A Cozy Houston Coffee Shop & the Reasons I Love Fall

Years are usually divided by their seasons, but because of all that's really happened in Houston, I think our year has felt more divided into before Harvey / after Harvey. In the midst of all the flooding and craziness of the past few weeks, most of us barely noticed the start of the transition from summer into fall. And though our weather is doing its usual back-and-forth tease with cooler temperatures, I think we're finally starting to accept the reality that summer is coming to an end.

In my book, that's always a good thing. It's not that I don't like some things about summer, it's just that the intense heat and humidity start to get a little old after a few months (who am I kidding? after a few weeks). So I'm all for welcoming the autumn season with open arms. Fall is actually my favorite time of the year, and I'm so excited for it. This year it will of course be different as our city is still focused on rebuilding, but I think this time full of family, celebration and the end of the hurricane season is a blessing for all of us.

This season also means a lot of introspection and writing for me, so I look forward to the many days spent in cozy coffee shops like this one contemplating life and change. For now, here are just a few thoughts on why I love this season.

one of my favorite cozy coffee shops in the Heights district of Houston

The Weather

We don’t really get fall weather here in Houston until mid to late October, but once it comes, I enjoy those few months of it to the fullest. That includes eating in restaurant patios whenever I get the chance, driving with the windows down, and just breathing in the crisp, fresh air. Here in Texas, our summers basically last from May to September. So as soon as those low-seventy temperatures start creeping in, we all let out a collective sigh of relief.

The Fashion

Fall fashion is all about rich, dark colors and layering - two of my favorite things when it comes to fashion. To be honest, I don’t approach the spring and summer months here in Houston very fashionably… it’s more of a, what can I wear today that won’t make me sweat all day approach. But during the fall, I feel a lot more inspired. Most of my shopping happens during the fall and winter months, and this year I’m looking forward to be deliberate about my style and wear what truly feels like me, not just what’s trending. Stay tuned for more posts on that in the near future. ;)

The Beginning of the Holidays

I’ve blogged about this before, but I used to have very mixed feelings about the holiday season, especially when it came to all the shopping and spending pressure of Christmas. But over time I’ve learned to enjoy the season for the best parts of it - like the fact that it brings families together, promotes gratitude and allows us to feel loved and like we belong. Of course, the holidays are never perfect, and they can be very difficult for some people. I think we can address that by including others and serving whenever we can, while also appreciating the beauty of the season.

The General Coziness

I’m a proud introvert, so you can imagine that one of my favorite parts about the fall (and winter) season is that it leads to a lot of coziness indoors. Bring out the warm hot cocoa and pumpkin spice and the soft blankets and cozy pillows. If the weather allows, you can even dress super cozy - with soft, long sweaters and tall, warm boots. This season was pretty much made to curl up with a good book in the warmth of your house or a cozy coffee shop - so you can be sure I’ll also be doing some of that.

can't go wrong with coffee and sweet monkey bread

What's your favorite thing about fall?

#life