And just like that it's Autumn… The days grow shorter, the nights turn cooler, and there’s a certain magic in the air. It’s the season of golden leaves, crisp mornings, and cosy evenings wrapped in comfort. Autumn calls us to slow down, savour the small things, and find joy in rituals that warm the soul. This is the time for autumn inspiration – a chance to transform everyday living with seasonal touches, hearty food, and meaningful moments.


Embrace the Season of Slow Living

There’s no better time than autumn to step into a gentler rhythm. Start your mornings with a steaming cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate, letting the warmth rise in your hands as the world outside begins to cool. Allow those first few quiet moments of the day to set your pace -  a pause before emails, errands, and responsibilities take over.

When evening arrives, lean fully into comfort. There’s something magical about watching the light fade earlier each night, giving us permission to slow down sooner. Curl up under a blanket and lose yourself in a feel-good show; Gilmore Girls feels almost written for these crisp evenings, with its coffee-filled mornings, autumn festivals, and small-town charm. Or perhaps swap the screen for the turning pages of a book, the gentle patter of rain outside your window creating the perfect soundtrack.


Savouring Seasonal Comforts

Autumn’s harvest is a feast for the senses and the perfect time to explore new autumn recipes. It’s the season of slow-cooked suppers and indulgent desserts that feel like a hug on a plate. Think bubbling pastas, sticky-sweet puddings, and baked treats that fill the house with cinnamon and spice.

Here are three comforting dishes to try:

  • Pumpkin Pasta alla Vodka – creamy, warming, and full of autumn flavour.
  • Sticky Toffee Apple Pudding – a nostalgic dessert with seasonal apples.

These autumn recipes don’t just taste good — the act of cooking itself becomes a ritual of slowing down, filling your home with warmth, aromas, and anticipation.


Pumpkin Pasta alla Vodka

Ingredients (serves 4):
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp chilli flakes (optional)
  • 120 ml (½ cup) vodka
  • 400 g tin of chopped tomatoes
  • 200 g pumpkin purée (or roasted pumpkin blended smooth)
  • 250 ml (1 cup) double cream
  • 400 g pasta (rigatoni or penne work best)
  • Parmesan cheese, grated, to serve

Method:

  • Heat the olive oil in a large pan and sauté the onion until soft. Add garlic and chilli flakes, cooking for another minute.
  • Pour in the vodka and let it reduce by half.
  • Add tomatoes and pumpkin purée, stirring to combine. Simmer gently for 10 minutes.
  • Stir in the cream and season with salt and pepper.
  • Cook the pasta separately, then toss through the sauce.
  • Serve hot, topped with grated Parmesan and black pepper.

 

This recipe doesn't just taste good; it embodies the comfort of autumn. The act of cooking and baking itself becomes a ritual of slowing down, filling your home with warmth, aromas, and anticipation.

Autumn Evenings, Shared

Autumn isn’t just about quiet reflection, it’s also about gathering. As the nights draw in, the season naturally pulls us closer, inviting us to share spaces, meals, and moments with the people who matter most. There’s something about crisp evenings and candlelit rooms that makes conversation flow more easily and laughter sound a little warmer.

Cosy family movie nights take on new magic when blankets are piled high, hot drinks are passed around, and the glow of the screen feels like part of the season itself. Comfort food, bubbling casseroles, baked pastas, or a tray of freshly baked cinnamon rolls, becomes the backdrop to these gatherings, reminding us that shared meals are as nourishing for the soul as they are for the body.



Screen Time for the Season

For nights indoors, lean into films and shows that capture the season’s spirit:

  • Wednesday
  • My Oxford Year
  • Dead Poets Society
  • Corpse Bride
  • The Spiderwick Chronicles

Stories steeped in mystery, nostalgia, and autumnal charm are the perfect backdrop to a rainy night in.

Stories to Snuggle Into

There’s nothing like getting lost in a book on a chilly evening. These titles pair perfectly with a blanket and a mug of something warm:

  • The Secret History by Donna Tartt
  • Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
  • The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
  • Circe by Madeline Miller
  • The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

Music to Fall For

Fill your home with a soundtrack that mirrors the season’s mood — mellow, soulful, and tinged with nostalgia:

  • Stick Season – Noah Kahan
  • I Remember Everything – Zach Bryan
  • Motion Sickness – Phoebe Bridgers
  • Where You Lead, I Follow – Carole King
  • Landslide – Fleetwood Mac
  • We Fell in Love in October – Girl in Red
  • Coffee – Beabadoobee
  • Apocalypse – Cigarettes After Sex
  • There Is a Light That Never Goes Out – The Smiths
  • Brooklyn Baby – Lana Del Rey
  • Apple Cider – Beabadoobee

Autumn invites us to slow down, savour the simple, and reconnect with what matters. From experimenting with comforting autumn recipes, layering in autumnal decorations, or simply seeking out moments of autumn inspiration, it’s a season of warmth, reflection, and connection.

So wrap up, light a candle, and pour yourself something warm — autumn is here, and it’s ready to inspire.