Happy Monday, beauties!

Hope you all had a lovely weekend in the sunshine.

We're back with another post in our 'Make Life Lovely Series' for you today, and we're getting all cosied up and sippin' on something spiced for today's Autumnal edition!

We'll be looking at our favourite reads, tunes, drinks, good habits and beauty choices for this beautiful changing season. So, whether its cold and fresh where you are, or grey and drizzly, immerse your fine self in the warmth of Autumn with our 10 Ways to Make Life Lovely...

When it comes to your wardrobe, the seasonal changes can make things a little tricky, no?

Don't get me wrong, I love the addition of sweaters, capes, boots and a multitude of other layers that the colder weather brings, but it can be tough to coordinate everything sometimes, especially if you're on a limited budget...

Enter: the Capsule Wardrobe.

Key pieces, based on 'Style' rather than 'Fashion', that all coordinate seamlessly with one another to create a year-round, every-occasion appropriate wardrobe!

Now, I'm not saying that y'all should ruthlessly cut your wardrobe down to a 30 piece collection, but I am saying there are some super helpful tips to be gained from Capsule Wardrobes. A favourite of mine being the concept of only buying clothes in colours that work together. It might sound boring, (yes, I know, that burnt orange knit is screaming my name too), but intentionally buying pieces in neutrals (let's say black, white and camel for example) will eventually result in all your pieces being interchangeable with one another, giving you (almost) endless combinations.

Food for thought, as we come into this new season, hey?

Timeless pieces, that all coordinate.

You're never too old and there's definitely something to be said for keeping your brain active and stimulated.

I decided I'd give podcasts a bash this month, just to see what all the fuss was about, you know. I've always wanted to learn a foreign language, French specifically, (I mean, is there a sexier language?!) and unfortunately wasn't given the opportunity at school, so I decided to hit up the Coffee Break French podcast.

In short: it's rad. I start every morning, notepad and pen in hand, freshly brewed coffee steaming nearby, learning French. It's fun, it wakes me up without looking at a screen, it gets my brain ticking over and it's fulfilling, knowing I'm using my brain to learn something just for me.

So, whether you pick up a book, download a podcast series, or just turn on an educational radio show once in a while, Autumn is a great season to get learning!

Ok, so this isn't the newest, hottest release or anything, but I've got José Gonzálezs' most recent album, Vestiges & Claws (released Feb 2015), on repeat for the Autumn. We love the Telegraph 's review:

José González hearkens back to something more whimsical and elusive. Gently picking a classical guitar and singing in a high, thin whisper, he weaves a spell with the softest contours of rhythm and sweetest breezes of melody... Vestiges & Claws is a beguiling return to solo basics, although repeated listens reveal layers of texture... Guitars weave together, handclaps and taps push the rhythm, ghost voices offer harmonic expansion to mantric songs. Play it soft, and it drifts into the background. Play it loud and something much more vigorous and compelling emerges.

It's everything you want for easy Autumnal listening: layers, texture, depth, lilting acoustics and moody harmonies. YUM.

...Take a listen. This is my particular favourite track from the album, and do let us know what you guys are listening to this Autumn, be in fresh new music or just something you harp back to every Autumn, we'd love to hear!

OMGSH, you guys!

It's not Autumn 'til we've had a Pumpkin Spice Latte.

I mean... Espresso blended with unmistakably Autumnal spices - cinnamon, nutmeg and clove - smoothed with steamed milk and topped with sweetened whipped cream. I KNOW, RIGHT?!

And as for the new Starbucks Autumn cups... Hearts for eyes.

Not got a Starbucks nearby? Or fancy drinking something a little 'cleaner'?

Click the above image for a super rad (yes, tried and tested, several times!) homemade recipe.

Autumn is a time to get organised, so there's no better time to introduce you to the buzz around this book, we're kinda excited about it: Marie Kondo's The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up.

If you're a fan of a zen space, that's clutter-free, tidy and in good order, make this your bible. The reviews say it all:

Its strength is its simplicity - Richard Lloyd Parry, The Times

[It is] enough to salute Kondo for her recognition of something quietly profound: that mess is often about unhappiness, and that the right kind of tidying can be a kind of psychotherapy for the home as well as for the people in it. - The Times

Grab yourself a copy here, pick up a notebook and pen and head over the Free People's amazing blog, where this book featured as their September book club read. Catch up on Chapter 1&2 discussions here and Chapter 3 right here.

Happy tidying!

Warm tone eyeshadows, smudged brown eye liner, deep plum coloured lips, Khaki nails, matte blushes, luscious lashes and big strong brows...

Really, what's not to love?!

Giorgio Armani Cheek Fabric Blush in Androgino Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Black Cherry Revlon Colour Stay Lip Liner in Chocolate Mac Eyeshadow in Embark Nails Inc Mini Gel effect Autumn Winter Collection

Embrace the Autumn with some of our favourite beauty products:

I know what you're thinking, 'I can't do a lip that dark, Clare'

Oh you can sister, you can! Get the right shade for your skin tone, always drink through a straw, and own it, sister!

Autumn is just the most beautiful season. Everything's changing; walk the same route everyday and no two days will look the same.

Changing leaves, falling leaves, crisp winds, skies patterned with clouds, the crunch and rustle of leaves underfoot, even the inevitable raindrops... It's beautiful, and although it can certainly be enjoyed from behind a window pane, there's something to be said for getting out in the midst of it.

Buy yourself a half decent coat (we're talking layers, hood, waterproof... Substance over style in this instance!), book a UK Airbnb somewhere known for it's natural beauty, and get yourself out there.

Collect and press yourself some of the gorgeous golden leaves, feel the wind in your hair, find a stunning view and stay a while.

Nothing beats lighting a candle flame in the darkening Autumn evenings.

The soft, natural glow, the gentle flicker, it's cosy personified. We LOVE.

Add to that the luxurious scent of Cinnamon and Mandarin or even a warming Log Fire and you've got me, heart and soul.

Strike up and chill out.

The Autumn evenings needn't be so dark.

Going into the colder months, you don't need me to tell you that keeping your skin hydrated is a big priority. Between the colder weather, the central heating and the quick and frequent changes between the two, locking moisture into the skin is essential.

We like to turn to nature when it comes to skincare and this Autumn, you'll find us soaking in the tub, with some oats.

Sounds bizarre, I know, but here's the logic: colloidal oatmeal, a natural product produced from finely ground oat grains that are boiled to produce an extract, is full of vitamins, minerals and lipids that add moisture to benefit the condition of skin.

How to get your hands on that hydration? Pour a cup of whole, rolled oats (organic is best of course) into the foot of an old pair of tights and knot them... Or you can be fancy and use a little muslin sachet pouch. Then simply hold the oaty pouch under the tap as you draw your bath and then drop it in to soak when you get in.

Soak away any dry, irritated skin in the milky water and enjoy!

If you've a food processor or blender to hand, you can skip the tights/muslin pouches and blitz the oats into a super fine powder. Simply add to your bath and enjoy!

With both methods, do be careful, as the moisturising oats may make the tub kinda slippy!

Our natural rhythms fluctuate from season to season and, as October draws near, you may find yourself hiding beneath your sheets just a little longer. While we might be springing from our beds to take advantage of sunny summer days, the overcast afternoons of autumn can make us feel sleepy by encouraging the production of melatonin, the sleep hormone. Be sure to get ample sleep in a darkened room, as even streetlights or a bedside lamp can affect your quality of sleep year-round. As soon as you wake, open the curtains to let the light flood in, and be sure to get regular exposure to natural light throughout the day to keep you feeling energized.

We read this little tip, and the science behind it over on Free People's blog and loved it. Resting that little bit longer at this time of year feels like such a natural progression, so we just had to share:

Aaaaaand relax.

Let us know some of your Autumn favourites! Do you have a fave scented candle for autumn? Or a movie you just have to watch (I'm a Hocus Pocus girl, myself!) or maybe you just bought your staple sweater for the season? Please do share in the comments below, we love hearing what you gals (and guys!) are loving right now.

Have yourself a lovely week gorgeous ones, and we'll see you on the flip side.

Peace + Love

Clare X