Cupcakes and Cashmere

Rules of Fall

September 19th, 2012



The beginning of fall is just days away, but in L.A. it doesn’t even feel remotely close. It’s my favorite season of the year, but when the weather is hot and sticky, it’s hard to get excited about cozy sweaters and home-cooked comfort food. In an attempt to see past the triple digit temperatures, here are a few of the things I’m determined to do this upcoming season.

1.  Host a pumpkin carving party.

2.  Go to a football game (mainly for the stadium food, since I’m not exactly a fan of the sport).

3. Visit a lighthouse – with a picnic in tow. It’s something I’ve never done and sounds fun and romantic.

4. Spend a day in my college town of Claremont – it’s so charming in the fall.

5. Redesign my site – quite a few areas could benefit from a little facelift.

6. Visit an apple orchard. A wonderful excuse to escape from L.A. for a day.

7.  Have an early Thanksgiving celebration with friends. Once a year just isn’t enough.

8. Start a movie club (it would have that same feeling as a book club, but without the deadlines).

9. Check out open houses in L.A. An exciting/overwhelming new Sunday activity.

10. Can some of the last of summer’s produce – strawberry jam and homemade tomato sauce.

What are some of the things you’re most excited to do this fall?

 

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  • Lemur

    I want to host Thanksgiving for my family again. We managed to fit (and feed!) 12 people in our tiny little apartment last year; it was amazing fun, and I’d love to do it again this year.

    Thrift storing it up and getting some new tops for cool weather. Making something with apples. Also…camping. Once the weather drops below 100*, but before the rain starts!

  • Alanna

    When you come to Claremont, be sure to visit Some Crust Bakery! I work there :) I’m excited for walking my dog through the college campuses when all the leaves turn!

  • http://www.dromendief-rv.blogspot.com Romy Vrolijk

    My thing to do this fall: read your book and be inspired. They deliver your book yesterday and i’m already very exited!

  • http://www.unifyhandmade.blogspot.com Nicole

    What a great list! I used to love to crash open houses in L.A., my sister and I used to hit up Beverly Hills, Hollywood Hills, and other high profile cities for the heck of it. We used to take our cameras too and pretend we were looking at the houses for our ‘bosses’, LOL! It worked…it was the only way we were able to get into Manson open houses + we’ve seen some of the most amazing houses.

  • Zela

    hi,
    I am a Chicago girl and my city is the greatest. I hear the weather is not going to be that great though, should have been here last weekend! Suggestions if you have time, go on the river architecture tour and stop at the signature room for drinks. The signature room is one floor about the John Hancock observatory. If you go the bar area your can order food and a cocktail and pay the same price as the observatory. Also make sure to use the ladies room, it has great views. Also if you have time to explore visit the museum campus area it is a lovely fall walk. It a takes you by Solider Field, the Field Museum, Planetarium and Aquarium. Try to eat the Girl and the Goat, one of the best meals of my life!! Enjoy and best of luck.

  • http://www.busyworkingmama.com/ BusyWorkingMama

    We so want to visit an apple orchard!

  • http://Www.fashionatforty.blogspot.com Niki

    Chicago is my fav US city. Better and cleaner than NY (and I lived near NYC for 4 years). You’ll love it! Walk down Michigan Ave to Millenium Park. And don’t forget to try some Chicago pizza.
    Niki
    http://Www.fashionatforty.blogspot.com

  • http://thatsaprettyhat.blogspot.com Kathleen Lisson

    My husband and I just went apple picking in Upstate New York a few weeks ago. The crop isn’t good this year, but we have a pile of delicious apples in our kitchen! A great way to use excess apples is to cut them up and feed them to your horse!

  • http://target-addict.blogspot.com/ Target-Addict

    Definitely visit Claremont; my nephew just graduated from Pitzer in May, and it’s a lovely little town!

  • Tiffany

    You MUST go to More cupcakes on Delaware when you’re in Chicago. A-M-A-Z-I-N-G, you will not regret it! I hosted a bridal shower and had these cupcakes at the event, everyone loved them. Not to mention that the actual shop itself is so fun and different. Highly recommend this!

    Of course, Cloud Gate “the bean” in Millennium Park is a perfect spot for a photo. I would also recommend squeezing in an Architectural Boat Tour while you’re in Chicago. Taking photos on the bridges near the Trump Tower Hotel is also a MUST. Fantastic views, seriously.

    Don’t forget to pick up Garrets Popcorn and Vosges Chocolate, as well as a slice of deep dish pizza from Lou Malnati’s (my favorite is “the Lou”) —classic Chicago staples.

    Hot Doug’s is hot dog place that is famous and unique, might want to consider checking that out.

    Probably too rushed for this trip, but a walk past Wrigley Field is a must – that scene from Sleepless in Seattle showing the sign in the background, just iconic.

    And if you’re feeling in the mood for a hot chocolate, Leonida’s on Chicago near Wabash is amazing – I’ve been to the original location in Brussels, same amazing quality. Great crepes as well!

    I would offer more travel tips, but I’m sure you have your schedule planned out already. Have a great time, you’ll love it in Chicago!

  • Celestine

    Just a thought about Thanksgiving. My new husband (8/31) is Canadian and they celebrate Thanksgiving in October, so this year we’re hosting a Thanksgiving bash Canadian style on Ocober 6th. I’m sure this will become an annual tradition.

  • http://coffeewithlipstick.blogspot.com Katelyn Rose Johnson

    I’m hoping to go skydiving before the weather gets too bad. A close friend and I made bucket lists, and plan to go together. Also, will you be visiting Boston on your book tour?

  • http://www.stmurrie.blogspot.com Jessica

    Chicago is my favorite city!! Enjoy.

  • http://apartment402.tumblr.com Marisa

    Emily, I just love this! Have you already done your book tour in LA? I would love to come meet you and get a copy signed. Always looking to you for new ways to work on my own blog. Thanks for sharing your inspiring to-do list. Reminds me that I need to get cracking on my own!

  • http://msmariadiana.blogspot.com Diana

    go apple & pumpkin picking.

    ps. have fun in chicago!

  • http://www.thingsthatareawesome.com Kelly

    Love those gold acorns…

    If you need some restaurant suggestions for Chicago, check out our must try list! http://thingsthatareawesome.com/2012/07/24/go-visit-chicago/

  • http://www.rachelphipps.com/ Rachel

    So excited for my first Fall living in Los Angeles, without all of the horrid cold and rain we usually have to put up with in England!

  • lisa

    you may recall that I sent you a message awhile ago about also being a Scripps alumna…I’ve been reading your blog since and just came across your fall posting and regarding #4, your desire to spend some time in claremont…I recently ate at a place there, Union on Yale, that was amazing. It’s in the old part of the village, but it’s new, incredibly sleek, and has a sumptuous menu and affinity for late morning cocktails of st. germain…it’s next to Bert and Rocky’s and I promise, it will be a delight…hope you get to visit!

  • Jenny R

    Oh no!! I go to SAIC for fashion as a freshman and have loved you for years, of course when you’re in town, I’m going back to my hometown! :( But you MUST try Acropolis in greektown (best greek food here… hands down) and Ginos/Giordanos! Ginos is fun though because you can write on the walls while you wait! Hope to see you soon!

  • http://www.stylish-chatterboxing.com/ tiffany

    i want to go pumpkin picking, and the lighthouse sounds great! it reminds me of gordon ramsay’s lobster day at “top gear” host’s light house home.

  • http://www.openandclothes.com Becks Miller

    I love the Movie Club idea! Finishing books has never been a strength of mine, but 2 hours, that I can do!

    Enjoy Chicago! It’s an amazing city with even better food:)

  • http://lauramoody.com Laura

    Here in Utah I celebrate fall by grabbing a hot chocolate, jumping on the ski lift at Sundance and taking a ride into the sky where you can look down at all of the beautiful leaves changing. Takes your breath away!

  • Alyssa

    I spend all of my time in the Village. Gotta love Claremont! Be sure to go into the store Speckled Hens on Harvard Ave. :)

  • Linda

    Great fall ideas! I’m from New England and it’s already getting cold here. Have fun in Chicago! Make a visit to Girl & the Goat; awesome restaurant opened by Stephanie Izard.

  • Laura

    You should host a ‘Canadian’ thanksgiving!! October 8th!

  • http://dcinstyle.com/blog/ Elena

    Awesome “to do list”! I have to work on redesigning my blog as well.
    Xo
    Elena
    http://dcinstyle.com/blog/

  • http://www.vivadafashion.com Ester

    Chicago blogger, and lover of your site! Can’t miss Gilt Bar in Chicago… favorite spot for dinner/drinks/GREAT and TRENDY atmosphere. Love to buy you a drink/appetizer! http://www.giltbarchicago.com/

  • Leslie

    For #5 (redesigning your site), I really recommend making yourself a favicon. It’s the little icon that accompanies your page name on a window tab or on a bookmark bar.

    Right now, I have a list of blogs bookmarked and they all have cute little icons except yours, so I’d love to see what icon you design!

  • http://kovacconnection.blogspot.com Tanya

    Your list is awesome! I am so ready for cooler temperatures, shorter days, and long evenings. Happy fall! Enjoy CHICAGO!

  • http://www.jenventure.blogspot.co.uk Jenny

    Visiting a lighthouse and an apple orchard sounds so lovely! x

    http://www.jenventure.blogspot.co.uk

  • http://ohsillyfashion.blogspot.com/ Marta

    I should also do this :o all I’ve done yet was an “autumn to buy list”

    http://ohsillyfashion.blogspot.com/

  • Vanessa

    I love this idea! I’ve already been to the orchard and plan on going again very soon! As for the movie club… Love it!!!

  • http://www.theprojectstyle.com Frieda

    Great ideas! I had not yet thought about these special autumn ideas. But I love the idea! Autumn is an amazing time of the year. I love the light, the colours and the calm feeling that comes after an exciting and busy summer.

    Thanks for the inspiration!

    http://www.theprojectstyle.com

    Frieda for Project Style

  • http://afasione.com Aela of aFasione

    I think one of my to do lists would be to go to a place where there is actually fall. I’d love to see, smell and breathe the season itself!!

  • Leanne

    Enjoying the crisp Colorado mornings, the Aspens turning the hills to gold, and who can pass on apple cider and cinnamon doughnuts.

  • Meredith Marshall

    I’m Canadian, but this year I’m hosting an American thanksgiving so my friends and I can celebrate together. We’re all normally with our families for Thanksgiving, so this gives us an excuse to get together for more turkey and pumpkin pie together!
    You could host a Canadian Thanksgiving. It’s October 8th.

  • http://stonecoldcomfort.blogspot.co.uk/ Chloe

    Canning / preserving is at the top of my Autumn to do list! It feels like a stretch to find the time now but I’ll be glad come winter when I’m cracking open a jar of bottled sunshine!

  • http://identityofmylove.blogspot.com Nicole Henley

    I would absolutely recommend picking the Point Fermin lighthouse in San Pedro for your picnic. It is beautiful, peaceful and a joyful place to find quiet at. They also have visiting hours but I don’t know exactly when they are so you might want to call. The trip was not planned and I consider it one of the best surprises I’ve found in Los Angeles.

  • http://petitesideofstyle.com joanne

    I love making lists. Its the only way I can clear my head.

    petitesideofstyle.com

  • http://sanfranista.wordpress.com Sarah

    I love your fall bucket list :) I’m a San Francisco-dwelling transplant from small-town Minnesota, so I’m forever trying to recreate some of the magic of those crisp Midwestern fall days. Your list is inspiring me!

    I insist on dressing in knits and layers, even if the thermometer refuses to dip below 65. I’m hosting a pumpkin carving party this Saturday, and I always have an annual 6-course Halloween dinner (every dish contains some form of pumpkin, from seeds to flesh to toasted skin!). Oh, and I drag my husband to the mountains for some leaf-peeping, which is much less creepy than it sounds.

    The magic is in the pumpkin :)

  • http://kalihuru.wordpress.com Kalhu

    I will definitely be going to a Haunted House sometime this fall! : )