Ah, fall weather has finally set in here in San Francisco and I am loving it. From those crisp fall days that I want to go out and do something fun to those cozy nights I want to stay in, I compiled some of my favorite eco-conscious fall activities.

Wine and Paint Night

Enjoy a drink of your choice and have some fun painting! I recently did a wine and paint night with low waste wood cutouts and we had so much fun! For eco-friendly crafting here are a few things I try to keep in mind:

See what you have first: Check to see what paint and brushes you have before buying more supplies. For canvases see if you can get creative with upcycling something you have like empty candles, jars, scrap wood, or cardboard.
Check secondhand: If you’re not inspired by what you have, check out your local thrift store and see if there’s anything fun you can paint on and upcycle!
If buying new: Try to find things with low waste packaging. I bought wood cutouts from Target that came package free which is a better option when buying new.

Cozy Night In

On those chilly, rainy days staying home and getting cozy is always so fun. For me, some cozy essentials include candles, a soft blanket, comfy clothes, a good book or movie, a cup of tea, and some popcorn to snack on. Below are a few products (with some discounts for ya!) that are part of my cozy day essentials:

Candles: If you’re looking for eco-friendly candles, you should check out MOCO Candles. I love their environmental commitment: small-batch, cruelty-free, no added dyes, 100% recyclable materials, and shipped in upcycled or recyclable materials. On top of all that, the packaging is so cute and they have so many fun scents to choose from! (Also a great holiday gift idea!) Use COURTNEY20 for 20% off at MOCO Candles if you’ve been looking for a new conscious candle.

Popcorn: I love making popcorn on the stove but some days, especially lazy days, I would rather just throw a bag in the microwave and now I can with Stasher’s stand-up bags. I just put in a ½ cup of popcorn, 1 tbsp of olive oil, and put it in the microwave for 2-3 minutes until the popping starts slowing down. I top it off with some popcorn salt and enjoy! I got the Stand-Up Mid Bag in Agave which is currently on sale!

Tea: Many tea bags are made from nylon or other petroleum based compounds and aren’t always compostable. Humming Cup Tea has tea sachets made from plant-based materials (sugar cane, corn, or abaca) that are compostable! Their tea is also certified organic so they do not contain GMOs, harmful pesticides, and added colors which is better for you and the planet. When you need to refill your tea stash, use COURTNEY10 for 10% off your favorite conscious tea at Humming Cup Tea!

Mindful Flannel + Sweater Shopping

One of my favorite parts of fall is the fashion! I love breaking out all my flannels, sweaters, and boots but sometimes if my clothes don't fit anymore or my style changes, I’ll go shopping! I start by seeing what I no longer want and try to sell it somewhere like Buffalo Exchange or donate them. Then I’ll get thrifting or consider an ethical option online. Here are two of my fave online options:

Relic 96: I got this fun flannel pictured here from Relic96 and am in love! They mindfully thrift clothes and then upcycle them into one of a kind creations. I love that their clothing is mindfully thrifted, meaning they support their local donation shelters, limit the number of items purchased at each store, and shop at different locations. Then they take their thrift finds and upcycled the items to give them a new look and extend the life cycle of that item.

Dazey LA: If you are looking for some beautiful, unique pieces then look no further than Dazye LA! They are all about “slow fashion” to create as little waste as possible. Each piece is handmade to order in LA from 100% certified organic cotton. I have a couple of shirts that I love (like this Influence Change shirt pictured here) and have my eye on some of their fun new pieces! Use CMICHAEL10 for 10% off at Dazye LA.

Apple Picking Adventure:

Head out for a fun day trip to an apple orchard near you! It’s such a beautiful change of scenery and so much fun to pick apples! You can also make your own cider at some orchards which is seriously delicious. Plus you’ll also be supporting small businesses and enjoying local produce so it’s a win-win all around. So pack a picnic, bring your reusable utensils, drink some apple cider, and soak up some fresh air.

Go to a Farmers Market:

Head over to a farmers market near you and grab some ingredients to make a cozy meal at home! I love making curry loaded with seasonal veggies and my boyfriend makes the best homemade marinara sauce that always tastes better with farmer’s market ingredients.

Don’t forget your tote! I love this organic cotton tote from Bamboo Switch! If you need a new tote use my code COURTNEY10 for 10% off.

Which of these fall activities are you most excited about? Let me know in the comments below!