to shop / 2020 cyber week deals

Have you been shopping? I have shopped way less than prior years because:

  • I’m tired and didn’t plan, which is a good thing.
  • Certain items/purchases are not needed because I’m not leaving home often… or it doesn’t show on Zoom.
  • There were good sales during the year and I’m well-stocked.
  • I’m less brand loyal and exploring other brands.

What I am checking out

1 / Baggu

25% off the entire site. I had just placed an order in early November… They have so many new designs and that’s what keeps me coming back. There is a The Simpsons collection (I like the donut), one bag left from the collab w/ the Met Museum (dragons), a new mini size, and wine size!

2 / Boka Toothpaste

I have sensitive teeth and typically use Pronamel. I started using Boka, which has n-Ha instead of fluoride. It also ‘tastes’ better than Pronamel. Boka didn’t have a sale on toothpaste this weekend, but Urban Outfitters did (and has a lower price on it in general with a sitewide discount). Sometimes Bloomingdales has it on sale. Amazon also carries it. 

Continue reading “to shop / 2020 cyber week deals”

to decorate / nate berkus for target tufted armchair in blush pink

Have you seen the recent Nate Berkus for Target collection? I love the tufted items. Even though the collection has been out for a while, it was backordered. Patience paid off, the blush tufted armchair is now sitting in my living room and I love it. It is a cooler, blue-er pink so not an Acne or Glossier pink. It goes well with black/cream/navy.The chair is pretty big so the box it comes in is huge and 50+ lbs. It’s great quality especially for the price. The seat sits slightly higher than my Ikea Karlstad leather couch, but not obnoxiously so. I can see the seat cushion needing rehab after a number of years. Two thumbs up!

P.S. Keep an eye on the price. If it drops, Target will honor price adjustments within 14 days and you can request it via online chat.

Source: Target

Source: Instagram – not mine

to decorate / brooklinen luxe bedding in bedford smoke stripe review

Last reviewed: Brooklinen Luxe bedding in Smoke Stripe

Thanks to my readers, I recently ordered the Brooklinen Luxe Starter Sheet Set in Bedford Smoke Stripe. It comes with just a fitted sheet and two pillowcases, which was exactly what I wanted (not needed…). Shipping was also surprisingly super fast. It doesn’t really match with my smoke stripe duvet, but I will deal with it. I’m still a big fan of the softness of the luxe sheets, but I am tempted to try the classic next time. I love them way more than my Serena & Lily gingham sheets (which are very rough in comparison but the sacrifice is made for vanity).

I’m waiting for more prints, Brooklinen!

Get $25 off $50 through my referral link.


Continue reading “to decorate / brooklinen luxe bedding in bedford smoke stripe review”

to decorate / design within reach almoco flatware

I have been using my gold matte Almoco flatware for over 3 years. As previously mentioned in my West Elm flatware review, the Almoco set was priced only slightly more than West Elm. I don’t pamper them, they have no rust/tarnishing issues, and I can throw them in the dishwasher (handles down and spread out). Design within Reach, I think, is the exclusive distributor/seller of the Almoco flatware, and they are currently having a semiannual sale (ending today!). Though the sale only 15% off, every bit counts when it comes to a place like Design within Reach! There is also an Amex offer out there which you can stack with the discount (for Amex cardholders only).

The Almoco flatware is also available in black matte (love), copper, silver matte, along with gold matte. Personally, I prefer the mattes. There are also cost savings built in to the 20 piece setting.

Since I only purchased two settings via eBay back in the day, I plan to round it out with the sale, and also pick up some black. I will report back on the black.

Gold matte, stock photo

Continue reading “to decorate / design within reach almoco flatware”

to decorate / brooklinen luxe bedding in smoke stripe review

I ordered the luxe bundle in smoke stripe (white with thin grey stripes) back in November and have been using the bedding more often than not. The shipping box was bigger than expected and a little dinged up, but no worries because they have the goodies within a smaller box inside a Brooklinen tote bag. As a packaging hoarder, I had to reluctantly recycle that box. I promptly laundered the sheets per their care guide. All in all, I LOVE these sheets — the design and the supersoft but luxe feel. I’m not sure how the classic sheets are in comparison, I went straight for the Luxe.

Brooklinen started on Kickstarter in 2014. They are the Everlane of bedding. You can read more about Brooklinen in this Business Insider Insider Picks piece. Given their mission, they rarely have any promotions (I got a free candle during Cyberweek), but you can get $25 off $50 through my referral link.

to decorate / amazing deal on domino mag subscription

I am conflicted whether to get a Domino magazine subscription since I currently read the electronic version on Texture (formally known as Next Issue – I’m not in love with the rebranding). I’m a throw-as-you-go magazine reader. I painstakingly built back my Domino magazine collection through eBay and Craigslist (which included visiting someone’s Boerum Hill townhouse), but have stopped in the recent year because of Texture and because I never read my print issues.  Continue reading “to decorate / amazing deal on domino mag subscription”

to decorate / mad for plaid (and $10 off $20 at target)


I didn’t get anything from Target x Adam Lippes or from the other brands, but I did add this plaid stag head to my cart and checked back on it periodically. It has since sold out online, but in stock at most stores.

If you’re in the San Francisco Bay Area, New Jersey/New York, or LA/Glendale areas, you can get $10 off your first $20+ order through the Curbside app with code MGPEN. They don’t have everything Target.com has for pickup, but they have most items. Target is a black hole for me, so every bit helps!

Image: Target

to decorate / {deal alert} canvas home dauville at madewell

Image source (for the last photo): Canvas Home

I didn’t expect to find Canvas (the home store) items at Madewell, but then, J.Crew and Madewell have been beefing up their home sections. I came across their Dauville collection last year – it’s delightful for those who fancy gold or silver! I have a small bowl and pebble dish which I use to hold baubles or lip products on the bathroom counter.

Madewell has three items on sale: the gold bud vase, gold small pebble dish, and silver medium pebble dish. All are under $16 and ship free with code SALEONSALE through Monday night. You can find more Dauville at Bloomies (which is also running a promotion).

If you fancy more Madewell and have an Amex, get another $20 statement credit for a purchase over $125 through the end of March. This does work on giftcards!

to shop & decorate / {this & that} otomi at old navy and hygge & west

Old Navy Printed Metallic Tube Dress in Birds ($34.94*) vs. Emily Isabella for Hygge & West Otomi Wall Tiles ($28/per)

Otomi is no newcomer to the home decor blogosphere. Aside from the active line, spring/summer is my favorite time to shop at Old Navy when they actually have charming, cotton apparel. The dress is super cute, has pockets, and runs TTS. Get 20-30% off through Monday. Codes are on the website. The tiles from Hygge & West are equally alluring. I am contemplating doing something in the apartment with their removable wall tile collection. Oh Joy also has tiles available!

to decorate / ikea mulig clothing rack

I love the clean, white lines of the IKEA Mulig clothing rack. I bought a few to help with decluttering – hopefully temporary – and they do look rather good in the all white color scheme that I may be going for. The best part is that they are only $9.99 and they are super easy to install! I even caught a boutique in Amsterdam using these as their clothing racks. It’s hard not to go with IKEA when they cost effectively nail it every time.

(1, 2, 3, 4, 5)