home decor

7 Great Sale Sites for Home Goods

June 11, 2010 at 4:30 pm , by Beth Roehrig

I love a sale. A deal. A bargain. If I could, I’d probably visit Marshall’s, T.J. Maxx and Home Goods every weekend. But, you know, thankfully I have a life. Which is why I love flash sale websites, which allow me to bargain hunt from the comfort of my computer. Flash sales–basically short term online sample sales—started in the fashion world a couple of years back, but many now feature great home furnishings and accessories at equally way-marked-down prices. So if, like me, you’re more likely to max out your credit card at Pottery Barn than J. Crew, you’ll love these sites. Sign up online, and they’ll email you details of each day’s sales. Happy shopping!

One King’s Lane: This site specializes in home goods—from furniture to rugs to art, they’ve got it all.

Ideeli

Gilt Groupe

Rue La La

Haute Look

eBay Daily Deals: The auction site now offers a slew of one-day only bargains and free shipping.

Apartment Therapy: While it’s not a sample sale site, this home blog does a comprehensive week-end round-up of home sales, both in-store and online. Check the site every Friday for The Weekend Guide post, or sign up for their daily newsletter to get details via email.

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Flameless Candles Rock

May 11, 2010 at 4:06 pm , by cdewet

Okay, so I know this isn’t the newest tip in town, but I’m glowing with excitement over my new flameless candles. I had heard of the battery operated tea lights (fabulous for parties and romantic dinners by the way) but didn’t realize that you could pick these flameless phenoms up in just about every shape and size. D’oh! I do love real candles, but these fabulous fakes will help you avoid blackened Hurricane glass (not cute) and potential hair-on-fire Michael Jackson moments (true story involving a sconce and a tall person). Pottery Barn’s wax versions, pictured above, feature a five-hour timer function and a realistic amber flicker to mimic the light of a real candle. Check out Target.com for scented options.

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Blooming Tables (And Cakes!)

April 27, 2010 at 10:52 am , by Jennifer Castoro

So, I am not engaged. I have a lovely boyfriend, but he hasn’t put a ring on it just yet. My friend Ella, however, is engaged, and I was lucky enough to accompany her to the Wedding Show sponsored by New York Magazine earlier this month. The event was amazing – photogs and caterers and venues galore! – but what impressed me most were the beautiful tablescapes. They were full of gorgeous blooms and really inspired by nature, with grasses and trees and other little touches brought in from the outdoors. Even the cakes were in bloom! (And, as Courtney points out, pretty buds are an easy way to add some spring to your home.)

More flower-inspired decor pics after the jump.

Read more

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A Fresh Lilac Arrangement to Brighten Your Home

April 20, 2010 at 2:55 pm , by cdewet

Spring is here! Need proof? Aside from my occasional allergy attacks and the absence of warm winter boots in storefront windows (never did get around to purchasing that pair I so longed for) fresh lilac is abundant! I walked past the flower stall on my street this morning and there it was—the sweet fragrance of spring in full purple bloom. I grabbed several bunches and threw together this arrangement. It makes me want to eat a pastry, drink a mimosa, and sing to the hills like Fraulein Maria. I don’t know why.

Here’s a tip: remove all of the leaves from the stems for a clean and simple arrangement. I like to use a large, wide-mouthed vase for a Provencal look. These Regency Long Tom grey pots from Restoration hardware would look amazing on just about any table. What type of floral arrangement screams spring to you?

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My Water-Powered Alarm Clock Screams Cool

March 23, 2010 at 11:31 am , by cdewet

My trusty Blackberry doubled as my alarm clock, and most days this worked out just fine—most days. Occasionally, I subconsciously pressed the “dismiss” button rather than the “snooze” button, which resulted in panic, chaos, mismatched shoes (happened once) and something my friends and I call “hammy face.” (I know you wish I would link “hammy face” to a picture of myself, but we don’t know each other well enough yet—just think puffy and swollen eyes.)

My point is, running late is the opposite of a good time, and a back-up alarm is a great idea—especially if it runs on WATER. That’s right, I said water! I can’t claim to understand how this gadget works, but it does. My Bedol water-powered alarm clock gets my booty out of bed without batteries or a plug. Just fill it up and you’re good to go. Fantastic.

This eco-friendly potenial job saver comes in blue, charcoal, green, pink and purple, and retails for $29. Wake up—this would make a great gift for college grads, people. You snooze, you lose.

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A Touch of Summer for All Your Drawers

March 16, 2010 at 4:06 pm , by cdewet

The sun shining through my bedroom window put a smile on my face and a song in my heart this morning. Do you know what it is like to defend yourself against a suddenly violent and evil umbrella? Do you? If you were in New York City this past weekend, my guess is you do.

The point—bring on the warm weather. I am ready for Spring, and anything that makes me think of the ocean and a warm tropical breeze. That’s why I need these drawer liners and sachets from Hammocks & High Tea. What could make reorganizing your drawers (I’m talking both kinds here people) for the upcoming warm season more fun? Put a spring in your step, or at least your socks, with these island inspired scented goodies. All of their products are eco-friendly, and printed with soy-based inks onto recycled paper or recycled organic cotton. Prices range between $20 and $28.

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