Not only do I love fall as a season, with its turning leaves, cooler temperatures, honey crisp apples, pumpkin and fall squashes.

I also love fall fashion. I’m more than happy to put away my sundresses and sandals to pull out my boots, sweaters, jackets and scarves.

Fall arrived in Alexandria this week overnight. A crisp 50 degree night and suddenly I was ready to pack away the summer duds and pull out my cozy sweaters and my gorgeous Frye boots (double husband points to RP for these beauts).

Of course, this also reawakened the need to shop! I think RP breaks out in cold sweats at each change in season just listening to the list of things that I “need” to add to my wardrobe.

Here are a few things that I NEED:

Let’s be serious, I don’t just want one sweater from Lands End Canvas. I want all of them. I’m an addict. I can’t help myself. I love everything.

I like this puff vest from J. Crew, but I’d probably want it in black for more versatility. I found the perfect Woolrich puff vest, except it’s not fitting into my budget. Rude.

I think that I would wear that dress, maybe every day. I’d use it as an excuse to wear my boots every day.

I’m also totally digging Shabby Apple’s Academia collection. So nerdy chic. Too bad I don’t need glasses or I’d sport a killer pair of hipster rims to complete the look.

And my little treat to myself to celebrate my promotion at work. I totally earned them. I should have them by Wednesday.

RP’s also worried about my need to horde canned pumpkin. We still have three cans from last year and they are the bane of his existence. He has yet to join the pumpkin craze and rolls his eyes with every pumpkin recipe that I show him. I think he’d rather I come home with ‘Beyonce’ than one more can of pumpkin.

I also LOVE squash – of all kinds – and RP can tolerate it, but could largely live without it. My meat and potatoes fella doesn’t go for roasted acorn squash or spaghetti squash. I think he wouldn’t appreciate my desire to have zucchini spaghetti. I’ll keep trying.

Fall also signals the return to five days of football. Thursday, Friday and Saturday college games and Sunday and Monday NFL games. I naively thought I’d be watching the Emmy’s tonight. How silly.

RP and I watched the majority of the Husker game just the two of us at home yesterday and he had both of our laptops set up so that he could watch two additional games. Thank goodness our friend Dan came over for the second half and brought mojito mixins with him. I needed it!

Fall, I’m so glad that you’re here. I already miss my Saturdays at the pool, but I’m looking forward to logging my long runs outside, more football, and ordering new sweaters (RP, don’t read that).