How to Decorate for Fall Like an #Adulting Boss

Sep 21, 2016

Ahhh… fall is most definitely in the air and I’m ready to get into the spirit. Oh, hi! Lindsay here, BTW. Although fall is my favorite time of year, I’ve always struggled with decorating the house during this season (Christmas, on the other hand, I got you!). I find it challenging for a couple of reasons. First, being a “grown-up” (see how I used quotations there), I find it difficult to find pieces to get me through the fall without being overly cheesy. Being post-college and kid-free, fake spiders, cobwebs and pumpkins galore are not really *on brand* with the modern yet playful decor of my apartment. And second, I fail to decorate, pretty much, out of sheer laziness. What’s a woman to do?! To help solve this dilemma, we’ve partnered with Hallmark Gold Crown to deck out my mantel to get me through this next season in style.

I mean check out these transitions! A few key items can really go a long way. It CAN, in fact, be quite easy to decorate and can still be super classy when you have a good base.

In the process, I found two items that really added a pop of seasonal color without being too overwhelming. Hallmark Gold Crown’s Bittersweet Garland and the Gourd Vase Filler Mix really held all the pieces together and created a cohesion through all of the transitions. Also, one less thing to think about when changing up the looks, AKA #lazygirlapproved. Read on to see how we were able to create three easy and unique mantels for autumn: Early Fall Fashion; Day of the Dead Decor and Friendsgiving Furnishing.

EARLY FALL FASHION

I really appreciate how the Early Fall look maintains a transitional feel from summer to autumn. Nothing seems out of place when a lingering hot day comes rolling through.

The glass pieces from Hallmark Gold Crown’s Decor Essentials really helped to maintain a grown-up feel, while providing a great base to complement some pops of color. We turned the Hurricane Bowl into a temporary terrarium with some Mixed Rosehip Filler and newly propagated succulents. Adding some live plants really kicked it up a notch.

DAY OF THE DEAD DECOR

Okay, I have a confession to make… Halloween is not my favorite holiday. I feel like that’s blasphemous to say at Brit + Co. And while I have an affinity for all of the creative costume opportunities, I definitely got my fair share of All Hallow’s Eve celebrations while in college. So, although Hallmark Gold Crown has quite an extensive selection of Halloween items, I was VERY excited for the the Day of the Dead decor options. Swapping in a few key pieces created a fun and festive mantel just in time for October.

We decided to go a little minimal with the Day of the Dead decor to let the details of the skulls shine. These bad boys brought their A-game and added some undead life to this look.

I know these are not Day of the Dead related, but I COULD NOT resist these little dudes! I mean, how cute are they? I absolutely love the little mummy holding the pumpkin. These two are actually salt and pepper shakers, but I thought that they were the perfect little nod to Halloween, without being overbearing.

FRIENDSGIVING FURNISHINGS

I would have to say that this look was my favorite of the season. It’s also perfect because this year, I’m hosting my very first Friendsgiving and it’s spot on for the event.

This small Bell Jar might be one of my favorite pieces from the whole lot. It is the perfect blank canvas that can be filled an assortment of times. Once again, using similar items from the Hurricane Bowl, we were able to create an entirely different vibe.

Ohhh fall, you never looked so good!

What do you think of the mantel decors? Follow us on Pinterest for more fall home decor inspo.

Author: Lindsay Saito

DIY Styling + Production: Lindsay Saito, Anita Yung

Photography: Chris Andre

18 Colorful Photos That Totally Prove You Should Paint & Wallpaper Your Ceilings

After years of white paint neglect, the fifth wall — AKA your ceiling — is finally having its moment. From playful wallpapers and brightly painted stripes to statement chandeliers that venture beyond the dining room, and modern woodwork and moulding details, ceilings are looking better than ever. Here is ceiling inspiration to bring home with you and spark your own creative designs!

Wallpaper Ideas

BelArte Studio

BelArte Studio Artistic Lines White

For a more graphic maximalist look, this abstract wall mural does the trick in four different colors.

BelArte Studio

BelArte Studio Sky Wild Forest Ivy Green

Go bold on the ceiling with this hand painted forest wallpaper that climbs from the ceiling and down the wall for a stunning conversation piece.

@addisonswonderland via Hygge & West

Hygge & West Daydream Wallpaper

Kids rooms are a great place to play with pattern and spark kids imaginations as they drift off to sleep. This design by @addisonswonderland uses Hygge & West's soaring birds and floating clouds overhead.

@oakandpillar via Hygge & West

Hygge & West Daydream Wallpaper

In another colorway for a completely different look, @oakandpillar used this Daydream Wallpaper in gold to pair with the gorgeous dark cabinetry here.

@cassmakeshome via Hygge & West

Hygge & West Forest Floor

This ceiling installation by Cass Smith of @cassmakeshome is a dramatic statement in atop a neutral space.

Graham & Brown

Graham & Brown Tramonto Amber Wallpaper

Get creative with wallpaper on the ceiling and then a faux headboard to match!

Graham & Brown

Graham & Brown Midnight Tropic Wallpaper

Powder rooms are perfect for a playful wallpapered ceiling aesthetic.

Photowall

Photowall Silhouettes in Flight

Using wallpaper to accentuate a beautiful molding is an easy yet impactful way to upgrade your decor.

Wallpaper Tips

Wayfair

York Wall Coverings Evening Star Geometric

Try two complementary wallpapers, like a floral and a graphic, for an eclectic look.

Wallpaper Tips:

Work with a buddy: Hanging wallpaper on a ceiling can be tricky, so having an extra set of hands can make it much easier.
Use a temporary support: For longer strips, you might need to support the wallpaper temporarily with painter's tape until it's actually secured.
Consider your lighting situation: When choosing wallpaper, keep in mind how ceiling lighting will affect the wallpaper color and pattern. Make sure to test a swatch by taping it to the ceiling and observing the day and night light.

Paint Ideas

Maison Deux

These circus stripes from design retailer Maison Deux are so on trend right now and just so fun!

Farrow & Ball

Farrow & Ball Broccoli Brown

Color drench your rooms from floor to ceiling with this dark stone color that feels natural and elegant and totally on trend.

Farrow & Ball

Farrow & Ball Sulking Room Pink

Pair complementary tones like this muted rose in Farrow & Ball Calamine and richer pink for a color blocked aesthetic.

@kyrosedesign via Clare Paint

Clare Paint Good Jeans Paint

Here's another cozy color-drenched look by @kyrosedesign.

Dulux

Dulux Paint Pressed Petal

Try a statement stripe that creates a dining moment for two.

Painting Tips

Dulux

Painting Tips

Paint in natural light: If possible, paint during the day when natural light is brightest. This helps you catch any missed spots or uneven coverage more easily.
Start with the edges: Use a brush to “cut in” around the edges of the ceiling, creating a border. This makes it easier to roll paint up to the edges without bumping into walls or light fixtures.
Use a pole extension: An extension pole gives you better control, minimizes neck strain, and helps you achieve an even coat.
Roll in one direction, then cross-roll: Apply the first coat by rolling in one direction, usually parallel to the longest wall. Then, cross-roll by going perpendicular to the first direction to avoid streaks.
Let each coat dry. This is the kind of project you don't want to rush, so let your layers dry before applying another coat. The paint can should say drying times for the best finish!

Mouldings + Wood

Anthropologie

Anthropologie Delphine Rattan Chandelier

If your ceiling needs a little love, add a ceiling ring and a statement chandelier and you have a refreshing new look. Medallions are also surprisingly affordable for an elegant look.

Wayfair

Ashford Smooth Panel Moulding Kit

This highly rated moulding looks great on the wall or the fifth wall.

Wayfair

Wood Ceiling Beams

Wood beams create a rustic look and give cozy cabin vibes!

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Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

Not Close With Your Family? Here's How To Have a Joyous And Connected Holiday Season

Last year, some of us celebrated the holidays apart from our families for the first time. COVID has brought with it many changes, some of them arguably positive (like increased flexibility to work from home), some difficult (such as the realization of vastly different political and social views between family and friends), and some horrible (obviously, the health implications of a global pandemic). However, for some of us, celebrating the holidays without family members isn't exclusively due to COVID. In addition to so many of us living in different areas than our families of origin, some of us simply don't have close bonds with the people we grew up around. Sometimes, this can cause loneliness.

If you're not close with your family members, the holidays can be a difficult time. This is doubly true if you don't have a close circle of friends to call upon. But make no mistake, if this sounds like your situation, you're not alone — there are thousands of other people going through the same struggles you are. We sat down with Irad Eichler, founder of Circles, a website that connects people who are sharing similar struggles, like heartbreak, grief, or loneliness. Here are some of Eichler's tips for coping — and even thriving! — during the holiday season when you're not planning on spending it with your family, for one reason or another.

Don't Fall For "Perfect Families" On Social Media

Laura Chouette

The first VERY important step to having a joyous holiday season when you're going it alone is to stop believing the narrative that others' family situations are perfect, Eichler says.

"Remember people only post a moment in time, and only the moments when they look their happiest and best."

In addition to the fact that everything you see on social media is curated for the 'gram, it's also important to remember that by focusing on what others have and you lack, you risk failing to see the great things at play in your own life.

"These holiday periods can become a time of focusing on who and what we don't have, rather than who or what we do, and can cause a negative spiral into depressing and dreadful feelings of inadequacy," says Eichler.

Gratitude is the reason for the season, after all. So instead of only seeing the negative, try some gratitude journal prompts to help you focus on what's actually really wonderful about your life right now.

Make An Effort To Deepen New Connections

Joel Muniz

While it may seem like everyone has friends and family to spend time with during the holiday season, that doesn't mean no one is available for deepening a blossoming relationship or new friendship.

"Make a list of people you can or would like to connect with, and try to reach out to at least one of them," advises Eichler.

Reaching out doesn't have to mean a big plan or an hour-long conversation. Even a quick text letting a friendly coworker know you're thinking about them can go a long way toward deepening the relationship and moving it in the direction of closer friendship.

Don't have an acquaintance in mind? Then it's time to make new acquaintances. What's more in line with the Christmas spirit than attending a Meetup or event full of people eager to make new friends?

"Join groups with similar interests to yours, such as hiking, baking, or games. Push your boundaries and be brave - you might find new people who have much in common with you."

Give Back

Priscilla Du Preez

The holiday season is a great time to focus on giving back to your community, and coincidentally, acts of generosity and kindness are known to reduce loneliness and help people feel happier. One study found that knowing a few of your neighbors and doing small acts of kindness for them — such as cheering them up, listening to them, mowing their lawn, providing advice about local business recommendations and job opportunities, and chatting over the fence — was statistically correlated with feeling less lonely and having a lower risk of depression.

Helping out elderly neighbors can be a particularly gratifying way to give back.

"Notice older lonely people in your neighborhood or community who might have no family at all, and offer to help them," says Eichler. "These can become mutually meaningful connections, and help you 'adopt' a grandparent."

Connect With Others Online

Thought Catalog

Finally, use the Internet for its highest and best purpose: to connect people. Whether you're using Meetup to find in-person events, digital forums for having conversations about special interests, or programs like Circle for getting support from others in your situation, the opportunities to create new connections are practically endless.

"There are many interest groups that can be found digitally, where or any person can connect with others in the same life stage, going through the same challenges, or who would like to explore the same interests," Eichler states. "Meaningful connections can be formed easily in these circumstances. The Internet enables us to find and connect to people all over the world who fit this, and to whom we can become more easily attached, as we are able to find people with the exact interests that energize us."

If you're struggling with loneliness, you're not alone. Connect with our digital community of makers and creatives here at Brit+Co by following us on IG and signing up for our newsletter!

This post has been updated.

relationship advice wellness friendship relationships holidays

Target’s Adorable Christmas Decorations Make Me Want To Deck The Halls ASAP

Target is full of hidden gems, but around this time of year, you don’t have to look too hard to find the cutest Christmas decorations. They have everything from holiday tableware to Christmas lights, and I’m especially stoked about their adorable ornament selection. If you need to up your Christmas decor game, you came to the right place. Scroll on for the best Target Christmas decorations of 2024 that provide an instant happiness boost.

Our fave Target Christmas decorations you can snag this season:

Target

Wondershop LED Neon-Style Waving Gingerbread Man Light

This jolly lil' guy ($35) is perfect for setting up in your entry way for a holly-jolly welcome every time you come home.

Target

Threshold x Studio McGee Mixed Plaid Woven Stocking

This super-soft $15 linen stocking defies designs of years past with a cozy colorway and some contrasting patterns, so it'll undoubtedly be a stylish upgrade for your mantle.

Target

Wondershop 3-Piece Metal Nativity Scene

The simplicity of this $15 gold nativity scene make it such a seamless match with all of your existing Christmas decorations.

Target

Wondershop Battery-Operated Lit Ceramic Christmas Tree

This vintage-inspired Christmas tree light ($15) will look so cozy when you add it to your Christmas set-up. Plus, the bulbs add unparalleled levels of cheer and color for the season!

Target

Stanley Water Bottle Keychain & Ornament

Stanley lovers, rise up! This toy-sized ornament will let everyone know your affection for the beloved tumbler. The lid actually screws off so you could stow away little candies, a tube of lip gloss, or even slide in a sly $20 bill to make for a nice stocking stuffer. This $10 piece also doubles as a keychain, so you can use it year-round!

Target

Threshold Plaid Tablecloth

Plaid is timeless for the holiday season, so if you've got some potlucks and dinner parties planned to celebrate with loved ones and friends, this chic $20 tablecloth will instantly elevate your hosting game!

Target

Featherly Friends Christmas Bird Figurine

I can't get enough of this series of cute little bird figurines Target tends to debut around the holidays! This one is 'fitted up with earmuffs, a jacket, and scarf, all while holding out a perfectly-wrapped gift to usher in the giving spirit of Christmas.

Subscribe to our newsletter to shop more Christmas + holiday decor!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

target decor christmas decor ornaments shopping home decor

Zach Bryan & Brianna Chickenfry's Break Up Is COMPLICATED — Here's What To Know

Zach Bryan and Brianna "Chickenfry" LaPaglia's explosive breakup is everywhere right now. From his seemingly one-sided social media posts to all the bombshell revelations she keeps dropping, it's clear this split is NOT amicable. Both parties are dropping tons of lore, info, and everything in between — including new music?! — right now, so it makes sense if you can't keep up. Luckily, I'm here to help break this breakup down for you! Here's everything you need to know about Zach Bryan and Brianna Chickenfry's relationship...or lack thereof.

Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

October 22, 2024 – Zach Bryan Announces His Breakup With Brianna Chickenfry

On October 22, 2024, after some recent speculation that Zach Bryan and Brianna Chickenfry split up, Zach took to his Instagram stories. The country star said, "Addressing something: Brianna and me have broken up with [each other] and I respect and love her with every ounce of my heart. She has loved me unconditionally for a very long time and for that I'll always thank her."

He continued, noting, "I have had an incredibly hard year personally and struggled through some pretty severe things. I thought it would be beneficial for both of us to go our different ways. I am not perfect and never will be. Please respect Brianna's privacy and space in this and if you have it in your heart, mine too."

To wrap it all up, he closed by apologizing to his fans. He said, "With everything I am and to anyone I let down, I am sorry. I try my best in everything. I failed people that love me and mostly myself."

www.youtube.com

- YouTube

Brianna hopped on her own Instagram stories shortly there after. She posted, "Hey guys I'm feeling really blindsided right now. Gonna hop off social media for a while and attempt to heal privately, when I'm ready I'll be back and ready to talk. I love you guys so much thank you for all of your kind words. Remember you are so loved and everything's always gonna be okay 🫶"

The Brianna got on Youtube next, posting a raw, emotional video about the situation. Sitting on the floor of her bathroom, she opened up as much as she could in the moment about her breakup. She said, "I just woke up to Zach posting on his Instagram that we broke up and I had no idea that post was going up. He didn't text me, he didn't call me. I just woke up to a bunch of texts, like, 'Are you okay?'"

Brianna, with her teary eyes and red face, explained she's been crying for "five days straight." She said, "I'm at the point where it's like, how can you give someone everything and love them so unconditionally, like through stuff that you shouldn't because you just love them and you want them... like you see the good in them?"

The internet personality said that this is all "so embarrassing" and "really, really heartbreaking." She elaborated that the couple broke up on October 21, but wanted to process on her own and "didn't want it to be public."

Much like her Instagram story, she told her audience that she'll come back when she's ready.

www.youtube.com

- YouTube

November 7, 2024 — Brianna Claims Zach's Emotionally Abusive, Wanted $12Mil NDA

Well, it appears this week, Brianna decided she's ready. On Barstool Sports' BFF's Pod November 7, 2024, Brianna gave an inside look at the breakup unlike any other. Not only did she claim Zach was abusive, but she also alleged that he offered her a $12 million NDA to "not talk about the relationship."

After saying it's been the hardest year of her life, she said. "I'm still scared right now because I'm scared of him. My brain's rewired and I'm scared to make him mad and last week, I didn't want to talk about it 'cause I was scared."

Brianna then described the alleged emotional abuse. She noted that everything was cyclical and that he would build her up only to break her back down again. "There was always another excuse as to why he was treating me so poorly and why I'm crying myself to sleep every night, why he's screaming at me," she said. "And then you wake up, it's the apology, it's the 'I'm going to be better like I need you in my life,' but if you've been through this — I don't expect people to understand emotional abuse if you haven't been through it. I hope you never have to go through it but if you've been there you know what I'm talking about."

Not only does Brianna allege she was offered an NDA, but she said that other women that came before her had to sign their own agreements. She declined the offer because she didn't want to "sign away [her] experiences and what [she] went through to protect someone that hurt [her]." She also wanted to share this experience for other women who've suffered something similar.

And when it comes to the logistics of losing out on the famous lifestyle and alleged $12 million? She said, "It was never about the money — I was with the dude because I loved the dude."

Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival

November 8, 2024 — Zach Quit Touring Amid Abuse Allegations

On November 8, 2024, Zach posted on Instagram — where he clearly loves to share all his big news — that not only is his new single "High Road" out today, but that he's also ending his tour early. Read his full statement here:

After not being home for a year and a half I drove out to my mothers gravestone in the dead of night a few days back on familiar Oklahoma roads and I came to realize just like in the past, that she never would call me again

Told her I quit touring because I got accepted to get my masters in Paris next year, I told her I was back in Oklahoma, told her about all my best friends in New York and all the nights we howled with the moon, told her about the immeasurable laughter my band and me have shared these last five years, all the calluses on my finger tips, every tear shed, told her about making it on The Rolling Stone and most importantly told her about porch swinging with my beautiful sister.
I wrote the chorus for this song a month or two back and finished it when I realized I was blessed with all these things.

I figured it was about time I released it.

Thank you guys for listening to ‘This Worlds a Giant’ last night and thank you to all the people who love me; who have truly carried the weight with me.

Seems that all these Quiet Dreams have gotten much too heavy but I’m home now and I’ll hold you through the pain.

High Road is out today and I appreciate all of you"

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celebrities celebrity news celebrity breakups celebrity couples

83 Budget-Friendly Finds Under $30 That'll Have You Gifting Ready This Season

Discover 83 Amazon products under $30 that are nothing short of pure gold. From stylish fashion finds to the latest beauty trends, these steals offer exceptional value without compromising on quality. We always ask, what's better than the perfect gift? Well, it's the gift that also doesn't break the bank! We're confident you'll find something in here to at least appease a few loved ones this holiday season.

Thanks for reading about our favorite finds from across the internet! FYI: We participate in affiliate programs and may get a share of the revenue from your purchase.