Sep 3, 2026

The September Home Reset: 7 Simple Ways to Make Your Home Feel Like Fall

 


September always makes me want to change something around the house.

Not a complete makeover.

Not a new sofa.

And definitely not a shopping cart filled with 47 little pumpkins. 😂

I simply want my home to feel a little warmer, cozier, and more inviting.

September is that beautiful in-between month when summer hasn't completely left us, but we're beginning to crave everything we love about fall—the colors, textures, candles, cozy evenings, and slower pace.

The good news is you don't have to redecorate your entire home every season.

A few thoughtful changes can completely shift the mood.

Here are seven simple ways I'm transitioning my home from summer to fall.

1. Warm Up Your Color Palette

One of the easiest ways to make your home feel like fall is through color.

You don't have to repaint the walls or buy new furniture.

Instead, introduce a few warmer tones through smaller accessories.

Think:

Chocolate brown

Camel

Caramel

Rust

Burgundy

Olive green

Cream

Deep plum

Warm gold

If your home is mostly neutral, even two or three touches of these colors can make a difference.

Try a rust-colored pillow on the sofa, a chocolate throw across your favorite chair, or a beautiful burgundy vase on the coffee table.

Taylor-Made Tip: Choose two fall colors that already work with your existing décor and repeat them throughout the room.

That's how you create a collected look instead of a seasonal explosion.

2. Change Your Textures Before Your Furniture

Before buying anything major, change how the room feels.

Put away some of the lighter summer fabrics and introduce texture.

Think chunky knit throws, velvet pillows, boucle, woven baskets, linen, wood, leather accents, and soft rugs.

One beautiful throw blanket casually draped across the sofa can instantly make the room feel cozier.

And yes, I said casually draped.

We're going for effortless.

Even if we stood there rearranging it for ten minutes. 😂

3. Bring Nature Inside

You don't need a house full of artificial fall leaves to create seasonal décor.

Look to nature instead.

Branches.

Dried grasses.

Eucalyptus.

Pampas grass.

Pinecones.

Apples.

Pears.

Small pumpkins.

Seasonal flowers.

Even a simple arrangement of branches in a tall vase can become a beautiful fall centerpiece.

I love décor that looks like it could stay in the room well beyond one holiday.

4. Create a Cozy Coffee Table Moment

Your coffee table is one of the easiest places to make a seasonal change.

You don't need much.

Try layering:

A beautiful tray.

Two or three books.

A candle.

A small vase.

A decorative object.

Maybe a strand of wooden beads.

That's it.

Leave some breathing room.

Every inch doesn't need something sitting on it.

One of the biggest differences between a room that feels peaceful and one that feels cluttered is simply knowing when to stop decorating.

5. Change the Scent of Your Home

Sometimes you don't even have to see fall.

You can smell it.

September is when I start transitioning from light summer fragrances into warmer scents.

Think:

Vanilla.

Sandalwood.

Amber.

Apple.

Fig.

Cinnamon.

Cedar.

Cashmere.

Pumpkin—if that's your thing.

A candle, diffuser, or simmer pot can change the entire mood of your home.

Just remember: we're creating atmosphere, not trying to make the entire neighborhood smell our cinnamon candle. 😂

A little goes a long way.

6. Give Your Bedroom a Fall Refresh

Don't forget the bedroom.

This is one of my favorite places to make small seasonal changes because our bedrooms should feel like a retreat.

You don't necessarily need new bedding.

Keep your existing comforter or duvet and layer it differently.

Add a soft throw across the foot of the bed.

Change one or two decorative pillows.

Place a candle or small lamp on the nightstand.

Bring in warmer colors through accessories.

Even changing your sheets can make your bedroom feel refreshed.

The goal is to walk into the room at the end of the day and immediately feel yourself exhale.

7. Create One Cozy Corner Just for You

This may be my favorite September home idea.

Choose one little corner of your home and make it yours.

Maybe it's a chair beside a window.

A little reading nook.

A corner of your bedroom.

A place where you have your morning coffee.

Add a comfortable chair, small table, lamp, throw blanket, favorite book, candle, journal, or plant.

It doesn't have to be Pinterest perfect.

It simply needs to make you want to sit down.

Because our homes shouldn't only look beautiful.

They should support the way we want to live.

Before You Shop—Shop Your Home

Here's my challenge for September:

Before buying another piece of fall décor, walk through your house.

Open the cabinets.

Check the linen closet.

Look in that storage bin you haven't opened since last October.

Move things from one room to another.

That vase sitting in your bedroom might look completely different on the dining table.

The throw from the guest room might be exactly what your living room needs.

And those candlesticks you've had for ten years?

Bring them back out.

Sometimes refreshing our homes isn't about adding more.

It's about seeing what we already have with fresh eyes.

Your Home Doesn't Have to Look Like Everyone Else's

Social media can make us feel like our homes need a complete makeover every season.

They don't.

Your home doesn't have to look like a catalog.

It doesn't have to follow every decorating trend.

And it certainly doesn't need to look exactly like somebody else's house.

Your home should tell your story.

It should hold your memories.

Reflect your personality.

Welcome the people you love.

And most importantly, it should feel good to you.

That's what makes a home beautiful.

The September Home Reset

September is the perfect time to slow down and prepare our homes for the months ahead.

Not by filling every surface with seasonal decorations.

But by creating warmth.

Comfort.

Softness.

And little spaces that invite us to enjoy being home.

Change a pillow.

Light the candle.

Bring in a branch from outside.

Pull out the cozy throw.

Make yourself a cup of coffee.

And sit down long enough to enjoy the home you've created.

Because creating a beautiful life after 50 isn't only about where we go or what we wear.

Sometimes it's about creating a home we can't wait to come back to.

The Taylor Made September Home Checklist

☐ Choose two fall accent colors
☐ Add one cozy texture
☐ Bring something from nature indoors
☐ Restyle your coffee table
☐ Introduce a warm fall fragrance
☐ Refresh your bedroom
☐ Create one cozy corner for yourself
☐ Shop your home before buying anything new
☐ Donate or remove five things you no longer love
☐ Spend one evening simply enjoying your space

Your September reminder: You don't need more stuff to create a beautiful home. Sometimes you simply need to make what you already have feel special again.

What is the first thing you change in your home when fall starts to arrive?

Aug 18, 2026

8 Everyday Purse Amazon Essentials Every Woman Should Keep Close

 


Ladies, can we talk about what’s in our purses?

Over the years, I’ve learned that I don’t necessarily need to carry everything with me—but I do like having a few everyday essentials that help me feel prepared, polished and comfortable wherever the day takes me.

Whether I’m heading to work, meeting a girlfriend for lunch, running errands or spending the afternoon out and about, there are certain things I simply like having within reach.

And at this stage of life, I’m all about making things easy.

Here are a few of my favorite everyday purse essentials that I think every woman should consider keeping in her bag.

1. A Good Lip Moisturizer

                                      

Dry lips? No ma’am.

A moisturizing lip treatment is one of those little things I reach for throughout the day, especially when I’m spending time in air conditioning or dealing with hot, dry weather.

I love the Palmer’s Coconut Oil Formula Coconut Hydrate Swivel Stick because it’s small enough to tuck into practically any purse or cosmetic bag.

It’s perfect for those moments when your lips need a quick little moisture refresh.

2. Sunscreen You’ll Actually Use

                                 

Sunscreen isn’t just a beach-day product. It belongs in our everyday routines, too.

One of my purse favorites is Black Girl Sunscreen SPF 30. I especially appreciate products designed with melanin-rich skin in mind. Black Girl Sunscreen describes its SPF 30 as a moisturizing broad-spectrum sunscreen made for melanin-rich skin and formulated without the white cast that can make some sunscreens frustrating to wear.

I like keeping sunscreen accessible because when something is right there in my bag, I’m much more likely to remember it.

3. Breath Mints

                          

You already know.

Coffee. Lunch. Garlic. An afternoon snack. A meeting that suddenly appears on the calendar.

Sometimes you simply need a mint!

A little tin of ALTOIDS Peppermint Mints is easy to throw into your purse and forget about until you need it.

They’re one of those inexpensive little purse staples that can make you feel much more confident before getting close enough to have a conversation with somebody.

4. Your Favorite Lipstick

                                     

Even on days when I’m keeping my makeup simple, lipstick can change the whole look.

There’s something about refreshing your lip color before walking into lunch, dinner, an appointment or a meeting that makes you feel a little more pulled together.

Keep a flattering everyday shade in your purse—something you can apply without thinking too hard about it. Clinique Almost Lipstick Tinted Lip Balm in 3

My tip? Choose a shade that works with several outfits so you don’t have to constantly switch your purse lipstick.

5. Hand Cream

                              

Our hands deserve some love, too.

Between washing our hands, using sanitizer and simply going about our day, they can start feeling dry before we know it.

That’s why I like carrying a small tube of Palmer’s Coconut Oil Formula Coconut Hydrate Hand Cream. It’s compact enough for your purse and gives you an easy way to add moisture back to your hands throughout the day.

And ladies, moisturized hands just feel better.

6. Hand Sanitizer

                                        

This one has become a permanent purse resident for me.

I like having a small bottle of hand sanitizer available after touching shopping carts, door handles, gas pumps and all those other things we encounter throughout the day.

The little Bath & Body Works PocketBac-style sanitizers are especially convenient because they don't take up much room.

I usually choose a scent that makes using it feel like a tiny self-care moment instead of another chore.

7. A Travel-Size Sunscreen for Reapplication

                                       

Yes, sunscreen is on my list twice—and there's a reason.

I like having options.

A travel-size Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch SPF 70 is easy to keep in a purse, tote or travel bag. The product offers broad-spectrum SPF 70 protection in a lightweight formula, making the travel size especially convenient when you’re away from home.

And remember, sunscreen isn't only something we think about during summer. If we're spending time outdoors, driving, walking, traveling or enjoying lunch on a patio, sun protection deserves a place in the conversation.

8. A Great Pair of Sunglasses

                             

Last—but definitely not least—a fabulous pair of sunglasses.

Sunglasses are practical, but you know I also consider them an accessory.

A beautiful oversized black pair can instantly make jeans and a T-shirt, a sundress or even workout clothes look a little more intentional. SOJOS 2026 Oversized Butterfly Sunglasses 

Keep a versatile pair in your purse or car so you're not constantly searching for them when the sun comes out.

It's About Being Prepared—Not Carrying Your Whole Bathroom

Ladies, we don't need a 10-pound purse filled with everything we own.

The goal is to carry a few thoughtfully chosen essentials that make life easier.

For me, that means:

Moisture. Sun protection. Fresh breath. Clean hands. A little lipstick. And fabulous sunglasses.

Simple.

These are the kinds of products that may seem small, but they're the things I find myself reaching for again and again.

And if you're over 50 like me, I think there's something wonderful about knowing exactly what works for you. We're not carrying things just because somebody told us we should. We're creating our own little collection of essentials that fit our lifestyle, our beauty routines and the way we want to show up in the world.

So now I'm curious...

What's the ONE thing you absolutely refuse to leave home without?

I'd love to know what's always in your purse!

Shop My Everyday Purse Essentials

I've gathered my purse favorites together in my Amazon Store so you can easily find them in one place.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This means I may receive a small commission when you purchase through my links, at no additional cost to you.

Aug 12, 2026

More Than a T-Shirt: Wear Your Crown. Share Your Story. Inspire Hope.

 


A breast cancer journey changes you. It changes the way you see your strength, your faith, your family, and even your future. That's why I created my Crown Breast Cancer Collection—not as just another awareness T-shirt, but as a reminder that every woman fighting this battle deserves to feel beautiful, powerful, and seen.

These designs celebrate the strength of every woman who has faced breast cancer with courage.

You Are Still a Queen

When you hear the words, "You have breast cancer," it's easy to feel like your world has been turned upside down.

My designs tell a different story.

  • Every crown represents dignity.
  • Every pink ribbon represents hope.
  • Every rose represents beauty through every season.
  • Every sparkling jewel represents the priceless strength that lives inside every survivor, fighter, caregiver, and supporter.

Because cancer may be part of your story—but it will never define your worth.

Created by Someone Who Understands

This collection is especially meaningful to me because I know this journey personally.

I wanted something that wasn't plain or generic. I wanted designs that made women feel elegant, feminine, confident, and proud to wear pink.

Instead of simply raising awareness, these shirts celebrate survivors.

Why Our Shirts Are Different

Unlike many awareness shirts, these designs are:

  • Beautiful enough to wear year-round—not just in October.
  • Fashion-forward with elegant crowns, florals, jewels, and soft feminine details.
  • Comfortable enough for everyday wear.
  • Easy to style with jeans, leggings, blazers, cardigans, or pajamas.
  • Perfect for survivors, caregivers, family members, friends, nurses, and support teams.

They aren't just awareness shirts.

They're conversation starters.

Every Shirt Starts a Conversation

Sometimes hope begins with a simple question:

"I love your shirt. Where did you get it?"

That conversation may introduce someone to early screenings.

  • It may encourage someone who's scared.
  • It may remind another survivor that she's not alone.

Sometimes a T-shirt can become a ministry.

Complete the Collection

Pair your Crown Breast Cancer T-shirt with our matching accessories:

  • Crown tote bags
  • Coffee mugs
  • Travel mugs
  • Cozy home accessories

Whether you're headed to treatment, Bible study, work, a survivor celebration, or simply enjoying coffee on your patio, you'll carry a beautiful reminder that strength and hope go with you.

Perfect Gifts

These make thoughtful gifts for:

  • Breast cancer survivors
  • Women currently in treatment
  • Newly diagnosed patients
  • Caregivers
  • Oncology nurses
  • Breast cancer walks
  • Survivor celebrations
  • Pink ribbon fundraising events

Giving one says:

"I see your strength. I celebrate your courage."

Wear Hope. Wear Strength. Wear Your Crown.

Every woman deserves to feel beautiful—even on the hardest days.

Every survivor deserves to be celebrated.

Every fighter deserves to remember that she is still a queen.

When you purchase from my collection, you're not just buying a shirt.

  • You're wearing hope.
  • You're celebrating resilience.
  • You're honoring every woman who continues to fight with grace, courage, and unwavering faith.

Because queens don't let cancer steal their crown. They wear it even brighter.



Sleep Relief