Buying Furniture

Wow... I haven't actually BOUGHT furniture in so long...

I'm a little shocked at shipping prices (finally, the Ikea in Ohio opened, so I'll be going there in July!), disturbed by the lack of not finding more dining sets and not so enthusiastic about going to furniture stores. Hmm. I think I like online shopping better.

For $499, this table will fit into the new kitchen of the new rental in August. It's mod, coffee colored and seems to be stable. But for $499, you also have to put it together yourself. I don't know if I LIKE that part! This is from West Elm (I think, whoops, I totally forgot to bookmark it for later!) or it could also be from CB2.

When shopping for furniture I have a strange obsession with shabby chic things for myself - Rachel Ashwell is the definite Shabby Chic decorator (Confession: I own Shabby Chic bed linens from Target) and I just can't seem to stray from the clean, comfortable lines and lovely feeling that you get, it's like when the sun shines down upon your face and you suddenly smile.

The above chair is the PB Basic Grand Chair. It comes in several slipcover colors - whoops, I mean like 50 - with different prices attached to it too. For $1,000, it's not in my budget, but check out this likeness from ikea:

For $249, the Ektorp comes in several colors as well, newly fashioned in pink! This is more of my budget, with a brightly colored throw and some fun pillows, what a fabulous reading chair this would make (with a glass of wine...).

PSH

Wall Art

For $99.99 you get some fine Marimekko non-art art. $24.95 is the cost of the hanging hardware that you need (or upon closer discovery, you can probably find something cheaper). CB2 amazingly has some great stuff that's more hip than the regular Crate & Barrel.

Or here's another Marimekko print. This one's just a bit cheaper ON SALE at $69.95. Take advantage while you can - Marimekko is pretty darn expensive every once in awhile.

But if you like Marimekko or any other Finn designer, check out FinnStyle, based in Minneapolis but online everywhere...Or go completely retro and remember the 70's with this bright and bold Blondie print from Urban Outfitters. It's more on the affordable side too at $24.00. With three others to choose from, you could have Bret Michaels, David Bowie or the Monsters of Rock.

PSH

Warm, Fuzzy Things for Winter

I absolutely love slippers, fuzzy blankets, big sweaters, socks, etc... And of course, the heating pad, which I use to warm up the bed before I get in at night.

FinnStyle is one of my favorite stores in Minneapolis. Growing up Finnish, I've grown up around Marimekko, finnish vodka and more finnish swear words than I'll ever really care to remember.

The slippers shown above are only $22, they're comfy, sweet and come in a variety of colors that make you want to smile all winter long. I would personally go for either the orange ones or the dark green and light green ones. Either way, I know that they'd make me happy to be home after a long day of work. They also come with matching robes, if you're a matchy matchy type of person, but those are a little on the price side, $130...

Click here to see the slipper prices from FinnStyle in Minneapolis - you can order them online or of course, show up in the store to see other fun finnish styles.

And then there's the soft pillows for your teeny, tiny couch (or we call ours the Big Green Dream Machine). Just perfect for a nap, I definitely wouldn't mind showing either of these off in my living room or bedroom! I also wouldn't mind paying their price, $29 each is better than going to Marshall's for a cheap version of a Ralph Lauren (though, I do buy kitchen stuff there all the time).

PSH