As it so often does, pulling on one thread of the family tapestry, often unravels a completely unrelated section. While researching a photograph from my archive, I turned to FamilySearch to verify census data addresses in an attempt to hone in on a location for the photo. Imagine my surprise when, clicking up the branches of the family tree, I encountered an alternate profile of my mother, displaying an intimate profile photo of her on her wedding day, that I did not create nor upload.

While school came relatively easy to me, life post-high school graduation did not.

I graduated at seventeen, without the first clue as to what to do with the rest of my life. I had hobbies & interests growing up, of course—primarily writing—but I hadn’t the first idea how to turn that into a career. At the time, I thought the only degrees available to pursue for writers were either Journalism or English and I wasn’t interested in either option. After working on the school newspaper, I knew I didn’t want to be a journalist, chasing down leads or making edits & layouts; and beyond teaching, I didn’t know what other opportunities an English degree could even provide. Like a lot of kids, I played “Teacher” as a child, although I wasn’t overly keen on the idea of being a teacher—particularly because, having had teachers in my family, I knew how overworked, under-appreciated and extremely underpaid the profession is in the United States. All I knew for certain was that I wanted to write stories that connected people to the past. I wanted to show readers that, although it might be ancient history to us, it’s still relevant to today’s world and still influences us and our decisions.

Move over, Soft Girl Summer, there’s a new sister in town!

Autumn has a way of pulling us back into rhythm. It’s filled with slower, darker mornings, crisp evening air, warm drinks, and rituals that make everyday life feel softer and more intentional. This season is all about balance: the comfort of home mixed with little adventures that bring joy and connection.

To help you savor it all, I put together the ultimate cozy girl autumn checklist. From small comforts like adding cinnamon to your coffee and painting your nails in a fall hue, to bigger seasonal moments like lighting a bonfire, visiting the library, or taking a scenic drive, this list is meant to inspire you to embrace the season in its fullest.

Consider it your invitation to create cozy habits, romanticize the ordinary, and welcome autumn with open arms.

Once upon a time, decorating for autumn used to mean dragging out bins of store-bought pumpkins, knick knacks, plaid & patterned toss pillows & throws. Anything and everything that screamed “autumn.” But over time, I’ve come to view this season a little differently. Now, it’s less about filling my space with things with things and more about layering it with warmth, texture, and intention.

In the spring of 2024, I was a year post-graduation, having launched my virtual design business, yet struggling to define how, exactly, I wanted it to function and struggling to call myself a designer. I had zero clients, zero inquiries, and my social media accounts were all stagnant and unoriginal. After three years of schooling where all the answers came effortlessly, I was feeling my way through unchartered territories once again. What I’d hoped would be a fun and creative outlet—something I could do with my time outside of work that could eventually transition to my full-time focus—was instead beginning to feel like a waste of my time. I could see bits of what I wanted my business to be: heritage-inspired, using natural elements that would stand the test of time, with a focus on slower living—glimmering in the periphery, just out of reach. But each time I sat at my desk, trying and failing to force a way forward, I was left frustrated and in tears, ready to throw in the towel.

I love to travel. The newness of each destination, the shift in perspective that can only come by experiencing cultures, the feeling of stepping into a different version of myself. But flying? Not my favorite part. Today, I’m sharing the items that are always in my carry-on on long flights.

While I love living somewhere I can experience all four seasons, autumn is by far my favorite. There’s something so magical in the turning of the wheel when the temperatures fall, the air shifts, the light softens, and suddenly I find myself experiencing that nesting syndrome and craving layers, textures, and deeper tones.

Halloween has always been my favorite holiday. Probably because autumn is by far my favorite season when everything feels crisp and cool. But even as a child, it wasn’t because of the candy or the costumes, although I’ve always loved the chance to dress up and play a part for an evening. What really drew me in, is the deeper meaning the season carries. Long before Halloween became what it is now, this time of year marked Samhain, the ancient Celtic festival when the veil between worlds was believed to grow thin.

Once upon a time, what feels like a lifetime ago, I managed & maintained a genealogical-based blog that led to writing and publishing several of my works of fiction, including self-publishing my first novel, The Children’s Field, in September of 2019. After a few months pause to breathe & regroup my thoughts, I felt ready to turn my focus to my second novel, with plans to complete a rough draft, edit and publish it in March 2021. That all came to a screeching halt Memorial Day weekend 2020, when, between trips to the hardware store and  planting a vegetable garden, my father called with the news that shattered my reality.