The Latest: Dec 2017

The shopping arena is full of discount contenders, so, while you’re likely getting a pretty decent deal no matter what budget-savvy stores you shop, there are still some that will have you coming out on top (with a fatter wallet). Taking a look at two of the biggest—Costco vs. Amazon—you might think you know where you’ll save the most money, but…are you wrong?

Thinking of a lame excuse for skipping out on church will soon become a little more challenging, at least for worshippers in London. When a floating church hits the city’s canals, there’ll be no reason to blame a traffic jam for a missed Sunday sermon because the structure will literally move about the water from location to location, making the services easily accessible to more citizens.

It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what gives the half wreath its undeniable je ne sais quoi. Perhaps it’s its deconstructed, minimal aesthetic; or maybe it’s just a blatant disregard for convention that we find so attractive. Whatever it is, one thing’s for certain…this elevated look is affordable, accessible, and totally DIYable for all. Half wreaths are versatile in that they can be left simple, or embellished with as many blooms and baubles as your heart desires.

With winter impatiently lurking around the corner, we’re already envisioning the many ways to temporarily retreat to a heated haven while brisk winds and blizzards prepare to own our lives for the next few months. A room warmed by a fireplace will certainly do, but this tiny mobile sauna in Finland sounds like an infinitely better option. Here to provide the fire fix without the flames, the Denizen Works-designed project sits shore side on Åland, Finland.

A classic circular wreath is pretty much the physical manifestation of infinite holiday joy, so why limit it to your front door? The possibilities for indoor wreaths are as infinite as their iconic shape, so today we’ve rounded up 6 of our favorite wreath locations that don’t require front door real estate. No mantel? No problem. Hang a wreath (or two, or three) on a blank wall for a celebratory look.

You’re probably familiar with voice-powered home assistants (and glorified bluetooth speaker systems) like the Amazon Echo and the Google Home. Well, we can expect a competitor—courtesy of IKEA. Not to be outdone in the realm of home audio and the Internet of things, everyone’s favorite meatball maker-and-home-furnishings-store just announced it’s teaming up with in-home audio company, Sonos.

If you’re just joining us, Pantone made their huge annual announcement on Thursday: the Color of the Year 2018 is Ultra Violet. Pantone says it “takes our awareness and potential to a higher level,” though it might be a Friends throwback or something more subtle. Either way, we’ve found out what you think, but we thought we’d ask some of our favorite designers and influencers for their professional opinions.

Like any good gift, the best stocking stuffers are ones that are fun but also useful. And while the web is brimming with adorable miniature gift ideas, deciding which ones are actually worth your money isn’t always easy. To help make your odds-and-ends holiday shopping go a little smoother, we rounded up 10 of the cutest, smallest, and most importantly, purposeful stocking-sized gifts we could find on Amazon. Did we mention they’re all under $25 (and most under $15)?

Some of the most beautiful homes I saw this year were from The Netherlands. From houses in Amsterdam’s bustling urban center to organic modern homes full of history in bucolic country settings, each home perfectly embodies the personality and spirit of the person living in it. But while each space is wholly unique, I noticed a series of three important things that folks living in Dutch homes seem to “get right” when it comes to design.

In these unpredictable times, Pantone delivered at least one certainty we can hold onto for 2018: their much-anticipated Color of the Year. And like it or not, the pick is Ultra Violet—an intense, bold shade of purple. At face value, the choice might seem like merely a design one that will influence everything from throw pillows to bridesmaid dresses in the coming year. But over time, these selections have come to take on a bit of a deeper meaning.

On Thursday, Pantone announced Ultra Violet as the Color of the Year 2018, and publications, brands, and people from across the globe have since taken to the internet to share their opinions on the new reigning hue. Colors are so steeped in personal preference, that it’s no surprise that—like every year—there are the people that love it and the people that don’t.

Any Target fan will tell you it’s a one-stop shop for just about anything, but this time of year, it’s all about the affordable holiday home decor. However, that doesn’t make picking and choosing from all their great seasonal offerings any easier. To pluck out the worth-it buys, we tapped fashion bloggers-slash-Target mega-fans Jen Coleman and Laura Wiertzema—the duo behind Ascot + Hart and Target Does it Again—to guide us through our next shopping spree.

With housing in such short supply, you’re not the only one struggling to find your dream house and competing with other desperate buyers who bid up prices beyond your reach. In fact, you may have noticed a newcomer to the open house circuit—a tall blonde in heels. Because even Barbie can’t find a place to live these days. She’d like to buy her very own Hello Dreamhouse: the first voice-activated, Wi-Fi enabled Barbie mansion.

...and what you can learn from each to make Ultra Violet work for you.

One of the most charming things about holiday decor are the stockings lined up across a mantel—but what happens if you don’t have a fireplace? Ah well, then of course you dot your staircase banister with them. What? No staircase either? Never fear! This clever idea taking over Pinterest works for everyone, no matter your architectural shortcomings. Decorative ladders in living rooms have been a big trend these last few years, usually used to hang blankets and throws.

It’s December, and the holiday season is officially here. But for color lovers, today is a holiday in and of itself: the day Pantone announces their Color of the Year for 2018. In 2017, they went for a bright, leafy hue called Greenery. For their tenth anniversary pick, will they go bold, or return to a softer hue? Let’s find out: The 2018 Pantone Color of the Year is Ultra Violet!

You never know when color inspiration will strike—and we can pretty much guarantee it won’t happen while you’re nervously sweating, staring down the paint chips in your local hardware store. Thankfully, there’s a new app, Swatches, that turns the gorgeous rainbow-filled world around you into your own personal color catalog.

Decking your halls with holiday decor can be tricky when you’re on a budget. That’s why it pays to be resourceful when it comes to spreading holiday cheer throughout your home. Luckily, some of our most humdrum home essentials actually offer ample decorating opportunity. With a little imagination, you can turn everyday items—like puzzle pieces, newspaper, and houseplants—into seriously stylish trimmings.

Every year since 2000, color giant Pantone has picked one shade (okay, in 2016 it was two shades) to be the Color of the Year. The announcement, which occurs in early December for the coming year, is a hotly anticipated event in the design world, and invariably produces a great deal of commentary and even controversy.

Even at 96 years old, Iris Apfel continues to create. Her latest project is a return to the world of home decor, with her first ever collection of furniture to be sold exclusively on HSN. Iris Apfel x HSN features is inspired by the by the playfulness and fanfare of the circus, and includes 94 pieces in total, ranging in price from $269.95 – $1,199.95. It includes headboards, settees, chairs, ottomans, and other pieces, totaling 19 different silhouettes and 15 fabric options.

Just because Cyber Week is over, doesn’t mean that you’ve missed all the good deals. That’s right, we have good news: Urban Outfitters’ sale section is on sale right now—for an extra 30 percent off everything. The additional 30 percent off applies to red-line sale items ending in .99 cents. It’s an online only deal, and the discount will be reflected at checkout.

The holidays are just a few short weeks away and the awesome online shopping deals are still coming on strong. Case in point: For today only, Amazon is offering up to 60% off some of their top-selling holiday decor items. This means that everything from faux trees to snow globes to tree ornaments and string lights are majorly marked down until midnight, so you can spread some more seasonal cheer throughout your home without breaking your holiday budget.