Home & Garden Blog

We all have a case of the Mondays from time to time, when that alarm goes off at 7:55am (or 6:55am, or 5:55am) and all you want to do is hit the snooze, hit the hay, and fall back asleep before your head hits the pillow. I’m guilty of the snoozing, including this morning, and when I finally am lucid around noon I look back on that extra 5 minutes of sleep (and the 5 minutes less I had to prepare for my work day) and I think was it worth it? What are some ways I could convince myself to get out of bed at the right time? And when I smell my roommates coffee pot and 7 in the morning, I think–yes, that would do the trick.

And lucky us! LivingComfort.com has a special sale on coffee brewers this week! Let’s check out some of the viable prospects that keep us waking up on the right side of the bed:

Krups Moka Brew Coffee Maker 8 Cups 468-42 from LivingComfort.com: $129.00

You either need a rocket to get yourself out of bed in the morning, or you have a lot of roommates, because this coffeemaker has quantity like no other. 8 cups? 8 cups?! I think I’d zoom through the day so fast I wouldn’t even take a break before going back to bed.

LivingComfort.com isn’t the only one vying for our bleary eyed, groggy morning love and attention. Buy.com has a great selection:

Cuisinart Grind and Brew: $99.00

Shop for more affordable coffee makers at Smarter.com.

So everyone is in tough spots right now with money. I read an article this morning about how even Conde Nast’s most privileged and elite magazines, Vanity Fair and Vogue, are going to have to cut back on their thousand-dollar dinners and car service just to make the bills. If Anna Wintour has to start thinking frugally, where does that leave the rest of us? According to Washington Post-interviewed interior designer Barbara Barry, it leaves us with the simple pleasures of warm silk sheets and a beautiful cup to drink tea out of in the morning.

While the Washington Post heralds Barry as being more than an interior designer but a “life coach”, I think there is some truth to the statement that “simple pleasures” are the way to live, but I don’t think Barry coined the phrase. Simple pleasures are defined everyday by people like you who want to enjoy some special and treat themselves with small graces instead of material gluttony and excess. Look for sumptuous fabrics or blankets to make you feel warm and toasty, or a certain beautiful cup or dishware for those lazy Sunday brunches that make you a little less haggard about the thought of work the next day.

Some simple pleasure items:

Colored Water Goblets: $34.98

French Press Coffee Maker: $34.99

Satin Sheet Sets: $39.99-49.99

Do all your discount shopping at Smarter.com!

For today’s Deal of the Day, I bring you special sales and discounts on coffee makers! The weather is cooling down and it’s time to wake up to a fresh, warm brew while the shower heats up and the kids roll out of bed. You’ll need the energy without the hassle of driving to Starbucks, so here’s some top quality picks for you to add to your own home collection of kitchenware:

Chef Pepin Digital Coffee Maker: $36.95

BonJour Manual Caffe Froth Maximus, Brushed Stainless Steel: $16.95

Chambord Chrome 8-cup French Coffee Maker Press: $26.60

Shop through a variety of affordable coffee makers.

This 3-in-1 Breakfast Center  has everything that a college student needs in one appliance. It’s got a toaster oven, coffee maker, and hot plate within arm’s reach. The coffee maker can make up to four cups and has a permanent filter. The toaster oven can fit up to four slices of toast and has an automatic power off system that makes it easier for the busy student on the go.

It’s available at JC Penny for around $40–this is an amazing deal because it’s perfect to split the cost with your roommate. With four cups of coffee and four slices of toast, it was practically designed for roommates to share.

It’s definitely only worth it for a couple of years and is definitely not a replacement for each separate appliance. That’s why this is ideal for the college student.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and it’s amazing how many students bypass it and go straight to class. This handy appliance is perfect to ensure the health and well being of college students. Most dorms come with a microwave so purchasing this toaster oven, coffee maker, and hot plate will definitely complete all of your cooking needs right in your room.

Shop for more small kitchen appliances at Smarter.com.