As the days grow crisp and golden, there’s a gentle invitation to connect with the earth. Spend a day at your local U-Pick orchard or pumpkin patch, gathering autumn’s bounty alongside family or friends. Let this simple act of plucking apples from the branch or selecting the perfect pumpkin become a cherished ritual—a moment to mark the beginning of the harvest season. Bring your finds home and transform them into something more: baked pies, rustic centerpieces, or preserved goods that carry the memory of the day forward.
PART I TAKE YOUR PICK
1ST DIBS | POTTERY BARN | WILLIAMS-SONOMA | WILLIAMS-SONOMA |
& OTHER STORIES | DIISH | JENNI KAYNE | REFORMATION |
Escape the everyday and take the long, winding road, where fall's rich hues of persimmon, crimson, and ocher paint the landscape. Mother Nature is in full bloom—her palette is one of warmth and depth, inviting us to slow down and savor her beauty. Whether it's Julian, Oak Glen, Santa Barbara, or the charming enclaves of Santa Ynez and Solvang, each offers a moment of pause. Collect fallen leaves and pinecones, treasures to create a rustic table scape, or perhaps to craft an organic, autumnal potpourri with cloves and cinnamon sticks. Pack a basket with simple pleasures—a loaf of bread, cheese, and fruit—and find a quiet spot to lay a blanket and linger in the beauty of the season.
For a quintessential fall moment, pair a folding picnic table
with a well-worn basket, filled with your favorite provisions.
PART II ROAD TRIP
CHAIRISH | POTTERY BARN | FOOD52 | VINGLACE |
JENNI KAYNE | L.L. BEAN | SUR LA TABLE | FUJIFILM |
There’s a certain magic to dining under autumn’s golden light. Layer blankets on the chairs, set out your coziest linens, and create a feast inspired by the season. A charcuterie board brimming with figs, pears, nuts, and savory meats sets the tone. Warm butternut squash soup, fresh bread, and a salad of crisp apples and toasted walnuts complete the gathering. As the day fades, light a fire or soften the mood with candles, letting the rhythm of the season slow you down as you savor the evening.
PART III DINE OUTDOORS
JENNI KAYNE | CRATE & BARREL | MCGEE & CO. | MCGEE & CO. |
AMBER INTERIORS | AMBER INTERIORS | MCGEE & CO. | POTTERY BARN |
In lieu of the usual holiday card, send out a little love as the leaves turn. Choose a snapshot from a recent apple or pumpkin-picking excursion and include a treasured autumn recipe. It’s a quiet, thoughtful way to mark the season’s arrival—a gesture of warmth and connection that will linger long after it’s received.
PART IV POST CARDS FROM HOME
MINTED | AMBER INTERIORS | MCGEE & CO. | JENNI KAYNE |
FLAMINGO ESTATE | WILLIAMS-SONOMA | BLUEMERCURY, INC. | DIPTIQUE |
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