Home & Garden Blog » 2008 » July

One day, when the stars and planets align, and Brad Pitt reaches for my hand in marriage, I will be able to afford and purchase a hot tub of my very own..

Until that day I periodically like to browse for the latest designs, and dream a little dream in my head. All I am saying is if you can afford to purchase a hot tub what are you waiting for? Life is short, you should get on that, STAT!

I like this particularly number: The Dream Maker, Fantasy Spa

The name pretty sums it up folks. The Fantasy Spa features two person bucket seating with lumbar support, arm rests and multi-level jet placement. The state of the art balboa digital controls comes with digital color changing light package. It comes with beautiful patented color changing waterfall.

Made to be portable, durable and affordable. State of the art technology is used to create a one-piece totally portable and carefree spa for a fraction of the cost of most hot tubs. It is resistant to all weather types and plugs into your standard wall outlet. This Fantasy Spa is available in silver or sandstone colors.

Price $3199

In truth that’s not a super a lot of money. I mean it is for me and my measly blogger salary, but who knows how much  you folks make! If I could afford it, I would definitely get it.

To shop or purchase the The Dream Maker, Fantasy Spa from Hot Tub Superstore, click here.

What would you say? Write us your caption and post them in our comments!

Money…read that? I said MONEY!

Anything that supposedly brings wealth and fortune is A-okay in my book. Not to mention I happen to think that the plant itself is quite interesting and beautiful.

I especially like the braided trunk and color of the foliage. Well Asians believe that with each unfurling leaf comes good fortune. How can it hurt right?

Plus the plant comes with a decorative, square, white ceramic pot.

Price $65

If you are interested in purchasing the Large Money Tree from Red Envelope, click here.  

Over the years, dishes are bound to crack, cups are bound to break, matching saucers go missing..

What was once a full set of pristine dinnerware is now a motley crew of mis-matched plates, glasses and assorted coasters. Ha! At least that’s what my cupboard looks like. I can’t be the only one, can I?

Well I thought to myself, time for a new set of dinnerware. Need to refresh the cupboard with fresh troops. And this time around since I know from experience that things will break or go missing I am going to stick to solid colors and no themes! That way when the new set starts to dwindle it will be easy to buy a new set that will match the last.

I have decided on white, I like white. It’s clean, it’s universal and it’s classy. Check out this great deal I found at Cooking.com.

Corelle Square dinnerware features sleek squared shapes with rounded corners and flared rims which fuse seamlessly with the traditional rounded centers. The result is a totally fresh, yet timeless look—versatile enough for every day dining as well as for entertaining. Corelle Ultra dinnerware has all the legendary properties of durability and versatility as the original product line but now with a heavier weight and feel that some people prefer. (Source: Cooking.com)

In addition to being a beautiful and quality set, here comes my favorite part - namely the price!

Was $82.99 NOW $64.95 (you save $18.04)

PLUS COUPON ALERT:

Use coupon code:  C95925 to receive shipping costs of only $5.99 regardless of size of order.

To purchase the Corelle Scandia Dinnerware Set from Cooking.com, click here.  

Treat your tabletop to a set of these Ethan Herringbone Dinner Plates ($50 each) by Ralph Lauren. The plates are beautiful, menswear inspired herringbone pattern with a creamy brocade edge.

(Source: Outblush.com)

Discount Window Treatments - Bamboo Sliding Panels

Discount Rugs - Crate & Barrel Summer Sale

Low Price Couches - Modobode Furnishings

Crushed Cans Furniture - Funny Photo of the Week

Deal of the Day - Nice Ice Wine Chiller Mold

Create a custom ice bucket! Serve white wine, vodka, or champagne in a cooler frozen in time!

Simply fill the Nice Ice Mold with water and fruit (or other freezables), then freeze to create a dramatic bottle holder centerpiece. Also great for spirits, dessert wines, shrimp cocktail, caviar, or anything that tastes best when served on ice. The metal base stays on to catch the water as it melts so there’s no mess.

I think this is a creative substitute to a bucket of ice. Artful and a treat for the mouth and the eyes.

Price $24.95

$19.95 each when you buy 2 or more Save 20%

To shop for the Nice Ice Wine Chiller Mold, click here.

When I saw this image the first thing I thought of was “Oscar the Grouch” from Sesame Street.

What would you say? Write us your caption and post them in our comments!

Not sure if I mentioned but I recently moved back to Pasadena, and for the first time I now have a living room and dining section. Lord knows I can’t cook to save my life but I definitely need to buy a couch, STAT! By the way let me preface with my budget for said couch is $800-$1000 max.

So here are some choices I have been scoping:

This is my first choice, the Moxus Modern Microfiber Couch. The Moxus Modern Microfiber Sofa showcases the balance between the whole and its pieces. The one-piece solid hardwood platform anchors each piece, while the unique upholstery style gives the whole a certain softness and lift.

Unlike others, these are not mass produced and expert furniture makers hand make each piece to your exact color and configuration. ( I like that, nothing worse than visiting someone’s house and seeing page 6 of the catalog on display)

Price - $929.99

To purchase the Moxus Modern Microfiber Couch, click here.

My second choice is the Freya Modern Microfiber Couch. 

With outer construction elements inspired by Le Corbusier designs, the Freya Modern Microfiber Sofa is an undeniably modern sofa. All of the cushions are tightly wrapped in your choice of a variety of microfibers and fabrics all to create that clean look that modern furniture is known for. 

Price - $959.99 

To shop or purchase the Freya Modern Microfiber Couch, click here.  

Last but by no means least, Sarafina Armless Couch. 

The Sarafina Modern Microfiber Loveseat exemplifies the low-profile and firm ample seating that you’ve come to expect from modern furniture, yet it does not compromise on comfort. If you are looking for a loveseat that is as functional as it is stylish, the Sarafina Modern Microfiber Loveseat is the one for you.

Price - $829.99

To shop for the Sarafina Armless Loveseat, click here.

I don’t know guys, what do you think? I like them all for different reasons and I can’t seem to decide on one….

Bonus is that shipping is FREE on all three.

Help me choose!

Some people steer clear of white or ivory rugs at all costs, these people usually have children and or pets. Well I have an English bulldog named Buddha and he knows not to go anywhere near the rug. Ha!

But I can understand peoples reservations, but I love ivory rugs. Nothing sets off smoky mahogany floors like a crisp white/ivory rug. I recently purchased a new one at Crate & Barrels Summer Sale.

Every now and then Crate & Barrel discontinues certain styles or they need to get rid of overstock and they sell their rugs at discounted rates. You should really take advantage of these moments folks. They have really exceptional quality rugs and the styles are clean and classic.

Check out the Orleans Round Rug - Hand-tufted wool is hand-sheared to create a three-dimensional pattern of raised O’s, giving this contemporary rug a playful edge.

• 100% wool pile
• Rug pad recommended
• Professional rug cleaning recommended

Price - $279 was $399

To shop or purchase the Orleans Round Rug at Crate & Barrel, click here.  

Here is the back story. I just moved back to Pasadena after a stint in Corona “Land of the Cows”. Suffice to say I am over the moon about being back in civilization, and I genuinely love my new spot. It has a lot of character and charm and plenty of windows.

The only downside to having plenty of large windows all around the house is your life tends to feel like a sitcom viewable by the world. I already hung curtains in the living room because I really felt like the whole street could see everything I did. But the windows in the bedroom were problematic, I did not want to hang curtains because they are these really vintage windows that open inward and I enjoyed the breeze that came through when left open. Curtains would have blocked the breeze, but I definitely needed something to filter the light and provide some coverage from onlookers.

I chose bamboo sliding panels. Which I easily installed myself with minimal fuss. I simply took the measurements of the window and placed my order. I chose my bamboo panels in white. What I like about the bamboo sliding panels is it looks clean and modern and when I choose to leave the window open I can easily push the panel to the left or right to suit my needs without the curtain fabric getting dirty or blocking or catching the breeze. I really feel it was a great choice.

Check out the great deal on Bamboo Sliding Panels at Payless Decor:

Was $680.54 Now on Sale for $408.32

To shop for more Discount Window Treatments, click here.