As the trees change colors, Oregon’s rain picks up and the sun starts setting by 4 p.m., many of us feel pulled towards all things autumn. No matter your favorite season, we can acknowledge the merits of crisp air, hot drinks and the nostalgia of a spooky movie. If you are in the market for seasonal inspiration, let this be your guide to some ways you can get cozy and make your life a little more autumnal.
Fall Flicks
With the new semester upon us, Lewis & Clark students are reconnecting with friends and meeting new ones, which is the perfect time to bond over a good movie. Bonus points are awarded if that movie will also get you feeling cozy for the upcoming months. In honor of the late Tim Curry, the 1985 classic “Clue” is always a good choice for a laugh. For a movie marathon that pays homage to our Pacific Northwest surroundings, you can never go wrong with a Twilight movie marathon. I do not think this fall list would be complete without a scary suggestion, which is a herculean task for me. As someone who once screamed in the theater watching a James Bond movie, the only scary film I can verify I’ve watched and recommend is “Jennifer’s Body.”
Aromas of Autumn
The images of fall engage our senses, and the thought of the season often brings to mind the fragrance of cinnamon and apples. I am not encouraging the housing population to light an open flame, but I will say the scent of a maple candle gets me ready for the season. In a less prohibited vein, you can achieve that same feeling by getting a seasonal body spray. I recently purchased a Blackberry scent from Bath & Body Works, which has been making me feel quite autumnal.
Cozy Cooking
Whether you are in a dorm or not, autumn is the perfect time to dip your toes into seasonal cuisine. Your enjoyment of soup season can range from microwaving a can of vegetable soup to roasting and pureeing squash but wherever you fall, you are sure to feel full afterwards. Swing by Trader Joe’s and indulge in every fall delicacy that catches your eye, although the pumpkin ice cream comes recommended.
The Comfort of Fall
So much of the LC school year is spent bundled up from the rain that summer is a nice relief, but as the weather changes, the draw of a sweater is undeniable. A good knit is unbeatable and now is the perfect time to whip out the collection, best paired with denim and some boots. If you are feeling really crazy, you could even double up with the knit-on-knit combo, pairing a scarf with your sweater.
The Beauty of Being Outside
With classes picking up, it is good to make time for yourself and just enjoy the moment. We are on a beautiful campus in a city that comes alive during this time of year, so find ways to get outside and live in the moment. Whether it is with your friends, your partner or on your own, visit an apple orchard, go to a pumpkin patch or get scared at a haunted house. These things are cliché for a reason; they happen to be a lot of fun. If you do not have the time to commit to that, you do not have to go far to find fun. Explore a pretty place on campus and find inspiration in our school’s natural beauty. Listen to music, paint the landscape or let it inspire you to write.
As the semester picks up, your work can feel like it is taking over. Do not let your classes keep you from taking full advantage of the season. Fall in Portland is one of the most magical times of the year, so put some time aside to soak it in.