Red Leaf Style

October 28, 2013

Pictures of Fall Things

Pumpkin Snicker Doodle Cookies | redleafstyle.com

Here’s what fall looks like around my home right now. Pumpkin snicker doodle cookies. Crisp red apples picked fresh from the apple tree in our front yard. Pumpkins of all shapes and sizes and beeswax candles decorating the house. I love this time of year! And last but not least, because everyone needs an autumn oven mitt… What does fall look like around your house right now? Keep up with Red Leaf Style! Follow Red Leaf Style author Kirsten Hudson on Twitter @kirsten_hudson, Google+ and Pinterest. This is the twenty eighth post in a 31 days blog series called 31 Days of Reimagining. Start from the beginning....

October 27, 2013

Weekend Finds: Garage Sale Lamp Shades

This weekend I stopped at a few garage sales and picked up two lamp shades for $3 each. Normally I can’t find cute lamp shades while thrifting. I love picking up lamp bases at the Goodwill, DAV and other secondhand stores. You can score really stylish secondhand lamp bases for cheap. Finding lamp shades is not so easy. At secondhand stores the lamp shades are usually dented or way outdated, if you find them at all. Lately, I’ve done well searching for lamp shades at garage sales. I’ve found that garage salers tend to have near perfect condition lamp shades because they bought them and they didn’t work for their particular lamp. And, then I buy them for less than a fourth of the price of what they would cost new. I’m not sure what I’m going to do with this other lamp shade yet, but for $3 I know I’ll put it to use at some point. Check out past weekend finds! Have you found any good garage sale finds lately? Tell me about them in the comments… Keep up with Red Leaf Style! Follow Red Leaf Style author Kirsten Hudson on Twitter @kirsten_hudson, Google+ and Pinterest. This is the twenty seventh post in...

October 26, 2013

Pumpkin Carving Day

Carved pumpkins don’t last very long, so I may as well as show them off. I have no tips or tricks for you. My pumpkin carving knowledge is pretty standard. Cut a circle around the stem. (Don’t get too close to the stem or the hole will be too small.) Gut the thing. Trace your template onto the pumpkin using one of those spinny wheels that make the holes. (This is always the hardest part for me.) Carve it out. Done. This is the first year I haven’t attempted a way-too-ambitious pumpkin and I couldn’t be happier. Not only was I done in about 30 minutes, but my back and legs weren’t aching and I had energy to do other things that day. For your enjoyment, a few pictures of carving a lovely owl, vampire girl and pumpkin on a pumpkin (that one’s mine!). Have you carved pumpkins yet? What did you carve this year? Keep up with Red Leaf Style! Follow Red Leaf Style author Kirsten Hudson on Twitter @kirsten_hudson, Google+ and Pinterest. This is the twenty sixth post in a 31 days blog series called 31 Days of Reimagining. Start from the beginning....

October 25, 2013

What Should I Do With It?

My awesome friend found this medicine cabinet sitting on the curb and snagged it for me. She knows about my love for free furniture. Do I have any idea what I’m going to do with it? No, not really. Am I excited about it any way? Of course! It’s not as big as it looks. The width is about the size of a standard medicine cabinet, maybe a little wider. And the length is probably about four feet. It doesn’t look like it would be too difficult to hang on the wall. Maybe I could just set the shabby shelf on top of a dresser? I’m really not sure. I need your ideas! Tell me what you think I should do with it? I need some creative inspiration. Please oh-please drop me an idea in the comments… Keep up with Red Leaf Style! Follow Red Leaf Style author Kirsten Hudson on Twitter @kirsten_hudson, Google+ and Pinterest. This is the twenty fifth post in a 31 days blog series called 31 Days of Reimagining. Start from the beginning....

October 24, 2013

Wooden Chair Makeover: Before

Can you believe that I found this pretty piece on the side of the road? Yep. I spotted her in a pile of garage sale leftovers bound for the trash. I saw the potential for a stylish chair immediately. You can see right away that the bones are good. Sleek arms and engraved details. Even though the cushion is mighty stained and one leg was slightly cracked, I knew I could transform her. Look out for a full makeover soon! What do you think of this chair? Do you think she can be saved? Keep up with Red Leaf Style! Follow Red Leaf Style author Kirsten Hudson on Twitter @kirsten_hudson, Google+ and Pinterest. This is the twenty fourth post in a 31 days blog series called 31 Days of Reimagining. Start from the beginning....

October 23, 2013

3 Amazing Vintage Stores in Portland, Oregon

Head out to Portland, Oregon if you want to score some serious vintage gems. I spent five days in this hipster town and loved every minute there. Every time I turned a corner I saw a cute coffeeshop, a hopping spot to grab a beer or a vintage store. All things I love! I didn’t venture too far out of downtown, but it had more than enough to keep me occupied. Here are a few of the vintage stores I spotted while there. 1. BillyGoat Vintage This cute shop located in the heart of downtown Portland felt like some smart shopper had handpicked vintage stuff just for me. BillyGoat Vintage offered a large selection of vintage clothes, all clearly chosen for the modern dresser. Nothing stuffy. Just really cute dresses, sweaters, pants and fun knickknacks. I had to talk myself out of buying too much. And, the lady working the counter was really helpful. She made some great suggestions of activities to do and areas to visit while in Portland. 2. Buffalo Exchange At this resale shop, I scored a Cath Kidston purse for $32. If you haven’t heard of her, Cath Kidston is an English fashion designer. Her...

October 22, 2013

My Fireplace Mantle For Fall

Welcome to my fireplace mantle this fall. What I love about my décor this year is that I only purchased a couple of items on the display. The rest came from around my house or from my front yard! I already owned the vases, vintage tin, plant and thrift store plate. The turkey feathers were courtesy of my boyfriend. The beeswax candles I made myself using jars I scrounged up from around the house. The pinecones came from my front yard. And, I bought the tiny pumpkins and gourds from my local farmer’s market. (A whole bucketful for $4!) How did you decorate your fall mantle this year? I’d love to see pictures… Keep up with Red Leaf Style! Follow Red Leaf Style author Kirsten Hudson on Twitter @kirsten_hudson, Google+ and Pinterest. This is the twenty second post in a 31 days blog series called 31 Days of Reimagining. Start from the beginning....