Back to Reality

I hope your long Memorial Day weekend was enjoyable, and even more importantly I hope it was relaxing because now it's time to get back to reality and start preparing for the long hot summer.

I don't know about you, but my favorite starting point is switching my closet around from winter to summer. Somehow it makes me feel like I have a whole new wardrobe, when in fact it's really the same old, same old.

Once the closet is 'summer' ready, I start in on getting the house, yards and patio 'summer-ized'. In these areas I always want to do something new, but I rarely have the money for a complete make-over. Instead I scour the Internet and look for ideas from talented decorators who know how to save money on re-do's and then I use Once in a Blue Moon Online Thrift Store to fill the bill!

Seemingly, and sadly, a stimulus package is the way to go this year, so why not make these ideas your decorating stimulus package?

Flaunt Candles
Add oomph to a side table or shelf with attention getting candlesticks and candles. For example these two glass candlesticks are in an intense shade of green and would stand out anywhere in the house. You can find these new candlesticks in our Home Decor category for only $3.50 for the set of two!


Paint a Wall

The speediest way to give a room a new look and on the cheap: Paint an accent wall a high-contrast color. Once in a Blue Moon doesn't sell the paint, but after you choose your color for the wall I think you'll be able to find something in one of our categories to add that special touch to the room. Don't you think so?

A Movie Star?

While watching Desperate Housewives I noticed an item sitting on a shelf in Bree's first attorney's office, which is just like this one that we have. Although a decorator item, ours is on sale for only $9.00. Honestly, (that's lawyer talk) this vase is so versatile it'll add a nice touch to any room; including a lawyer's office. Even though this vase looks great all by itself, you can add feathers, or dried foliage to give it more of a punch. Don't like the color combination? If you're really ambitious you could paint the vase in your own color choice. It's ceramic so any of the craft paints will work and then to give it that store bought look, just finish it off with a spray coat of semi-gloss sealer and no one would ever know you did-it-yourself.

Never too Old

If vintage decor is your thing and aqua is your color, how about this Blue Satin Persian Medallion Bowl from 1970? It's bright enough to add some pizazz to a room and cool enough looking to still be stylish. Or how about a room where white makes a great accent color? This antique milk glass candy dish really makes a statement with those cute little feet and the scalloped edge. You can add candy in wrappers with the same color as your decor and presto an instant accent piece!

With decorating your home anything really goes. You don't have to think or worry about what the current styles are, because it just doesn't matter. What matters is what you like and what makes you feel comfortable in your own home. You would be surprised at how many people think they have no decorating sense when in fact they do. They just haven't allowed it to be unleashed yet.

Next time I'll talk about the great outdoors-or at least your own personal great outdoors. If you want to spiff up your patio, I think we have some really neat things you can use. Sometimes you have to think outside the box though. Or if it's easier to just pick and choose, we have an entire category called Outdoor Decor with all new merchandise. You can take a peek now if you want.