Home & Garden Blog » Tableware

Savings at Crate&Barrel’s Online Outlet Store

colleen — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 17:37:45 +0000

Crate&Barrel has plenty of quality cookware, furnishings, and bathroom accessories to outfit your home, but they have a tendency to put a strain on your budget. Luckily Crate&Barrel has an online Outlet store to help us still get the quality and the look, but not the depleting bank account. The outlet store is well organized in categories from ornaments to table linens to drinkware and bar accessories. Let’s park down in the Top Rated Outlet section though, to see what fellow Crate&Barrel shoppers think is the best of the best:

Set of 12 Gibraltar Double Old-Fashioneds for $23.50, marked down from a regular price of $30.00. With a customer rating of 5 out of 5, you know these glasses live up to their durability and style.
Next up, the Confetti Individual Bowls for $4.50 each, marked down from a regular price of $5.00. It may not seem like a lot of savings, but these bowls are worth every penny: they are durable, and earth-friendly too: the Confetti bowls are made out of recycled melamine.

Finally, the biggest savings of the bunch: The Reed Coffee Table, on sale for $109.00, marked down from $349.00!! With a steel frame and burnished chestnut wood, this table is an elegant and refined statement.

Happy shopping!

Find more affordable tableware and furniture at Smarter.com.

Well-Rounded Eco Friendly Choices

colleen — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 21:11:08 +0000

Last night I went out to ice cream with a friend who told me about how her brother had just switched to solely eating raw foods. It has made him extremely healthy, and creative in his dishes. His diet is limited and takes many more conscious decisions than one would think (raw food diet is about 2 degrees more intense than vegan- can’t have meats other than some types of sushi and fish, and uses a dehydrator instead of an oven or stovetop to solidify foods). While we talked about how living on our own has made us much more conscious and healthy eaters (not to the extent of raw foods, but my friend is a vegetarian) it made me think about how your dedication to healthy living and healthy products doesn’t just end at food: what you put in your house and clothe your body with are important as well.

Beginner Steps on Well-Rounded Healthy Living:

1. Use only reusable grocery bags. Often stores will give discounts now (between 5 to 10 cents, per bag) for using your own instead of the plastic or paper bags supplied by the store. Bags reduce waste and hold more weight than plastic bags, so you don’t have to double up. Try the Blue Avocado Blueberry Everyday Kit for $49.95

This 4-piece kit comes with a Vegetable/Produce bag, a Stuff n’ Go bag, a Pak Carry-all bag and a Chill Insulated Bag. All of the bags are collapsible into a single pouch.

2. Look for everyday products made with recycled materials. It will eliminate waste and promote recycling in your area. The rule of thumb is if you’ve thought of the product, you can find a version of it made out of recycled materials. Example: Check out these Recycled Glass Tumblers- 12 ounce in Green by Tag for $8.99.

The translucent green of the recycled glass will even make you feel like a greener person! The product is made from mouth blown glass and is dishwasher safe—who said recycled products couldn’t be durable!

3. Always use ceramic or reusable dishware and silverware. Plastic and paper plates and plastic forks and knives are so wasteful. If you want a product that’s a little less breakable and not as heavy, look for wood plates and serving spoons, forks and dishes, like the All-Occasion Bamboo set of 8 Veneerware Plates for $6.95.

Made from 100% bamboo, these plates are great for indoor and outdoor use and naturally stain-resistant. The product is not microwave-safe.

4. Look for organic produce in your local supermarket and support local vendors at weekend craft fairs and farmer’s markets. It’s highly beneficial to not eat foods with pesticides, but by buying locally grown produce you’re insuring that it didn’t have to waste a lot of fuel to travel across the country to get to your doorstep. This is what you should really be watching out for, because it is possible to buy organic foods, but the benefits of non-pesticides are outweighed by the potential of how far they traveled to get there.

Bastille Day Festivities?

colleen — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 18:01:21 +0000

As if you couldn’t get enough of patriotic events from this past weekend, consider taking on another countries traditions and firin’ up the barbie and breaking out the firecrackers for July 14th, Bastille Day. Bastille Day is the French national holiday that celebrates the storming of the Bastille in 1789 that is said to symbolize the rise of France as a modern nation. Complete with parades, festivities and a firecracker-laden Eiffel Tower, there are plenty of ways to bring home the joy and revolutionary spirit back in the States, even if you’re not from French descent. If you’re looking for a place to celebrate with a large group of people, NYC hosts an enormous Bastille Day celebration on 60th Street in the Upper East side of Manhattan. Philadelphia has a slightly more sarcastic and less-traditional celebration of Bastille Day, with a re-interpretation of the storming of the Bastille taking place at the Eastern State Penitentiary, where an actress playing Marie Antoinette yells “Let them eat Tastykake!” and throws the locally-manufactured sweet to the symbolic Parisian militia. San Francisco and Seattle, for the West coasters, is said to have some elegant parades as well.

But if you want to bring a little of the Bastille back home, here are some suggestions of Thomas Schlesser, noted Francophile and restaurant architect, as interviewed by the New York Times:

Dubost Red Laguiole stainless steel flatware from SurLaTable.com: $160 for 20 pieces with storage box included. Marked down from $199, this is not exactly a steal, but certainly an investment. A setting includes soup spoon, dinner fork, salad fork, dinner knife and teaspoon. Four place settings are included in the package, along with a personalized fitted wood storage tray. Safe for dishwasher, hand dry, the product is made at a family-owned factory in France, thus making it elegant and perfect for Bastille Day, not to mention the patriotic colors.

Cour Normande Ceramic Pitcher from PierreDeux.com, $48. A rustic piece with an adorable Coq (le francais for “rooster”) painted on the front, this piece says elegance and countryside charm. Both dishwasher and microwave safe, this is a versatile and useful item for everything from margaritas to lemonade stands.

Have a fabulous Bastille Day, even if you don’t celebrate!

Find at Smarter.com: Shop for more French style dinnerware.

Discount Table Linens for Outdoor Parties

colleen — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:31:55 +0000

It’s almost time for the 4th of July, and that means picnics, barbeques, and the beginning of a lot of outdoor parties for the rest of the summer. Make sure you have all the necessities, such as outdoor patio furniture, lounge chairs, rocking chairs on the front and back porch, trash cans, recycling bins, and umbrellas to shield your friends and family from the inclement weather patterns. But once all of the brawn of the outdoor party is obtained, it’s time for a little finesse. Tiki torches to wield off mosquitoes and flies are essential later in the summer, if not already. Maybe some nice ropes of lighting around the patio or porch railing? Think classic for general use, with white lights and wood design, but for the 4th you can go a little overboard in the patriotism of red, white and blue. Smarter.com features some special deals on discount tablecloths to get your family ready for the holiday and the rest of the season: look for durable fabrics that can withstand rain and heat, and pick a color that won’t show stains easily.

Top choices in Table Linen Savings:

Jason Majestic Pineapple Placemats: Set of 4 for $39.50.

Seamless 132″ White Rounded Tablecloth on sale on eBay for only $39.00, this 100% polyester tablecloth will protect your table elegantly and tastefully, and will be the perfect backdrop for any red and blue accessories for this Saturday’s party!

Find at Smarter.com: Shop for more affordable tablecloths and placemats.

Summer Dishware Deals

colleen — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 17:10:27 +0000

Summertime dishware should be just like your summertime clothes: lightweight, colorful, and durable for all your outdoor adventures! While everyone enjoys bringing the fancy dinnerware out for the occasional special event or family party, summertime events are a little more relaxed and easy-going: your decorations, dinnerware, and food selections should reflect that. When your appetite fires up for the weekly family barbeque, or your son has his baseball team over for a clambake, make sure you have the dishware to match the mood! When you are planning ahead for the inevitable summer parties, don’t forget all the details. Dishware is a good place to start, but Smarter.com has deals on plenty of necessary appliances, tables, chairs, etc., for the barbeques you have always dreamed of.

Some summertime favorites (and great deals!) from Smarter.com’s Home and Garden section:

Dillard’s Tangerine Fiestaware: $24.00/ 5-piece place setting (each setting comes with dinner plate, salad plate, soup bowl, cup and saucer.

Thrifty and Fashionable: Corelle Livingware Classic Café Black 16-Piece Set with Mugs, Service for Four: $31.99. Corelle promises a dishwasher, microwave, and oven safe dishware set, and uses the best materials to promise a break and chip resistant product! What more could you ask for? The set comes with 4 dinner plates, 4 bread and butter plates, 4 soup/cereal bowls and 4 11oz. mugs.

And if you’re in the mood for something a little more earth-toned, check out the Sango Gold Dust Green 16 piece Dinnerware Set from Boscov’s, featured on Smarter.com because of it’s amazing, 50% markdown price: from $100 down to $49.99! This set comes with 4 dinner plates, 4 salad plates, 4 soup/cereal bowls and 4 mugs.

While you’re getting the outdoor patio ready for the summer fun ahead, don’t forget some much needed lawn accessories, like sufficient seating and table space. Smarter.com has great finds on picnic tables, chairs, and decorative ornaments for the yard. Some spotlights:

Global Industrial Plastic Picnic Table: $169.95

This table is extremely durable and corrosion resistant, an important trait when you think about those unlikely but lethal summer storms. The table is extra wide, and says it can fit up to 8 people comfortably. The grips on the bottom of the table make it scratch resistant and stable. Don’t miss this necessary summer investment!

Find at Smarter.com: Shop for more affordable dishware.
Discounts on picnic tables.

Colorful Picinic Ideas

homegarden — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 04:00:40 +0000

I’m longing to have a picnic overlooking the lake. Although the traditional wicker baskets are so charming, these colorful new ideas feel retro but with a modern edge.

Crate&Barrel Picnic Basket: $19.95

Clean lines & so chic in lime green.

Pandora Designs Deluxe Plastic Flatware: $30.00

Plasticware never looked so good!

Translucent tumblers in any spring color you can imagine!

Hot Set Insulated Tumbler Set of 4: $12.99

And of course, you have to set the ambiance. These petal wax holders are so perfect for that spring picnic.

Petal Waxholder: $12.50

Enjoy and don’t forget to wear that perfect spring outfit for your retro-chic & colorful picnic!

Find at Smarter.com: Shop for more picnic baskets and plastic flatware.
Discounts on plastic tumblers and candle holders.

Blue Wedge Placemat – Discount Tableware

evette — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 18:08:01 +0000

What I like about this particular place mat besides the modern ribbing is the shape. Obviously the shape is meant to enhance and be used on circular tables, which is what I have!

The Kraftware Wedge Placemat is available in a variety of sizes and is sold for only $2.99.

If you are interested in purchasing the Kraftware Wedge Placemat, click here.

Low Priced Dinnerware – Traditional Japanese Sauce Dishes

evette — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 17:59:13 +0000

Certain dinnerware is best bought in bulk! Not only is it cheaper but for staple items that tend to break or are necessities, why not stock up? I came across this wonderful deal from Instawares that offers Traditional Japanese Sauce Dishes for a great price.

The reason why this particular deal appealed to me is I am a big proponent of condiments. I love sauces and am a dipping queen. I already own some cute sauce dishes that accompany my plate with every meal. Plus with Thanksgiving just around the corner I figure I could use these dishes to hold votive candles, for sauces, perhaps even as adorable little give aways. The point is a deal is a deal and thinking outside the box offers endless options.

Here is what you would get:

48 sauce dishes
3 inch in diameter

~~Was $51.36~~ NOW $26.67 ( you save $24.69)

If you are interested in Traditional Japanese Sauce Dishes from Instawares, click here.

(Also you might just want to check the above link for additional dinnerware deals they are offering; plates, saucers…etc.)

Affordable Flatware – Basic, Light in Classic Silver is all I Seek

evette — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 13:00:25 +0000

Quite simply, I think the charm of opening a kitchen drawer and finding one huge spoon, a tiny plastic fork and a dull butter knife has finally worn thin. I need a solid “complete” set of flatware.

I never went for the super frou-frou types, nor do I like the idea of heavy lifting every time I eat a bowl of cereal. Translation I do not like super heavy or ornate silverware. I think that the Oneida 45 piece stainless steel silverware set is ideal for my needs. The geometric and modern design suits my palette and the stainless steel material ensures that this flatware set will stand the test of time and require no polishing like more expensive “silver” ware sets.

The set costs $79.99 (originally $~~118.74~~)

If you are interested in purchasing the 45 piece Oneida flatware set for 8, click here.