Free and Easy

This isn't like a big industry secret or anything, and it is a shameful plug by Lowe's to get you to use their products... but hey, quit your bitchin', 'cause it's free.

Lowe's free publication, Creative Ideas, actually isn't that bad. I got my first issue in the mail today (that's right--it's not something you have to pick up in store, they send it to you!) and I was pleasantly surprised. It is not huge, but it did contain several smart ideas for your home. Best of all, it gives you an idea of the skill level needed to complete a project... which is a great thing to think about before you jump into bricking an entire wall in one of your bedrooms. It also estimates the total cost, which is never a bad thing to know. I can't tell you how many times I have gone out to buy materials for a "cheap" project and come home with a receipt for three times what I estimated.

I got some great color inspiration in the most recent issue, as well as an awesome plan for a glass tile mirror. I am sure if I attempt it, I will blog about it, don't worry. So click here and subscribe. It is free and easy... just like me.

Kidding...

Shop 'Til You Drop

It is the day after Christmas. Do you still spend Christmas at your parents' house? Now's the time to step it up, put on your big girl/boy pants, and invest in your own holiday decorations for next year. What better day to do it than when stores are unloading all their unwanted Christmas merchandise?

Now, personally, I will be expanding my Hanukkah inventory. But since the majority of us celebrate Christmas, run out and get some sparkly lights on major sale. Just don't come to buy stuff where I work today... working the day after Christmas is not real and I do not approve. Alas, here I am.

Go for it, kiddos. Everyone likes a good deal, especially on things they can forget about for a year. Come next November/December, it will be like getting new stuff all over again. You can't argue with that logic.

"It's like entering Wonka's chocolate factory..."

This morning, my Interior Architecture class went on a field trip. While this trip did not involve sitting on a big yellow school bus or packing a lunch in a brown paper bag, it was nonetheless one of my favorite school activities ever.

We went to Architectural Salvage, Louisville's premier place where architectural elements go to die. It is AMAZING. The ramshackle complex is sprawling and vast. Turn right at the claw-foot tubs, hang a left at the vintage doorknobs, and go straight through the banisters to get to the stained glass windows. Done and done.

The concept: when older buildings are being torn down or remodeled, they take random things like doors, fireplace mantels, light fixtures, and banisters to this store where they are priced and put up for resale. Not everything is affordable, but how much cooler is it to get a vintage glass door knob for $15.00 rather than a brand faux brushed nickel one for a little less?

Luckily for you, places like this are not found only in Louisville. Google architectural salvage yards in your area and find lots of fun random things. Go get lost. Get inspired. Start coveting a range from the 1940s or a carved mahogany mantelpiece. I certainly got more than a few ideas for my place... oh, and for my Interior Architecture final project too, of course.

Be Cool, Stay in School

Little known fact: Pottery Barn is in the education business. They aren't like sponsoring scholarships or anything (as far as I know) but they would LOVE for you to learn how to decorate your house with their furniture.

I am torn about my love for the PB. On the one hand, it has quality pieces of furniture that are, for the most part, stylish, classic, and simple. Their products have a modern sensibility without going all I. M. Pei on you. However, I can't help but remember that episode of Friends where Rachel buys the apothecary table and Phoebe throws a fit because it is not a genuine piece with 'history.' Though Phoebe sometimes annoys me, she kind of has a good point there. Although anything you buy at PB will be nice, there is something simply amazing about reclaiming a piece of discarded furniture and making it into a treasure of your own.

However you feel about Pottery Barn, here is the cool thing: They offer decorating classes. Not necessary really, but it cant help but be somewhat enlightening. And best of all... the classes are free. Not only that, but you get 10% off any furniture featured in the discussion. Score.

Now, I realize that this is just a way for PB to push their furniture, but if you have something in mind, why not sit through an hour class and get 10% off a sofa? You might just learn something in the process.

The Lobby of Hobbies

OK, so I am not really boycotting Hobby Lobby. I actually go there a lot... including yesterday and today. I was just a little miffed because I tried to return something that *they* had incorrectly labeled (it was supposed to be 40" but was only 38") and they would only refund me 60% of the price. Excuse me? Seriously? Yes seriously.

Now, that is not to say that the Lobby of Hobbies does not have many redeemable features. Namely, they offer deep discounts and use coupons that benefit you even if you did not bring them in. They also offer a wide selection of 'home decor'-- not the nicest stuff, but still more selection than Michael's.

So I suppose the conclusion is that it is an ok place... as long as you don't need anything after 8:00PM or on Sundays.

You're on my list!

Because it is ridiculously awesome, Target has found a way to include all of us in a buying frenzy. I don't know about you, but I have always been jealous seeing people going through stores completing their registries for weddings or babies. How amazing and official is it to go through a store, simply pointing one of those cool barcode-scanners at whatever you want, and then magically receive it? YES PLEASE.

It is like that episode of Sex and the City when Carrie gets her friend Kyra to buy her a new pair of Manolos because she argued that she had already bought Kyra at least $2300 worth of wedding and baby gifts. 

The fact is, sometimes it is hard to walk in a single woman's shoes; that's why we need really special ones now and then-- to make the walk a little more fun.

OK I am not really complaining about not getting presents (because, hopefully, one day I will) but I am RAVING about Target's quasi-new "Lists" feature.

Target Lists (and gift registries... whatever)

Now, I am not quite ready to go pointing a barcode-scanner gun around my local Target (seriously, do those things have a real name?), but I will take advantage of the organizational aspect of the feature online. Instead of just throwing things in my magical shopping cart and saving them for later (and let's face it: somehow, the items always disappear), I can simply add an item to a pre-made list. Not only can I access this list online at any time, I can print it at the store. I know, this is crazy magical stuff we are dealing with.

Joke on me if you must, but consider my situation. I am (hopefully) purchasing a house in the next few days/weeks/months/years. Once I own this home, I will have to furnish it, as well as buy all the little things you need when you are setting up housekeeping from scratch (I won't even tell you how long it took me to remember to buy dish soap when I moved into my last apartment). And yes, I know you could just write down a list and check it off. But this is so. much. better. I can go through online, pick out everything from furniture to dish towels, save it until I can afford it, and then order it online. Usually with free shipping. And 15% off orders over $125. Beat that, old-fashioned handwritten list-makers.