TBS Needs Your Help: Which Pillows?!

Good morning, Dah-lings!

I hope you're doing well today. About a year ago, I found the fabulous chairs pictured above and declared that I couldn't leave without them. Aren't they lovely? They were $350 total and I paid less than $150. A TBS deal, right? Anywho...I've wiggled, waffled and wavered about what I should do with the chairs? Paint them? Put them in another room? Well, I'm still conflicted.

Until I decide their fate, I thought it might be cool to punch them up with some pillows. Sometimes us TBS' have to make-do with what we have until the budget loosens up, right?! Has TBS mentioned that The Boy is leaving for college in less than a year? Right. So lots of stuff is being re-purposed.

Here I have two options and I'm interested to know which you like:

1. Blue Dwell from Target - $25 each

2. Orange designer's pillow. I purchased these at a designer's tag sale. Originally $200 each, I paid $50 each.

Your assistance is greatly appreciated! Helllllllllllllppppppppppppppppppppppp!!!!!!!

Sipping on Sangria: A Delightful Warm Weather Libation

Last week I received an email from one of my favorite people, the Fabulous Rhonda J.

You see, she was entertaining a group of friends from college over the weekend and was looking for a fun cocktail for the girls. She wondered if I had any ideas for libations that might be interesting. Offffffffffff course, I did...

I steered her directly to one of my most cherished warm-weather drinks: sangria. Sangria is a fairly budget-friendly drink and it works wonderfully if you are serving a medium-to-large sized group. What I have found about sangria is that there's no right way to prepare it. It can be built on a foundation of red or white wine. The types of fruit that you can use - from apples to berries to citrus fruits - totally depend on your palatte.

As we go into the weekend, I thought it might be cool to share a few sangria recipes.

Best Party Sangria

Citrus Sangria

Sangria 6 Ways (including a non-alcoholic version)

Do you enjoy sangria? If you make it, what ingredients do you include?

TBS TV: Deck Decor...An Outdoor Rug For A (Smart) Bargain

Here's the link to the rug on SmartBargains.com!

I purchased the 3.5' x 5.6' rug...while it looks small in the video (and I'm STILL trying to figure how to get the best angle with this Flip camera); the scale actually works nicely and doesn't spill over to the grilling area.

I was also able to take advantage of a 15 percent discount as a First Time Buyer...yayyyy, for being a newbie for a change. You can find your own discount via Google by searching for 'Smart Bargains discount codes'.

I am soooo excited to build from the rug that I can hardly stand it!

Any one else score any great deals recently or, most immediately, over the weekend?

TBS's Holiday Test Kitchen! Oh, What A Blast!

Happy Tuesday, everyone!

I trust that each and every one of you enjoyed your holiday weekend. Mine was awesome. Because I was a bit under-the-weather, Mr TBS and I took it easy whilst Gareth spent the night with a friend.

I did manage to try a new recipe this weekend and thought I'd share photos. A couple of Fridays ago, my post focused on some recipe options from bon appetit. We opted to try the Shrimp and Cojita Enchiladas. I'm SO glad we did. They turned out quite nicely and I even have pictures to share! The grocery tab was $26 and yielded 6 servings. Not too shabby for a hearty meal, huh? We also whipped up a nice pitcher of frozen margaritas. Is your mouth watering yet? I really recommend this recipe if you like Mexican fare and are up for trying something different.

When was the last time YOU tried a new recipe? Do you do so often?

TBS Is A Copy Cat (Well...Not Really But Sorta) !

If I am nothing else, I am an individualist. Make my own decisions, follow the beat of my own drum and all THAT jazz.

In spite of that, last week one of my fave friends, Erica B, posted a comment on Facebook about Purex Complete 3-in-1 Laundry Sheets and my interest was piqued. The purported beauty in this new product? Well, the dryer sheet-esque solution was detergent, softener and an anti-static sheet in one. Who'd have ever thunk it, right? Erica wasn't so sure about it so when I noticed them in Tar-zhay when I (and by "I", I mean Mr TBS and Gareth...for I was surely over in the magazine section) was picking up the patio furniture. At $5.99, a little less than my Tide Complete (and when were laundry products incomplete? Have I been hoodwinked with partial concoctions in the past? Geesh...the marketing!), I was eager to try it. I usually spend about $12 on laundry detergent and dryer sheets; so I was more interested when I saw a potential savings benefit. (insert 'high-five' here)

Lo and behold, I was catching up on my blog reading last night and I saw that one of my other fave friends, AskWifey (y'all...this is one of the sweetest, prettiest, nicest girls I know; who is tied with her sister for being totally awesome---you'll be seeing a lot more of them soon....there's a shoe-shopping trip on the horizon but N.E. Way) had been selected by Purex to test this product. So I thought I'd share AskWifey's experience...LOVE her!

I'll be trying mine out this weekend as I have mounds of laundry to keep me busy. I certainly live 'the life', huh? Woo hoo.

If you haven't, might you try a 'complete (ha!)', all-in-one laundry solution? What are your fave laundry brands?

Click here for a coupon! Yay!

Have a great weekend!

Video credit: AskWifey.com

Shuffling The Deck! Shopping For Outdoor Furniture On A Budget

Mr TBS and I have decided to fancy up our urban deck after a couple of years of being in our home. There is no particular reason that we've been here for a while and have not fashioned the deck...we just hadn't gotten around to it. After seeing photos of a friend's deck, Mr TBS became inspired and we decided to take the plunge. Because we do live intown and have limited space, it only made sense that we'd maximize our square footage and create living space outside; especially since the weather has been so beautiful lately.

We immediately looked on-line for ideas (from AuthenTeak to Wal-Mart) and decided on a budget. After determining the deck's measurements (and the exisiting grill's space), we finalized our shopping list: a love seat, club chair and coffee table. Because we're plus-sized people, our final selection also needed to be well-constructed and the seating deep.

Ever so anxious, I stopped by Horizon Home Collection (they are definintely nice folk but their inventory is too rich for my blood) in Atlanta because I saw their signs for a tent sale on my way home from work. Tent sale? They must be ready to wheel-n-deal, I thought. Well, an estimate for $1700 later, I quickly strolled away and wondered if these folk knew about the state of our economy. Yeah. No. I posted about that experience on Facebook and the fabulous Roslyn quickly shot back a recommendation that I go to Tar-zhay. Boy, I'm so glad I listened!

I found exactly what I was looking for at Tar-zhay! My selection is well within my budget and I still have money to buy an outdoor rug, some cool lights for the patio and greenery! I have included a picture of the set that we chose but will definitely share the finished product within the next few days or so. I've also found a cool soup-starter link which gives tips on creating a cozy outdoor space.

Do you have outdoor living space? Were you on a budget when designing it? Any tips/resources to share?

Photo credit: Target

From Dear Reader, Babs: Summer(-ish) Bedding On A Budget

Dear TBS,

Now that summer as officially arrived (in the middle of April *eyeroll*) I find myself suffering at night when I am trying to get my required beauty sleep. I appreciate the weight and warmth of my comforter, but I find myself waking up sweating in the middle of the night. I don't want to run my air conditioner all night long just so I can stay burrowed under the covers. I would like to find an affordable light-weight bedding solution for the warm months ahead.

Do you have any suggestions?

XOXOXO
Babs

My dearest Babs,

Oh how I feel your pain! We musn't allow ANYTHING to interfere with our beauty rest. TBS recommends a lightweight down alternative comforter slipped in a fabulous duvet or comforter cover. It's a great choice if you keep your bedroom at 70 degrees or so.

Down alternative is wonderful because it should not affect any allergies that you may have.

A REAL down comforter runs from $300-600 but you can certainly find the alternative version for less than $100. Macy's signature Charter Club line has a great one (check the reviews) but you should couple your purchase with a 20% off coupon. Since Mother's Day is just around the bend, you should expect one in your local newspaper or an online coupon code soon.

Not only will this comforter be wonderful this summer but it'll keep you warm in the dead of winter. Since you're making a slight investment, I think a duvet/comforter cover will allow you to freshen your look each seasonally AND control your temperature. Overstock.com has a sweet variety of budget-friendly covers which start at about $50 and FREE SHIPPING! Target also has a fab trove of options.

Good luck with your shopping and please let me know how it turns out!

Dear Darling Readers, do you have the same quandary as Babs? How do you handle it?

Photo credit: M. Carter

From Bloomacious: Saving Electricity At Your Home

The lovely Carrie at Bloomacious posted a very good article about saving on electricity at home.

Every little bit helps, right?

What do YOU do to save on utilities?

Stanton Home Furnishings 20-80% Off Through March 1!

I was walking past one of my favorite home interiors spots (Stanton Home Furnishings) in Atlanta yesterday and noticed the sign above on their door. As a matter of fact, they were not open on Sunday in preparation for this blowout sale. I'm not sure to what we owe the discount (I'm guessing slow sales) but EVERYTHING in the store will be 20-80% off beginning today.

Located at 1250 Caroline Street, Suite C120 in Atlanta, it's such a fun place to peruse. I can't say that I've bought a lot out of this boutique because, frankly, they are usually very pricey. It seems that now might be my opportunity. I'll likely swing by this weekend. Perhaps as the sale goes on, the price points will go down...I'll take my chances.

For those of you not in Atlanta, on-line shopping is available.

Enjoy!

From Dear Reader, Miss Pink Slip: Tide Total Care Review

I hate doing laundry; yet it is a necessary evil. As much as it annoys me, I love the variety of products on the market. Being TBS, I am always looking for the detergents and softeners that will extend the life of our garments.

Please check out the fair Miss Pink Slip's Review of Tide Total Care.

If you're impressed, here's a coupon!

Which detergent(s) do you use?

Enjoy!

The Orange Chairs Have Found A Home!

I can now rest a bit easier.

I knew it would happen; I just couldn't pinpoint the exact time.

My orange slipper chairs have found a sufficient home.

The absolutely adorable Tawnya contacted me on Saturday after seeing my ad on Craigslist. Before we knew it, we were making plans for her to see the chairs. Tawnya, a Southern Belle from Nashville, is as cute as a button. As soon as I saw the inside of her home, I knew I liked her. We hauled the chairs in and they were right at home with her decor.

As you can imagine, my back feels a tad lighter because Mr TBS is now off of it. I promised him that I'd sell the chairs and now he can pipe down.

Check out Tawnya, Jason (her hubby) and Simon (their handsome pooch). Don't you love her rug? Hate her (only 'cause the rug is so remarkable and I now want one like it)! She's a girl after my own heart!

Happy Wednesday! How About These Chairs?!

Happy Wednesday!

And boy aren't I happy! This is one of the best hump days EVER! If you can believe it (but I'm sure that you can see), I found my new chairs!

Originally $400 each, I scored them for $150 each! Can you believe it? I found them at a secret location (tee hee hee) and they are fab, indeed. Now comes the business of finding juuuuussssttt the right fabric for reupholstering them. I also think some nailheads might be nice.

If you'll remember, I will sell my orange slipper chairs to off-set the cost. I've one person in line to potentially scoop them up; otherwise, they will go on Craigslist by the weekend! This all makes Mr TBS happy, of course since the transactions are a wash and no actual dollars are lost.

What do you think? How'd I do?

From Dear Reader, NicBeast: Bargain Basement Finds

Dear TBS,

I am ecstatic to share with you and your readers that I found these bed dressings for $39.95. The set was originally marked $89.99 at Target. If that weren't enough, I also got an 'egg crate' for the bed for $14.95. I scored! My guest room will look beautiful for my father's visit!

Nic

Nic: How chic! As always, I appreciate your willingness to share and inspire us all. Saying that you scored is an understatement. 60% off is always music to my ears! Thanks again.

Inspiration Chairs For the Salvation Army Chairs Project

(above) From Urban Grace (one of my FAVE new blogs)

(above) From Habitually Chic

(above)From Absolutely Beautiful Things


The first pic with the navy blue upholstery and nailheads is,hands down, my favorite. If I had to say that I was going for a particular "look", this would absolutely be it. Wish me luck!

Yet Another TBS Project!

If you'll remember, last week, I took a trip to the Salvation Army and stumbled on these chairs and ottomans. Well, damn them! I can't get their clean lines and the promising pieces they would be if recovered out of my head.

Right now, I've two upholstered orange slipper chairs in our family room. Let me tell you, they're absolutely lovely but have turned out not to be the most practical for our family and entertaining needs. Let me tell you: I pined and pined and pined after these chairs until I bit the bullet and bought them nearly 2 years ago. If they've been lounged on twenty times, that'd be the most. It may be time to move on...

So! I'm thinking of selling the two slipper chairs on Craigslist and using my proceeds to purchase the more classic 'club' style chairs and ottomans for a reupholstery project.

What do you think?

Just Scored From The Salvation Army Store During My Lunch Hour !

Look at my lunch! *dancing, dancing, dancing*

I so, so, so snagged this 72" faux finished, metal rattan-ish shelf for a mere $64!

Marked $80 minus a 10% discount delighted TBS! How about that?

Shoppers at the Salvation Army until I pick up the piece on Saturday: note the red "SOLD" tag...step off!

Like it, love it, don't care (how could you not? LOL)?

For ATLANTA area Readers: 70% Off at Decorating Mart!

Just because Mr TBS has forbidden me to take advantage of this sale, doesn't mean you shouldn't, right?

Decorating Mart ( located at 1200 Barrett Parkway Ste. 24 Kennesaw, GA 30144 ) is about to change! We are NOT going out of business, just changing how we do business. By changing the way we purchase and cutting our overhead, we will be able to offer the lowest prices around! We will be altering our look and layout, as well as bringing in thousands of new items of inventory, including fabric, trim, accessories, furniture, and more! Right now everything in stock is being marked down 20 to 70 percent to make room for new merchandise!

Starting in March we will become Decorating Mart Outlet, but the savings start now!!

TOTAL STOCK LIQUIDATION SALE
Biggest Discounts ever!!!!We are clearing out our inventory! It's first come, first serve, so don't miss this opportunity! Everything Must Go!!

Items for sale UP TO 70% OFF

This sale includes:FABRIC, TRIM, WALLPAPER, ART & ACCESSORIES, LAMPS, FURNITURE, EVERYTHING!!!

If you can touch it, it's on sale for pennies on the dollar!!

A Quick Trip To The Salvation Army Store

I found myself at my nearby Salvation Army Store last afternoon. I wasn't looking for anything in particular...just some unexpected treasures. My fellow thrift store shoppers will likely concur, visits can be somewhat hit or miss. Today was mostly a miss but I wanted to share a chair and ottoman that I found for $130 minus 20% (since the set had been on the "showroom floor" for > 20 days).

What most appeals to me are the clean lines and I'm not sure that I won't be swinging back through for more ogling. Since there were two, reupholstering these would be such a fun project and might be great for the boys' Dungeon....hmmmmm....or not. My plans of grandeur might be hampered by the cost of fabric and labor....hmmmmm. Or one might be nice in my home office for reading......triple hmmmmmmm.

They could so be turned into something like the comfy print chair found in this photo at Urban Grace:

Am I ever void of interior design quandaries? Shut it, Mr TBS. No one asked you.

Do you ever shop at thrift stores?

TBS's Inauguration Brunch On A Dime!

Hello, Lovelies!

Yesterday, I decided that I'd throw together a spread for brunch for Mr TBS and me to enjoy as we watched the Inauguration coverage. Well, one thing lead to another and, before I knew it, we had a few friends dropping by. I should get an award to celebrate how quickly I organized a menu and whipped together a meal.

Here's my menu:

Shrimp and grits

Spinach and gourmet mushroom (portobella, chanterelles) frittata

Buttermilk Biscuits

Cheese Danish

Mixed Berries Salad

Coffee

Mimosas

Bloody Marys

The total for the entire meal was $28 (some items were already in my fridge, bar or pantry).

I thought I'd share some pics.

What'd you do on this Inauguration Day?

I Heart Eddie Ross!

Do you remember Eddie Ross from Top Design? Oh, how I adore him. Well, I was perusing his blog and noticed a faux croc tray that is a delightful TBS-esque project. Just thought I'd share...

Do you watch any of the design shows on HGTV, Fine Living, Bravo, etc? Which one(s) do you fancy?

Photo credit: Eddie Ross