Special Online Price

The other day I was killing time at Barnes and Noble and came across "Creating a Home," a book about designer Kathryn Ireland's (former) home in Ojai, California. This is my dream house--the colors, the textiles, the ranch-style house, the natural light, etc!

While many a shelter magazine and blog, including The Sale Rack, have shown photos of the home, "Creating a Home" has page after page after page of decor eye candy. No nook goes uncaptured! The only issue for me was the price tag. $40. I couldn't justify spending $40 on a book that I already have tear sheets of from the House Beautiful article years ago. However, I could justify a lower price given that it is my dream house and the book would be looked at quite frequently. With that in mind, I went lookin' online.

Lucky for me and YOU, Barnes and Noble is having an online special right now!!! You can get select books for the cost of the Barnes and Noble Member price. "Creating a Home" is available for $28 right, compared to $40 for the in-store price, and no shipping cost!!!!! Merry Christmas to myself!

Photos: Barnes and Noble and House Beautiful

Calling all North Texans!

I just discovered over at Tamstyles that Dallas is going to have a new flea market starting December 5th!!!!!!!!!!!! Mom, Rene and Katherine, since I am in NYC, I expect a full report!

Thanks Tamstyles!

Southern Living

I was so inspired by Beautiful Living's post on homemade biscuits that I made my very own first batch this past weekend. I didn't have the ingredients her recipe called for and I didn't feel like leaving the apartment to go to buy them at the grocery store. Luckily, I found a box of Bisquick in the back of my pantry. Mom always said to have a box on hand!

The whole time I was making and eating them, I felt like I was transported back to my Southern roots---- without spending a dime on a plane ticket!

Bisquick's Dropped Biscuits:

Stir 1 cup milk or 7/8 cup water into 2 cups Bisquick. Mix well by beating dough for 30 seconds. Drop by spoonfuls on lightly greased baking sheet or into muffin pans.

You can see Beautiful Living's receipe here.

Photo: Beautiful Living

The Cotton Belt

I'm noticing raw cotton arrangements used as decor these days- saw it last week at Anthropologie and this past weekend at Bear Mountain restaurant in Brooklyn. The concept reminds me so much of my grandfather who was a cotton farmer in Texas. I'm thinking they might be an interesting supplement to my wedding decor as the wedding is taking place in the heart of the Cotton Belt and it falls under the "Rustic Elegance" theme we have. Integrating these into the decor might also save a buck or two with the floral budget. Hmmmm....

Photo: Stephanie Williams Photography

Gorgeous Wedding!

My future brother-in-law and his now wife (will she be my sister-in-law?) just had the most beee-yooo-tiful wedding on a vineyard in Malibu, CA. While the dramatic cliffs and incredible views were breathtaking, the do-it-yourself elements of the wedding are what I couldn't stop talking about that evening!

Milk glass vases: Instead of renting, our bride opted to hit up the Rose Bowl flea market to purchase her own. She made several trips and left no milk glass vase behind. (If anyone is interested, she is selling them.)

Table runners: Our awesome mother-in-law made the linen table runners with a very delicate floral embroidery on the edges. Such a sweet and special touch.

Table numbers: The bride's very crafty sister made the wine bottle table numbers--very appropriate for a California vineyard wedding. The bottle is wrapped in linen and leftover ribbon from the napkins.

Signage: The bride's sister created another personal touch with handmade welcome and menu signs. She even created the frames!

Check out more scenes from the wedding at Green Wedding Shoes blog. Congrats again Jason and Rebecca!!!

Photos: The Sale Rack, Sweet Monday Photography

Stretching That Dollar Across Seasons

You know that summer dress you love that you paid a pretty penny for, but you only wear three months out of the year? Well, La Bonne Femme shows you how to wear that frock across seasons. I'm especially a fan of the Fall ensemble below. Read more at La Bonne Femme.

I'm so inspired by this post that I am going to hit my closet this weekend to create some new outfits! I'm very tempted to buy some of the new clothes this season, but nope! Need to save save save.

Thanks La Bonne Femme for the inspiration!

Photos: La Bonne Femme

Sea Change

Most rentals don't allow you to paint walls, but here is an idea that can give your apt the same effect--painting your bookshelves one big bold color like the turquoise above. I love the two shelves framing this doorway.

Photo: Apartment Therapy

Paid Off My Student Loans!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

After 11 years of stressing over student loans, I am finally finished!!! I just sent in my last payment!!!!!!!

Which Cover Do You Prefer?

Perhaps I am old fashioned, but I hate when publishers slap the movie poster on books to capitalize on the book-to-movie launch. I won't even buy the book if that is the only cover available at the book store. I mean I get it for the publishers and movie studios, more money, better promotion, blah,blah. But aesthetically, I just can't bring myself to carry around what is essentially a billboard promoting the movie. Even though I want to see the movie. Like I said, I know it is weird.

If you are rushing to read the book WITH THE ORIGINAL COVER before you see the movie, there are still original paperback versions available for less than $12 online.

Abe Books, $5. 29

Ebay, starting at $7.82

Strand Books, $11.95

Barnes and Noble, $11.99

The Audrey Pant for Under $100

JCrew has an incredible pair of black cigarette pants for under $100. They are totally appropriate for work (wearing them now with heels, a blouse and, of course, a Jackie cardigan), great for weekend errands (like the look below) and fun for a night out (heels, sleeveless or with jacket in the Fall, fun jewelry). So the $79 price tag might seem steep at first, but knowing you can wear them for any and every occasion makes them a steal!

Ottoman Empire

Apt 48 is taking 50 percent off the price all its furnishings...I just picked up the beautful ottoman above for an incredible price. As you have probably picked up by now, Raymon Boozer's boutique shop in NYC's Flatiron district is a favorite of TSR's because there is always a sale going on! Read TSR's first review of Apt 48 here.

Photos: The Sale Rack

Outfitting on a Dime

Urban Outfiiters seems to have graduated from its bean bag days and taken a more sophisticated, worldy turn with its home decor goods. The windows at the college student mecca on 14th Street and 6th inspired me on a recent Friday afternoon (after a rough day at work!). I dig the jute striped pillow ($32) and kilim rugs (starting at $128) above and vases ($24) below.

Vive la France!

This Sunday is the annual Bastille Day celebration in Cobble Hill. Also known as the best event in NYC! Smith Street turns into one big petanque court (see pic above)...Bar Tabac unfolds into the street...live music and dancing....and every restuarant along the strip has tents set up selling food for around $5. All the fun starts around noon and lasts until 8pm. Take the F train to Bergen Street or the 4-5 to Borough Hall in Brooklyn. More info here.

Have a great weekend!

Photos:

wallyg on flickr

mcbrooklyn

How the Other Half Lives

The NY Post today reveals the details on Ruth Madoff's possible new home, which to this New Yorker looks downright palatial. While this is surely a downgrade from the $7 million penthouse she and the Bernie were living in, I don't think this 481 sq ft apt-- plus the $2m deal she received from the feds--is such a bad place to fall. It sure beats the 8 x 7 jail cell her husband is in.

Photos: via NY Post

Vintage Porn

I just came across this photo of a very successful vintage hunt on the blog, Absolutely Beautiful Things. That chair! That lamp! That basket!

Photo: Absolutely Beautiful Things

Creative, Budget-friendly Centerpieces

I'm not sure if I have formally announced this to TSR or not, but I am engaged and planning a wedding for next Spring in Texas! (My fiance is a little shy when it comes to this medium, so I am going to leave his cute self out when I talk about our wedding planning on TSR.)

Since our engagement I have been spending A LOT of my time reading bridal mags and wedding planning blogs. I had no idea so much went into a wedding until we started looking at venues and I started reading the magazines. I mean despite my side passion for decor, I had never heard of chavari chairs and had never thought about floral arrangements or votive candles to the degree I am thinking about them now. Now don't think I am complaining... I am loving every minute of it! I especially love how creative you can get with all of it...especially if you are on a tight budget. The magazines and blogs are packed with do-it-yourself and budget-friendly ideas. For example, Bridal Event Planning has a post on how to save on your flower budget by using non-floral centerpieces. One of my favorite ideas from the post was the use of a stack of books as a centerpiece for a rehearsal dinner (perfect for a pair of bibliophiles!), a book launch party or book club dinners.

Photos: via Brilliant Event Planning

Extra Cargo

Sorry..one more JCrew post... they have cargo pants similar to the kind Jen Aniston always sports on the sale rack for $49 (from $69), plus an extra 20 percent off at check out when you add the EXTRA20 code.

Make a Statement

So I tried the second necklace below from JCrew with my dress last night and it didn't work. There is rouching on the side of the dress and with the necklace, it was a bit much. So I am now going the chandelier earring route. Even so, I thought I would share with you two statement necklaces from Banana Republic that are under a $100 that I found on my two-week-long quest. The top necklace is $59 and the bottom is on the sale rack for $69 (from $79).

*By the way, JCrew has an extra 20 percent off online and in store final sale items. So if you are interested in the necklaces below, you'll get an even bigger bargain if you buy them today. Just enter "EXTRA20" at check out.

A Necklace to go with that LBD

I've been looking for a chunky necklace to go with my LBD (below) and have swung by Loehmann's, TJ Maxx, Daffy's, Filene's Basement and DSW. Nothing. But amazingly JCrew has great deals on their chunky necklaces right now....the Canopy necklace above is $39.99 (marked down from $98) and the Fireworks necklace below (looks better in person) is on the sale rack for $69.99 (from $110). The Fireworks necklace also has CUTE matching earrings on sale for $29. I can't find the earrings online.

Which do you like better? I feel like you get the most bang for your buck with the second one since it would work well for work too... JCrew had it on a mannequin wearing a white button down and gold/tan knee-length skirt.

Don't Forget to Ask!

Looking for an LBD to wear to all those weddings this summer?? Well, me too! White House Black Market has several for you to choose from, including the two featured here which I purchased last week. Here's where TSR comes in....I couldn't decide which dress to buy and the sales lady was pushing me to buy both--plus those cute heels below! Because there was no way I was buying all three at full price, I asked what deal they could offer me. Much to my surprise, they offered 15% off everything as long as I signed up to be in their system--not signing up for a credit card like most chains, but just adding my name to their database to receive notices about deals. The lesson: Always ask about any unknown discounts!

Love these shoes! The flower is off to the side of the top of the shoe, so it doesn't overwhelm the foot.