Light It Up

I'm a big fan of my little apartment. But it has a drop ceiling, the kind you see in basements and office buildings. This is problematic for at least two reasons: 1) leaky pipes and 2) aesthetics. It's impossible to mount any kind of interesting lighting fixture on this ceiling, so when I see pendant lamps like this one, I die a little inside:

The clean lines and clear glass shades are just about perfect, fitting into my decorative preferences well. Plus it's just classy, am I right? 

Luckily, I won't live here forever, so there's a chance that I might someday be the proud owner of such a slice of lighting heaven.

Buy through CB2 for $249.00.

Image via CB2.

-Cate-

But No Elephants?

I'm a big fan of salt and pepper shakers. Since I haven't blogged about any recently, I thought I'd restart the trend with these beauts from kate spade:

Look at these cute little things! Their scrollwork ears and teeny tiny trunks are so adorable I just want to squeeze them. As it is, I'll recommend simply shaking them. Would you bring these elephants into your home?

Buy through kate spade for $30.00.

Image via kate spade.

-Cate-

A Bag of a Different Sort

Happy New Year! Gosh, I haven't written to WWC's dear readers since last year. I know, I know, a horrible joke. But it's out of my system. Now if only I can get back on my weekly posting schedule...

Among the more common New Year's Resolutions are those that involve becoming a better steward of the earth or recycling more or saving money. Allow me to help you out with that in a sturdy, functional, pretty, and cheap manner.

 

Not all of their bags look like this. Check back periodically for new styles. 

Whole Foods' A Better Bag is made of recycled plastic most commonly found in the form of water bottles or Coke bottles (I was born & raised in Georgia, so every soft drink is a Coke, even that abomination known as Pepsi). Not too long ago, I was without a car and reliant upon friends and public transportation to get from place to place. I remained this way for nearly a year, and during that time I used my Whole Foods bags to carry everything from groceries to a change of clothes on the bus and on overnight trips. I have loaded them down with cans and gallons of milk as I huffed and puffed carrying them up a flight or two of stairs. Not once have I had one fail on me. I get compliments even at other grocery stores when I use them because they are big, sturdy and cute.

But if they ever should, you can take it back to the store and they will replace it for free. Even if you've used it and taken the tag off. Best. Return policy. Ever.

I...may or may not have between 10 and 20 in the trunk of my car and in my apartment total.

Buy at Whole Foods for 99 cents each.

Image via Whole Foods.

~Bonnie~

The What We Covet Holiday Gift Guide 2012, Part 13: The Decorator

In his book Nasty, Simon Doonan writes lovingly of the first decorative object he ever owned. I can't remember what that item was, but I remember the gist of the story: this was an item that changed his life. Not all interior decorating can achieve that level of sublimity, but for the decorator in your life, these pieces might at least bring some inspiration into the mix:

They're the epitome of decorative objects: they serve literally no purpose but to make the room look cool. The greatest thing about them is that you can personalize your gift--perhaps spell out your friend's name, your parents' initials, or your brother's favorite word. Or else you can start your loved one off with a single letter now and buy one for each subsequent holiday (birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and so on).

Buy through Anthropologie for $18.00 each.

Image via Anthropologie.

-Cate-

The What We Covet Holiday Gift Guide 2012, Part 11: The Night Owl

So, last year you gave your weirdly nocturnal human friend that tea doohickey to comfort them during the night, right? Well, as you well know by now, the thing about a lot of tea is that it has caffeine, and that means that your night owl has to get up to go to the bathroom a lot. In the dark! Is that even safe? No. No, it is not. Enter this year's gift!

That, my friends, is a triceratops-shaped nightlight! Is it adorable or what? It's adorable. It can light the path to your night owl's door, or--from what I can tell--travel along to light every path needed! And it's a dinosaur. With horns! Perfect to carry along when getting some air late at night. Your friend might need protection from bears, or from nature-lovers with axes.

Buy through Target for $14.99.

Maureen

The What We Covet Holiday Gift Guide 2012, Part 9: The Bookworm

For those of us out there with extensive personal libraries, it can sometimes be difficult to keep track of the people to whom we've lent out volumes of poetry, collections of short stories, or our beloved Trashy Romance Novels. If there's a bookworm in your life, why not help him or her out by gifting them with a personal library kit?

This particular set comes with sleeves to place in books, cards to place in sleeves, a tiny pencil for checking books out, and a stamp for noting the proper return date on each card. It's the perfect item to have on hand for the person whose friends are constantly looking to them for a new reading selection, and in particular the more popular titles on his or her shelves. Wannabe librarians will love such a gift, as will those who enjoy a library atmosphere!

Buy through Amazon for $14.42.

Image via Amazon.

-Cate-

The What We Covet Holiday Gift Guide 2012, Part 2: The Moviegoer

Many people I know love two things above all others: wine and movies. I'm willing to bet there's someone in your life who feels the same. This Christmas, why not gift that friend with something that will allow him or her to combine both passions? Ladies and gents, I give you the Moss Studios Film Reel Wine Rack:

Storing your bottles of wine in an old film reel? I wish I'd thought of this myself, because it's perfectly genius. Now you or your cinematically-inclined friend can kick back, hit the play button, sip on some chardonnay while you watch Dangerous Liaisons (or Weekend at Bernie's--I am looking in your direction, Rachel Green), and enjoy the atmosphere created by bringing a vintage piece of Hollywood into the mix.

Buy through Nordstrom for $268.00.

Image via Nordstrom.

-Cate-

PS In the unlikely event that you're reading this blog instead of voting, get off your butt and go to your local polling place. This is an important election, and I won't have any fellow coveters sitting it out.

Toast of the Town

Back in high school, my awesome friend Charlie had this game on his calculator called Toaster. It was basically the greatest thing ever, and when my own calculator died, taking the files for Toaster with it, I nearly cried. BUT! There is something out there to cheer up everyone, and today that thing for me is this fantastic red toaster:

It's all shiny and space-age-esque, and even though I have no need whatsoever for a four-slice toaster, I kind of want to buy this. (Shh--don't tell the toaster in my kitchen.) Mostly, though, I want to buy it for Charlie, because some memories will never fade.

Buy through Macy's for $79.99.

Image via Macy's.

-Cate-

PS Starting on Friday, we will be presenting our 2012 Holiday Gift Guide. Check back with us for great gifting ideas!

Bonnie's One Reluctant Breast Cancer Awareness Post...Sort Of

Don't get me wrong: breast cancer is a Very Bad Thing and the sooner a cure is found, the better. It just seems, to me, that the fact that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month is bombarded upon us like so many missles or bombs that I fear it runs the risk of becoming overhyped. And when things get overhyped, people tend to not care about them anymore. Which is also a Very Bad Thing, because I don't know a single person (male or female) who doesn't appreciate and/or possess a good set of ta-tas. Therefore, I call this my one reluctant BCA post simply because I know our dear readers see enough advertising and advocacy for breast cancer awareness already.

As we are all aware, pink is the color for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a color I happen to not be a real fan of. This statement is completely lost on my momma, who loves to tell the story of how apparently one year I wanted to be a pink and purple dinosaur for Halloween and she made me a great outfit. I think I've repressed that memory. If younger me could see the number of pink items currently in my possession, she would probably wonder what in blue blazes is wrong with me?!

When I was in my tweens and teens in the Peach State, we spent countless weekends going to flea markets and antique markets all over North Georgia. I considered this to be a horrible waste of time, and always prepared myself with a good book.  For about 8 years, my stepfather had a real obsession with dishes made by the Homer Laughlin China Company. He especially collected anything dating from between the 1930s and the 1950s, with delicate floral designs and classic shapes. Eventually his collection was so massive that even hosting a Christmas Open House some 500 people strong, we still didn't run out of dishes.

Now, for some reason I still cannot figure out, I find myself prowling the local flea markets and antique markets (all the while bemoaning the dearth of such places in the area) looking for suitable dishes with which to replace the basic white Corelle dishes my grandparents gave me as a housewarming present 5 years ago. Side note: Corelle dishes are not shatterproof. They are breakproof, but not shatterproof.

A couple of weekends ago, I popped in to the Goodwill Industries thrift store nearest my apartment with $10 in my wallet, not expecting to find anything of value. Yet lo and behold, sitting on the shelf as though waiting just for me, sat a short stack of dinner plates.

Don't mind my awesome china photography skillz. ;)

I've been around HL for so long that recognition of a shape or decal (the pretty floral design in the center) has become almost instinctive. I still chuckled aloud when I flipped one dish over and saw the maker's marks on the back: Cavalier (the shape) Eggshell (the glaze).  Then I saw the price: 99 cents. I checked the stack of smaller bread plates: 57 cents. Immediately I picked up all 13 pieces (4 dinner plates and 9 bread plates) and made my way to the counter. Total cost: $9.10. When I told my stepfather about my Goodwill loot, he mentioned that depending on the condition of the pieces, they could retail for $40-50 per piece. You can't beat that kind of a deal. And this is why I go flea marketing.

Homer Laughlin China got out of the consumer china business years ago, instead focusing on heavy restaurant crockery. Most of the meals served in restaurants now are served on Homer Laughlin. This is also the company that is responsible for starting the Fiesta line which I am sure many readers will find in the cupboards of their family members.

Back to the pretty china. Here's the thing about Homer Laughlin's consumer china. As I said earlier, it has been out of production for at least my entire lifetime, and therefore can really only found in several places: thrift stores, antique shops/malls, flea markets, or online (Replacements, Ltd or eBay).

Therefore, the best places to get the look as pictured above are going to be eBay and Replacements, Ltd. A few bits of advice and warning: Replacements, Ltd asks a premium price per piece, yet is able to guarantee that any pieces ordered will arrive intact and possibly in nearly new condition. Purchasing through eBay, however, does not guarantee that the pieces ordered will arrive intact or their condition as viewed online. But at the same time, you may be able to get several plates on eBay for the price of one from Replacements, Ltd. 

Happy hunting! 

Image via Bonnie, flea marketer/antique mall shopper/thrift store raider extraordinaire

~Bonnie~

Candle on the Water

Officially speaking, I'm not supposed to have candles where I live. Something about a fire hazard; I'm not sure what. However, that doesn't keep me from dreaming about the day when I can have any flammable material I want in my home. When that time comes, I might pick up this pair of sleek candlesticks:

They're so totally my style, from the stainless steel to the precise construction. I'd put them on the dining table, or perhaps on a fireplace mantle (fire plus fire equals fun, I guess?). And I'd light the candles every night, basking in the glow of my non-regulated home.

Buy through American Château for $14.99.

Image via American Château.

-Cate-

Dream A Little Dream...

A couple of weekends ago I found myself in DC (or the District, as I've begun calling it) for a friend's landmark birthday party. Seeing as the party was on a Saturday afternoon, I had to find a hotel room for the weekend.

[Let me interrupt my own story here for just a minute to say that while I do covet nice things and even purchase them occasionally, I am just as at home in a tent, a camper, or a cheap motel room as I am in an upscale hotel room. I haven't had the pleasure of an overnight stay at the Waldorf-Astoria, but I've seen my share of well-appointed hotel rooms, and ones that made me desirous of cleaning supplies upon entering. Back to my tale.]

So I found and booked a hotel room through Hotwire at a 3.5 star hotel for $69 a night. I felt mildly pleased about my booking, and set off for our nation's capital a couple of days later.

The night I arrived, I had driven non-stop to the District in 4.75 hours, departing home less than 2 hours after work with one stop the entire way. Turns out, Hotwire booked me a room at the Sheraton Silver Springs, located on the Red Metro line just outside the District. The well dressed evening clerk assigned me an end room on the 14th floor and bid me good night. Upon keying into my room, this was the lovely sight that greeted my weary eyes.

My apologies for any image quality deficiencies. I snapped a quick photo with my non-iPhone smart phone.

Readers, I am here to tell you that bed is more comfortable than you could possibly imagine. I could try to describe it, but I don't know that my words could fully do the experience justice. I can tell you that I did have a long discussion with Cate about this bed while lying in it. I believe I may have said some things about never leaving it, and Cate volunteered to bring me food so I wouldn't starve. This bed was so remarkably comfortable, Cate and I continued our conversation regarding the bed into my second and last night in it. Of course, upon returning to my apartment, I snuggled in my still comfy bed and set about researching the idyllic cloud I had rested in for two glorious nights in DC. 

Behold! Known as the Sheraton Sweet Sleeper, the entire bed you see pictured above (minus my luggage and gray shawl) can be purchased through the Sheraton At Home online store. From mattress and box spring to pillows and mattress pads, even the linens, all can be obtained through the online store. 

So while my current mattress is perfectly comfortable and supportive, when it is time to replace I will be speaking with the gracious staff of Sheraton At Home. 

Buy the mattress through Sheraton At Home for $1,200 - $1,725.  

First image via Bonnie. Second image via Sheraton At Home.

 Pleasant dreams, dear readers. 

~Bonnie~
 

Snapping Away

My BFF Maria is always snapping pictures, and she introduced me to the camera supply store Photojojo. If you've never visited the site, you should swing by, because they have some neat stuff, including this cute cookie cutter set:

I love the idea of making camera cookies for a gallery show, or even just a photographer's birthday. Imagine the possibilities: life-like versions, or technicolor ones, depending on the tastes of the artist!

Buy through Photojojo for $18.00.

Image via Photojojo.

-Cate-

The Slings and Arrows of Outrageous Housewares

Hey, remember that time Maureen was a part of this blog? She's still around. She's just in graduate school, and she doesn't like using her computer because then people will think she should have checked her e-mail already.

Anyway, let's talk about these salad servers:

Cate suggested that these, with their non-functional fletching, would obviously be the salad servers that Katniss Everdeen would use while serving salad. A salad of including a sagittaria plant, I reckon.

I can only assume that she'd be having Legolas, Princess Merida, Hawkeye, Green Arrow, and Susan Pevensie over for dinner too.

Peeta can make the croutons.

Buy through Target for $15.00.

Image via the same.

By the hammer of Thor!

Maureen

Snow Falling on Jewels

I've been looking for a new jewelry box for some time, and while I've had no success for myself, I wanted to share this lovely item with you:

It's like something out of the snowflake scene in The Nutcracker. Since it's still hot where I live, the idea of snow appeals greatly to me right now. Too bad this bit of winter can't help me with my earrings and necklaces!

Buy through Anthropologie for $58.00.

Image via Anthropologie.

-Cate-

PS Speaking of jewelry, our friend Lisa of Senba Designs had a showcase on Wednesday, and we're so happy for her! If you've never seen her jewelry, go to her Etsy page right now and take a look; it's all lovely and eco-friendly!

Diamond Shine

A girl can only have so many pieces of flatware before her drawers overflow, and that's why I bring lovely pieces to you: so you can buy them and I will be able to live vicariously through you! No, but seriously, look at how cool these are:

The diamond texture gives these pieces a texture that is both unexpected and classic. Plus, they look extra-shiny because of the cut, and that makes for a stunning place setting. I can imagine busting these out at any holiday meal, particularly Christmas. When would you use them?

Buy through C. Wonder for $44.00 per setting.

Image via C. Wonder.

-Cate-

Pivot Power!

In an effort to stop having to buy things, I once bought rechargeable batteries and a battery charger.  It mostly helps, but finding a place to plug that giant charger in is not easy.  Enter the surge protector you'd think they would have invented long before now:

It's flexible!  You can plug everything into it!  It's a miracle!  Don't look at me like I'm a nerd--I know you have to charge your phone and plug in your printer.  You might even have an obnoxious nightlight that used to take up an entire outlet.  Well, let me tell you, those days could be no more, if we invest in this guy.

Buy through ThinkGeek for $29.99.

Image via the same.

Maureen

A Danish Without the Cheese

I'm not the biggest fan of Urban Outfitters' clothing, but their online selection of furniture never fails to fascinate me. For example, today I'm coveting this coffee table:

The rounded edges and splayed legs are so very mid-century, and the long, thin lines are sleek to the max. I love this piece, and the two accompanying pieces. If only my living room had more space, I'd snap this item up in a second. Alas!

Buy through Urban Outfitters for $249.00.

Image via Urban Outfitters.

-Cate-

Your Nest Kitchen Purchase

Remember how Cate loves her wacky matryoshka accessories?  A while back she found some matryoshka measuring spoons. Fun, right? Even more fun, I found the matching measuring cups!

They're fun and compact, perfect for a tiny kitchen with barely enough counter space for a spoon rest. Now, my new life's goal is to cook an entire meal using only Russian nesting dolls. You think I can't do it? I'm on my way, buddy. Just you wait. You're invited to the dinner party.

Buy through ThinkGeek for $11.99.

Image via the same.


Maureen

"Oh God, Mother! Blood! Blood!"

Last night, my mother asked me if I will need a bath mat for the next big adventure in my life. I thought about it, and I said, I probably will. And then I pulled this up for her:

Cate is not a big fan of Alfred Hitchcock, but I am, and I want the horror movie bath mat! The shower curtain might be a little bit much for me.  I am easily frightened.  I watched It the other day and expected to find Pennywise the dancing clown on the porch.

I have my limits.  What are yours?

Buy through ThinkGeek for $19.99.

Image via the same.

Maureen

The Mitten

I have a confession to make: I'm always a little bit homesick. Even though I've been living in North Carolina at least 75 percent of the time for eight years now, Michigan is never far from my mind. That's why I'm so drawn to this wonderful Mitten Board from Pure Detroit:

Of course, it's missing an entire peninsula, but the spirit behind it is good. According to the website, you can use it as a cutting board, serving platter, or decoration. Personally, I think it would make a charming cheese plate, or perhaps a nice place to display some Michigan cherries.

Whatever the use, I quite enjoy the look of it and think any true Michigander would agree!

Buy through Pure Detroit for $48.00.

Image via Pure Detroit.

-Cate-