My New Outlet Shopping Purchase: It's Kind of a Big Deal

Okay… I promised you earlier this week that I would be back to show you my big, bad (meaning totally good) purchases from the weekend's outlet shopping excursion.

I should save the best for last, but I just can't wait to share it. This was my favorite item and best deal rolled into one.

The backstory: I've been eyeing this little number from West Elm for quite some time...

It's the Phoenix Dhurrie rug from West Elm. Originally $599 for an 8x10. (It's on sale right now online for $419 plus $25 delivery surcharge.)

It had me at pink. I know. It's my weakness. I thought it would be fun in the sunroom, which already has some pink accents. However, they didn't have the rug in the store near me so that I could check it out in person, and I really didn't need to be spending that kind of $$ anyway. Plus, does my house really need any more pink? Maybe not. So, I let it go.

Last Friday, my friend Valerie and I went outlet shopping in Ohio, and our first stop was Pottery Barn. (You may remember Valerie from our run in with Thrifty Decor Chick.)

The Pottery Barn outlet carries all things PB and West Elm. It was nirvana. And nestled among the rows of rugs was a Phoenix Dhurrie rug. We had met at last! And I loved every 8x10 inch of it.

The rug didn't have a price tag, but I figured it would be around $300. I asked a sales associate to check the price. He came back and told me it would be $167. SCORE! Even if it didn't work in the sunroom, that baby was coming home with me. I could not pass up that deal.

When I got to the counter to pay, I was informed that the rug was an additional 30% off, meaning the $599 rug was mine for less than $120. I felt as if I'd won some type of shopping award. I may have given the cashier an acceptance speech. 

Here's Phoenix Dhurrie lying on my sunroom floor. As you can tell by my stacks of magazines, I didn't bother to stage the photo for you.

I'm getting ready to make some paint changes to this room, so I'll have better pics soon. But, I couldn't wait to show you.

I'll be unveiling some other outlet purchases next week. Stay tuned…

We are getting ready for yet another snowstorm to hit tomorrow. It makes me want to throw myself down on my pink rug and have a pity party. What are you up to this weekend?




Sharing at Wow Us Wednesdays

Watercolor Wallpaper

Hey there! Hope your week is off to a terrific start. I'm still coming down from my weekend shopping high. My friend Valerie and I hit the open road bound for Jeffersonville and West Chester, Ohio on Friday.

Those towns might not sound like a premier destination. However, with outlet stores like Pottery Barn, Ballard Designs and Frontgate, plus a giant IKEA, they are a bargain shopper's paradise. I got some great deals that I'll share with you soon.


In other news… I picked up this book of papers at Hobby Lobby a few weeks ago for a little craft project.

I love the different designs, and the soft pastel water colors of the paper.

I thought they'd look pretty framed and hanging on the wall.

So when I saw this picture pop up in my Facebook feed the other day, it took my breath away.

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Watercolor wallpaper from Swedish-based interiors company Sandberg. Genius!

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Love the ombre shading of these papers from Designers Guild.

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Now… if you're a bit more daring ... you could try one of these options from Black Crow Studios...

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What do you think? Love? Hate? I could definitely get on board with one of the more subtle papers. I think it would look fantastic in a powder room, dining room or home office.

Enjoy the rest of your Monday!!

Happy Friday, friends!! I'm sorry I've been MIA this week.

Lots of "behind the scenes" stuff happening lately. I've been streamlining the blog and trying to make it easier to navigate. I'm also attempting to get onboard more with social media. I updated my Twitter profile, and I'm starting to follow people. (Let me know if you have an Instagram or Twitter account, and we can follow each other :)) I have yet to actually tweet anything, but I might soon, and you wouldn't want to miss it. Ha!

I've got some new projects going on at home and in clients' homes, so I'm looking forward to sharing those with you soon. Tomorrow I am off on my IKEA road trip to pick up some things for the basement makeover. We're also planning to hit the Ballard Designs and Pottery Barn outlets. Can't wait!!

If you know of any other fabulous shopping spots in Cincy, let me know! We're on a mission to shop til we drop :)


The lovely and talented Kirsten from 6th Street Design School is featuring my house on her blog today.

I'd love for you to stop over there and check it out.

Thanks so much!! Have a fabulous Friday!

What I'm Loving

Happy Valentine's Day! Hope you are feeling the love today!

I'm a lucky girl to have five boys to be my Valentine (at least for a little while longer). I don't usually do Valentine gifts, but this morning I surprised my boys with little "take-out" boxes filled with candy and a note. It was just a small gesture, but they were really excited about them. I tell my boys that I love them, but sometimes the written word is a bit more special. Note to self: write them love notes more often :)


Since it's a day for love, I think it's fitting to show you a few things that make my heart beat faster. These are some of my etsy and Pinterest faves.


Yes please...

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Brass elephant… what's not to love.

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Turkish rug. My brother is going to Turkey soon, and I'm sending him on a mission to find me one.

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Technically it's a jewelry box, but I also like it as a desk accessory.

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My favorite colors in one gorgeous painting…

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When it comes to turquoise rings… the bigger, the better.

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That's what I'm crushing on this Valentine's Day.

And, of course, I'm loving all of you for stopping by today. Have an awesome day!

xo

A Little Treatment for the Window

You might remember the skirt my friend, Nadine, made for my mudroom countertop…

There was some fabric left over, so I asked Nadine to make cafe curtains for a window in the side entry.

I moved the bench under the window, and now it's the perfect little spot for the kids to sit and remove snowy boots when they come inside. Amazing how a bit of fabric can really cozy up a spot.

Of course, now that I moved the bench from the other wall, I've got to do some rearranging and tweaking with that area. I'll be back soon to show you what I come up with.

What are you up to today? Seems like the perfect day to be inside "nesting" for most of the country, especially my friends in Atlanta. Crazy weather!! Stay safe and warm, friends.

Dining Room Reveal

Since having my drapes installed, I really haven't done a proper "reveal" of our completed dining room. So, today's the day. 

In case you've forgotten where this room started…

You've come a long way, baby.

To read more about the evolution of the dining room:

dining chairs |  host & hostess chairs  |  cabinet hardware  |  chandelier  |  floors  |  drapes

I'm sure I'll continue to tweak the room with art and accessories (and someday a rug!), but for now I'm calling it done. Now it's on to the next room…

Have a fun Monday!!


Sharing at Tuesday's Treasures, Wow Us Wednesdays, Fridays Unfolded, Feathered Nest Friday

A New Tablescape

Hey friends! Hope your week is off to a great start. Are you keeping warm? I've got two dogs (one in my lap, one on my feet) keeping me warm as I type.

We are dog sitting for my parents, while they soak up some sun in Mexico. I've never had a small dog before, and I'm loving having their little Chewie sitting on my lap and keeping me company. Of course, my big ole' Lucky dog is my shadow, and he's not too happy about Chewie sitting with me all the time.

On several occasions, I have found Lucky scrunched up in Chewie's bed…

"Listen, you little runt… you sit in her lap, I'll steal your bed."

But, Lucky is a gentle giant, and even shares his bone.

In other news, I went to West Elm a few days ago. My sister had given me a gift card for my birthday in July, and I was finally going to use it!

I love gift cards, but I always feel so much pressure to use it on the absolute best thing ever. You can't just throw away free money, right?! I circled the store for at least an hour, picking up each and every item and analyzing if I really needed it, was it the best bang for the buck, etc. Am I the only one who does this?

Anywho, I decided to put the money towards items that I could use to create a tablescape in my sunroom. The table had been sitting empty since my last orchid died, and it needed a little somethin' somethin'.

Here's what I came up with…

One white vase, one small coral chevron bowl, one blue bottle (I already had the aqua one), and some paper magnolia branches.

I really am not sure how I feel about the paper flowers. I typically loathe fake florals, but there's something about these… maybe that they're not trying to look real… that appeals to me.

I left the tags on just in case, but I think they're growing on me. (Pun intended)

I plan to scatter a few small succulents around too, but Lowe's didn't have any in stock :(

Maybe it's because of all the snow that is continuing to fall, but this little tablescape is making me happy.  A little reminder that Spring will eventually get here. It will, won't it?