Living in Florida is both a blessing and a curse. On one hand it’s almost never lower than 75 degrees when you walk out the door, and on the other hand… its almost never lower than 75 degrees when you walk out the door. It being ridiculously hot and the changes of leaves being almost none existent sort of puts a damper on the whole season of fall. Granted, fall has never been one of my favorite seasons, but I know for a lot of people that it is. So I’m here to help by giving you 5 ways to make your fall in Tampa seem just a little more fall appropriate.
1) For Makeup lovers like me, you have the daring idea of the "Vampy lip"
The era of a bold, dark, and vampy lip has done everything but decrease in popularity for the fall season. There is nothing I love more than applying my deep purple toned red lip. It’s one of the things I love most about the fall time. There are many different colors and brands that sell this, my favorites being Liv by Nars ($32), Exorcism by Kat Von D ($20), and Divine Wine by Maybelline ($8).
2) Nothing beats the smell of Bath and Body Works candle during the fall.
I can’t even tell you the importance and the necessity of this step. There is nothing that screams fall more than the holiday collection of candles at Bath and Body Works. There are a ton of pumpkin flavors (such as Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin and Pumpkin Pecan Waffles), and marshmallow flavors (such as Marshmallow Fireside), or you could have your house smell like a bakery with Buttercream Icing. However my personal favorite with always be Mahogany Teakwood. There are a ton of flavors ranging in all different types of scents, and with only $22.50 for over 14 ounces, what’s the harm?
3) Buying a mini pumpkin and decorating where you live blasts your right into fall.
With Tampa making it so hard to get in the spirit, decorations are a must. Mini pumpkins are my favorite, but why stop there. Fake leaves, holiday decorations, etc. There are so many things that you can do and decorate to put yourself in a fall mood. You could even use it as an activity as a way to get kids involved.
4) Flannels, even just as an accessory, are so very important.
With living in Florida, it’s almost impossible to walk out the door without immediately sweating. So it’s sort of hard to channel fall while wearing jean shorts and a kami. So one thing I recommend is tying a flannel around your waist, or have it hanging out of your bag. Even seeing it makes me feel just a little bit more like it’s actually fall.
5) Make Starbucks your new best friend.
Pumpkin Spice Latte, Toasted Graham Cracker Latte, Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate… even typing those words made me have to take a break to go to the Starbucks on campus. These drinks need to become your new best friend. They are delicious and especially with the holiday cups, it makes fall seem so much more relevant. Granted they are expensive at $5 a drink, but if you’re lucky enough to have a college meal plan that makes the Starbuck free, you’re all set. Now do expect to get some “typical white girl” comments but just sit there, drink your drink your drink, (and maybe even post an “artsy” picture of your drink), and take the harassment, because it’s worth it.
