Part of the reason I think I’m in love with fall is that it encourages people to be homebodies (a term I would definitely use to describe myself, even though I have a packed calendar). The cooler temperatures, but not cool enough to kick the heat on yet, make me want to snuggle up on the couch on a Saturday night, wrapped up in an oversized blanket with a hot mug of something (let’s be real, it’s usually something spiked).

Below are my favorite ways to achieve ultimate coziness. I’d love to hear how you like to celebrate the chilly fall months in the comments below!

Big, fluffy (and preferably heated) blankets. My hubby runs a little warmer than me, so it’s not uncommon for us to run our A/C until mid-October. I have a plethora of quilts, comforters, and blankets on hand, but my favorite is this fluffy heated blanket that was an anniversary gift. It’s perfect because it’s large enough to share and has three heat settings. A Forever Lazy or Cookie Monster pajama pants work just as well, though 😉

Candles. Something about burning a candle all day just makes my heart happy. It’s soothing to me – the soft light, the gentle heat, the scent (of course). I’m a big fan of heavy scents more than fruity ones. Earthy and musky, almost like a luxurious men’s cologne. My favorite right now is Mahogany Teakwood from Bath and Body Works but the fall begs for apple cinnamon and pumpkin spice, so I have a couple of those on-hand, too.

Fuzzy socks. Because I can’t wrap up my heated blanket and walk around my apartment with it, I wear a variety of stylish (okay, maybe not-so-stylish) fuzzy socks to keep my feet warm. Thank goodness we don’t have hardwood floors (my clumsiness would go off the charts!). #Protip – don’t run them through the dryer, they stay super fluffy if you let them air-dry!

Warm drinks. I’m not a big coffee drinker and I hate tea (there, I said it). But I love mulled cider, hot chocolate, and warm fall cocktails. Once again, Pinterest is my go-to for drink recipes like Martha’s mulled cider or the peppermint patty.

Movies. I’m a big fan of movies. Few people aren’t, but I would argue that I watch WAY more movies than most of the people I know. I love talking about them, discussing plot points, actors and their roles, directing choices, cinematography… I consider it a pastime of sorts. Although we go to the theater once a week, to me nothing is better than gathering my blanket, a warm drink, and the people I love to watch a great movie on my comfy couch.

Music. Everyone knows music is an important way to set a mood (try to imagine your favorite movie without the soundtrack). For me, I listen to a lot of Motown, classic R&B, and Blues from October through November (when I start listening to Christmas music nonstop). I don’t know if there’s a reason other than habit, but the smooth sounds with the crackle of older recordings just transport me to a calm, relaxing place.

Stay comfy, my friends!