Autumn has finally arrived in Australia. It is my favourite season next to Winter. Call me crazy but it is true.
I feel excited as I know the cooler weather will be arriving soon. We are still in the early weeks so the Summer heat is still lingering. I usually have to wait till mid April before I can really feel the cool crisp air. However this year's Summer was not too bad. There was not an abundance of 40 degree celcius days which made me very happy. I cannot stand the heat. Everything melts and I start to hyperventilate as the air becomes thick. I am slightly claustrophobic and this contributes to my anxiety in hot weather. I think as I get older it gets worse.
I love Autumn, leaves falling and sunny days with cool breezy winds. When the trees are dropping their leaves it reminds me of a snake shedding it's skin. Everything is renewed, brand new, ready to begin an adventure not yet planned. I truly feel the New Year starts at this time.
With the change in season comes the change in clothing, make up, skincare, food. Meals are still light but become a little bit more robust. Make up becomes a touch darker, with earthier colours present. Lipsticks become more mattified with mauve, berry and dark brown coming into play. I love wearing a smokey eye and rosy reddish blush. Out go the pinks and lilacs and in come the rich deep shades.
Skin care moves up to more moisturising products . Clothing includes a scarf and a jumper. Boots slowly start to make their presence and home decor becomes neutral and warmer. Candles can finally be lit and I love the smell of Jasmine wafting through the air.
I love having eggs on toast on these Autumn mornings, I enjoy walking along the beach when I know I'm not going to burn from the hot sun. I love sitting in a cafe in the early evening enjoying my Chai Latte and watching the world go by. I revel in taking my kids out to run in the fresh air. Nature to me always looks so much more interesting this time of year.
Photographs come up beautifully with all the burnt browns, greens and golds. I almost feel that I am in some kind of a time warp. The smells take me back to my childhood in the 70's and I remember the many photographs taken jumping in fallen leaves and posing against giant trees. Back then even the decor was the colour of Autumn.
As the days become cooler and the nights become darker I know that just around the corner Winter is coming and then my excitement really grows. Autumn for me represents time standing still, family dinners, lots of laughter and long baths. Indoor sports and board games. These days it's reading to my kids and singing songs.
Oh and out comes the cake. There is always cake and banana bread and raisin toast.
What are your favourite things at this time? Or maybe this is not your favourite season. In any case there is always something for everyone. Until next time:
"There is a harmony In autumn, and a lustre in its sky,
Which through the summer is not heard or seen,
As if it could not be, as if it had not been!"
Which through the summer is not heard or seen,
As if it could not be, as if it had not been!"
Percy Bysshe Shelley
