The Cheap Diva

I'll Tumble for Ya

A stylish tumbler like this Concerto Glassware in Violet $27.80 for a set of four.,can be more than a drinking glass, it can also be a wonderful organizational tool in the bathroom.  My small bathroom not only lacks space it also lacks drawers under the sink area.  To keep beauty products easily accessible I bought three acrylic tumblers to put on my bathroom counter top.  One of the tumblers holds lipsticks and lip gloss.  The other tumbler holds eye related cosmetics like brushes, mascara, and eyebrow pencil.  The third tumbler holds a few hairbrushes and combs.  Buy using three tumblers for beauty products I know at a glance that the tube of purplish stuff is meant for my lips not my eyes!

To subtly disguise l to your drug store cosmetics buy tumblers that are tinted or textured.  You can still see what you have without names like Wet N Wild staring back at you.  To see exactly what colors and products you have buy a clear tumbler like this Villeroy and Boch Bernadotte Old-Fashioned Tumbler for $12.99.  Whatever style tumbler your buy it should be sturdy enough to grab and toss cosmetics in repeatedly without cracking.  Leave the dainty tumblers for entertaining guests. 

Anchor Hocking Central Park/Starfire 12-oz Small Tumblers, Fern Color 12 Pack $19.99

Painted Furniture Adds Pizazz

Conventional decorating wisdom says to buy larger furniture pieces, like couches, in safe nuetrals so you won't have to live with some hideous loud color or pattern that lingers long after the novelty of owning a hot pink couch disappears.  While playing it safe probably leads to fewer regrets, it also leads to increased boredom.  An easy way to get away with bold colored furniture is to buy painted furniture.

Target Adirondack Chair $269.99 

An entire set of painted furniture generally works outdoors.  With outdoor furniture there usually isn't an entire room filled with things like like carpets and painted walls, to coordinate with so you have a lot more creative freedom.  If the furniture feels a little too bright you can tone it down a little with outdoor cushions in white or other neutral colors. 

L.L. Bean Adirondack Round Table $179.00 

A single piece of painted furniture indoors can act as a focal point.  A bright blue bench or table in the entrance hallway offers a cheerful welcome.  By repeating that same shade of blue in the pattern on pillows or decorative vases in an adjoining room, the painted furniture gets tied into other areas of the home without the spaces being saturated with a lot of bright color.  A small bookcase or cabinet also adds a welcome jolt of color.  Of course if the novelty of owning a neon green bookcase wears off you can always repaint it.

L.L. Bean Painted Cottage Bench $99.00

Bright Ideas In Office Supplies

Just because work may sometimes be a drudgery doesn't mean office supplies have to be.  Take these Pottery Barn Reversible office accessories for $14.99-29.00 for example.  Secured only by a few magnetic snaps, the solid red fabric can be flipped for the bright striped fabric.  This has the potential to provide hours of entertainment from observing the reaction of  confused coworkers.

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When you're not around to dazzle your coworkers with your brilliance, you can dazzle them with this Bling Computer Mouse for $19.99 from Linens N Things.  After all, nothing says "I am a cubicle queen" like bling encrusted office supplies.

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Bring a pet to work no matter what the policy book says with these adorable Cat and Dog Staple Free Staplers for $10.00 a piece.  The staplers work without using any actual staples.  They punch through the paper to form a tiny tab that holds paper together so you can use the money you save on staples to buy a security camera for your desk, because office supplies this cute are bound to disappear.

The Cheap Diva Cleans up Her Act, Doing Housework with Style

Housework is often though of as ugly business but it doesn‘t have to be. You are after all trying to make you home more attractive, why not make yourself more attractive at the same time?

The first step to tackling housework with style is to dress the part. Unless you are working with harsh chemicals or bleaching agents, you don’t have to dress in garage sale rejects. A outfit consisting of a properly fitting T-shirt, stretch Capri pants and ballet flats is comfortable enough to work in and cute enough to answer the door in. The deliveryman does not need to know what you look like at your frumpiest.

While cleaning the kitchen rub some olive oil mixed with a few drops of essential oil on hands before putting on rubber gloves. The heat helps absorb oil. Incorporating exercise moves, like squats and lunges while reaching down or vacuuming, stretching when dusting helps you keep in shape while keeping your home in tip top shape. While cleaning the bathroom, apply a conditioning treatment to you hair and wrap hair in a towel. Clean the bathtub and bathroom for the amount of time the hair treatment is supposed to be in and then take a shower, rinsing away bathtub cleaner and treatment out of hair.

If the housework at hand is not strenuous and it offers little opportunity for exercising you body, you can still exercise your mind. No time to read a 300 page book? Not a problem. Many books are available on CD’s that can be played in your regular CD player or even the DVD player attached to the TV. If the book on CD is something really engrossing, like a suspense novel or mystery, save the CD for a time when you will be involved in a very time consuming task, like folding piles of laundry. For less time consuming chores pop a language CD into your music player and open your mind to learning a new language while your hands are busy with less interesting tasks. Most language CD’s break down the learning process into small manageable parts so the CD can be stopped and started to suit your cleaning schedule. There are also tons of podcasts out there. Download podcasts of different lengths for tasks that take up different amounts of time.

Sometimes the best way to approach a home in serious need of cleaning is to not take yourself too seriously. Use your imagination. Imagine that you are a spy (on the run from the fashion police, you should have known better than to wear light shoes with dark hose) posing as house sitter. Everything needs to be cleaned and organized so when the “real” owners return they are not aware of your deception. If you find you imagination getting carried away and with your intricate plots, keep a journal of your “adventures” to reread later for your own amusement. Sure it’s silly, but isn’t it better to feel a little silly than a lot stressed out about all the work you have to do?

Phoning It In

One reason rooms always look so perfect in glossy decorating magazines is because  telephones are edited out before the picture goes into the magazine.  Looking at modern telephones it's easy to see why they don't make it into the magazines.  The typical telephone looks like an overly complicated remote control perched on a piece of cheap plastic with even more glowing buttons. 

Telephones should reflect the style of the objects around them.  If you have an end table with photographs in silver picture frames, find a telephone with silver in it, like this GE Designer Series Phone in Estate Black for $39.99 to expand on the theme.

If the style of furniture the phone is surrounded by is traditional, look for telephones in retro styles that mimic traditional telephone styles and downplay their modern features by hiding the numbered keypad out of sight hidden in the handle for example.  Shop around for a phone the same way you would shop around for the perfect piece of furniture,  with an eye toward function and a vision of how the piece will work with the overall theme and feel of the room. 

Crosley 302 Wall Phone - Red $43.70

Foliage Underfoot - Patio Rugs

There are certain design considerations to take into account when choosing an outdoor rug for the patio.  Outdoor rugs are probably not surrounded by a lot of decorative accessories because the attention is supposed to be more on the view.  Busy designs will distract from the view.   The three rugs that I feature here all have leaf motifs because that looks appropriate in an outdoor setting.  I also chose neutral rugs because they can act as a backdrop for bright accents like pillows and tablecloths.  Or you can do all neutrals on your patio to let nature be the focus of attention.   

Orion Stonebrook Indoor/Outdoor Area Rug $32.88-$59.88

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Maybe it's because I'm a chocoholic, but I envision this rug paired with brown fabrics for pillows and accents.

Seabreeze Patio Rug Collection $69.99-$179.99

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The almost animated style of this rugs brings to mind branches gently swaying in the breeze.  While the colors are nuetral, the design itself is bold enough to work with bright solid color accents.

Flatweave Patio Rug- Black Leaves $59.99

   

Light Up the Night with Chic Candle Holders

Outdoor candle holders filled with common insect repelling candles,  provide an elegant solution to the problem of enjoying a night on the patio uninterrupted by the disturbing sounds of a traditional bug zapper.

Hang this 2-piece decorative Handmade Outdoor Iron Candle holder for $24.88 from a sturdy tree branch or a shepard's hook found in lawn and garden areas of the store.

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These Floating White Blossom Lights - Set of 6 for $35.99 are designed to hold candles while floating in a bowl or pool.  To achieve a lovely floating effect without the water, place the candle holders on an aqua colored tablecloth and use sapphire blue or deeper aqua colored glasses with white or blue plates.   Using cool colors and serving cold drinks on hot nights will make you feel cooler and more relaxed.

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This Outdoor 6' Candle Screen for $41.96 has clear glass votive holders.  It's the candles in the picture that are red.  I like the idea of an outdoor candle lit screen for drawing guest to areas where you want them, such as seating areas, or blocking off areas, like the compost heap, that you do not want them to wander into in the dark.

Turning Over a New Leaf in the Bedroom

While floral prints often alternate between bright garish designs and predictable patterns that look like something grandma would buy,  leaf patterns look fresh and contemporary in comparison.   

The subdued colors of this Overlapping Leaves Organic Duvet Cover & Sham by Pottery Barn starting at $19.99 for the shams and sheer lushness of this bed set makes me want to curl up with a cup of tea and a good (chic lit) book.

The playful pink color and mix of patterns in this North Shore Mini Comforter Set by Roxy starting at $89.99 is more of a surfer girl take on the whole leaf theme and the bed is well stocked for a playful pillow fight.

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While I appreciate the zen like simplicity of this leaf silhouette pattern on a duvet set by Dwell Studio for Target starting at $69.99, I think the look would benefit from an infusion of color.  Solid colored sheets in refreshing colors like mint, sky blue or bubblegum pink would play against the nuetral khaki and white pattern beautifully.

The House Always Wins is a Real Winner

If you are looking for a good laugh combined with lots of great decorating advice pick up The House Always Wins by Marni Jameson.  I find myself laughing out loud while reading The House Always Wins more times than I can count.  Jameson's book takes the reader along with her as she navigates the confusing and often stressful process of building and decorating her house.  She recounts conversations with her husband, whose idea of home decor is a Lazy boy and a table to put your feet up on, and decorating experiences with her children with the kind of humor any wife or mother will appreciate.

This is much more than a humor book though.  Alongside her true to life stories of decorating disasters, she includes plenty of advice from the experts on everything from picking carpeting to getting the correct drapery hardware to just about anything else an amateur decorator would need to know.    There are no pictures in the book and it's just as well.  One of the insider tidbits she shares is the fact that decorating magazines remove objects like phones & computers from rooms before photographing them and what can't be physically removed, like light switches and electrical cords are edited out with computer imaging programs thereby creating the illusion of a perfect room.  Jameson retelling of the decorating perils she faced is far more engaging than pictures of untouchable perfect rooms anyway.

Everything's Coming Up Daisies

When it comes to home decor, every thing's coming up daisies this spring.  The humble daisy is capturing the style spotlight on everything from dishes to doormats to doorknobs! 

This bold graphic take on the daisy theme is brought to you by purveyor of all things stylish yet affordable, Target. 

Daisy 12-pc Dinnerware set $29.99.

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I've heard of gilding the lily, but gilding the daisy?  This set of 4 Ceramic Drawer Pulls for $19.00 by Spiegel are the most elegant sophisticated take on daisies I have ever seen. 

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The Lillian Vernon catalog is know for many things.  Subtlety is not one of them.  Greet your guest with a bright bouquet year round with this Gebera Daisies Coco Doormat for $16.99 by Lillian Vernon. 

 

Drawer Organizers Keep Clutter Under Control

Finding what you need in a drawer should be a quick and easy transaction, not a treasure hunt.  In an effort to save time and put a stop to the whole treasure hunt thing I researched (some people call it shopping, I like to call it research) drawer organizers and found some clever designs solutions to keeping your drawers organized. 

EVA Drawer Organizer Set $19.99 

Nothing makes the most of precious drawer space than stackable trays. 

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Necklace & Bracelet Jewelry Organizer - Stackable and Slidable $25.99

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This velvety Bra organizer $8.74 keeps your sexy bras organized, prevents them from becoming tangled in other garments in your lingerie drawer and spares them the indignity of having to mingle with your granny panties.

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The typical junk drawer is a depository for small items that we don't know what else to do with.  The Lipper Adjustable Organizer Drawer for $12.59 lets you place the dividers where you want them so the organizer works around your stuff.  You still will have a drawer full of junk that you don't know what to do with, but at least it will be neat and tidy.

Virtual Decorating

This season the Ralph Lauren Mayfair furniture collection offers up some serious old fashioned  glamour.    While there are some unique pieces, the  Ralph Lauren style has more to do with composition, how things are put together, than it does individual pieces.  If you study the featured rooms you will see that they are largely composed of the kinds of classic pieces that can be found at lower price points from other brands.  The web site includes a short video of an elegantly clad woman leisurely wandering about the the stylish settings.  If I was in one of those gorgeous rooms, I wouldn't be in any hurry to leave either.

Domino home decor magazine's web site includes a few design related blogs with its content.  The most entertaining and budget friendly of these blogs is The Deal Hunter by Nick Olsen.  Nick doesn't simply gush over the bargain priced home decor items he likes.  He talks about what changes he would make to the home decor items, like painting them a different color, to make them more stylish.  His wit and sense of irreverence make his blog a fun read even if your not shopping for home decor. 

House Beautiful magazine's web site has a feature called the HB paint brush.  You click on a room, pick an area of that room you would like to see in a certain color paint, and click on a paint swatch.  This program is especially useful for the rooms where you can pick the paint color for the ceiling as well as the walls.  Designers consider the ceiling another wall.  Painting the ceiling a lighter shade of the wall color can enhance the look of a room.  Or you can see how hot pink walls work with a lime green ceiling in your virtual room.  The wonderful thing about virtual paint jobs is that you can be as outrageous as you want to be without the buyers remorse.

Shower Curtains for Small Spaces

The right shower curtain can freshen up and open up the look of your bathroom.  Vertical patterns such as stripes and climbing vines add visual height to the room, distracting attention from the overall lack of space.  Coordinating the the towels with the shower curtain creates a more pulled together look for the bathroom.

.Ladybug Shower Curtain $29.99

A light colored shower curtain set against a background of light colored walls provides a sense of continuity and doesn't create a sharp horizontal contrast against a white tub..

Shimmer Stripe Gold Shower Curtain $24.98

If your towels are a mismatched bunch, investing in a neutral shower curtain, like a subdued metallic silver or gold in a crinkle texture, or some less than shiny texture than doesn't blind you with its reflection, is cheaper than buying a bunch of coordinating towels.   

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Wamsutta Palace Soiree Shower Curtain $23.99

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If both your bathtub and walls are white, then this elegant Modern Leaf White Vinyl Shower Curtain $14.99 will practically disappear.  Because the shadowy pattern looks like falling leaves it has a similar effect to vertical stripes in that it draws the eye upward and creates the impression of more height.

Decorating with Clocks for Timeless Style

After hours of shopping for wall clocks that looked like they belonged in the home instead of a dentist waiting room, I found four that combined style and function perfectly.

An interior designer I know once shared her secret to creating an upscale look to displaying her clocks without the upscale price.   She hung all her stylish bargain priced clocks on the same wall with one expensive clock in the group.  Her guests never suspected the collection was full of budget friendly pieces because the one expensive piece elevated the overall look of the collection.  I call this affluent by association.

Pottery Barn Pocketwatch Wall Clock $79.00.

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In spite of it's bold lines, this Howard Miller 14" Wrought Iron Skeleton Wall Clock for $47.57 is a bit of a home decor chameleon.  The clock consists of an open metal frame that adapts to the personality of the room byletting the wall color behind it show through. 

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A Mirrored Wall Clock for $49.00  like this one blends into rooms that normally have  mirrors in it, such as the bathroom or bedroom.

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For an artsy look, this Balboa Oversized Contemporary Wall Clock for $99.99 has the look of a handcrafted wall sculpture without the high price.

Black and White Dishes in Delicious Designs

Dishes in weird impossible to match colors or themed to the extreme dishes, Southwest style with cactus for example, should come with a warning on the box that says "Only buy these dishes if they are on clearance, the novelty will wear off long before the dishes wear out!"  That's why I like black and white dishes for a long term investment.  Black and white dishes are a sophisticated choice when you want dishes that are dramatic enough to stand on their own, but versatile enough to be mixed and matched with other dishes.  Black and white dishes will not only coordinate with other solid colored dishes in black or white, they also complement solid colored dishes in brighter colors when you want to mix things up a bit.

This witty Chandelier 16-pc. Dinnerware set for $49.99 has the silhouette of a spoon featured on the border of the bowl, and a silhouette of a knife and fork on the border of the larger plates.

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A bold pattern combined with the sharp contrast of black and white adds drama to these everyday dishes. 

Damask 16-pc. Dinnerware Set- Black/White $41.69 

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The playful lines of this Corelle Lifestyles 16-pc. Dinnerware Set- Muse $49.99, shows how a high contrast black and white color scheme can be  whimsical and fun.

Mirrored Furniture Reflects a Passion for Style

I love using mirrored furniture in my home decor for the  bit of sparkle and glamour they add to the look of a room.  To keep my rooms from looking like a fun house I limit myself  to one or two mirrored pieces per room. 

Mirrored Pedestal Table $235.00.

A mirrored piece of furniture will expand the feeling of the room or double the visual clutter depending on what it's reflecting.  A mirrored chest sitting on a light beige solid colored carpet continues the light open effect of the carpet with little visual interruption.  A mirrored piece of furniture sitting on a busy patterned rug pulls the pattern up vertically creating a busy cluttered look.

Square Mirrored Side Table $149.99

Because mirrored furniture reflects light it doesn't feel as bulky as conventional furniture.  But unlike conventional wood furniture, mirrored furniture doesn't coordinate with other furniture in terms of matching upholstery or wood grain. Using silver accents around mirrored furniture integrates it more into the decor.  On top of a mirrored chest I have I placed a deep plum scarf to protect the mirrored surface and on top of that I have a streamlined music player in silver.  Behind the chest hangs a curtain with decorative curtain hooks in silver.

Like a pair of killer high heels, mirrored furniture pieces are designed for looks not wear and tear.  If the furniture piece is mirrored on top, placing a table runner or something else between objects and mirrored surface prevents scratching.  Arranging mirrored pieces against a wall in a low traffic area reduces the chances of them being scratched or banged up.  If the piece is used for storage, stock it with rarely used items.  Less handling means you won't have to engage in the unglamourous task of wiping off fingerprints as often.

Urban Outfitters Mirrored End Table $200.00

Pillow Talk

Pillows are the quick change artists of home decor.  Adding color, texture, pattern and a bit of whimsy when needed, pillows add personality to a room for very little cost, like this 3-Pack Pillow Set for $29.99 from Linens'n Things.  When shopping for pillows think about how the pillows relate to the furniture they are resting on and the overall look of the room.  Because pillows are an accent piece, they can add visual interest to a room  by introducing a strong color, pattern or texture without overwhelming the rest of the decor. For a room that already has enough pattern and color going on, solid colored pillows in subdued colors give the eye somewhere to rest amid the more attention grabbing elements of the room.  Patterned pillows that includes colors from different pieces in the room pull a look together by relating these disparate elements to each other.  Toss a statement pillow, one with a witty saying or design printed or embroidered on it, on an otherwise elegant room to show guest that while you take your style very seriously, you don't take yourself too seriously. 

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Nate Berkus Sequined Rows Pillow $39.99

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Decorative Pillow Tres Bombshell $28.00.

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Very Diva Decorative Tapestry Throw Pillow $28.00. 

Benches Provide Stylish Storage Solutions

Storage benches, like this JC Penny Elsa Storage Bench for $149.00, are stylish proof that storage containers don't have to be limited to ugly plastic tubs crammed into closets hidden like some deep dark secret.  A well placed storage bench provides a place to sit and easy access to the things you use every day.  A bench by the front door provides a comfortable spot to sit and take off shoes and an attractive place to store shoes   A storage bench at the end of a bed is perfect for storing things like extra blankets, warm pajamas and sheets and pillowcases.  Whatever style of bench you choose, just remember storage, like anything else you bring into your home should be a reflection of your personal style.  No more plastic tubs!

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Prepac EMC-5022 Manhattan Bench Espresso $99.90

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Barcelona Skirted Bench $199.99 comes in Khaki (shown) plus five other colors.

From Tea to Trinkets

When it come to stylish storage, sometimes it's more fun to think outside the (predictable) box and look for elegant containers in unexpected places.  With it's clear glass lid and individually lined compartments, this Hardwood Tea Chest clearance priced at $24.99 from Bed Bath and Beyond makes the perfect jewelry case.  Anywhere  that sells gourmet or specialty foods would be a good place to look for food items in interesting containers.  Keep your eyes open for tea chests, baskets for food storage, cookie tins or any tin filled with food and containers for spices (perfect for corralling small items like paper clips).

Holiday Pictures Displayed in Unexpected Ways

The holiday season is prime picture taking time.  Getting friends and relatives to ham it up for the camera is the easy part.  The hard part comes when the pictures are developed and now it's time to do something with all of those pictures.  Luckily I have found some clever options for displaying all of those photos that don't involve cluttering up your end tables with a bunch of mismatched frames.

Crosley Musical Photo Frame Ornaments starting at $15.95 come in different colors and styles, playing such holiday tunes as We Wish You a Merry Christmas and Jingle Bells.  The ball shaped ornament features a holiday design on the outside and opens up like a locket to display cherished pictures on the inside.

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These Snowfall Exquisite Glass Photo Coaster Favors for $2.40 for a set of two are supposed to be winter party favors perfect for giving, but the grinch in me is tempted to buy them and keep them for myself to use as coasters for this New Years or even save them for next years holiday season.  Pictures inserted into the coasters make great conversation starters. 

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When the pile of picture is so overwhelming you start secretly hoping that if you ignore them they will go away, this Stackable Photo Tray in black faux leather for $38.74 comes to the rescue.  It organizes and stores up to 400 4x6 prints in six separate compartments.  It's certainly a stylish alternative to storing photos in shoeboxes.

Table Linens get the Golden Touch

Damask Table Runner in Gold $17.99

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Somewhere between the plastic Santas and bowling ball size ornaments its easy to forget that the holidays offer a variety of opportunities for elegance and restraint when it comes to decorating.  Rich jewel tones, shining silver and warm burnished golds create a sense of opulence wherever they are displayed.  Even if  your space and/or budget limit the amount of holiday decorating you do, by focusing your holiday decorating in one area of the home you can create a little oasis of luxury.  The dining table is the perfect gathering spot to introduce a little luxury into the decor. 

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Global Home Table Runner $14.99.

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This combination of red and gold celebrates the season without being limited to a holiday theme.  A  table runner with borders works as well on a buffet, narrow table or dining table.  Visually, the gold borders frame whatever dishes and decorations are placed inside its borders.   

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Holly Tablecloths by Lenox $16.99-29.99.

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This white and gold holly patterned table cloth has to be one of the most subdued holiday tableclothes I have ever seen.  While other bolder holiday prints practically shout "Happy holidays!" this pattern  whispers it.

Damask Tablecloth in Gold from Target $19.99.

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The elaborate pattern of this gold tablecloth would work best as a backdrop to simple solid white dishes and centerpieces that emphasize one color like green carlands with few colored accents.  With so much going on in the pattern of the tablecloth, other busy patterns and decorations on the table would all compete for attention.

Scents of the Season

A warm spicy scent on a brisk winters day greets guests entering the home like an invisible blanket offering comfort.  A peppermint infused scent invoke more of a crisp winter wonderland feeling.  There are plenty of seasonal scents to choose from for whatever mood you want to create and plenty of ways to invite scent into your home.

Bath & Body Works Dancing oil Warmer for $10.00 with it's snowflake design fills a room with the scent of your choice  and there are plenty of different scents to choose from.  As much as I like the look of this oil warmer, the fact that I can fill a room with scent using only 15 drops of scented oil  and have it last hours longer that a typical scented candle warms my penny pinching heart even more than the cute design.

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While anything with a Santa or snowman on it practically screams "Put me away, the holiday is over!"  by News Years, a solid colored red or white glass reed diffuser blends in with the decor long after the holiday season is over.

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Pier 1 Sugared Reed Diffusers $15.00

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Lighting up a few Balsam & Cedar candles around your living room enhances the illusion that the Christmas tree you pop out of a cardboard box from the basement every year is indeed a real tree.  Because you don't need every room to smell like a Christmas tree, this Red Carry-All Tote Gift Set from Yankee Candle for $39.99 also includes Christmas Eve scented candles. 

   

Tray Favors

The perfect tray table is like the perfect party guest, easily adaptable to different situations, helpful when it counts, unobtrusive when necessary and adding just the right amount of personality to the room.  While I can't help you find the perfect guest, I can help you find the perfect tray tables.

This Butler Tray and Stand from West Elm for $169.00 is sleek and sophisticated enough to handle an evening of cocktails and fancy appetizers.  The tray part is separate from the stand, so it can easily make the rounds as a traveling appetizer tray at any time.

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                                                                                                   This Winsome 94219 2-Tier 18" Round Side Table with Removable Trays for 40.10 is the chameleon of tray tables.  Simple enough to blend in with a variety of home decor styles, it can blend with classic, elegant or contemporary furniture and home accents.  The trays can be removed from the stand when the party starts, and returned to the stand when the party's over to serve as a regular accent table.

...................................................................... ......When you want to take the party to a room besides the kitchen, use this Espresso Foldable 4-Bottle 12 Glass Wine Table for $72.21.  It's like a portable  party  furniture for wine lovers.  With wine and glass holders, plus the flat tray on top for appetizers and napkins everything you need is conveniently located in one spot.  The same spot your guests are gathering.  (Guests tend to migrate to where the food is.)   

Some Like it Hot, Dishes go from Oven to Table

Macy's "Siena" Double Warmer on sale $19.99.

While guests sit down to the table and proceed to stuff themselves like a Thanksgiving turkey, the hostess is often jumping up every five minutes like a jack in the box to restock food or retreive some forgotten item.  When our harried hostess finally sits eats, her food may be cold.  This year invest in dishes that go from directly from oven or microwave to the table in style, making meal prep a little easier by skipping the step of transferring food from pots to more decorative dishes while keeping food hot.

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Graceful Gatherings Oval Casserole Dish $24.99

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For the hostess who means business when it comes to keeping her favorite stuffing hot, this casserole dish features not two but three votive candles.  Unlike our gracious yet overworked hostess, this dish is able to vent a little steam at the table (through it's lid).

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Mikasa Countryside Harvest Lasagna with Stand $49.99

For house proud hostess who has concerns about the tablecloth being lit on fire instead of the votive candles, due to rambunctious guest who are better left away from things like open flames, or clumsy candle lighters, dishes can be kept hot without a flame by using a bag of brown rice.  Shortly before serving a hot dish, put a bag of brown rice in a Ziploc freezer bag and microwave for a few minutes until it's hot.  Wrap the bag in a cloth napkin and place on the dining table.  Then put a dish, like this Mikasa Dish with a stand, over the bag of covered rice.

Fall Table Decor Turns into A Pumpkin Patch

Wilton Armetale Pumpkin Covered Casserole $49.99

Some pumpkin dishes are chic enough to go beyond a Halloween theme to take center stage at Thanksgiving celebrations.  As long as the pumpkin in question is not bright orange sporting an evil grin, it suggests more of a general fall theme without being limited to any one holiday. 

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Oneida Chateau Harvest Covered Pumpkin Bowls $29.99

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A bright screaming orange colored pumpkin dish may work for Halloween, but cream colored pumpkin dishes blend  easily with other dishes, bringing a more subdued elegant look to the table.

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Pumpkin Crystal Salt and Pepper Set $34.98

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Clear colorless crystal solves the problem of trying to match dishes from different manufacturers beautifully.  Because they are small, they act as an accent, not needing to have other pieces work around them the way a larger piece, like a soup tureen would.

Holiday Decorating Compliments Home Decor

Hallmark Blackbird Park - Black Cat Trio $39.95

While holiday decorating is a chance to let loose and indulge in decorating whims, holiday decorating should reflect your personality and appeal to your personal sense of style just like year round home decor.  Decorating intensive holidays, I'm thinking of Halloween in particular, can sometimes give your home a split personality.&n