Company Memo: Cozy Fall Fashion, Personalized Gifts, and Autumnal Porches

It’s the first day of fall (Eeek!), and Lorae is bringing us a Company Memo full of all things cozy, warm, and perfectly autumnal. My mums have been out for a few weeks already, but I have found new inspiration for my fall porch this year based on her recommendations. Thanks for bringing us the Company Memo, Lorae! Enjoy your first day of fall, everyone! I’ll be over here painting my pumpkins.

 

 

 

Insta Follow: TheKitchn

I met Mary days into my new journey as a mother; she was a mother saying goodbye to her baby boy at a boarding school where we lived and worked. We embarked on a crazy journey together and I feel lucky to know her. Mary is an amazing Canadian woman living in South Africa with her children scattered across the United States. She is also a chef who prides herself on reusing what you would normally send to the trash. Mary used to teach people how to cook in the bush of South Africa so her training is no joke. She penned her book Eats in 2013 but continues to travel the circuit doing tv spots and posting new recipes on her blog. You must follow her Instagram account TheKitchn for inspiration for simple, yummy food that will bring you and your family together.

Delight: Greetabl

I LOVE to celebrate all moments big and small. I also love my friends deeply and if I could shout it from the rooftops I would. Now that I am farther away from my best girlfriends, I have to find different ways to celebrate those long-distance friendships. I recently came across a new expression of love and thoughtfulness: Greetabl. Fully customizable, you can upload personal photos, craft a personal message of your liking and create a one-of-a-kind gift box for a curated item of your choosing! They have the cutest selection of prints for your gift boxes, and you can shop by occasion. Who wouldn’t love a surprise like these!!! Greetabl has a reward and referral program making it easy for this creative company to be your go-to for the ones you love. Happy gifting!!!

Splurge: Dudley Stephens

That chill in the air is coming and I love fall fashion. Sweaters, scarves, and boots are my favorite pieces, and Dudley Stephens is making this season even more exciting. These ladies are bringing fleece up a notch! Dudley Stephens is a budget splurge, but I believe that one of these classic pieces will reside in your wardrobe for years to come. Best of all, they manufacture in the United States with recycled fleece fabric. I love the Pacific Vest for early fall; I can already see all my stripes and gingham going with this outerwear piece. The Remsen Blazer and Cobble Hill Turtleneck might have to duke it out for 2nd place—that Marigold color is to die for!

Decorate: Autumnal Porch

Pumpkin patches and trick-or-treating are just around the corner, and my children are already asking to start a countdown. While scoping out the best fall events—don’t miss The Glow – Jack O’Lantern experience in Washington D.C.—my mind turned to pumpkin decor. My dear friend Molly always creates the best autumnal porch, and this week I found inspiration from Country Living that provides new ideas for all of us. You may want to skip the carving and get crafty instead!

Smell: Aromatherapy Jewelry

I am not the crunchy, granola mom but I have started to get a little cleaner and leaner with the products I use for my family. I don’t buy 100% organic, but we try to do as much clean eating as we can—baby steps, right?! A few years ago I decided to stop using candles, dryer sheets, and heavy perfumes for a few different reasons, and began the path to essential oils. I have made my own scents, deodorants and, sometimes, remedies for colds and bellyaches. For those who are looking for an alternative to perfume, the jewelry line Lava Love Jewelry boasts simple elegance with practical usage. Simply apply 1–2 drops of your favorite essential oil into the porous lava rock, and enjoy several days of aromatherapy. My favorite piece is the lava lariat.