I got spoiled growing up in the Midwest. Winters were bitterly cold and dreary, but spring, summer, and fall were picture perfect (as evidenced by the photo above, taken last fall in my Ohio hometown). Here in Texas, it’s a different story. We have almost summer, summer, still summer, and Christmas. My favorite season, autumn (or “hotumn,” as some call it here), is perhaps the most disappointing. No crisp temps, no colorful foliage, no cozy sweaters. Just more hot days but with football and pumpkins.
But, in some ways, seasons are as much about our mindset as they are about meteorology.
The shift from summer to autumn, especially, has always been a happy one for me - regardless of how it feels outside. The sunny energy and carefree adventures give way to a comforting calm and renewed focus - plus hopefully the chance for us Texans to wear long sleeves for a few days.
How do you feel about this time of year? Excited to get the kids back into school and get your house back in order? Sad to turn off that OOO alert? Ready for pumpkin spice lattes and holiday shopping? As you cope with/celebrate/plan for the transition ahead, we’ve assembled a few ideas that may help you keep the fun summer vibes rolling while embracing the quiet coziness of fall…plus we dropped a little surprise for you at the end.
Extend Outdoor Living
Maybe pool season is winding down, but the joy of outdoor living can live on throughout the fall. We love these bronze Carrie Portable LED Lamps lights to add a warm glow for lingering chats and stargazing on the back patio. Also available in White.
And to bring some of the outdoors inside, explore our selection of Bergs Potter planters and saucers. Our favorite combo might be the Raw Rosa Planter with the glossy Burgundy Saucer with its cross-season, earthy yet modern look. But you can mix and match to find a pair that works best with your home’s palette.
Mix Seasonal Flavors
Fresh green herbs - especially mint, basil and cilantro - always add some bright, summery flavor to a dish, but if you’re anything like me, you hate the tedious task of pulling all those tender leaves off their stems. That’s why I was thrilled to find these Herb Strippers and add them to our collection. Hand-carved from Walnut (Maple also available), they’re as lovely to feel and hold as they are practical to use. Your newest kitchen essential - and a great gift, too.
Fresh berries are another summer staple. I eat them mostly in my morning smoothies these days, but early fall feels like a good time to warm up the oven and put my mom’s blueberry muffin recipe to work.
These Bora Berry Bowls from SIN Ceramics are a perfect balance of form and function. They have a beautifully fluid shape and earthy speckled finish and work equally well as a stylish colander and a serving dish.
Warm Up Your Wardrobe
September can be a tricky month for dressing. Tank tops and sandals don’t feel quite right, but boots and jeans seem a little premature. One approach is to get the wardrobe transition underway by layering summer staples with some richer textures and colors. Handbags are a great place to start. Soft suedes, animal prints, and deep, earthy colors are this season’s hottest handbag trends - plus the western look continues to gallop along. We have some gorgeous options from one of our most favorite brands - Herbert Frère Soeur - that check all these boxes AND give you some très chic French flair.
The Le Sab Medium Bag | Diamondback is everything you could ask for in a bag. Neutral colors make it a versatile accessory, the faux snakeskin and metallic leather sides give it some personality, and the adjustable strap allows it to work across heights, preferences, and looks. (Quantities are very limited - don't miss out!)
The Le Mamour Suede Bag | Tobacco is more subdued but just as gorgeous. We love the pairing of the rich brown hues with the bright pyramid head brass studs along the strap. This bag is a go-to piece that brings style and substance to any look.
Gather Some Friends
After scattering over the summer with kids’ activities and far-flung vacations, fall is a great time to invite some friends over for a lively brunch or intimate dinner party. I am not a good cook (thankfully my husband is), but I do love the art of entertaining. I like to arrange some flowers, set a pretty table, and find the perfect serving piece for each dish. We eat with our eyes, too, so I try to create a visual feast for my guests that’s as comforting and enlivening as the company itself.
One of my favorite entertaining pieces in Over Yonder’s collection are these glass nesting bowls from Gary Bodker Designs. They come in three sizes (sold separately) to accommodate virtually any dish and have an earthy elegance to them. And the deep rose color is just stunning. Makes a confident statement but is still versatile enough to complement nearly any place setting style. Also available in a smoky gray.
Of course, no dinner table is complete without some candlelight. We love these hand-dipped taper candles and their soothing autumnal colors. I like the Clay, especially. And if you need candle holders, too, we have several really pretty options. You can go minimal and modern with these, make a more artistic statement with these, or opt for a classic farmhouse look with these.
Create a Cozy Home Atmosphere
Transitioning indoors can feel abrupt after summer’s open-air living, but it doesn’t have to. Start small: swap out the cotton knits for some cozier throw blankets, infuse your home with a fresh-meets-warm scent, like the Palo Santo Reed Diffuser from Brooklyn Candle Studio, or display a bouquet that mixes summer blooms with early fall foliage. It’s about striking the right balance — inviting autumn in without shutting summer out.
Handmade in Sweden, these mohair blankets are the epitome of everyday luxury and the perfect addition to movie night on the couch. We especially love their playful fringe.
And finally, the combination of the milky smooth surface with the soft beige tassels in this Karen Gayle Tinney vase is a four-seasons stunner. Looks equally beautiful with fresh colorful blooms, dried earthy florals, or simply on its own. See more gorgeous styles here.
So, take that last swim, enjoy dinner under the stars, then cozy up for the cooler days and warmer hues ahead. The beauty of this in-between moment is that you truly can have the best of both worlds.
And if you're still feeling bummed about the end of summer, maybe a discount code will cheer you up. Use HOTUMN15 for 15% off your first - or next - purchase.