Not your Mother's JC Penny

I confess: The last time I went to JC Penny I was a kid tagging along behind my mother.  As soon as I was old enough to do my own shopping, I didn't look back. Today, their website reveals a modern store, maintaining its sensibly priced roots. Still, the last thing I expected to find was this ornate floral and vine wood carving.  At $69, it's a great price and packs a strong visual statement. The dark brown finish mimics rubberwood from Indonesia.  As a bonus, until March 4th, enter discount code XBMS while checking out for an additional $10-$20 off, depending on your final total.  All returns can be made at JC Penny retail stores and shipping charges will be refunded.

Now that is my mother's JC Penny.

Show me the Light

Lamps are probably my favorite home deco pieces. They make rooms warm and inviting and unusual colors and designs can add interest to any room.  But a good lamp can also run upwards of a hundred dollars, making frequent swap outs unlikely.  Good thing Pier1 has some great solutions. Their styles range from modern to traditional and the prices start at just $29. 

($49 for this glass block lamp, regular price $89) The catch? They don't deliver.  Pier1's website will help you find the store closest to you.

And show you the light.

Stonecold Fox

Japanese Raku pottery is both elegant and informal.  The beautifully glazed stoneware can add a rustic and sophisticated look to the table.  Real Raku can cost upwards of $30 a plate however, making a six or eight piece place setting an investment.  Enter CB2, the cheaper, hipper, sister company of Crate and Barrel.  Currently on sale are 11" Jade dinner plates for $3.25 each,  salad plates and bowls for $2.95. 

Take out never looked more home made. 

Fake Out

Fireplaces are cozy, but what if your house or condo didn't come with one? Introducing the wall mounted fireplace. It's reasonably sized (25in x 27 in) and requires no installation (just a wall hook).  The wall mounted fireplace uses three cans of gel fuel to create real warmth with the snap and crackle of a wood burning fireplace.  Best of all there is no mess to clean up. Available at overstock.com for $199.  24 cans of gel fuel for $99. All delivered straight to your door for $2.95.

Perfect for sunrooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, and anywhere else a little winter warmth would be welcome.  Now that's hot.

Summer Dreams

Cold winter climes can leave even the most die hard winter lover yearning for spring. Picnics and outdoor gatherings can be a wonderful way to celebrate the end of hibernation.  What better way to prepare than with getting your own Picnic Basket.  Packed with everything you need for a perfect outing, including plates, glasses, utensils and napkins for 4.   The best part: ordinarily between $30 and $60 at Macys, it is now on sale for $19.99.  Great for housewarmings and wedding gifts.

Leaving enough left over for a lovely bottle of wine.

Bottoms Up

Glassware can take some abuse in our house. Whether it be an unfortunate dishwasher mishap, visiting children, or one two many cocktails, drinking glasses, wine glasses, and cocktail glasses have a way of chipping or breaking. So for casual bar and drinkware, I love the Crate and Barrel Outlet. Like any outlet, their collections rotate and the discounts are deep. Great selections right now include this all purpose tumbler for 95 cents  which as it's name suggests can handle almost any requirement stylishly. Kira Martini Glasses for $1.95 can also double as ice cream bowls or dessert dishes.  A decanter for $2.95 is perfect as a bedside water pitcher.

That's worth raising your glass to toast. 

GlobeTrekker

One of things DH and I try to do is make time for travel, and sometimes it's to a place which requires mosquito cream and boiled water.  Traveling to a third world country can be rewarding and the crafts and textiles indigenous to Africa, Asia, and South America are truly amazing.  But international travel is not always easy, and bringing back that beautiful leather table from Peru may seem impossible.  Which is why I like Worldstock, a store within Overstock.com, an internet liquidator.  Unlike PotteryBarn and other major U.S. furniture and fabric importers, Worldstock purchases from artisans directly, and its markups are far less than other retailers.  They don't work with any artisans that employ or apprentice child labor and the direct transfer of funds promotes economic and environmental sustainability.  Currently shipping is free on their website, their return policy is 30 days, and unvarishned customer reviews of each item provide honest feedback.  Particularly interesting were these Hand painted Storage Boxes from China:$47 ; hand blown mexican glass for $55 and handpainted Moraccan Ceramic Vases for $38.

And you didn't even have to lug it through customs.