Hey friends! Fall is officially here, and you know I’m all about soaking up every single cozy moment. There’s just something about the crisp air, crunchy leaves, warm drinks, and pumpkins on every corner that makes this season feel magical.

So, I thought it would be fun to put together a fall bucket list—31 things to do, one for every day of the month. Some are simple, some are memory-makers, but all of them will help you slow down and really enjoy this beautiful season.

Grab a pen, make your own checklist, and let’s dive in!

31 Things to Do This Fall

1. Go for a long walk and crunch as many leaves as possible. (Yes, it still counts as exercise)
2. Visit a pumpkin patch and pick one that’s way too big to carry gracefully.
3. Bake a loaf of pumpkin bread (bonus points if your whole house smells like cinnamon).
4. Decorate your mantel with fall garland, pumpkins, and cozy candles.
5. Sip hot apple cider on the porch while wrapped in a blanket.
6. Try a new soup recipe—butternut squash, chili, or creamy potato are all winners.
7. Make a DIY wreath with leaves, pinecones, or dried florals.
8. Host a fall movie night—Hocus Pocus, You’ve Got Mail, or any cozy classic.
9. Light a candle that smells like fall (pumpkin, apple, or campfire, your pick).
10. Jump in a pile of leaves—yes, adults are allowed. 
11. Make s’mores over a firepit (or your stovetop if it’s cold out).
12. Go on a hayride at a local farm.
13. Bake an apple pie from scratch (store-bought crusts totally count).
14. Try a new fall coffee drink that isn’t your usual PSL.
15. Take a drive to see the changing leaves—bring snacks and a playlist.
16. Visit a farmers market and grab seasonal produce.
17. Make your own fall simmer pot (cinnamon sticks, orange slices, cloves… yum).
18. Have a cozy reading night with a blanket, tea, and a good book.
19. Carve pumpkins or paint them if you’re not into the mess.
20. Make a fall craft with your kids (or yourself!)—Dollar Tree has great supplies.
21. Go apple picking and see how many recipes you can make with your haul.
22. Stock up on cozy blankets—because there’s no such thing as too many.
23. Roast pumpkin seeds after carving (so good with a little sea salt).
24. Take a nature walk and collect pinecones for decorating later.
25. Visit a corn maze and try not to get lost for an hour.
26. Make homemade hot chocolate with extra whipped cream.
27. Plan a fall picnic with soup in thermoses, blankets, and pie for dessert.
28. Decorate your porch with mums and pumpkins for that instant fall curb appeal.
29. Write down three things you’re grateful for (fall is the perfect reset season).
30. Try a cozy fall cocktail or mocktail—apple cider mules are amazing.
31. End the month with a bonfire night under the stars.

Fall goes by way too fast, so let’s not let it slip by without soaking up every cozy little moment. Which one of these are you going to check off first?

• A sturdy decor piece (vase, candlestick, pot, or jar)
• A rechargeable cordless light bulb (USB chargeable)
• A lamp shade -I got mine from Hobby Lobby (similar linked) You'll want it to be on that attaches to the base of the light for this to work.
• Optional: felt pads or museum putty for stability

Step 1: Pick Your Base

And here's another idea with this cute wicker bottle.

Step 2: Add the Light

Step 3: Style It Your Way

How to Make Your Summer Dining Room Feel Cozy with Just a Few Easy Changes

Featuring my favorite block print tablecloth!

Let’s Talk Pattern Play

One of my favorite parts of this summer setup is how all the patterns play nice together. It might seem like a lot—block print, buffalo check, and florals—but when you keep the tones cohesive, it just works.

The block print tablecloth gives that breezy, vintage summer feel.

The green and white buffalo check napkins with ruffle trim add texture and a touch of cottage charm.

And the floral throw blanket draped over the chair brings in softness and ties the whole palette together.

The key? Stick to a similar color family (in this case, soft greens and neutrals), vary the scale of the patterns, and don’t overthink it. Cozy doesn’t mean matchy-matchy—it means layered, collected, and lived-in.

 

 

As summer winds down and we head into fall, I love creating a cozy dining room that bridges both seasons. This dining room look brings together rustic charm with fresh greenery, vintage textures, and warm terracotta tones. It’s the perfect inspiration if you’re looking for dining room decor ideas, tablescape styling tips, or seasonal decorating inspiration.

Doilies for a Simple Runner

Instead of using a fabric table runner, I laid out vintage doilies down the center of the table. They add such a cozy touch and bring that handmade, collected look. If you don’t have any on hand, thrift stores are usually full of them, and they add instant texture and sweetness to your table.

Terracotta Pots for Garden Charm

Terracotta pots are an easy way to add warmth and coziness. I scattered different sizes along the table, filling some with fresh greens and leaving a few empty for variety. To make the table feel more layered, I stacked some pots and placed others on top of old books for a little extra height.

Simple Cottagecore Place Settings

Each place setting was made cozy with a mini tobacco basket holding a tiny terracotta pot and a clipping of greenery. It’s simple, sweet, and adds personality without being fussy. The green patterned napkins from CPC added just the right amount of color and tied everything together.

A Cozy Ruffled Tablecloth

This ruffled tablecloth adds softness and makes the whole space feel relaxed and cozy. It balances out the harder textures of the terracotta and wood, giving the table an easy, casual feel that’s perfect for late summer dinners.

Adding a Little Height

To keep the table from looking flat, I added a few taller pieces like candlesticks and a small olive tree from Trader Joe's in the center. Stacking pots or setting them on books is another simple way to add height.

Layers and Textures

The key to cottage style is cozy layers. Here, I used terracotta, lace doilies, books, brass candlesticks, soft linens, and fresh greenery. Even the woven basket of eucalyptus on the floor adds another cozy texture and makes the room feel full and inviting.

Cozy Touches on the Chairs

I added pillows on the head chairs and a blanket to make the space warm and comfy. This is another chance to add extra texture and layers for a more casual dining feeling. Little touches like this make the room feel lived in and welcoming.

This late summer tablescape shows how easy it is to make a space feel cozy and beautiful with just a few simple pieces. Terracotta pots, vintage doilies, fresh greens, and a soft tablecloth can come together to create a dining room that feels both relaxed and special.

   

 

I feel like it’s been awhile since I’ve shared my bedroom. Honestly, this space tends to go in cycles—sometimes it’s spotless, other times… not so much. And usually, the only thing that motivates me to keep it clean is when I add something new in here. Do you do that too? Switch things up in a room just so it feels fresh again? I think that’s why my decor changes so much—it’s the best little push to keep everything looking put together.

Lately, I’ve been craving more color and pattern, so I added a few simple touches to turn this space into the perfect cottagecore cozy bedroom. And let me tell you, the difference is magical. My floral print pillows from Cotton Print Club instantly warmed up the bed, and the accent block print pillow (also CPC!) ties everything together. To give the room an extra pop of pattern and color, I draped a matching Cotton Print Club tablecloth across the foot of the bed. It’s such an easy styling trick, and it completely changes the look without a big commitment.

If you’re wanting to bring that cozy cottage vibe into your own bedroom, here are a few of my favorite tips:

1. Embrace Pattern with Florals and Block Prints

Patterns are my favorite part of a cottagecore bedroom. I love layering florals, ginghams, and block prints—even mixing them in the same space! It might sound busy, but it’s exactly that mix of textures and prints that makes a room feel cozy and lived-in. The tablecloth trick at the foot of the bed is my personal favorite—it repeats the block print from my pillow and ties everything together.

2. Layer, Layer, Layer (Beyond Blankets!)

Cozy is all about layers. Don’t stop at just blankets and pillows. Layer rugs, drape throws over chairs, pile extra quilts at the foot of the bed, or even hang a light fabric canopy. Each layer adds warmth, texture, and that “collected over time” feeling that makes a bedroom feel like it’s really yours.

3. Add Charm with Collections

Cottage bedrooms always feel a little more magical when you bring in collections. Old books, vintage frames and crocks, woven baskets—whatever makes you smile. Grouping them together adds personality and makes the space uniquely yours.

4. Cozy Lighting with Candles & Lamps

Lighting sets the mood. Instead of bright overheads, try a few table lamps, wall sconces, or even fairy lights. I love adding candles (real or flameless) for that soft flicker of coziness. Bonus: task lighting by the bed feels practical and romantic.

5. Create a Cozy Reading Nook

Every cottagecore bedroom needs a spot to curl up with a good book. Carve out a corner with a cushy chair, a little side table for your tea or coffee, and a scalloped overhead light for charm and glow. It doesn’t have to be big—even a tucked-away spot feels magical when layered with a soft throw, a few extra pillows, and warm lighting. This cozy nook becomes your personal retreat inside an already dreamy cottagecore space. (check out how I made this DIY scallop light here)

6. Add Wallpaper for Storybook Charm

Wallpaper is the ultimate cottagecore backdrop. From delicate florals to soft block prints, even a single accent wall creates that storybook cottage feeling. It’s like wrapping your room in instant character.

7. Cozy Up with a Faux Fireplace

A faux fireplace mantel adds instant warmth and charm. I love styling mine with candles, greenery, and a few seasonal touches. Even if it doesn’t function, it creates a cozy focal point and makes the bedroom feel extra inviting.

8. Add a Bench with Cushions & Cozy Storage

One of my favorite functional and decorative touches is a bench at the foot of the bed. Pile it with soft cushions on top, tuck a couple of floor pillows underneath, and keep a basket beside it filled with extra throw blankets. It’s the perfect mix of cozy and practical—plus, those extra layers are a lifesaver on chilly nights or when the kids hop in bed with you.

Cottagecore is all about layering coziness and creating a space that feels loved and lived in. Whether it’s a block print pillow, a patterned tablecloth at the end of your bed, or a little flicker of candlelight, it’s those small details that turn a bedroom into your own personal retreat.

        

(the door is right by the flag)

(inside of shop)

1. Block Print on the Couch = Instant Upgrade

Pillow: Link

Pillow link

2. Set the Table, Set the Tone

tablecloth link (in difference colors as well)

3. Try Block Print on Your Walls

4. Add a Touch to the Bedroom

5. Cozy Up the Living Room with a Block Print Blanket

Block print isn’t just for pillows and tablecloths — it’s also a gorgeous way to add warmth and personality with a throw blanket. Whether draped casually over the back of a couch or folded neatly in a basket, a hand-block printed blanket brings an artisan touch to your living space.

I love using a block print blanket to layer over a my couch. The patterns add just enough visual interest without overwhelming the space — especially when the rest of the room is simple and textured.

Tip: Choose a throw in colors that already exist in your living room (like the hues in your rug or artwork), so it feels connected. Then, layer it with a couple of coordinating block print pillows for a pulled-together look.

Styling Idea: Fold your block print blanket at the end of the coffee table tray for a pop of print, or drape it over an ottoman for a laid-back, designer feel.

6. Think Beyond Textiles

Why Block Print Just Works

Pillow Link

Here are some more links to other block print decor pieces I have curated in the past.

Shop the look:

   

Also, check out this post for more block print pattern pillows:

• Start with a neutral base – Use a light-toned or natural wood coffee table. Look for vintage charm like worn paint, patina, or distressing.
• Layer with soft textiles – Try vintage doilies or a lace runner for texture. They add softness and a cozy cottage feel without overwhelming the space.
• Use natural elements – Faux or dried florals like hydrangeas in soft tones bring warmth and balance. Arrange them in a basket or pitcher for rustic charm.
• Add height and variation – Stack vintage books, include a candlestick, or use bottles or vases of different sizes to create dimension.
• Include one focal piece – A large item like an antique clock face or statement bowl gives the table a grounded, curated feel.
• Stick to a color palette – Keep decor in soft whites, creams, tans, and wood tones for a clean, cohesive look that feels calm and collected.
• Mix materials and finishes – Blend wicker, brass, ceramic, and aged wood to add visual interest while staying true to the vintage cottage style.
• Keep it uncluttered – Leave breathing room between elements so the table doesn’t feel crowded. Less truly is more in cozy styling.
• Incorporate meaningful pieces – Use items with a story: thrifted books, flea market bottles, or hand-me-down decor that adds character and authenticity.

Best Budget-Friendly Decorating Ideas on how to Make a Small Room Look Bigger

Favorite Affordable Wall Mirrors:

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

• DAS air dry clay Buy Air Dry DAS Clay Here
• Rolling pin
• Popsicle sticks
• Ruler
• Knife
• Bottle the diameter you want your pot to be
• Round cookie cutter, lid, etc.
• Wax paper and/or parchment paper and tape
• Water
• Jute
• Optional: moss, floral foam, faux boxwood or clippings from your yard
• Grab your own faux boxwood stems or other greenery here

DIY Countertop Pie Safe Tutorial   

 

• Anchor with neutrals like white dishes or wood
• Add height and softness with flowers
• Sprinkle in books and personal treasures
• Don’t forget texture!

The tricky part is combining patterns! These block print designs pair beautifully with structured patterns like stripes or checks, creating a balanced and visually appealing mix. For a classic and effortless look, try pairing a floral block print pillow with bold ticking stripes or a simple gingham pattern. If you're going for a more eclectic style, mix in geometric shapes, such as diamonds or Moroccan-inspired prints, to add depth and interest.

Another fun approach is to play with scale—if one pillow has a small, intricate block print, balance it with a larger-scale pattern on another pillow to keep things from feeling too busy. Solid, textured fabrics like linen or boucle also work well to break up patterns and provide a grounding element. And don’t forget color! Stick to a cohesive palette, but feel free to mix contrasting hues for a more playful vibe or keep it monochromatic for a sophisticated touch. The key is to experiment and find a combination that feels right for your space!