You might be tempted to hit the home decor store as soon as that first leaf falls from the tree, but why not try your hand at some DIY projects? If you want to get in the fall spirit without draining your bank account, use these budget-friendly tips to make your home an autumn wonderland.

Fall Pumpkin Tableau [southernliving.com]
Welcome your guests into your home with a fantastic fall vignette right in the foyer. This once uses a few seasonal gourds and miniature pie pumpkins, which only cost a few dollars at the grocery store. The rest you can get for free by simply using your own clear vases or bowls and some leafy branches from the trees outside.

Gourd and Pumpkin Lights [bhg.com]
Light up the night either inside or out by creating a stylish, chic version of the classic jack-o'-lantern. Instead of carving a face into a pumpkin, simply hollow out a few in varying sizes and place tea lights inside their openings.

Pinecone Lamp Finial [marthastewart.com]
Incorporate fall decor into even the tiniest touches in your home, such as the small piece that screws into the top of a lamp. Simply glue pinecones to the tops of all of your finials for a festive look, or even spray paint them gold or silver for a bit more glamour!

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr eamathe

Just like the old-fashioned pubs found throughout England, The Olde Ship is a lively, welcoming locale that locals love. Duck into the cottage-style building and you’ll be met with a warm, dimly lit interior that’s perfect for spending the afternoon chatting with friends over a pint of ale. The beer list is quite long at The Olde Ship, and the beers are served in extra large 20-ounce imperial pint glasses that you won’t find anywhere else in town. If beer isn’t your thing, you’ll also enjoy the impressive wine list and imported ciders.

Show up hungry and enjoy the pub lunch menu until 3 p.m., which includes British favorites like bangers and mash, cottage pie, and fish and chips. For dinner, the sandwiches, seafood and hearty dinner options are served in larger portions that will leave you feeling more than full. With affordable prices and quirky British charm, The Olde Ship is one of the best spots in Santa Ana for casual food and drink.

The Olde Ship
1120 W 17th St
Santa Ana, CA 92706
(714) 550-6700
www.theoldeship.com/santa_ana.html

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr Gwyrosydd

Acorn squash is a type of winter squash with a unique dark green rind, longitudinal ridges and a yellowish-orange inside that tastes sweet and mild. This squash is so versatile that even the most novice home chef can easily prepare it in a variety of different ways. Here are just three ways to try your hand at serving acorn squash this fall.

Baked Acorn Squash [allrecipes.com]
To really get a good idea of how acorn squash tastes, you should first prepare it all by itself. This simple recipe involves baking a halved acorn squash with just a bit of butter and brown sugar to create a healthy side dish or even a unique dessert.

Acorn Squash Soup with Kale [marthastewart.com]
With a hearty texture and autumnal flavors, this soup is perfect for those chilly fall evenings. Pureeing the acorn squash is one of the best ways to prepare it for use in a soup, while adding crispy bacon and finely chopped kale adds a darker, smokier flavor that contrasts the sweetness of the squash.

Spinach and Acorn Squash Ravioli [myrecipes.com]
Acorn squash makes a wonderful filling for pasta, and in this creative recipe it’s blended with creamy ricotta cheese and chopped spinach for added flavor. Plus, using wonton wrappers instead of the usual pasta dough saves on calories, and it’s much easier than rolling out that dough by hand.

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/Kenny Louie