Savvy Talks: 10 Cozy Tricks for Crisp Fall Days

Fall feels like magic—still warm enough for short sleeves, but crisp enough to make you want to curl up with something cozy. These in-between days are fleeting, so why not soak up every bit of them?

Here are 10 of my favorite simple, savvy ways to make the most of crisp fall weather:

1. Take your coffee outside ☕

Just long enough to need a sweater. It’s the simplest way to make your morning feel special.

2. Light a candle that smells like pie 🕯️

Apple, pumpkin, cinnamon—pretend you baked, no clean-up required.

3. Go for a late-afternoon walk 🚶

When the light gets golden, it feels like free therapy.

4. Cook with fall ingredients 🥔🍎🎃

Squash, pumpkin, apples—get a head start before the weather really turns. (I just tossed sweet potatoes into a salad the other day!)

5. Swap your playlist 🎶

Trade summer jams for something slower, cozier—think jazz, acoustic, or even a little Sinatra.

6. Bring out the blankets 🛋️

Drape one over your couch or chair—half décor, half invitation to sit down and breathe.

7. Bake something simple 🍌🍞

Even banana bread counts. Your whole house smells like fall, and you get a treat at the end.

8. Change your drink 🍂☕

If you always order iced coffee, try a pumpkin spice café con leche or hot tea—tiny seasonal shifts make a big difference.

9. Open the windows 🌬️

Let the fresh fall air in. It clears your head and makes your home feel crisp and new.

10. Plan a cozy night in 🎥

Light the candles, put your phone away, and rewatch a favorite movie. Comfort viewing totally counts as self-care.

✨ The bottom line: Fall coziness doesn’t have to be complicated. A few little rituals—coffee outdoors, a walk at golden hour, or even a loaf of banana bread—can turn an ordinary day into something memorable.

Listen to the talk:

  Originally aired on 09/19/25 for WGN Radio 720.