Hi Mimis! While the cozy season is officially among us, I'm back with a brand new post I couldn't wait to share. Autumn simply makes me happy. The changing colours of the trees, the comfort of a candle and a cup of tea on a chilly evening, the smell of cinnamon on a cool morning. This season has a way of bringing us back to the small pleasures found in simple things. I love it so much that I keep my own little fall rituals to savour it before it passes. Here are my favourite ways to make the most of fall.
My Favourite Fall Rituals, One by One
1. Create an autumn wardrobe
What could be better than refreshing your wardrobe for a new season? I love fall's earthy, neutral palette. Beige, brown, white and terracotta are some of my favourite colours. Sweaters, cozy scarves and beanies are staples I look forward to every year. I like to pull out my whole fall wardrobe at the start of the season, sort through it, and add just a few new pieces. It's one of those fall rituals that makes the first cool morning feel like a treat instead of a chore.
2. Admire the changing colours of the leaves
Another thing I love about this season is stopping to take in the scenery. Being in awe of so much beauty always teaches me a little more about living in the moment and staying in gratitude. That short window when the leaves turn doesn't last long, but it's so precious. Walking through crackling leaves and catching a glimpse of trees full of orange and red will always be a central part of autumn for me. If you're in Montreal, Mount Royal in mid-October is the spot.
3. Light the first fall candle
For me, nothing says autumn like lighting the first candle of the season. Every year I get a little too excited about swapping in warm, comforting scents for the background of both my workdays and my quiet evenings. Three fall favourites are always on rotation:
Pommier, our apple-cinnamon candle, smells like a Sunday afternoon at the orchard: fresh apple wrapped in cinnamon and warm spices. Citrouille is the cozy pumpkin one: pumpkin, warm spices and brown sugar, like a pumpkin spice latte you can light. And Ambre is the deeper, woodsy pick. Fig, cedar, coconut milk and a whisper of musk, inspired by a quiet autumn forest.
The best part? Once the wax is gone, the handmade ceramic cup becomes a coffee mug, so nothing goes to waste. When a scent runs low, a refill brings it right back: same cup, fresh fragrance.
Shop reusable fall candles
4. Decorate your space for fall
Just as I like to refresh my wardrobe, I love creating a cozy decor to carry me into the new season. Decorating your space around the current season really helps you immerse yourself in it. A calm, peaceful and comforting environment matters a lot to me. It's how I feel my best. I like to add little autumnal touches without changing everything, to save time and money. My favourites: lots of candles, bouquets of dried flowers in a handmade ceramic piece, and warm blankets.
5. Paint your nails to an autumn playlist
What's better than painting your nails in autumn colours on a rainy Sunday afternoon? I love pulling out all my fall polishes and alternating between browns, oranges and beiges. If you're like me, you'll even try to match your outfits to your nails. It's so much fun. The best part is a good autumn playlist while you do it.
6. Enjoy a nice hot beverage
Comforting beverages are absolutely part of my daily fall routine. I always have one on hand. In my opinion there's nothing like a warm drink to warm the heart, and my favourite cup for it is one of our candle cups once the wax is done. Cleaned out and refilled with tea instead of soy wax, it's exactly the right size for a latte. If you've never done it, our post on how to reuse your candle jar walks you through it. Among my favourite autumn drinks you'll always find tea and matcha. For hot ones, I love a pumpkin-spiced tea from David's Tea or a Tazo chai.
7. Watch a comforting show
Lastly, I love using autumn as an excuse to settle into bed with cozy blankets and my favourite comforting series. Bonus points on a rainy day, when there's no guilt in doing it all day. Fall is full of activities, yes, but it's also a season to slow down and rest at home. My all-time favourite fall series is Gilmore Girls. I know so many of you feel the same. This fall, pick yours, settle in, and do the same, just because it feels good.
Why Fall Rituals Matter
None of these are big things. That's the point. Fall rituals work because they're small and repeatable: the same candle, the same playlist, the same walk through the same park. They give the season a shape, and they give you something to look forward to when the days start getting shorter. Pick two or three from this list, make them yours, and see how differently October feels.
Those are my favourite little things to make the most of autumn. I hope they inspire you to slow down and savour it too. And you, what are your favourite fall rituals? Wishing you lots of sweet, comforting moments this season.
Fall Rituals: Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best candle scents for fall?
Warm, spiced and woodsy scents suit the season best. Our three fall favourites are Pommier (apple and cinnamon), Citrouille (pumpkin and brown sugar), and Ambre (fig, cedar and musk). All three are hand-poured in Montreal with 100% natural soy wax.
How can I make my home feel cozy for fall without spending a lot?
Change a few small things rather than everything: a candle or two, a bouquet of dried flowers, a warm blanket on the couch, and softer lighting in the evening. Swapping in a new candle scent is the fastest and most affordable way to shift the mood of a room.
When do the leaves change colour in Montreal?
Peak colour in the Montreal area usually falls in the first two weeks of October, depending on the year. Mount Royal, the Botanical Garden and any tree-lined street in the Plateau are lovely spots to take it in.
Can I really drink from my candle cup once the candle is done?
Yes. Once the wax is fully cleaned out, our ceramic cups are food-safe, dishwasher-safe and microwave-safe. Our guide on removing wax from a candle jar shows the easiest way to clean it.
What's the difference between a fall candle and a refill?
A full candle comes in a reusable ceramic cup. A refill is the same hand-poured soy wax without the cup, made to fit into a cup you already own. It costs less and creates no new packaging, so once you have one cup, refills are the easiest way to switch scents each season.