Monday, March 31, 2008

Give it a Shot

Espresso was originally invented by a guy named Luigi Bezzera, an Italian man short on time, who wanted an express cup of coffee, hence espresso. Who knew? Today espresso machines are expensive and miles away from how the tradition first began.  The truly high end models run thousands of dollars and lower priced units are full of complicated parts and pieces to clean.  Add the counter or cabinet space necessary to store them, and the $4 espresso at Starbucks seems worth it.  But a $26 solution in the spirit of Luigi is available. The Aeropress coffee and espresso maker is a truly simple and inexpensive way to make authentic espresso for the pickiest coffee snobs.  Just put the microfilter sheet in the cap (it comes with a one year supply) and coffee grounds into the chamber. Microwave hot water for 20 seconds (175 degrees) and add to the cap. Let it sit for 10 seconds, and slowly plunge the coffee into your cup (for 20 seconds) for a perfectly brewed shot of expresso. The clean up involves pushing the grounds into the garbage can and rinsing the plunger. The best part at $26 it will pay for itself within a week.  Don't believe me? See for yourself.

Have your espresso and drink it too.

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Easy Riser

I am not sure when it happens, but at some point in a young adult's life, the futon mattress disappears.  It's a gradual process, rarely planned, that usually involves re-gifting to a younger sibling or friend.  Taking it's place is the guest bedroom, or for multiple guests air beds.  Available at liquidator Tuesday Morning,  Pillow top Queen Size Air Beds for $80, regular price $200. The mattress inflates within 30 seconds with a remote control button and the pillow top is covered in velour to make your guests extra comfortable.  When your guests leave, the bed deflates in 1 minute and stores away in a duffle bag for their next visit.  As an added bonus it can support 750 pounds.

So your famous sticky buns can stay on the brunch menu.

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Oh So Soft

Spring is here, but it's still chilly outside. A soft blanket, great movie, and a cozy couch make a perfect sunday afternoon. The movie and couch are up to you, but the blanket is taken care of.  Micro-plush fiber blankets now available in five different colors for $9.97, regular price $40, at Macy's.

These are closeout sales, so once they're gone, they're gone. 

Tell your spouse to get their own.

Monday, March 24, 2008

Wall Art

I love my drill.  It's a handy little thing, that over the years has been a true friend.  Using the wall to decorate vertically keeps the house organized and creates unique spaces.  Now on sale  at Potterybarn, the perfect combination of function and style.  Wide, sturdy "entertaining shelves"   which store either six bottles of wine or 10 wine glasses. The upper portion of the wine racks are deep enough to hold cookbooks, flowers, photo frames, and other wall art. Can be mixed, matched, or stacked to create a beautiful wall with a modern look.  Perfect for an empty dining room wall or kitchen wall. Each shelf is $30,  regular price $65 each.

Extra space in your kitchen: priceless.

Sunday, March 23, 2008

Bath time

I love the Hotel Collection line at Macy's. Thick, durable, and constructed with solid Turkish cotton, they are truly luxurious. The catch? A simple bath mat can cost $55. Ah, if only there were a close out sale like this one. Now on sale for $16.48, it's just the right deal for anyone looking to add a little comfort and luxury to their bath time. The catch? It's a closeout sale, so once they are gone, they are gone.
Soaking in the tub never sounded better.

Saturday, March 22, 2008

Nothing but "Nett"

When you have a juicy steak awaiting you, the last thing you want is a dull knife standing between you and bliss.  Have no fear, extremely sharp   German Wustof Euro steak knives can save the meal.  Made in Portugal of high carbon, stain resistant steel, the regularly priced $45 set, is now on sale for $20.  With a sleek and ergonomic design, Wustof knives are some of the highest quality cutlery available

And at such a low price, leaves more money to splurge on dinner.




Friday, March 21, 2008

Tablescape

I don't put plastic over my tablecloths. Perhaps it's because I don't have children yet, but mostly it's because I use the most inexpensive ones possible and scotch guard them.  At the JC Penny outlet this week, it doesn't get more affordable than this. Damask linens made of machine washable cotton/polyester, are comparable in quality to more expensive linens, and yet the prices range from $2.99 for a set of 4 napkins or table runner to $4.99 for a set of four placemats.  Tablecloths range from $4.99 to $6.99  and are available in a range of colors while supplies last.

Bring on the red wine.

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Not for Squares

Looking for Lamps? Picture it: white on white square etchings. Satin finished ceramic. Topped with a black shade lined in white to radiate more light, and a 50% of discount.  Now see it: the Squares Table Lamp at Crate and Barrel. It has both style and function and now on sale for $35, regular price $70.

Seeing is believing.

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Extreme Patio Makeover

Where I live, today is a cold, blustery, winter day. Hard to believe, but summer is only a few months away. Not too soon to start thinking about a patio makeover.  Instead of the standard iron framed furniture, why not upgrade to a sleeker all weather wood set? Made 
of durable all-weather Indonesian Kapur hardwood this patio set is both practical and stylish.  $80 for each cushioned armchair, $99 for each cushioned bench, and $70 for each coffee table.  The wood is galvanized and the hardware is rustproof.  Available at Amazon.com

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Super Saver

Today only at Linen's and Things, a great space saver: Luigi Bormioli 4 in 1 Cake Plate.  Regular price $35.99, on sale for $17.99.  A footed cake stand, chip and dip, 5 section crudite server or punch bowl rolled into one,  it has everything you need for when company stops by.  Free Shipping today only, and use coupon code: 26620000008 for an extra 20% off.

Who says you can't have your cake and eat it too.

Monday, March 17, 2008

Organized Home

How many times have you walked out of the house without the thank you card you meant to write in during lunch, or the glasses you need to write it.  No more. Fun, kitchy, and very practical Patinastores.com has a great little item to keep life on track.  The Pink Door Organizer hangs on any door and stores all of life's forgotten essentials. Permission slips for children, reminder notes, your keys, bills that need mailing, and just about anything else that needs remembering.

Made with sturdy canvas and lined with sweet white stitches it has three roomy pockets in the front and a clip in the back to hold all over sized necessities.  For $11.16 it comes in Red or Pink.  

Now if only it helped remind your loved ones to pick up their socks.

Sunday, March 16, 2008

The Georgetown Look

Like most newlyweds, my husband and I have residual furniture leftovers from our single lives. For some people it is that quintessential leather lounger men love to watch their favorite sports in. For us, it's an IKEA coffee table purchased circa 2000 for $75.  It's definitely time to upgrade, which is why these estate style coffee, sofa, and drum tables from Macy's caught my eye. Starting at $397 for this mahogany sofa table to  $499 for a coffee table, these pieces are finished with a rich mahogany veneer and have a classic shell motif, similar to furniture made in the 1780's during the reign of King George.  Loaded with detail, it makes an elegant statement without breaking the bank. 

Shhh. Don't tell the neighbors.

Saturday, March 15, 2008

Hotel Style

After a long day, a comfortable bed with soft fresh linens can make bedtime something to look forward to. Luxury Nancy Koltes linens are now available online at liquidator  Tuesday Morning at almost 70% off.  An American designer, her linens are made in Italy, and sold in boutiques in Beverly Hills, SoHo, Laguna Beach, and four other cities in the U.S.  The 300 thread count cotton sateen sheets have deep pockets and fit 17 inch mattresses. Regular price $155, they are now on sale for $49.99 per Queen set, $59.99 per King or California King set.  Each set includes a fitted sheet, flat sheet, and 2 pillow cases in white on white stripe.   
Sure to turn any bedroom into a 5 star hotel.

Friday, March 14, 2008

How to Keep Your Cool

A lazy summer day on the deck isn't complete without an ice cold drink and a party isn't a party without plenty of cold ones. To keep everyone out of your fridge and outside in the fun, consider this beautiful outdoor cooler from Cost Plus World Market. Constructed of plantation-grown Indonesian Acacia wood, it has sturdy hurdles for easy moving and carrying and a water resistant basin for storing ice.  At $129.90 it looks like similar luxury models retailing for 10x the price.

Now that's cool.

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Right on Target

When my husband and I first moved in together, our first major purchase was a rug.  We must have searched a dozen stores trying to find rugs that wouldn't break the bank, had a neutral color scheme, and looked like a quality textile.  It never occurred to me to shop at Target for rugs.  In addition to a luxury rug  division, they have a large selection of wool rugs at modest price points, available primarily through their website.  This rectangular Vienna Woven rug is shipped for free and ranges between $30-$280 at Target  in a host of sizes.  With a variety of styles and colors to choose from, there is something for every type of decor.

At those prices, you're sure to avoid rug burn.

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Down Right Comfortable

There are few things as cozy as a thick down comforter on a crisp cold night.  A good comforter is an investment and one of life's great indulgences.  Now you can enjoy the warmth of a quality down comforter for the price of a blanket. At Macy's this week for $29.97, (regular price $100) a queen size down comforter with 200 thread count cover. The natural fibers adapt to your body temperature, and the baffle box construction prevent the stuffing from bunching together.  King sizes are also available for $32.97.

Sleep Tight.

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Hold back

Children's room furnishings open up a whole new world of color and design. Kids allow you to be more whimsical and fun. And it's nice when their rooms reflect their personalities. It's also nice when you can do it within a budget.  At JC Penney's for $4.99 come these sweet curtain holdback sets for children's rooms. Hand painted and made of durable enamel and metal, they offer lots of color and will match most decors.  Curtain rods are also available for $5.99.
These are outlet prices, so once they are gone, they're gone.

Window hardware for $11, now that's hard to holdback from.

Monday, March 10, 2008

Sleep like a Baby

Selecting baby furniture can be both a joy and a chore. Finding a smart design with safety features to protect baby, and a price low enough to leave money for diapers is not always easy.  However, now at Overstock.com, is this Bridgeport Cherry Crib.  The crib includes five position posture perfect mattress support, rolling or lockable casters for portability, and is made with solid wood.  The bed converts into a toddler bed or loveseat and the sides convert into a full-size headboard and footboard  for when the baby gets older.
Regular price $600, now on sale for $230.

With prices like that, mom and dad can sleep like a baby too.

Saturday, March 8, 2008

Shimmy Shimmer

For 75 cents at Crate and Barrel, these cloth napkins will put a little sparkle on your dinner table without denting the budget. Infused with metallic threads, it's glamorous without being too fussy.
Best of all they are machine washable. Available in Ice Blue or Red.

No fuss, no muss.

Friday, March 7, 2008

Sweet Dreams

There are few joys in life like a cupcake.  Just looking at them brings back memories of childhood. What better way to enjoy them (and save a bit of time) than to bake one large cupcake with this Wilton Giant Cupcake Pan.  Made of non-stick material, it works with any 10 cup cake recipe and is sure to bring smiles to all your guests faces.  $27.95 at Sur La Table.

Makes for one very happy birthday.

Thursday, March 6, 2008

Cutting Edge

Just in time for Easter, Macy's is having a pre-season sale on this high quality Wustof Carving Set, with case from Germany. Made without welding, from a single sheet of high carbon, stain resistant steel, all Wustof knives are precision forged by hand.  The cost? A very modest $29.97, regular price $75. 

Now that's sharp.

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Ottoman Empire

For a number of reasons, storage is always at a premium. It doesn't matter if you live in a 600 square foot condo or a 6000 square foot house. Clutter has a way of taking over living spaces when it doesn't have an assigned place to go.  Which is what makes this cubed ottoman from Linen's and Things so great. It opens for storage and the top becomes a tray,  great for when you need just a little more storage or surface space. Plus it serves as a foot stool or seat when needed and the faux leather finish fits in with most rooms. The best part, you can use one of the million 20% off coupons Linen's and Things has sent you, or borrow one from a friend.  Turning this $60 bargain into a $48 steal.

Now that's a real Turkish Delight.

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Loveshack

Pop Quiz: What's cool and fun and has four legs?
Answer: The new Briar Loveseat from CB2.

Not a wing chair, not a sofa, it's the perfect combination seat for hard to dress spaces.The neutral stripes match most color schemes and the kiln dried frame with hardwood legs, is assembled in the U.S. Available at CB2 for $899.

Less stuffy, more fun.  Now that's Love.

Monday, March 3, 2008

Copper Topper

I love to cook, and like most newly weds I'm still learning. One of the first things I learned: heat is the most important ingredient in the kitchen, and copper is the best conductor of heat. Unfortunately good copper cookware comes from Europe, and most European cookware is expensive, heavy, and lined with tin.  

For Americans that want the benefits of copper cookware, but don't want to spend $200 for a frying panCalphalon's TryPly Copper Cookware is a good blend of European copper cookware and All Clad cookware. Lined with 18/10 stainless steel, it is a cinch to clean; and the 2mm of copper are surrounded by an aluminum core for heat conduction like All Clad.  Like all good cookware, it has riveted handles, fitted lids, and is oven safe to 500 degrees.

Best of all, unlike the thousands of dollars copper sets can cost, Calphalon's Copper series is made in the U.S. and 70% cheaper. A 10 piece set is available at Cooking.com and Crate and Barrel for $450.

Now that's something to relish.

Sunday, March 2, 2008

Old World


From Umbria Italy, near Tuscany, come these extravagantly hand painted canisters. These Deruta style ceramics are perfect for coffee, sugar, and other kitchen staples.
Now 60% off at Williams-Sonoma for $39.99. Regular price $99.99, these blooming vine canisters have a delicate and elegant and look to them.

Saturday, March 1, 2008

Molto Bene

Sometimes less is more.

Guests on hand and nothing but chedder cheese and ritz crackers in the house? They'll look gourmet on this handcarved and oh so beautiful italian breadboard. 

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