I love dressing up the outdoors and indoors to make a warm, festive welcoming, and there is no better time to do this in New England than the fall. So before the leaves blow off the trees, take some time this weekend to carry that breathtaking backdrop of autumn straight into your fall décor. Here are some quick tips:

Frame the front door with cornstalks. Find them at your local nursery or craft store, and then place them upright next to the door. (Bonus points for one on each side.)

Fill your flower boxes with gourds. So simple, and you don’t have to worry about wilting at the first sign of frost.

Autumn-ize the mantel. A leaf-sprawled mantel with a touch of golden wheat? I can’t think of a better way to cozy up the home.

By Emily Gibbons of www.LuckyLittleLove.com, Staff Writer

Brought touches of the harvest into your home décor? Tell us how in the comments below or tweet us a pic at @ruelala. 

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There’s a reason we continually pack up our favorite seasonal items to take into the next year – we love them. But, truth be told, even our favorite pieces can lose their appeal after a while. Instead of trashing them and splurging on a new wooly number (although this may be a tempting option), give your cozy sweaters and perfectly worn-in jackets (not to mention your long-sleeve tees) new life with elbow patches.

The best part about this little update? You can use practically anything for your patches, from leather and suede to fun cotton prints and corduroy – or, like me, you can buy a cheap pair of socks with a print you like. If you’re looking to also up the sweet factor, cut your patches into shapes like hearts or stars instead of ovals. Okay – enough with the options, here’s how you do it:

Materials:

Any top of your choice. Be wary about it pairing well with your patch material. For instance, thick leather patches wouldn’t be comfortable on a thin cotton shirt.

A 6″ x 5″ piece of material for patches

Thread that matches the color of your patch material (or contrasting thread for an edgy look)

Sewing needle

Straight pins

Flour

Scissors

Directions:

1. Cut your patch material to size. The 6″ x 5″ piece makes two approximately 4″ patches – for bigger patches start with a 9″ x 8″ piece.
2. Fold in half, and then in half again and use the scissors to cut and round the edges. Open fabric up and cut down the middle to separate the two pieces, and clean up the edges of each individually.
3. Put on your top and mark where elbow bends with flour. Simply dip your finger into flour and mark the spot – chalk will also work.
4. Remove your top and secure each patch with straight pins over the marked elbow spots. Be sure to position the patch with the marked spot in the middle. Note that the straight needles should only poke through one layer of the sleeve – you don’t want to sew them closed.
5. Measure a full arm’s length of thread and string through the needle, securing the two ends together. Put your free hand up the sleeve (to ensure you don’t attach the sleeves together) and start sewing. (Don’t know how to sew? Start here.) I recommend a top-sewing stitch, but a simple straight stitch would also work.
6. Once sewn all around, tie off the thread and snip any loose ends. Repeat on other sleeve.

That’s it! The whole process takes no more than an hour and the result is a practically brand new piece of clothing. I went with a festive ski-lodge look – and plan to wear it with leggings and cozy boots all winter long.

By Abigail Kuzia, Editor

Have a great DIY idea? Share it in the comments below, or tweet us @ruelala.

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To those who know someone participating in “Movember“: this post’s for you. The ever-dropping temperatures and mustache-clad male population can take their toll on your face and lips, no matter how many layers of ChapStick® and moisturizer you apply. This lip exfoliate is the perfect way to combat Movember and achieve more kissable lips by the time mistletoe season rolls around.

Gingerbread Lip Exfoliate

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon brown sugar

1 teaspoon coconut oil

½ teaspoon honey

¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions:

1. Warm up the coconut oil by running the sealed container under warm water.

2. Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and stir to mix well.

3. Transfer to a small resealable container (I used a makeup sample jar).

4. Apply by using your forefinger in a small circular motion. Fully cover lips, but be sure not to scrub too hard or lips become raw.

5. Dab off with a warm washcloth.

By Grace Romanowsky of Valenki By ACE, Staff Writer

How did your road test fare? Share it in the comments below or tweet us @ruelala.

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Cue the season of entertaining – and with it, an insurmountable amount of hors d’oeuvres. In my case: lots and lots of cheese plates.

For a twist on my average serveware, I found inspiration in this seasonal DIY and made my own little cheese plate – in under an hour! All you need is a white plate (secret: your local dollar store has loads of them), a Porcelaine 150 pen (found at any craft store), a list of your very favorite cheeses, and an oven.

Directions: 

• Wash and dry your white plate thoroughly.
• Write down a list of your favorite cheeses. Want to skip this step? Peep this extensive list.
• Using the Porcelaine 150 pen, carefully write your list of cheeses around the edge of the plate. It’s okay if it looks scribbled, but if you want to make your writing straight, try blue painter’s tape.
• Make a mistake? No worries. Simply wipe with a wet paper towel and start again.
• Once you’re happy with your plate, bake at 300°F for 30 minutes. 
• Let set for 24 hours, then add cheese and serve.

Gourds. They’re petite, come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and are pretty prevalent during the autumn months. While pumpkin picking this year, I noticed a bountiful table covered with these not-so-much-loved vegetables and scooped up an armful to create my next craft: gourd candle holders. Instant fall chic.

Materials:

Pumpkin carving knife
Spoon
Tea light, votive, or candlestick

Directions:

1. Cut a circle around the stem of the gourd. Try to match the diameter of the candle you will be using.

2. Scoop out some seeds and wedge the candle in.

3. Light the wick and set out for the perfect harvest ambiance.

If you plan to use these later on, take out the candle and store them in the fridge. They’re perfect for dinner-party table décor.

By Emily Gibbons of www.LuckyLittleLove.com, Staff Writer

Have any creative candle holder ideas?  Share them in the comments below or tweet us @ruelala.

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As it turns out, those empty bottles of Malbec adorning my kitchen windowsill serve a higher (and more aesthetically pleasing) purpose.  I have two words for you: home décor. From monogrammed wine cork letters to wine cork bulletin boards, there are a ton of ways to turn the remnants of wine night with the girls into eye-catching home accessories.

What you’ll need:

1. A wooden monogrammed letter of your choice or a bulletin board
2. A glue gun or glue sticks
3. A razor blade
4. A drinking buddy (let’s face it – that’s a lot of legwork to accomplish solo). If you’d rather not waste time or money building up your cork collection, you can order them online or check out a local craft store.

Steps:

1. Before you start gluing, organize your corks on the letter frame to figure out which sizes best fit the dimensions of the letter or bulletin board (just beware of the domino effect).
2. As you’re organizing, make sure that any corks featuring a unique graphic are facing out.
3. Once you have the corks laid out, glue them on to the wooden letter or bulletin board. Contrary to the timeless piece of wisdom that cautions against mixing your alcohol, don’t be afraid to combine different colored corks.
4. Using the razor blade, quarter a few corks and use these pieces to fill in any gaps.
5. Place the finished product on a mantel, bookcase, or other focal point where it’ll be sure to catch the attention of houseguests.

By Lauryn Paiva, Staff Writer

Recycled your wine bottles into cool home décor? Share your how-to in the comments below or tweet us @ruelala. 

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As predicted by Peter Som, Rodarte, and YSL (and many others) on the Fall 2012 runways, this dark chocolate-dipped cherry hue has won its way into our hearts and wardrobes. While it works well in full skirt suit form, as sported recently by a certain British Princess, I prefer to let this mystery-meets-chic shade add subtle accents to fall outfits.

Chianti, burgundy, or black cherry – oxblood by any other name still adds a little brass to jewel tones, leather jackets, and jeans.

Cherry On Top
Replace summer’s straw fedora with this cherry-brick wool one. Pair it with a vintage dress and ankle boots, and express a little 1920s flair.

Reveal Your Dark Side
Flattering on every skin tone, oxblood lipstick is a darker and richer alternative to the classic red lip color. One coat with a touch of mascara and you’re out the door.

Dress It Down
There’s nothing cozier in a chilly office than a puffer vest. Pair an oxblood vest or scarf with an oversized sweater and jeans for an on-trend and casual ensemble.

The Saturated Skinny
Shelve mint skinnies until next season in exchange for these saturated blue-red jeans. Make it a biker-chic morning in a leather jacket or do post-work drinks with the simple addition of heels.

Beet Red
Give your nail technician the week off from Pinterest-inspired patterns and opt for something simple, striking, and in season.

By Julia Ivins, Staff Writer

What other ways do you wear oxblood? Share it in the comments below or tweet us @ruelala.

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Been there, done that. When it comes to carving pumpkins, I’ve tried it all – spooky castles, wicked witches, and everything in between.

So, when it came to those two perfect pumpkins I picked out at the local farm with help from my four-year-old niece, we focused on polka dots – her new favorite obsession. Stickers in hand, we decorated one pumpkin with multi-size round stickers, then spray-painted the surface black. For the second, we cut off the top, scooped out the seeds, and used a drill to make holes all over.

Materials:

Two pumpkins
Black spray paint
Circular stickers
Drill and 3/4-inch bit
Knife and spoon (to prep pumpkin #2)
One tea light candle

Directions:

1. Wipe down both pumpkins to rid surfaces of any dirt.
2. Start with pumpkin #1. Add stickers as shown above and douse in black spray paint (one coat is all it needs).
3. Once dry, peel stickers off pumpkin #1 and revel in your polka-dotted finished product.
4. For pumpkin #2, cut off top and remove seeds.
5. Drill holes where desired.
6. Add the lit tea light candle, replace top, and display.

By Emily Gibbons of LuckyLittleLove.com, Staff Writer

Have a favorite pumpkin DIY? Share it in the comments below or tweet us @ruelala. 

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I love a great red lip. While a burgundy color is fall’s hottest hue, nothing can beat the color of true red (at least in my opinion). It’s instantly classic, polished, and knows how to make a statement.

For some, applying – and wearing – red lipstick can be a little intimidating, but with these simple steps and the right shades, you’ll be falling in love with this beloved lip color, fast. Not sure what the right shade is? Find your skin tone temperature, then pick a blue-hued or orange-hued lipstick to match. When in doubt, visit your nearest makeup counter – they’ll pair you up with the perfect color red.

1. On model Amber, makeup artist Rachael used a classic deep red shade: Bobbi Brown Red. Apply a light coat of lipstick with a standard lip brush.

2. Take a well-sharpened lip liner and apply to the natural lip line. You can extend the lip as needed. For this, Rachael used MAC‘s lip pencil in Cherry.

3. Fill in any missing spots with the liner. For extra long-lasting wear, apply powder to the whole lip, then follow with another layer of lipstick to prevent bleeding and keep the color for hours. Want to tone down the matte look? Apply a clear coat of gloss to soften things up.

4. Blot lips with a tissue to keep the color from sticking.

After the day has ended, red lipstick can be hard to remove. Rachael’s secret? Unscented baby wipes or Vaseline. Works like a charm.

By Melissa Mann, Staff Writer

Do you have a favorite red lip shade? Share it in the comments below or tweet us at @ruelala.

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Carving pumpkins is a favorite pastime of mine. But when it comes to the upcoming spooky holiday, I was looking for more than just the typical Jack-o’-lantern (but with, of course, the bonus of baked-and-salted pumpkin seeds). Cue this easy-as-pumpkin-pie DIY project.  Perfect for your next ghostly gathering, just cut off the top, hollow out the insides, then display your favorite autumn beverage (chilled apple cider?) or fill with the season’s favorite flower – mums!

Materials:
1 pumpkin
Potted mums (or your favorite bevy)
A serrated knife
A spoon

Directions
1. Cut into the pumpkin to remove top.
2. Using a spoon, scoop out seeds and hollow out.
3. Place potted mums in pumpkin planter or add ice and favorite beverages.

By Emily Gibbons of LuckyLittleLove.com, Staff Writer

What other not-so-typical décor ideas have you used a hollow pumpkin for? Tell us in the comments below or tweet us @ruelala.

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