The Christmas Tree Shops–Store Review and What I Bought

March 12, 2018

Hi friends. I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend.

On Saturday the hubs and I had some errands to run including a stop at The Christmas Tree Shops and That. I’ve heard lots of talk about this store and have seen some amazing finds pop up on Instagram. Just the other day one of my instagram friends posted this image showing the chic pieces she scored at her local store. Aren’t that planter and lattice rug just gorgeous! (sadly these items were not at my store).

After seeing Cathy’s post, I immediately jumped on the computer to see where the closet Christmas Tree Shops was located. I was surprised to find that there was one about 25 minutes from me.

When we drove into the parking lot and I saw andThat! on the building I was a little confused but once I did a little reading about the company it all made sense.

The Christmas Tree Shops andThat!

If you’re not familiar with The Christmas Tree Shops and That!, let me give you little background.

Christmas Tree Shops started as a holiday gift shop on Cape Cod selling holiday and seasonal decor. As the success of the company grew, they started to expand their offering selling gifts, home decor and big name closeout items. In 2012, the company began expanding beyond the New England area and added the name And That! so consumers would know the store sells more than just seasonal products.

I’d describe the store as a mix of World Market, Hobby Lobby and At Home all under one roof. You’ll find craft items, seasonal decor, decorative accessories, housewares and even wine. I was pleasantly surprised to see such a wide variety of products and was even more amazed at some of the prices.

One of the main product statements they have on the floor right now is melamine dinnerware and serving piece. The prices ranged from $1.50 to $5.00 with lots of colors and patterns to choose from.

In addition to melamine dinnerware, I spotted these wine glasses. At first I thought they were glass but they were actually made of clear plastic. They looked like the real thing and were only $1.50 per glass. This is definitely something to buy if you do a lot of entertaining or host big family gatherings around the holidays.

These summer motif melamine trays also caught my attention because they were only $1.29! These would be great as a summer hostess gift or to use for outdoor entertaining. (note to self: go back and get some of these)!

p.s. if you’d like something with more of a designer look, check out these marble swirl melamine trays I spotted online.

Another product that stopped me in my track were these monogrammed tea towels. Like the trays, there were lots of different patterns available. I actually thought about getting some of these to use as dinner napkins but wasn’t in the mood to dig thru the bin to find multiple M’s. I think the price on these was under $3.

The store carries a great selection of placemats including these 4 styles which I loved. I also saw the navy and natural jute mats below and had to snap them up because I love all things blue and white and because they were only $1.00 each!

There was a small selection of accent furniture and while I liked the look of some of the pieces, the quality was not there for me. I do think there were some good options for a beach house or guest room that doesn’t get used a lot.

I’m always on the hunt for pillows and saw several styles that I liked including this one with a beautiful crewel work design on the front. The only downside is that most of their pillows have polyfil inserts but you could have those replaced with down it you found a design you really liked.

This collection of blue and white Shibori pillows were nice. The blue lattice design on the bottom shelf was oversized and would look great in triplicate on a bed.

There was a nice selection of bedding and curtains including Waverly designs. This blue and white damask design was really pretty with the ticking stripe pattern on the back. You could easily pair this with navy or off-white bedding to build a really stunning look.

After pursuing the textiles area, I headed over to the decor department. There was a little of everything.

These round wood monogram board were cute. They are not cutting boards but are meant to be used as decor. I could see one hanging as part of a gallery wall or in the middle of a wreath. I think they were around $5.99.

Lots of pineapple decor. #arepineapplesstillathing?

One thing I did notice about The Christmas Tree Shops is that they are on top of the trends. They had copper and brass well represented throughout the store. Here’s a look at some of the candle hurricanes they had.

If you’re looking for inexpensive decor to style bookshelves, tabletops and such then I would say this is a good store to check out. This marble-look jar was really nice and less than $10.

There was a big housewares department with kitchen accessories, paper products and gift items. If I didn’t already own about 20 water bottles I would have picked up one of the insulated floral bottles below.

Pretty blue and white paper napkins.

And of course I had to check out the giftwrap. Most rolls were $2.99 or less and there was a nice selection of stylish designs including a few I’ve spotted at HomeGoods.

This is just a snippet of what the store had to offer so If you go, plan on spending some time looking around. According the website, the assortment changes all they time and new products are introduced weekly.

If you live in the Atlanta area, you can visitThe Christmas Tree Shops in Kennesaw at 845 Ernest W. Barrett Pwky NW. And if you don’t have a store near you, you can shop online here.

Happy shopping!

11 Favorites From The New Ikea Catalog

August 7, 2017

If you’re sad that the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is over don’t fret! The new Ikea catalog is out so you can still flex your shopping muscles like a pro.

There are so many things I’m loving about this new catalog, I don’t know where to begin. The first thing I noticed was the emerald green product on the catalog cover. Emerald is one of my favorite colors so I’m thrilled to see the new items in this color. Next, just when I thought Ikea could only do modern decor, I spotted several industrial inspired designs in the catalog. And then there are the new black and white pieces which are just too good for words.

After flipping through the catalog, I rounded up 11 items that I’m totally swooning over and wanted to share them with you. Let’s go shopping shall we…

***You can check out all of the new items here.

1 // Tuvalie Throw ($12.99)–This classic grey and white stripe throw is going to become hot commodity for designers and bloggers in no time flat. I’ve got one on my shopping list and might buy the red version too since red is my favorite color. This is the perfect layering piece for the foot of a bed.

2 // The Nymo Lampshade ($19.99)–This lamps shades delivers modern elegance at a great price. The brass interior is gorgeous and I’m sure the scalloped pattern creates a beautiful reflection when lit. The shade also comes in white, green and dusty blue.

3 // Tilladg Flatware ($59.99)–It seems that black flatware is fast becoming a hot design trend and I predict that this set is going to sell out quick. And the gold version will be right behind it.

4 // Stockholm Serving Bowls ($39.99)–I love the deep cobalt blue color and the low profile shape of these bowls. I will definitely be picking up a set to mix with my blue and white china. I also think they would look great as planters with succulents in them.

5 // Lillhomen Wall Lamp ($19.99)–I want to see this lamp in person to gauge the actual size but I’m loving the look from the photo. A pair of these flanking a vanity mirror would look fabulous. Also available in a chrome finish ($14.99) and a ceiling mount version.

6 // Stockholm Armchair ($249)–I am so in love with this chair! The design is fabulous and the dark grey cushions really make it pop. I’ll take two please. fyi–If you don’t like the grey cushions, you can purchase the chair alone for $149 and make your own cushions.

7 // Stockholm Cabinet ($349)–This cabinet is a beaut. I love the light airy feel of the rattan and the petite brass handle pulls. Such a great little detail.

8 // Tjena Storage Box ($3.99)–Ikea makes having a stylish home office so easy. The emerald green abstract design will really create a wow moment in an office or creative space. Also available in white, lt. blue and black.

9 // Glattis Coasters ($6.99)–Gold coasters and less than $10–need I say more. You might want to pick up a couple extra sets to put in your gift closet because these will make great holiday gifts.

10 // Mastholmen Armchair ($100)–This chair was designed of outdoor use but I could easily see it being used inside in a casual living space.

11 // Fjallbo Shelf ($99)–Just when you thought everything at Ikea has a modern flair, they come out with this industrial designed shelf unit. This is a great piece for a home office, closet or mud room.

I’ll be spending lots of time at Ikea in the coming weeks as I look for creative ways to organize our new house. If you see me roaming the aisles, say hi!

p.s. Copies of the new Ikea catalog are available in stores now or your can download a copy here.

Fab Finds at HomeGoods (Budget Friendly Decor)

June 28, 2017

I’ve spent a lot of time in my local HomeGoods stores lately looking for accessories for several clients. HomeGoods is such a great source for shelf fillers, tabletop decor and general accent decor. HomeGoods is usually picked over when I go shopping but on a my most recent trip I hit the timing just right. The shelves and aisles were over-flowing and I spotted so many great items.

HomeGoods Happy Finds

Let’s start with the furniture….

I loved this garden stool/side table. At first glance it looks like its made of concrete but it’s actually a resin materials so it’s not too heavy. If you’re into neutral decor, this would look great between a pair or chairs or next to a sofa.

I’ve seen the cube ottomans at several stores and thought they would look cute in a play room or nursery.

HomeGoods has some super cute chairs but they aren’t always comfortable. This animal print chair would be a great accent chair in a bedroom or kitchen desk.

The acrylic trend is alive a well at HomeGoods and this tiered side table was fun. The only down side about buying acrylic from HomeGoods is finding a piece that isn’t all scratched up.

I really liked this tufted bench. It was actually really comfortable and would be perfect at the foot of a bed.

tip: don’t overlook upholstered furniture pieces at HomeGoods. Their prices are so go you could have a piece re-upholstered and still spend less than buy a higher end piece.

This brass and marble-look side table was really cute. The top is made of a composite material that looks like a piece of marble. This table would be perfect between two club chairs.

This dining table caught my eye mostly because of the legs. This mid-century style would look great in a loft and because it’s so big, it could even be used as conference table in an office.

tip: if you see surface scratches or dings in a piece you like, ask for a discount.

This chest of drawers had a really great texture to it and I loved the clean lines of the design.

tip: if you’re considering a large furniture piece from HomeGoods, make sure to look it over. I often see scratches and missing pieces (note the missing drawer pull below).

Now let’s check out the accessories and other decor I spotted…

You can find spheres like these at several big box stores but they are usually in a gold finish. I love these in black with a touch of gold on the end of each prong. You can use these a tabletop decor or hang them on the wall.

The faux boxwood topiary at HomeGoods look pretty realistic and the ceramic containers make them look more expensive than they are.

This acrylic and gold-rimmed tray almost came home with me (tray hoarder)! If I remember correctly, it was less than $20 and it came in several colors including the champagne below.

This copper mailbox was really chic and a great size.

This metal stool is perfect to tuck away in a closet or kitchen to reach those high shelves.

These glass lanterns were really pretty and would look great on a covered porch, sunroom or indoors.

tip: unless glass is tempered, you don’t want to expose it to prolonged periods of hot sun or changing temperatures.

This artwork would have been perfect for a clients powder room but the frame was busted up. Hopefully I’ll run across it at another store.

HomeGoods has started to sell more abstract art. This piece had lots of texture and looked more expensive than it was.

Decorative and patterned lampshades seem to be a trend and there were plenty the day I was shopping.

It’s always challenging to find small lamps that can work on a bathroom vanity or on the kitchen counter. HomeGoods has lots including this pierced ceramic lamp.

tip: don’t pass up a lamp you like because of the lampshade. Changing the shade is an easy and inexpensive fix.

My collection of teacups from Anthropologie is growing. But now I have a new source because I saw several Anthropologie inspired styles at HomeGoods for a lot less.

The pillow section looked like a tornado had gone through it so I didn’t spend much time looking . I did see this beautiful needlework lumbar pillow which would look great on a bed or sofa.

One other thing you should keep your eye out for at HomeGoods–design books. I needed 9 coffee table books for a client and found some great titles for less than $20 each.

I follow lots of folks on Instagram so I know I’m not the only one spending time at HomeGoods.

Have you found any great items there lately?

Fab Finds From Pier 1–(budget friendly decor)

October 26, 2016

I received an email the other day from Pier 1 and it prompted me to head over to their website to see what was new. Pier 1 is one of those stores that has lots of hidden gems amongst the array of pillows, plates and decorative objects. While surfing their site I discovered quite a few items that hit on all cylinders–style & price. Check out my favorites pieces available from Pier 1 right now.

No. 1 — I don’t often look to Pier 1 for rugs but I love the pattern and colors in this Diamond Scroll Blue Rug. I can envision it in a living room with a linen sofa and leather chair. Or in a bedroom along side a linen headboard and sleek ceramic lamps. This rug ranges in price from $110 to $679 and is available in 6 sizes.

No. 2 — I have to tell you this Bayan Ottoman stopped me in my track. I of course love the faux bamboo frame and the price of $79.98. #yesplease A pair of these at the foot of a bed or nestled under a console table would be great.

No. 3 — Quatrefoil patterns are a classic design element and this Mother of Pearl Quatrefoil Mirror is a beauty. It would look great in a powder room or over a nightstand in a bedroom. $239.20.

No. 4 — When it comes to Christmas pillows, Pier 1 has a one of the best selections I seen so far. If you decorate in non-traditional colors or want a subtle Christmas statement, this PomPom Merry Christmas Pillow is perfect. And it’s only $29.95. ***through Nov. 1st you can save an additional 20% on Christmas decor with the code HOLDIT

No. 5 — Copper is a big design trend right now and I think were going to see it being used in holiday decor too. This Copper Hammered Charger Plate ($14.95) would look really pretty mixed with fall colors as part of a Thanksgiving tablescape.

No. 6 — It’s hard to pass up a Monogram Letter Tray especially when it has a gold rim and it’s only $9.95.

Can you believe that it’s almost November and the unofficial start of the holiday season? If you’re looking to refresh your home for the holidays now’s the time to jump on these great finds and the extra savings on Christmas decor. Plus there’s free shipping on order over $49!

Happy Shopping!

p.s. this is not a sponsored post. I’m just sharing the things I love and the places I shop.

How To Get A High-End Look On A Budget

February 16, 2016

Hello friends. I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine’s Day and a great weekend. My Valentine’s Day was super casual and instead of taking me to Jared :), the hubs took me somewhere he knew I’d like even better…antique shopping. I found some great goodies which I’ll show you tomorrow, but today I wanted to address a question I get asked a lot–how to add high-end design style, on a budget?

When it comes to design, one thing I know for sure is that most people desire to have a high-end look for their home but want save money doing it. Of course to get a high-style look you can go out and buy expensive furniture, lighting and accessories but when that’s not an option, there are ways to get the look without breaking the bank.

If you’ve ever wondered what design tricks designers use to achieve high-style, today is your day because I’m sharing NINE Ways To Get A High-End Look On Budget!

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Read the Post

Shopping AT HOME–the good, the bad and the messy!

February 1, 2016

Over the weekend I made a shopping trip to a new to me store, At Home. If you’re not familiar with At Home, it’s the old Garden Ridge brand that has been completely revamped and rebranded. Garden Ridge carried a small offering of home decor items but the main offering was mostly a craft, seasonal and faux floral items. When the store rebranded to At Home, the product mix changed to all home decor including outdoor furniture and garden decor.

Before I get into what I liked about At Home, let me tell you about some of the drawbacks…

♦ If you’re looking for investment pieces, you won’t find them At Home. What you’ll find are decorative pieces that are will last years but not a lifetime. Take for instant rugs. The store carries hundreds of styles and sizes but the quality isn’t the best on the market, meaning mostly synthetic fibers. And they have a massive selection counter and bar stools but if they’d be used on a daily basis, I don’t think most of the styles have a lifespan beyond 5 to 6 years.

♦ They don’t offer the best prices in town. Many of the items in the store you can also find in HomeGoods/TJMaxx, Target, Wal-Mart and other big box stores and in many cases the big box stores have better prices.

♦ Selections are limited in some categories of product. The dinnerware and tabletop category was one of the weakest areas of the store. There wasn’t a lot of variety and when you did come across a style you liked, they didn’t have quantity on hand that would allow for multiple place setting.

♦ The store is a bit messy. I’m going to give them the benefit of doubt and blame it on post-Christmas business or a busy shopping weekend but some areas of the store were a total disaster. Pillows were all over the floor in the pillow aisle and in the bath department things were a hot mess.

Here’s the things I liked about ‘At Home’…

♦ They carry a huge selection of items and At Home is a great source of basic pieces. If you’re needing decor like baskets and containers, decorative accessories or mirrors you should definitely check out At Home. The mirror department was impressive with a wide range of styles and sizes (lots of oversized mirrors). I spotted several (0k, many) mirrors I wanted for myself or for clients. And I thought the prices were good, especially for the larger mirrors.

♦ You’ll see the latest product trends and colors. At Home is definitely up to date on the latest product and style trends so if something is HOT, you’re likely to see it (or a version of the trend) in the store.

♦ They have a great lampshade selection. One of the reasons I made the trip to At Home was to look for a black lampshade. I haven’t been to Scott Antique market in months to hit up my usual source and when HomeGoods has them, they sell out pretty quick so I’ve been on the hunt for one. At Home has hundreds of lampshades in every sizes, color and shape you can imagine. Their prices are pretty good with a basic black drum shade prices between $14.99 and $29.99.

♦ Lots of fun, whimsical and themed seasonal decor. If you like to decorate for each season you’re sure to find some cute stuff like these adorable bunnies with gold ears. These bunnies were about 12″ to 14″ tall and I think these were either $12.99 or $14.99. Also, if you have a need for faux flowers or greenery they have a selection that rival Hobby Lobby, Michael’s or JoAnn.

♦ Lots and lots and lots and lots of wall decor and artwork. When it comes to artwork, think HomeGoods on steroid. There must have been 15 or more aisles of wall decor and artwork so if you need inexpensive wall decor this is your place.

I think that’s enough about what I liked about At Home so let’s take a look at a few items that caught my eye when I was shopping.

The cutest darn ceramic bunnies. I think there were $12.99 or $14.99.

Great wood crates for flowers, a kitchen caddy or for organizing magazines and such.

Loved these ceramic horse head bookends. They had lots of styles to choose from but many are some separately which resulted in lots of solo pieces on the shelf.

Here’s just one row of their mirror offering–I think there were about 9 or 10 rows in total.

Here’s a classic starburst mirror that could be used in a gallery wall arrangement or layered on top of a larger mirror. Notice the price.

I feel in love with this mirror below, both the style and the $129.99 price.

This Pagoda style mirror below was another fave and priced at $199.99 which was good given its size.

Here’s some Pagoda inspiration for you…

Laura Tutun via La Dolce Vita

A pretty scalloped edge mirror.

Sunflower mirror below…$99.99

Quatrefoil Mirror below…$199.99

There are lots of oversized (and regular sized) clocks.

The store carries baskets in all shapes and sizes but I think you can find better prices at HomeGoods/TJMaxx.

I didn’t love this open end basket but if was the only one and it didn’t have a price on it.

p.s. At Home is the size of warehouse so going to ask for a price is like walking the length of a football field (not really, but almost)

Here’s an on trend gold fretwork table with a glass top. $49.99 if I remember correctly.

Cute and colorful accent tables.

Ok, let’s talk chairs and bar stools. At Home has a large selection of accent/side chairs and overall the styling and fabrics are nice. The only thing I didn’t like was the construction details of the legs. A lot of the legs were wobbly and just didn’t seem solid. The hubs and I did tighten a few legs and it made the chairs better but I question how long these chairs would really last. As a side chair that doesn’t get used often, I do think there were some good options.

I loved the design of this wood and chrome chair.

And these bar stools were very Ballard Design without the price (or the quality).

Great oversized ottomans–a nice size for a coffee table or at the end of a bed.

Bench with acrylic legs. I think this was priced at $129.99.

The lucite ghost chair priced at $99.00.

and also available in black.

You’ll also find upholstered headboards.

I did run across this tartan plaid dinnerware and almost bought it. There were dinner plates, salad plates, bowls and cups.

This table runner was pretty and would make a great backdrop of a summer tablescape.

At Home has a ton of different typography letters to choose from but all of the really common letters like S, L , M were sold out. This rope design was pretty cute.

Probably my favorite items in all of the store were their garden stools. Prices similar to what you can find at HomeGoods but with more variety to choose from.

I loved this elephant stool.

And really, really loved these blue and white stools. They were all $49.99.

What else I’d buy At Home?

♦ Outdoor umbrella–great prices and great selection

♦ Garden planters–definitely something for everyone

♦ Picture Frames–From large to small and I spotted some lots of uncommon sizes which I’m often on the hunt for

♦ Glassware–great selection of glassware and at great prices.

So there you have it, a mini tour and scoop on At Home. Despite some of my drawbacks, I will definitely be shopping at the store again and look forward to checking them out around Christmas.

If you’ve shopped at At Home, what do you like most about what the store has to offer? I’d love to know.