The temperature has slowly been dropping in these West Virginia hills (how majestic and how grand... only true West Virginia kids will get that!) which has me looking forward to the official start of fall. No, not the autumnal equinox or whatever, though autumnal equinox is such an awesome combination of words... I'm talking about the real start of fall, with falling leaves, crisp air, hay bales and haunted houses. And horror movies! I am beyond ready for some horror movie marathons.

I'm also excited to pull out some of my favorite fall items to wear again this year. You know, those items you can pretty much only wear between late September and Thanksgiving? Yeah, those. But for sweet summer children who just don't know what they are going to wear once it gets too cool for tank tops and short... Don't worry! I got you! You really only need a few things.

1. Knee-high boots. I am a lover of boots. Any type of boots. And knee-high boots are no different. These are stylish, sure, but let's be real... They keep your feet warm in the cooler weather and the hems of your pants dry when there are big, leafy puddles everywhere. And that is what really makes them a winner.

2. Tights. Just because it's fall doesn't mean you have to give up your pretty summer skirts and dresses, or even shorts. In fact, now might be the best time to wear them because you can pair them up with a rainbow of tights! Long gone are the days when you could only find nude hose to cover your legs. No, now you can find them in a multitude of colors and patterns. There are maroon and rust colored tights over at WeLoveColors that are great for fall.

3. An oversized sweater or cardigan. It's warm, it's comfy, it's cute. Does it really need any more explanation?

4. A plaid shirt. It's perfect for a casual autumn day or a wander through the corn maze. Like a sweater or cardigan, this doesn't need a whole lot of explainin'. It's just one of those things you need in your fall closet.

5. A scarf. One way to make any outfit look fall ready-- and keep you warm, I guess-- is to throw on a scarf. There are so many options out there, it's impossible not to find one that matches your style and personality. And if you can't find one you like, you can always make one! I'm a fan of chunky infinity scarves because they're just so damn cozy.

What are your fall essentials? Is autumn your favorite season or are you sad to see summer go?