Home & Garden Blog

It is the little details that set one home apart from the majority, yet it is these same details that are often hardest to replace as they grow old.

My parent’s house has a series of arched windows facing the front of the house. They are really beautiful and add depth and character to the setting, however now that my parents are older they do not enjoy the direct sunlight at certain hours of the day. My mother’s lazy solution is to stuff the windows with a bunch of oriental fans! It looks ugly, enough said.

Which is why I recently emailed her this wonderful solution, the Arch Cellular Shade from JCPenney.

The Arch Cellular shade is both affordable and durable. Makes a wonderful insulator for both cold and warm weather, and is constructed of a light filtering, non-woven polyester with PVC bottom rail.

Price depends on size you need but here are some examples:

(23×11) was $30.00 now: $14.99

(35×17) was $40.00 now: $19.99

Many more  sizes and colors are available, to shop for the Arch Cellular Shade, click here. 

As the future rears its polluted and smoggy head ever closer, reducing our wastes and resource consumption levels is not jut politically correct, but necessary.

The key is not to get overwhelmed. Take baby steps toward making your home more eco-friendly. Take a moment to change your fluorescent or halogen bulbs in your home to LED light bulbs which use a fraction of the electricity and last much longer.

In a similar vein, check out Mesh Slider Panels for Blinds offered by JCPenney.com.

Great for rooms that are directly exposed to the sun. Reduces harmful UV rays up to 85% while maintaining your view, also prevents the fading of carpet and furnishings.

The benefit to the environment is that the panels keep your rooms cooler, thus reducing your dependence on air conditioning this spring and summer. Lowering your electricity bills is always a wonderful perk.

Based on the size of the window you are covering prices range: $219-$296.00

To learn more or shop for  Mesh Slider Panels for Blinds, click here.

It’s chilly and gray outside, why leave the warmth of your bed to brave the cold? Make that 5-10 minute snooze nap in the morning even harder to leave with a new comforter and bonus quilt set.

This great deal offered by JCPenney includes a comforter, pillow shams, bedskirt and coordinating quilt! The pillow shams are flanged, the tailored bed skirt is quilted, and the complimentary quilt is handcrafted patchwork set to match the whole ensemble.

Also, if you do not like the style or color of the featured set, they have up to 10 additional colors and patterns to choose from at JCPenney. You are sure to find one that suits your palette.

This entire set retails for only $99.99!

On top of that receive Free Shipping with coupon code: WPVDAY49 when you spend more than $49 dollars.

To purchase this Comforter and Bonus Quilt Set, click here.

To shop for additional Discount Bedding, click here.

The beauty of “bed in bag” bedding sets is that it does all the creative legwork for you. If you do not possess the time nor the patience to hand select your sheets, you can shop online and select a “bed in a bag”.

These bedding sets literally contain everything you need to freshen up your boudoir. Currently at JCPenney you can pick up a bed-in-a-bag set that includes a comforter, 2 pillow shams, a tailored bedskirt (fits footboard), and a 200 thread-count 4-pc. sheet set. The entire bed-in-a-bag set only costs: $99.99!

Take advantage of this great deal, the set I have featured on the left is called “Meridian” and is available online.

To read more or purchase the Meridian Luxury Bed-in-a-Bag Set, click here.

To shop for great deals on assorted discount Bedding, click here.

Check out this delicious find, a bath towel designed to look like a tasty chocolate cake, topped off with strawberry magnets!

I think it’s adorable and fun, makes the perfect gift for the chocolate lover in every family! It’s a Japanese import (those ever creative geniuses) made of 100% cotton, and is 2×4 feet long. It’s sold by fredflare.com for only $35.00!

If that doesn’t satisfy you taste buds, you can always go the more conventional route and purchase more traditional bath towels.

A classic festive alternative would be this 3 piece Holiday bath towel set available at JCPenney.com.
This set consists of yarn-dyed 100% cotton jacquard towels, one 27×54″ bath towel, one 15×28″ hand towel and one 12×18″ fingertip towel. Previously sold for $49.00 it is currently on SALE for $23.99!

To purchase the Chocolate Cake Bath Towel, click here.

To purchase the 3 piece Holiday Bath Towel set at JCPenney, click here.

To shop for more deals on bath towels, click here.

The latest city for eBoy to depict in isometric pixel form is Tokyo, and it’s as beautiful as the other city posters they’ve published…see more at Boing Boing!

Six Pack Wine Rack! Made from sustainable European wool, the rack folds flat for easy storage and holds up to six bottles..finish reading at Outblush.com.

Check out the 2007 Gift Guide: Blogger’s Wishlist at Design Sponge! She features a list of what shopping bloggers are dreaming of getting this Christmas, it’s a great source for gift ideas.

This week in Smarter Home & Garden we covered:

• Comment on the sexy furniture from Holland, Got Legs? with your morning breakfast?
• Send a floral arrangement as a gift that can be used as your Holiday centerpiece or Holiday decor as well! Nothing says, I haven’t forgotten about you like flowers!
• Read about my Top 5 picks for Fun & Healthy last minute Holiday gifts...
• Save money on JCPenney Accent Pillows and all bedding sets
• Shop for original hand crafted gifts and help women from Rwanda earn a sustainable income to purchase food and clothing! Learn about The Rwanda Path to Peace Collection today.
• Clear your pathways and driveways for your guests this Winter with the Snow Blower Deal of the Day!

Check out the great bedding sets at JCPenney! The Oceana Accent Pillows featured above are only $29.99 and are embroidered with waves and shimmering colors. The contrasting accents extend depth and serenity to your bedroom. I like the cool colors of the pillows as they are really calming, clean and modern.

As an added perk, there are currently two coupons you can utilize at JCPenney.com that will save you more money.

Save 30% Off regular priced items and 10% off sale items, use code: SANTA

Coupon End Date: 12/14/2007

Save $10 off purchases of $50 or more and $15 off purchases of $75 or more, use code: WP39BMSM

Coupon End Date: 12/15/2007

To save money on assorted Bedding sets, click here.

I am a huge supporter of paper lanterns. There was a time when assorted shapes and colors of paper lanterns hung from my vaulted ceiling in college. They hung at different lengths and really seemed to float.

The effect I was striving for was magical with a touch of whimsy. Suffice to say I received plenty of compliments on my creative genius by visitors and guest alike. I was a novice interior designer on a shoestring budget.

Well the shoestring budget part has changed very little over the years. Which is why I more than anyone appreciate deep discounts and a SALE! The oriental style paper lamps are offered at JCPenney in 4 colors: hot pink, orange, turquoise and white. What I am envisioning is that you can use them a multitude of ways

• use them to brighten your room or your kid’s room
• use them to decorate your Holiday parties or New Year’s shindig this year
• give them as a gift!

They are currently on SALE from $29.99 to $14.99!!

To purchase these Paper Lanterns, click here.

To shop for more Lamps & Lighting, click here.

If you think of any other creative ways to utilize the paper lanterns, please let me know. Sharing is Caring!

Hi Readers! Thought this recall information should be re-circulated amongst the community for those of you (like me) who never came across it the first time.

Name of Product: “Alyssa” Shag Rugs

Units: About 2,900

Importer: J.C. Penney, of Plano, Texas

Hazard: The rugs fail to meet federal standards for flammability and could ignite, posing a risk of fire and burn injuries to consumers.

Description: This recall involves “Alyssa” shag rugs that were available in the following dimensions: 2’ x 3’ oval, 4’ x 6’ oval, 5’ x 8’ oval, 8’ x 11’ oval, 8’ round, and a 2’ x 6’ rectangular runner. The rugs have a one-inch pile height and were available in four color patterns: red/natural/brown, chocolate/olive/natural, gold/rust/natural, and blue/rust/green/natural.

Sold through: The J.C. Penney catalog and Web site from June 2007 through August 2007 for between $30 and $300.

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled rugs immediately and return the rugs to any J.C. Penney store for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact J.C. Penney toll-free at (888) 333-6063 anytime or visit the company’s Web site at www.jcp.com

Check out the original release by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission by clicking here.