The fall equinox occurred yesterday, which means that for the next 3 months, the days will get shorter and shorter until we are all basically stumbling around in the dark. On a more positive note, autumn is also a fresh start. With the time we would previously have spent lounging on the beach we now have the opportunity to tackle the items on our mile-long bucket list. What’s at the top of yours? To inspire your fall 2015, here are 5 places to visit and adventures to have between now and the first day of #Winter2015 (which, by the way, is December 22).
Explore a new wine country.
A clutch of buzz-worthy inns, wineries and festivals has earned low-key Mendocino County the title “New Napa.” Book a room at the Stanford Inn eco-resort, where you can enjoy kayaking, spa treatments and vegan cuisine, or ride horses at Newport Ranch. Tiny, family-owned wineries like Lula Cellars match Napa grape for grape without the crazy crowds, while the drive—about 4 hours from San Francisco—is consistently stunning.
Play outside—and pick some apples.
Every fall, we tell each other, “Let’s go apple-picking!” But do we ever find the time? No. This season, we’re determined, and we’re making it happen at Applewood Orchards in Warwick, New York. This classic country retreat is just a short drive from Manhattan and is owned by the family of fashion insider Gordon Harrison Hull, artist and cofounder of Surface to Air. Look closely between the rows and rows of apple trees and you may see Hull’s fellow fashionistas harvesting their own fall fruit (à la model/DJ May Kwok and Ralph Lauren's fashion director Paul Avarali, above).
Try a Surfset fitness class.
You’ve probably heard of it, but have you tried one of the hard-as-hell Surfset cardio and sculpting classes? We’re determined to give it a go. Imagine yourself performing high-intensity aerobic exercises on a surfboard—no waves in sight—to the tune of heart-pounding music, surrounded by friends. Thankfully, Surfset classes can be found in over 200 locations in more than 10 countries on 5 continents, so there are no more excuses.
Wear black lipstick--in public.
It’s no longer for Halloween only. If the current ‘90s revival is anything to go by, we should be sporting a noir pout 24/7 with dour expressions and Perry Ellis flannel. Fortunately, there are plenty of styling tricks to make the macabre shade more wearable. First, keep the rest of your face warm and luminescent with a rose-tinted blush on the apples of your cheeks (to avoid corpse comparisons). Clean, bouncy hair and a crisp white blouse or lace dress to finish the Gothic-elegant look. We like Kat Von D’s Studded Kiss lipstick in “Slayer” (and Kylie Jenner's confidence, above).
Do Girls' Night Out for the common good.
Fall is prime charity benefit time, which means there are myriad opportunities to gather your friends for a night out while helping others at the same time. The Pink Agenda, a leading breast cancer awareness group, has happy hours and galas planned throughout October in cities like Washington, DC, Boston and Atlanta. (Last year, Hannah Bronfman DJ'ed their NYC event!) Just search your favorite organization—chances are good that they’ve got something going on in your neighborhood very soon.
