When it gets cold outside and the holidays are near, I love throwing some aromatics into a pot to make our whole apartment smell like heaven. You can make up your own or change the measurements however you like, but this is how I make mine:

Ingredients:

• One or two clementine peels (you can use oranges if you have them)
• A couple slices of lemon
• One or two cinnamon sticks
• A palm-full of whole cloves
• Several cups of water (or more, depending on the pot you use) 

Instructions:

1. Put all fruit and spices in a pot and add water. Turn stove to medium.
2. Get it to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low and let simmer. Leave as long as you like, refilling water as it evaporates. (I usually just have it going when I'm anywhere near the kitchen.) Don't forget about it!

In my post about our wedding reception, I mentioned that I made a menu board out of an old window. It was super fun and totally easy, and I shared how I did it on La Crema's blog last month. Check out the tutorial here!

Thanks again to my friend Sarah of Photo + Love for taking these photos for me! She's wonderful.

Rob and I live in a one-bedroom apartment and have more stuff than we know what to do with; so although I would love a little bench by our window, something at the foot of the bed, and a number of other little pieces that would make our place feel even homier, we have managed to refrain from any recent furniture purchases. But when Rust-Oleum® asked me if I'd like to use their Universal® Spray to do a little home project, I couldn't resist.

We picked up a cheap utility cart from Ikea and I got to work! It was originally white, but I wanted to paint it black so it'd match our coffee table, kitchen table, and just generally look a little shinier.

This is my kind of DIY, which is to say that it's incredibly self-explanatory. All you need is a bar cart (extra points if you can find a cool vintage one or build yourself a new one--I couldn't) and some spray paint.

1. In a well-ventilated area or outdoors, lay out newspaper or big huge pieces of wood that you bought during a failed attempt to build a bar cart (actually don't do that--maybe just stick to newspaper) and spray each shelf with smooth, even strokes. I used Rust-Oleum® Universal® Gloss Spray in Black.
2. Let dry overnight before assembling or putting any bottles/glasses/etc. on the shelves.
3. Stock the bar cart! I like to just include the basics (for us, that's vodka, gin, or scotch and some tonic water), with a few little extras (in this case tequila, dry vermouth, Goldschlager or some other fun liqueur). A bowl of limes serves as a nice garnish for drinks and decorates the bar itself.

Rust-Oleum® Universal® Spray Paints offer a variety of on-trend colors and unique finishes, and boast the first-of-its-kind 360 degree any-angle delivery system that allows DIYers to tackle those hard to reach areas, even upside down.

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Rust-Oleum® via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Rust-Oleum®.