In stores now -- white porcelain collection

I was in Target yesterday and ran across a new display of white porcelain serving pieces.  It's no secret that I love white--we have white stoneware, white china, white everyday porcelain, and white glassware in our kitchen cupboards.  By keeping all my dishes one color, it's easy to mix and match when setting a table.

What I liked about this new collection is that there are four styles of dishes (square/modern, scalloped, beaded, and ridged), all of which could be used individually or with another pattern.  Prices ranged from $2 - $25, and my local store had a nice variety of pieces left (serving bowls and platters, pitchers, salt and pepper, bread bowl, spoon rest, coffee mugs, etc.).

 I almost bought these ramekins, but the tag only says they are microwave and dishwasher safe, so I'm assuming they're not oven safe.  I wish they were--these would be so cute for creme brulee or mini cobblers.

I thought these scalloped edge coffee mugs were really pretty, and they meet my mug criterion (generous handles so knuckles will not be burned!).  They would make a great gift for a friend--a couple of these, along with a favorite tea or coffee blend.

 

 Here you can see a few more pieces.  The serving bowls on the bottom would be especially multifunctional, but I also liked the simple white tea pot and sugar and creamer set.

I ended up just buying one beaded bowl (for $4).  I can think of a lot of uses for this: serving candies or mixed nuts at a party, holding jewelry in my closet, or even filling it with water and floating a single large bloom inside.

I'll definitely keep an eye on these; if they get marked down in a few weeks (which many times seems like the case at Target), I might pick up a couple more pieces.

 

In stores now -- Pier 1 Imports

Yesterday I dashed through Pier 1 looking for a seat cushion.  They normally have a few colorful rows of options.  I didn't find one that worked, but I did find some other fun items.  Usually I associate Pier 1 more heavily with the "Imports" part of their name, focusing on carved wooden tables, rattan chairs, bright silk pillows, imported art and masks, etc.  So I was surprised to find a few options that I would categorize as belonging to a more "traditional" style, or at least ones that would add a bit of that vibe to an eclectic decorating scheme.

Below, a few items I liked:

 This coat rack was really pretty with the combination of the turned wood stand and the metal hooks.

These horn handled accessories would class up your desk for sure.  Would owning a letter opener make it more glamorous to open your Valpak coupons?  I think so!

I realize this lamp might not be to everyone's taste, but it was pretty in person with the painted birds and flowers.  If you like the chinoserie look, this is an affordable option (on sale for $80), and I always like a lamp with a black lamp shade!

Two sets of mixing bowls, each reasonably priced at under $30.  The set on the left has four bowls of different solid colors (red, green, yellow, blue), while the set on the right is two patterned bowls.  A fun surprise is a little pattern centered on the inside of each bowl.

These mugs have a removable tea infuser basket inside, but I'd probably just use them for coffee.  The lid is handy for keeping liquids warm, and I like the green geometric pattern.  These are pretty generously sized too, and at under $10, they would be good stocking stuffers!

Okay, so this little owl wasn't traditional, but he was really cute and soft!!

Also, all the Christmas ornaments are in, so if you feel like getting your senses overloaded with scents and glitter, you should check out your local Pier 1 asap.

Abstract florals

You know what they say about April showers and May flowers?  Well, it's certainly been true around here!  We have had lots of rainy days, which thankfully have resulted in some green shoots emerging from the ground and even some tulips and daffodils blooming!  It looks like retailers are in the May flowers mood too.  I like all these vibrant, watercolor-y variations on the theme:

Target has a new collection of abstract flower petal-shaped prints -- here on a lamp shade and a pillow

I like this white vinyl bin -- it looks plain until you realize it's lined with the same bright floral fabric

In case you want to wear your flowers - Stella McCartney jacket (via Vogue/Hanneli/Tory Burch)

 Silk floral dress - Banana Republic

Floral jewelry box - Anthropologie (here)

Floral 8 x 10 print from tardiflorus on Etsy

Also at Target - a fun cake plate with lid (perfect for pink cupcakes, I think!)

"Meadow Floral" sheet set - PB Teen

Elizabeth and James floral print dress at Piperlime

A melamine tray (with a solid pink exterior) - at Target stores

Linen pleated skirt from Old Navy

Floral measuring cups at Anthropologie

Fun plastic flower-shaped bowls at Target come in several colors: pink, purple, blue (if you have any leftover Easter candy these would be a cute place to deposit it)

"Verdant Acres" dinnerware at Anthropologie

Jones New York blue/green floral sheath dress at Bloomingdale's

Anne Klein "Jaylna" heels - Piperlime

In stores now

Over the weekend I saw these Smith & Hawken hurricane lamps for sale at Target.  They are woven branches around a wire frame with a glass hurricane inside.  The branches are a slightly faded, gray color that is really pretty.

The large size is $29 and the smaller size $15.  I think this is a reasonable price considering their size (the large one is pretty big, probably at least 18" tall).

I think two or three would look great beside a front door.  A pair of the smaller size would look good on a mantel, or you could place a large one in the center of a table.  If you filled the glass jar with a little sand and nestled a pillar candle inside, it would add a little beachy feel to your decor!

In stores now

I was in Walmart last week and ran across these large plastic bins with rope handles.  Our local stores had several colors: a dusty green, turqoise, blue, red, coral, and teal (much better than the gray or black I usually see these in!).  I also thought the price of $4.50 was great!

I would use these to hold sports equipment or gardening supplies in the garage; winter boots or scarves, hats, etc. in a mud room; or stuffed animals or other toys in a playroom or kid's room.  I also think they would make for a fun laundry basket in a child's bathroom.