There’s something spooky in the air! With cooler temperatures and fall vibes in full swing, October is easily one of my favourite months of the year — and best of all, we cap off the month with Halloween!
It was a unique challenge to plan a costume for this year’s pandemic-friendly Halloween… stay tuned to my Instagram to see the reveal. In the meantime, check out my newest fall fashion picks, haircare must-haves, and playlist additions. Plus, new this month, browse through my top picks for fun fall home decor!
Fashion
* Corduroy Jacket *
EXACT: Corduroy Shirt, Ardene, $34.90 (currently unavailable in pink) // SIMILAR: Western Cord Jacket Blush, Princess Polly, $95; Corduroy Faux Sherpa Jacket, Ardene, $48.93 (sale)
When I was a kid, corduroy pants were my fall wardrobe staple. Paired with sneakers and a plain tee, I somehow felt like the coolest kid in elementary school ㋡ In one of my impulse online shopping sprees earlier in the pandemic, I found this adorable pink corduroy shirt and just had to have it! Not only is it the perfect piece of nostalgia, it’s also the perfect light jacket for fall.
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Fall weekends are the best weekends, and brown suede jackets are the best jackets 🧥
* Suede for Days! *
EXACT: no longer available, Princess Polly, ~$100 // SIMILAR: BLANKNYC Suede Moto Jacket in Sand Stoner, REVOLVE, $316.07
I’ve underestimated the style potential of a brown suede jacket for far too long! My new suede jacket goes with almost every outfit, but I especially love it overtop a graphic tee (bonus points if it’s fall-themed!), blue jeans and black booties. You may need to splurge for the perfect fit, but I promise it’s worth the amount of wear you will get out of one.
Haircare
Light waves are my go-to fall hairstyle. Here are some of my favourite products that help me prep and hydrate my hair for a natural, air-dried look without the frizz!
* Le Labo Shampoo and Conditioner *
Full-size Rose 31 shampoo, Fairmont Store Canada, $65 // Full-size Rose 31 conditioner, Fairmont Store Canada, $65
I quickly got on the Le Labo hype train when I tried their body lotions while on a recent staycation. That said, there is nothing like walking into your hotel room in a new city and seeing fresh bottles of gorgeous rose-scented Le Labo products, including a shampoo and conditioner, WITH YOUR NAME ON IT! Moment of excitement aside, these Fairmont-exclusive products are the real deal and do exactly what Le Labo promises.
This … will wash your hair. And moisturize it. And make it smell wonderful. And make you look beautiful.
What more could you ask for?!
* Pantene Pro-V Thermal Heat Protection Pre-Styling Spray *
Shoppers Drug Mart, $6.99
Any hairdresser will stress the importance of a heat primer, and this Pantene product was the perfect drugstore find! I wanted a simple, affordable heat-protecting spray for daily use and this has been so effective in keeping my hair looking smooth and shiny through it all. Bring on the healthy hair!
* OUAI Leave In Conditioner *
Sephora & Urban Outfitters, $34
As a weekend haircare treat, I always make sure to spritz in this rejuvenating and hydrating leave in conditioner from celeb hairdresser Jen Atkin’s “effortlessly cool” line.
Highlighted Ingredients:
– Tamarind Seed Extract: Provides weightless hydration to your hair.
– Panthenol and Vitamin E: Condition and detangle hair.
– Hydrolyzed Proteins: Protect against damage.
REMINDER! The can’t-miss beauty sale of the year, Sephora’s Holiday Savings Event, kicks off Oct. 30. This is a great chance to get ahead on your holiday shopping… and why not pick up a few beauty treats for yourself? Check back later in the week to snag inspiration from my shopping list!
Home Decor
Here’s some style inspo to make your space a little more spoooOoOo0ky!
* Glitter Pumpkins *
Available from Pottery Barn for $16 (medium) or $39 (large) [sale]
Pumpkins are a classic decor item for the fall, keeping you and your space on trend from the start of the season through Halloween and Thanksgiving. This year, why not go big or go home with a fabulous set of glittery pumpkins? You know you have to have them!
* Skeleton Photo Prints *
Available from Olive Lynn starting at $10 USD
Coffee has become a sort of personality trait for me (the Tired Girl Life™️ is unfortunately very real), so adding this print of a skeleton holding an iced coffee from Olive Lynn Designs to my room was a no brainer. In fact, it’s a skele-ton of fun 😉
Music
Since embracing fall’s cooler temperatures, I’ve been filling my playlist with chill, mid-tempo tracks that perfectly complement my scenic walks and car rides. Check out three new releases I guarantee you will soon have on repeat!
* Positions by Ariana Grande *
Calling all Arianators! AG6 is officially right around the corner. Lead single and title track “Positions” is our first taste of Ari’s sixth album dropping at the end of the month (Oct. 30). The fun, flirty track is exactly what we’ve come to expect from Ms. Grande, complete with a catchy call-out (“Boy I’m tryna meet your mama on a Sunday / Then make a lotta love on a Monday”) that’s sure to be a popular Instagram caption. But what we really need to discuss is the song’s poppin’ music video! Set in the White House, Ariana proves once and for all that women can do it all… and I don’t think I can word my thoughts any better than my initial reaction on Twitter.
Releasing this on debate night… Ariana and her team have a better strategy than the actual president! 🤭 https://t.co/yJhfUaPbK9
— Angela ♡ (@painfullies) October 23, 2020
* elated! by Bea Miller (EP) *
Singer-songwriter Bea Miller has grown in the spotlight from a fresh-faced 13 year old on The X Factor USA, to a 21-year-old powerhouse who has multiple viral singles and collaborations with the likes of 6lack and Canada’s Jessie Reyez to her name. Her music is defined by honesty and vulnerability, and her latest release elated! is no exception. Listen in as Bea takes an introspective approach to themes like head-over-heels love, losing your childhood innocence, and growing into your own. The seven-track EP is a perfect embodiment of the deep self-reflection we’ve all been doing in isolation this year.
Must-listen tracks: “hallelujah” (the perfect opener!), “FEEL SOMETHING DIFFERENT” (a remix/remake of her 2019 hit “FEEL SOMETHING”), and lead single “wisdom teeth”
* Please Don’t Make Me Fall in Love by Meg DeAngelis *
Meg DeAngelis, one of my favourite YouTubers, is a prime example of why you should always chase your dreams. If you watch her videos, you’ll know she’s worked hard on music over the past several years, but has held back on dropping so many bops — that is until now. “Please Don’t Make Me Fall in Love” is her standout debut single and a catchy pop anthem for single ladies fighting off a crush and cherishing their independence. I’m so glad Meg found the confidence to share her music with the world because this track was worth the wait and I can’t wait to hear what’s next!
In case you missed it, I made a playlist just for Halloween! Listen here to a playlist filled with songs that will give you chills and help you get your ghoul on… sorry, I had to make those puns!
Share your fall and Halloween must-haves in the comments below — or tweet me @angelamcleanx!
*All prices listed or linked to are in Canadian Dollars (CAD), unless otherwise noted, and accurate at the time of posting.
xx
