkins or other fall decor to place around the house. 

There's nothing like a fall setting: foliage, pumpkins, leaves scattered on the ground, table scapes of food and drink as you laugh with loved ones, cozy sweaters, flavored coffee drinks, countryside with a cool breeze in the evenings and “Braverman” lights as my family and I call them. There's pretty window displays with floral bouquets, costume ideas in thrift stores, stacks of books with candles glowing on top, friend dinners or brunch to catch up - mornings or evenings filled with laughter, advice, venting and just good ole fashioned girl talk.

 

It's cozy pillows and throw blankets draped over the couch, so you can get settled in with your matching PJs and slippers to enjoy the evening and veg out after a crazy week. It's times like these that I miss my apartment. I enjoyed decorating with fun pillows and trinkets and candles with my own space to create and design. 

“Spooky” activity books, Halloween sitcom episodes, a themed Spotify playlist with Monster Mash and other songs that can work for the day. I don't watch scary movies, so I stick to the classics, like Halloweentown, Death Becomes Her, Under Wraps, Practical Magic and others along those lines. Although, I did just watch Alfred Hitchcock's “Psycho” and I have to say I enjoyed it. More of a psychological thriller than a gruesome horror film. I was amazed with the editing and effects, especially for that time. No wonder it was so revolutionary when it came out.

 

Halloween pulls out all the production stops: eerie sounds, lighting and other visual effects, like fog and animatronics. It makes for fun and edge of your seat watching episodes. You could try a real production or theater show – Murder Mystery themed party or show. Never a dull moment, because you're part of the action. 

 

Go to the pumpkin patch, find the perfect one and carve at home listening to music or watching a movie. Some years, my parents and I have done it together and other times, we'd go out and find the pumpkins. I'd carve it on my own or try painting it with a special acrylic paint. 

 

Visit petting zoos, go to harvest festivals, the apple festival or to the beach. That last one could just be a personal thing we do. My grandma's birthday was in October, and we'd always take her to the beach for a weekend, so I always associate it more with this time of year. Or go to a craft fair, browse through bookstores, ride the merry go 'round at the fair, buy yourself flowers or go to the pumpkin patch or local barn that sells produce and pastries, try samples of breads and yogurt and cheese. 

 

There's always contests for decorating scarecrows or participating in group costumes, pumpkin carvings and other games. Host a gathering, where everyone brings something and you can all just spend some time together with good music, food, conversation, lights. Who doesn't love a day at the park? Grab a blanket, some books, swap one or two with your besties and just chill outside; gab and freak out about the story or sit in silence. Or grab coffee and meet a friend for a walk on an early Saturday morning. Another favorite is going to Via Arte in town, a street painting festival, where artists use chalk to do portraits and street “painting”- You can watch them throughout the process and vote for them at the end. 

 

Take advantage of so many great events outdoors since the weather is so nice. 

 

I love oversized sweaters and cardigans, shawls/shacket (think the flowing kind that Stevie Nicks wears on stage) a lot of denim, colors of orange and deep maroons, deep shades of lip color, boots galore - short, tall, platform, flats - I love them all. Fun earrings and jewelry, variations of plaid, sweatshirts and the occasional skirt or dress that with flowers or other patterns. Layers, layers, layers, especially in California when it's usually 85 degrees by the time it hits 2 p.m. 

When I was a kid, I bought a few costumes that come in the plastic package with everything in it. But, as I got older, I started doing a lot of DIY's and using things I already had or items I'd use again. I was a Dalmatian (a couple of times), Pocahontas (along with my friend who was John Smith), a Beanie Baby with one of my friends. Later on, I was a “country singer” auditioning for American Idol, Luke from Gilmore Girls (just for a social media contest) and a fox for an event my mom and I worked with my aunt.

 

Over the last few years, I went as Rosie the Riveter, “Rachel” from Friends because I had the apron, “Kathie Lee and Hoda” with my friend/coworker for our annual Party in the Park event. And, of course, we've had quite a few group costumes with our office at work, like “Where's Waldo?” (where we were all different versions of Waldo - I was Christmas Waldo) and “Tom Hanks” (various characters from his movies, I was Woody). 

 

As someone who always loved acting and did a lot of theater, I appreciate channeling a character and just committing to the bit. Some years, time has run out for a costume, but I've still gone with a theme of black and orange and try to be spirited however I can. It's fun! You get to be kid-like again. I'm not sure if I'll work anything out for this year, but there's still time. 

Who says you can't play with your food? Halloween truly leaves a lot of room for doing just that. You can get messy with the gruesome side of things or take the sweet approach with a kiddish Jack-O-Lantern out of your stuffed bell peppers, mummy dogs or slicing your cheese into a Jack-O-Lantern shape to add to your burger. Pumpkin everything, mashed potatoes and true home-cooking, fancy pie crusts for your apple and pumpkin pie, rice krispy treats and popcorn balls. Pumpkin everything, candy corn, and a good charcuterie board (add whatever you want to make a face or spider or something wacky for the season). 

 

This is also the season to break out the hot spiced teas with cinnamon and harvest assortments, like apple and ginger. Or make mummy pancakes with vanilla frosting, grab a couple of boxed kits (Walmart always kills it in this department) or have roasted corn on the cob drenched in butter and seasoning salt while you're out and about. You can even wash off the seeds from your pumpkin, add a little seasoning and bake them in the oven. I've only done it a couple of times, but it's not bad. Why settle for something simple when you can add googly eyes or carve something out of it. 

Yum! 

Whatever you're doing for Halloween or fall season, make it cozy, safe, fun and creative. Make it what you want it to be. That's what I've loved about the holiday. Depending on when it falls, it changes the plans a bit - something casual or make a weekend of festivities. 

👻🎃🧡🖤 HAPPY HALLOWEEN! 👻🎃🧡🖤