Retail Therapy

It only took 14 years, but we finally have the superhero film we deserve. The hero being mid-century modern design. Picking up right where the first installment left off, the Parr family is on the forefront of the fight to make superheroes legal again. During that process, they are set up in a mid-century design lover’s dream house. And lucky for you, Zillow created a listing so you can really get a sense of the home’s super features.

Moonrise Kingdom was the second Wes Anderson film I ever saw, but the first of which I could see myself easily walking onto the set and living my life comfortably; this wasn’t terribly noteworthy as the competition was slim. Nonetheless, it’s sepia toned New England setting calls to me. And I’m a sucker for a peter pan collar. The thing that strikes me about this film is I don’t want to recreate a room piece by piece.

I LOVE those retro-style refrigerators that come in an array of colors and look 1,000 times better than a regular fridge. But some of the ones available on the market today are on the pricey side out of the budget of many. And also maybe you rent and don’t have the ability to replace an entire fridge?! Thankfully there’s a smaller, more affordable and more mobile appliance alternative that is still cute but something you can take with you when you move.

Is there anything better than snagging a good deal during a sale? Honestly, if you love to shop, this is one of the best feelings there is. Get ready to feel this way for the next two weeks! You can now shop the Nordstrom Anniversary sale until the first week of August and there are some killer deals. Unlike some retailers who only put things they want to get rid of on sale, Nordstrom has some fall must-haves in their sale lineup.

I might be a little biased, since one of the first things Aliza Kelly Faragher told me was that my name, which rhymes and has always made me weirdly self-conscious, holds a lot of power in spellwork and spiritual practice. Let’s just say it was a good way to kick off a conversation with Allure magazine’s resident astrologer and the author of the forthcoming book, The Mixology of Astrology: Cosmic Cocktail Recipes for Every Sign (it drops August 7).

Sometimes the most obvious place to shop for items is the best one—you just have to know it’s there. Case in point: Lights.com, an online lighting store founded by husband-wife duo Sheva and David Knopfler. Can you get more spot on than that domain name? Their story is similar to other startups in the home space. Graduate to the real world and you suddenly realize everything you need—sofa, mattress, etc.

Society6 has long been one of our favorite places to find eye-catching prints. The website allows artists to upload their own work and put it on everything from posters to duffle bags to coasters. Starting this week, however, there’s a new way to shop some of Society6’s most popular prints: on Target’s website. The collection will be available exclusively on Target.com through the fall.

If you have Champagne taste and a beer budget, today is your lucky day. Cuisinart’s Dutch oven, which looks a lot like Le Creuset’s, is on sale — today only — for $55. (It’s impressively marked down by 69 percent from its list price of $180.) Worried it won’t be as good as the Le Creuset? The 5.5-quart oval, which even comes in two fun matte options, has 4.3 stars on Amazon.

Breaking floral news! You can get a ridiculous bargain for one of the longest-lasting flowers out there—seriously, alstroemerias stick around nearly forever. According to the Trader Joe’s Fearless Flyer, “For a limited time, we are able to offer this 20-stem bunch for the astonishing price of $4.99, only a dollar more than our everyday, 9-stem bunch. But get ’em while they last—ethereal beauty like this doesn’t stick around forever.

“Crazy Rich Asians” is sparkly and colorful; the story is heartwarming and heartbreaking; the acting is joyful, and the fact that this is the first entirely Asian cast of a major studio film since “The Joy Luck Club” makes its success all the sweeter (a sequel is already in the works). It also happens to be visually stunning. The majority of the movie is set in Singapore, which main character Nick Young’s family basically owns.

Are you nervous about pulling the trigger on a possible new paint job? It’s only normal to have a bit of decision paralysis on such a seemingly big decision. What colors do you choose? What happens if you change your mind once it actually dries on the wall? What happens if–gasp–you don’t like it? We consulted several of our favorite designers to ask them what exactly you can do to prevent any paint-related disasters from occurring in the first place.

We’ve all been there. You just bought the sofa, bed, desk—whatever—of your dreams, only to find out that it doesn’t fit in your space. Or worse, in your doorway. And it goes both ways. A too small piece can be just as annoying to deal with, time and energy-wise. Instead of hoping for the best when you’re unboxing or waiting for that white glove delivery, take matters into your own hands.

In a small space, every inch counts. There’s quite literally no room for frivolous decor items that don’t also provide a function. But the items in this post—spotted in real homes from recent house tours—are hardworking and good looking. Melina Peterson’s 300-square-foot New York studio apartment is not just small, it’s an odd shape.

All this talk about self-care and “me time” begs a question—where exactly are you giving yourself this attention? At roughly 700 square feet, my apartment’s not small (at least by New York City standards), but the freestanding tubs I see people bath-bombing and throwing back bubbly in are not a reality for me at this point.

Let me preface this by saying I have never been a flower person. I’ve always told romantic interests to skip the flowers—and meant it. I just don’t see the point in spending disposable income on something that’s so plentiful outdoors and dies as soon as you bring it indoors. Then there’s the whole bit about changing the water and cleaning up rotten stems. For me, you can file flowers under “waste of money.

Adulting is hard. I mean, the end of the summer is just as sad to me now as it was when I was a kid, and these days, nobody takes me out and buys me a bunch of new gear to get me motivated. All kidding aside though, shopping for back to school supplies was easily one of my favorite things growing up. There’s something about buying a fresh notebook, brand new pens, and even a new binder that just makes you feel like maybe this could be your year, you know?

Urban Outfitters has proven itself to be more than just the store to go to when you want dorm room style. Though still known for a bevy of bohemian-themed tapestries and quirky patterned bedding, the brand has really stepped up their furniture offerings in terms of style. So much so, that every now and then I’ll confuse an UO item for a high-end piece from a pricey designer.

®How do you know what the next big thing is going to be? Well, if you’re Etsy’s trend expert, Dayna Isom Johnson, you have the entire marketplace to see what new styles are coming–and what new styles shoppers are looking for. The changing of the seasons is a perfect time to refresh your space, and she’s identified six trends that are a great way to do it.

Right on cue, back-to-school season is over, and the holiday seasons has begun. That’s right — retailers are rolling out Christmas stuff! (Halloween was more of a June thing, we noticed?) Today Anthropologie launched 160 holiday ornaments and decor items — and even more holiday dining and entertaining wares will be rolling out in the next few weeks.

Somewhere along the lines of decorating my first real apartment, I started fangirling pretty hard for Anthropologie—stalking their in-store home sale section on the reg and bemoaning the $149 flat-rate fee of furniture delivery, which they plaster all over the place as if it’s a good deal. Maybe if you’re in the business of buying $5,000 beds. But that fee has stopped me from pulling the trigger on so many sale tables, lamps, and chairs over the years just on principle.

I’m not an IKEA hater, and I’ll never be. There’s a reason they’ve become such a success. Their pieces are functional and affordable, and there’s something to be said for that. IKEA also basically put flat-pack furniture on the map, which is a win for all of us. Other companies have followed suit, and if you’re looking for something that might last a little longer than IKEA’s entry point pieces, you’ve come to the right place.

You don’t often hear people complaining about the roll-arm upholstered sofa or white tulip dining table they bought. There are just some pieces that transcend whatever time, space, or style of interior they’re thrown into. Good bones and timeless materials equal design staying power, people! And though quality generally comes at a higher price point, you’d be surprised at the well-priced classics that some of your favorite affordable home furnishing brands offer.

I consider myself something of a candle connoisseur. I’ve smelled a ton over the years and lit plenty, from Diptyque to Yankee and everything in between. Tapers, votives, you name it—there’s some kind of candle in practically every room of my home. But I’ve never given much thought to my burning technique, that is, until a recent trip to Nashville, Tennessee. Turns out the country music capital also knows a thing or two about getting (candles) lit.

Even if you don’t know who Jo Malone CBE is, you are certainly familiar with her name. The entrepreneur’s first brand, Jo Malone London, has made her a household name–and her candles and perfumes a household smell. (We couldn’t resist.) Malone would eventually sell the brand to Estée Lauder, and stayed on as creative director until 2006. Her second brand, Jo Loves, launched in 2011, and is full of scents that are both classic and unexpected.

Have you ever longed for the ease of being able to turn lights on and off without getting up–but felt overwhelmed at the idea of figuring out how to sync smart plugs and products with your phone? This Amazon deal of the day on Etekcity outlets might be your ideal buy. Typically priced at $40, until midnight PT, you can grab them for $21.

Now is about the time that fall lovers start bringing out—or going out and buying—cute home accessories to cozy up their spaces in anticipation of autumn. Whether you already have some fun fall-related decor or you’re starting from scratch, don’t spend a ton of money transforming your home for the season.

I’ve always been a fan of Costco. As a kid, I used to love the 12-packs of muffins from their bakery section, and I was always down for a trip there because that meant I’d get ice cream—well, Kirkland-Signature Non-Fat Swirl Frozen Yogurt, but I digress. My favorite FILA sweatshirt and Adidas track pants were from Costco, and had I held onto these pieces, I’d probably be rocking them again right now.

Recently, we teamed up with Amazon to bring you some first apartment essentials. When you have to start from almost nothing, it’s hard not to look towards budget. But rather than going generic, we found useful, design-forward buys that are also budget-conscious. Of course, you don’t need to be moving, or even in your first apartment, to want some of these affordable buys. Here are some of our favorites perfect for your living room, or anywhere you might want to hang out.

Here’s some potentially good news for IKEA fans. If you hate long, stressful trips to the store, or live hours away from one, you can forgo the long drive and in-person shopping experience, and click on Amazon instead. I recently discovered that they carry a number of IKEA items, and it may just be worth it for you to buy online there instead. It’s important to note, though, that IKEA currently does not directly sell through Amazon and that these products are sold through resellers.

“Taking photos of the place before I moved in, thinking through the color constraints my landlord imposed for the walls, assessing the lighting situation, etc.” is how tech investor and writer Terri Burns describes her design process for the small San Francisco apartment she rents, her first studio. And all of this before she even moved in. Also accomplished before move-in day? Terri purchased nearly all of her furniture… online!

Last week, Amazon announced 14 new devices, including the next-generation Echo Dot, a smart plug (which can turn any appliance, like a coffee maker, into a smart device), and even an Alexa-enabled microwave. The $60 microwave — a product from the site’s private-label brand, AmazonBasics — elicited some interesting responses. The New York Times asked, “Hey, Alexa, Why Is Amazon Making a Microwave?” and Techcrunch called it outlandish.

Having clutter-free countertops is one of the easiest ways to fake a clean kitchen. I’m not advocating for never rolling up your sleeves and scrubbing down your cookspace. I’m merely suggesting a shortcut for keeping it together in between cleans. The trick is finding the right gadgets that store your stuff neatly—without taking up tons of real estate.

If you’ve finally convinced yourself that nothing sears a steak like a cast iron skillet and that you absolutely have to have one to make crusty cornbread, your next decision is figuring out which one to buy. In our opinion, there’s only one choice. The good news is that it’s remarkably inexpensive. (That’s right—”the best” often means “the most expensive,” but not when it comes to cast iron!) Our must-buy is the Lodge 10.

Oh Anthropologie. We gape at your prices one moment, then swoon over your sumptuous decor with our next breath. Anthropologie delicately balances luxury with a well-worn feeling, making each piece feel like a little treasure. While we love the retailer’s home decor and gifting finds, it can be a bit hard to deck your whole home out in Anthro when you’re on a budget.

I’ll be honest: I don’t get hyped about kitchen wares very often. Sure the occasional blender or zoodle-maker will come along and get me hyped for a week or two, but rarely does a non-traditional utensil stay in my lone kitchen drawer for long. (I know, one drawer—New York City kitchens are crazy.

There’s nothing wrong with using outdoor furniture indoors. In many ways, it’s actually a smart move. Pieces created with outside use in mind are typically built to withstand things like wind, moisture and extreme temperatures. So if you have kids or pets, these items should be better suited to hold up to wear-and-tear. Some outdoor items have gotten a bad rap in the past for being not so stylish or crafted from less-than-cozy materials, which made them unfit for inside the home.

Believe it or not, foam sponges—you know the cheap ones, like this 2-for-$1.29 pack from Target that you use to hand-wash your dishes and wipe down your kitchen sink—can be used in all sorts of unexpected ways around the house. To prove our point, we rounded up a handful of fun ideas for repurposing kitchen sponges, so you can keep your home clean and under control—all on the cheap.

Last year, I found a BOGO coupon for pumpkins at my local nursery. I ended up with four pumpkins valued at $88 for just $44. I felt like I hit the jackpot—my stoop looked great, but I didn’t have to shell out more than my weekly grocery bill for a handful of pumpkins that would only rot in a few week’s time. When I spotted the same coupon in a local flyer this year, I clipped it and set it aside.

I just upgraded to a king-size bed, and sadly, I think my nightstands are going to have to go. This is New York City after all. It’s all about compromising. There just isn’t enough room for everything you want. All is good on the lighting front—I have a floor lamp that’ll suffice for reading in bed. But what about all the stuff I jam into that tiny nightstand drawer?

The hype is the well-deserved; Netflix’s summer smash rom-com ‘To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before’ is sticky sweet, like cotton candy, perfect for when you’re in the mood for a burst of flavor—or color, as is the case for the design. Much like Lara Jean’s love life, her room is whimsical…and messy. A true romantic’s safe haven.

As the weather starts getting brisker, there are few things better than getting home and jumping into your coziest night-in uniform—especially when it happens to be Harry Potter-inspired. Sure, it’s thoughtful to get the entire family in on the wicked apparel, but there’s something about treating yourself to a unique set (and perhaps a plush wrap) that sounds much more…relaxing.

With Halloween on the horizon, you’ll be sitting down to watch all of your favorite spooky movies and TV shows—but Halloween movies and shows aren’t just fun for a good scare, believe it or not, you can pull some great design inspiration from even the creepiest places. E-design company Modsy really got into the Halloween spirit and decided to design some rooms all inspired by their favorite seasonally-appropriate films and TV show interiors.

We’ve all been there. After decorating our dream living room/bedroom/kitchen, etc., we discover all kinds of unexpected eyesores—a.k.a. unsightly cords, wall outlets, radiators, etc.—that definitely weren’t a part of our design vision. So what to do when faced with unattractive (but oh-so-necessary) visual clutter? Don’t worry, we’ve got you. Read ahead for a handful of ways to conceal (and sometimes incorporate) five common eyesores around your home.

There’s no denying wizards like enjoying good food and drink—just look at all the students’ faces light up when they have a feast in the Great Hall. While we can’t conjure up a spell that makes pumpkin juice and treacle tarts instantly appear (yet, anyway), Williams-Sonoma‘s new Harry Potter kitchen items has presented us with a means to brew up a spellbinding edible spread—the muggle way.

As you undoubtably already know, Amazon is a never-ending pit of kitchen gadgets, groceries, decorative items, and thousands (millions?) of other things. It can be overwhelming! To help you navigate the pages—and pages!—of products, we polled the kitchen experts from our sister site Kitchn to see what goodies they recently bought for their own spaces. Here’s what everyone’s been shopping for, why they love their purchases, and how they’re using them.

Multipurpose seems to be in IKEA’s DNA—the Swedish brand is always churning out collapsible, mobile, and transformable products with handy features. Design chameleons, as I like to call them. You think something’s a table, then all of a sudden, pull the pieces apart and you’ve got a storage basket and a tray. IKEA also seems to understand that small space living is on the rise, and this trend calls for items with dual functionality.

Spoilers ahead for season one of “Forever.” With the Fall 2018 season underway, we are returning to some our favorite TV abodes, and getting invited inside a few new ones. Join us this month as we explore the best homes on the small screen. Show: “Forever”—Season one streaming on Amazon Prime.

If I were plotting revenge and generally cooking up evil plans, a sleek, modern loft sounds like a pretty good place to do it. In Marvel’s “Iron Fist,” the character Joy Meachum’s apartment is haunting in its stylishness. But if you don’t focus on the evil deeds happening, it’s really just an impossibly chic lair. What keeps this look interesting is the moodiness. The industrial loft certainly plays into this, but more importantly, so does the lighting.