Things to do now to prepare yourself for autumn
Make a start on your autumn to-do list now – you'll be thankful later
Things to do now to prepare yourself for autumn
We all know autumn can be a hectic time of year. The summer holidays are over, the kids have returned to school and the pace is ramped up at work in the lead up to Christmas. Before you know it, each precious weekend is chock-a-block with commitments (some fun, some dull yet seemingly essential) and you can’t get an appointment at your hairdresser for love nor money.
Instead of driving yourself near crazy this year, trying to cram your entire autumn prep list into one already busy weekend, why not get ahead? Whether it’s getting that haircut or buying tickets to see a soon-to-be-fully-booked play, here are some things to do now, that you’ll be glad you’ve already ticked off your to do list in a few weeks' time. You can thank us later.
Service your wardrobe and accessories
That coat you’ve been meaning to take to the dry cleaners since the tail end of last winter? Those make-up brushes you always intend to cleanse? Or the bike that’s been ferrying you from A to B over the summer months, that could do with a bit of TLC ahead of the harsher weather coming up? Now’s the time to do all of the above, so you can hit the September ground running.
Book yourself that haircut
Manicures and pedicures are relatively easy to book at short notice – and many of us are less fussy about where we get our nails done than, say, our hair. Most of us have a trusted hairdresser though and we’d sooner go months without getting a trim, highlights or blowdry than let anyone else near our locks. Calling up for an appointment only to find your hairdresser is fully booked can throw your entire weekend off kilter, and it’s particularly annoying when you'd mentally planned to have your hair tidied up ahead of a particular event. Beat your hairdresser’s other clients to it and book your first autumn trim now.
Start curating your autumn wardrobe
While it might be much to early for you to start thinking about your Christmas shopping (although… there’s never any harm in picking up stocking fillers as and when you see them), it pays to sort your autumnal wardrobe before the season fully hits. If you’re in need of some inspiration, or help sorting the high street’s dimes from the duds, have a read of Culture Whisper’s take on this season’s trends. Spoiler alert: animal prints are in and 80s style is making a comeback...
Get ticking off your back-to-school checklist
You’ve probably got school uniforms sorted by now (no judgements if you haven’t, mind), but what about those pencil cases that need replenishing? The lunch box missing a lid? Or those gym shorts that need replacing? Don’t wait until the last weekend before term starts to do a frazzled dash around the shops; start picking these things up now. Whether you’ve got tots starting nursery or big kids moving into sixth form, this is also a great time to check in with your children and ask how they’re feeling about the academic year ahead.
Reserve your seat for the season's not-to-be-missed events
Here’s something only the eagle-eyed culture vultures will have realised: while most of us were out and about making the most of the heatwave, the city’s top theatres and galleries released their autumn programmes – and there’s plenty you won’t want to miss out on. In the theatre world, whether it’s Robert Icke’s production of The Wild Duck, Emma Rice’s Wise Children, or the National’s re-run of the highly acclaimed War Horse, you’ll want to book your autumn theatre tickets now. Similarly with autumn art exhibitions in London – while there might be less of a scramble of tickets, you don’t want to miss out on Yayoi Kusama at the Victoria Miro, or Courtauld Impressionists at the National Gallery now, do you?
In the restaurant world, there are several foodie events happening in September gourmets won’t want to miss, and even your nights in will be better optimised if you’ve clued yourself up in advance on the best TV autumn has to offer. Finally, don't be fooled into thinking it's much too early to book your spot at one of London's biggest and best firework displays. Tickets to the notoriously quick-to-sell-out Battersea Park Fireworks display, taking place on Saturday 3 November this year, are already on sale – if you're intending to go, book your grassy patch now.
Earmark dates for dinner parties and get-togethers
London is known for being a fast-paced, always-on-the-go city, and its inhabitants are no different. Summer’s not even over yet, but the savvy party planners among us are already scheduling in time to host their guests for dinner. Don’t miss your window – whether or not you’re dying to show off the work you’ve had done on the house, get your dinner dates locked down now before diaries fill up. (After all, if you haven’t finished decorating the dining room or retiling the bathroom yet, a looming date for hosting could be just the push you need to do it.)
Plan your autumn escape
It might just be us, but flights are looking relatively cheap online right now… to certain destinations, anyway. Couple that with past experiences of seeing prices rocket as soon as autumn hits (essentially, when we’re all looking to go on holiday again) and we’re feeling pretty safe recommending you book a mini break, or indeed a longer autumn getaway, now. Also, you might find there's more availability than usual at some of the UK’s best boutique hotels if you get your booking in early, too.
Instead of driving yourself near crazy this year, trying to cram your entire autumn prep list into one already busy weekend, why not get ahead? Whether it’s getting that haircut or buying tickets to see a soon-to-be-fully-booked play, here are some things to do now, that you’ll be glad you’ve already ticked off your to do list in a few weeks' time. You can thank us later.
Service your wardrobe and accessories
That coat you’ve been meaning to take to the dry cleaners since the tail end of last winter? Those make-up brushes you always intend to cleanse? Or the bike that’s been ferrying you from A to B over the summer months, that could do with a bit of TLC ahead of the harsher weather coming up? Now’s the time to do all of the above, so you can hit the September ground running.
Book yourself that haircut
Manicures and pedicures are relatively easy to book at short notice – and many of us are less fussy about where we get our nails done than, say, our hair. Most of us have a trusted hairdresser though and we’d sooner go months without getting a trim, highlights or blowdry than let anyone else near our locks. Calling up for an appointment only to find your hairdresser is fully booked can throw your entire weekend off kilter, and it’s particularly annoying when you'd mentally planned to have your hair tidied up ahead of a particular event. Beat your hairdresser’s other clients to it and book your first autumn trim now.
Start curating your autumn wardrobe
While it might be much to early for you to start thinking about your Christmas shopping (although… there’s never any harm in picking up stocking fillers as and when you see them), it pays to sort your autumnal wardrobe before the season fully hits. If you’re in need of some inspiration, or help sorting the high street’s dimes from the duds, have a read of Culture Whisper’s take on this season’s trends. Spoiler alert: animal prints are in and 80s style is making a comeback...
Get ticking off your back-to-school checklist
You’ve probably got school uniforms sorted by now (no judgements if you haven’t, mind), but what about those pencil cases that need replenishing? The lunch box missing a lid? Or those gym shorts that need replacing? Don’t wait until the last weekend before term starts to do a frazzled dash around the shops; start picking these things up now. Whether you’ve got tots starting nursery or big kids moving into sixth form, this is also a great time to check in with your children and ask how they’re feeling about the academic year ahead.
Reserve your seat for the season's not-to-be-missed events
Here’s something only the eagle-eyed culture vultures will have realised: while most of us were out and about making the most of the heatwave, the city’s top theatres and galleries released their autumn programmes – and there’s plenty you won’t want to miss out on. In the theatre world, whether it’s Robert Icke’s production of The Wild Duck, Emma Rice’s Wise Children, or the National’s re-run of the highly acclaimed War Horse, you’ll want to book your autumn theatre tickets now. Similarly with autumn art exhibitions in London – while there might be less of a scramble of tickets, you don’t want to miss out on Yayoi Kusama at the Victoria Miro, or Courtauld Impressionists at the National Gallery now, do you?
In the restaurant world, there are several foodie events happening in September gourmets won’t want to miss, and even your nights in will be better optimised if you’ve clued yourself up in advance on the best TV autumn has to offer. Finally, don't be fooled into thinking it's much too early to book your spot at one of London's biggest and best firework displays. Tickets to the notoriously quick-to-sell-out Battersea Park Fireworks display, taking place on Saturday 3 November this year, are already on sale – if you're intending to go, book your grassy patch now.
Earmark dates for dinner parties and get-togethers
London is known for being a fast-paced, always-on-the-go city, and its inhabitants are no different. Summer’s not even over yet, but the savvy party planners among us are already scheduling in time to host their guests for dinner. Don’t miss your window – whether or not you’re dying to show off the work you’ve had done on the house, get your dinner dates locked down now before diaries fill up. (After all, if you haven’t finished decorating the dining room or retiling the bathroom yet, a looming date for hosting could be just the push you need to do it.)
Plan your autumn escape
It might just be us, but flights are looking relatively cheap online right now… to certain destinations, anyway. Couple that with past experiences of seeing prices rocket as soon as autumn hits (essentially, when we’re all looking to go on holiday again) and we’re feeling pretty safe recommending you book a mini break, or indeed a longer autumn getaway, now. Also, you might find there's more availability than usual at some of the UK’s best boutique hotels if you get your booking in early, too.
