A Stroll Through Kirkland's

I recently found myself near a Kirkland's store, so I stopped in to browse around with kids in tow.  I was definitely feeling brave that day:).  I spotted a few super cute items that I thought I'd share.

First up was this owl canister set:

Owl Canister Set

$39.99

I just love the bright colors.  And owls are Lucky and my "thing".  Go Team Owl!!

(I should note, this set wasn't on display at my store, so I just saw the box.  Hopefully the quality is good and the colors are true to the picture on the box!)

Next, we found this mason jar beverage dispenser with stand:

Galvanized Beverage Dispenser with Stand

Sale price: $24.98

This is very Pottery Barn-esque.  I think Pottery Barn even sold a galvanized stand like this last year for about $20 alone.  A similar stand/dispenser combo at PB will cost about $80.  Although, I can't speak for this Kirkland dispenser exactly, it's been my experience that the less expensive dispensers tend to leak.  Most of the dispensers sold at Target and the like have plastic 'tappers' that leak for one reason or another, and that is super annoying.  Especially when you have them out at your son's 3rd birthday party:).  That being said, for $25 it might be worth taking a chance:).

Conch Shell

$14.99

This shell is huge and lovely, but what I really wanted to show you here isn't available online.  It's a huge piece of faux coral for $17.99.  I believe it came in a cream or red color at the store I was at and it was huge.  I love colored coral statues, but they always tend to be so expensive, even at stores like Marshall's and TJ Maxx.  I was impressed with the scale of Kirkland's Coral.  Sorry I don't have a picture to show you:).  I hope you enjoyed seeing this big Conch Shell instead.

Bamboo Accent Table

$99.99

This table is really stylish.  I liked the oil rubbed bronze color, but it would also be really fun spray painted a bright hue!!

Lucy Flower Petal Mirror

$69.99

Kirkland's always seems to have great mirrors, and I have a thing for floral mirrors:)!!

Standing Wood Cooler

$149.99

This cooler had a a steel lined cooler inside.  It was awesome, but extremely light weight, which made me question it's durability.  And if you could find a comparable steel cooler, it would certainly be DIY-able too!!

Industrial Wood Floor Lamp

$149.99

This lamp is pretty interesting, but I didn't see it in store, just online while searching for the items I did see in store.  I like the brass corner pieces, and the drum shade is nice too.  

Pre-Lit Cherry Blossom Tree

$89.99

I can't really explain this one very well, but I loved it.  It was spring like and wonderful.  I could picture decorating some room in our house in bright spring colors and having this in the corner or something.  I just don't know what I'd do to cover up the base.  A bright colored blanket for a tree skirt?  Or a huge basket?  I don't know.  Maybe it's just a good excuse to keep Christmas tree lights up longer?:)

And those are the items that stood out to me on my 5 minute mad dash through Kirkland's.  I should note, that I only purchase items from Kirkland's on sale (or clearance more often than not...they often run 'take an additional 40% off clearance prices' sales) or with a coupon.  Why pay full price when they make it so easy not to:)?

I hope you are all having a super week.  We are having something big installed here on Friday that I am SUPER excited about!  I'll share more next week:).  Have a great weekend!

My Souvenirs!

Last week, we flew to Florida and enjoyed wonderful family time with both sides of our family.  We stayed at my father-in-law's condo and also got to spend a good chunk of time with my parents and siblings and Baby Cici too!  It was a wonderfully relaxing week, and I'm sure I'll be making a post of vacation pictures once I have the chance to go through the huge file of photos:)!

In the meantime, here are the souvenirs I picked up while on vacation purchased almost entirely at....World Market.  I just love that store.  I wish I had bigger suitcases:)!  (Most of the items I purchased couldn't be found online, although I did provide a link for the one that could.)

Wood Colored Pencils

World Market

$7.99

Fish Tambourine

World Market

Clearance $4.98

Ceramic Measuring Spoons

World Market

$2.99

(Slowly but surely, we're eliminating plastic from the ol' kitchen.)

Bird Cage Photo Display

World Market

$23.99 On Sale

(They had a larger size that was on sale for $31.99 that I would have preferred, but it was HUGE and it was questionable if it would have fit in my suitcase, so I settled for this cute smaller scale version.)

Chalkboard Birds on a String

World Market

$7.99 On Sale

(This purchase will be much more exciting once it's out of the package:).  And it would be easily DIY-able, but I imagine the cost would come close to $8 anyway!)

The coolest shell ever

Bonita Beach Shop

$2.99

I can't wait to start using these vacation finds!

Christmas in September!

I'm not sure what's going on, but two of my favorite home decorating stores, Target and Pier 1 Imports, have been having fantastic clearance deals as of late.  And as a result, I need to start selling some of our extra furniture pieces on Craigslist to build back up my 'home decor' fund fast:)!

Here are my recent Target finds:

It's an amazing haul, no?

The sunburst mirror was $12.08 (50% off).

The quatrefoil mirror was $9.64 (50% off).

The yellow rosette pillow was $12.48 (50% off).

The yellow shower curtain (which may turn into regular curtains) was $3.74 (75% off).

The leaf curtains were $4.98 (75% off).

The blue king bedding set was $24.98 (75% off).

After much searching, I did track down an azul floral 5' x 7' rug for $49.98 (75% off).

And a super comfy Home Medallion 5' x 7' rug for $32.48 (75% off).

The other rug that you see the top of on the left side of the image above is the azul floral runner for $22.48 (75% off).  I'm still debating whether or not that one is a keeper.

Since I picked up the blue duvet for my parents, my total for everything else is about $150, including the runner rug which may get returned.  That total is pretty amazing considering the 5' x 7' floral rug is normally $200 alone!

Now, on to Pier 1.  Here are my finds:

Total for everything pictured: $40.69.

2 Beaded Pillows: $6.18 each (75% off)

Fun Teal Throw: $12.48 (75% off)

Lantern: $6.18 (75% off)

Fall Potpourri: $1.78 (90% off)

Blue Bottle: $2.98 (75% off)

Succulent Tea Lights: $1.48 (75% off).

I've got big plans for all of these goodies.  Many of them will end up in our basement once we turn our focus to decorating that space later this fall.  I heart clearance scores!

If I Had No Budget To Stick To...

...here's what I'd be buying from Craigslist today:

Early 1900's Factory Cart Table

$750

French Provincial Sofa

$750

(SOLD!!)

Navy Aluminum Chair

$225

Chesterfield Sofa

$1400

Huge Detailed Mirror

$250

Coral Pendant Light

$350

Eero Saarinen Knoll Tulip Chairs and Table

$2900

And that would be all for me...until tomorrow:)!  

Antiquing in Hopkins

I ran an errand last week that took me to Hopkins.  I stopped by an antique store or two and found some really neat things!  Here's a run down:

I loved this pedal tractor for $90 (on sale!).  I just pictured Charm on it riding around Opa's Garden up north!

This small leather briefcase for $14 was in pristine condition inside.  I've actually been looking for something like this for Charm.  He likes to carry his 'important papers' around the house.  Maybe he'll be a lawyer someday or an accountant or someone that carries around papers and sorts them often.  This suitcase came home with me and will probably be a Christmas present for Charm.

I loved this old fan for $19.

Beautiful bronze horse head for $32.  I loved this!

Apparently I was on a horse kick.  This reminded me of something my Aunt Ann would like.  It was $95, I believe.

Here's an interesting birdcage.  It was $23.

Yup.  Another horse.  Imagine that he's not wearing a hat.  I took the hat off to view it, and it was amazing.  $55, but it didn't say 'FIRM'.  Hmmm, I wonder how low they would have gone on the price.  

I wish I would have gotten this.  It was from 1974 and was in excellent condition for $15.  The price seemed high to me for a used book that wasn't too terribly old, but when I got home to check out Amazon, $15 was a very, very fair price.  Shoot.  Bill, I'm sorry this isn't one of your birthday presents this year:).

Skeleton key ring, $28

This credenza/buffet/dresser was part of a 4 piece set.  I could see it being amazing if it was painted in a bright red color.  It was, however, priced at over $4000 for the 4 piece set.  Whoa.

I liked this bottle and crate set, especially the bright green color.  It wasn't priced that I could see.

This piece of art was a part of a 5 image set for $125.  I loved the green frames and the vintage art.  

That was it.  I heart antique stores.

Home Goodies

Here are a few fun things that made me look twice on a recent trip to Home Goods:

Basket $29.99 (Pottery Barn has these for much more $, and they also have one that would come up to your waist (at least, maybe your chest if you're short) if you stood in it.  I think it's for people that want to pretend to be in a hot air balloon while actually being in their living room)

Storage Box $14.99

I love these chairs.  I have no place for them though. $199

This chair was $499, but it was huge.  A giant could fit in it.  I so badly wanted to plop down on it, but it was on one of those display pedestal things, so I restrained myself.

Lamp $39.99.  I love this cork shade.  I think it is DIY-able.  I have a roll of cork already.  Hmmm..

I really liked these plates.  $2.99 or $3.99 depending on the size.  They also had butterfly ones.  I could see a super cute plate wall arrangement with them like this:

via

(I love this room...the black and white striped wall, the headboard, the plate collection!!)

That was about all that tickled my fancy this go round.  I didn't buy anything...just browsed a bit.  I think I'm getting pickier and pickier about what I bring in to my home.  Or maybe just cheaper.  Either way, Home Goods is my candy store.