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March 30, 2007

Stick-On Style

I'm a huge fan of the remarkable array of wall decals on the market right now. Rather than re-painting your rooms or investing in expensive original artwork, you simply peel off and apply vinyl patterns in just about any theme and color you can imagine. Presto. You've transformed your space. So where can you find them?


UrbanOutfitters.com has quite the cool selection of hip wall designs, from options that look like souvenirs on shelves to simple rainbow polka dots to organic floral patterns to jungle shapes and animals. Many of these styles can be removed and reapplied wherever and whenever you'd like. Your wallet will benefit as much as your walls, thanks to a 3% rebate from ConsumerClub.com.


I found the perfect kid-friendly wall decals, and a whole lot more for my daughter's room, on ModernSeed.com. The choices are all bright, colorful and a ton of fun. From oversized apples and rainbow butterflies to funky cars and old-fashioned airplanes, it's all here. You won't believe all the other incredibly well-designed, minimalist products on this site. There are books, toys, furniture and a whole lot more for kids' rooms and grownup spaces alike.


And now for the granddaddy of all wall decal companies — and perhaps the best selection on the web: WhatIsBlik.com. The options here include shapes and designs by famous designers like Charles & Ray Eames and Keith Haring. But there's also plenty in the "Blik Graphics" category too, including spheres, paisley, flying birds, aliens an much, much more. Order many of Blik's designs on HomeDepot.com and get a 2% rebate on all your purchases.


March 23, 2007

Tidy Up

Has spring-cleaning fever hit your household yet? If so, you're probably sick of products that are heavy on the chemicals — and chemical smells. Before you spritz or scrub another surface, stock up on some natural cleaning supplies that smell heavenly and clean just as well as the rest. Here's where to start shopping:


Begin with Gaiam.com, a haven for all things green and peaceful. Here you can find natural cleaning products and tools for every corner of your home, from nontoxic hardwood floor cleaners and sweet-smelling dishwashing liquids to the entire line of earth-friendly (and nose-friendly) Seventh Generation cleaning products.


Go to MrsMeyers.com for her full line of aroma-therapeutic household cleaners in scents that will enhance your household and scare away germs. New for spring: The heavenly "Spring Cleaning Kit" in Honeysuckle. It's been my special gift to close friends in need of a spring-cleaning intervention. You can also find select Mrs. Meyers products and much more at ContainerStore.com, where you'll earn a 3% rebate from ConsumerClub.com.


Visit Caldrea.com for the latest in the company's line of luxurious household cleaning supplies: The Ginger Pomelo scent. Get the entire Ginger Pomelo Spring Cleaning Essentials Set, which includes everything from countertop cleanser to hand balm to a bucket for storing and mixing. Or pick up long-time favorite scents like Basil Blue Sage and White Tea in a range of individual cleaning products.


You can also find Caldrea products in the Lavender Pine, Green Tea Patchouli and other scents at SurLaTable.com, where you can earn a 4% rebate from ConsumerClub.com. SurLaTable.com also has great gloves, scrub brushes and much more to aid in your aromatic house-cleaning efforts. Enjoy these new scents of spring.


March 16, 2007

Dig In

The snow is melting (in most parts of the country). The sun feels like it's shining a little longer every day. Grasses and flowers are poking their heads out of the ground. All in all, another glorious season of gardening is at hand. Get a head start by buying your seeds, bulbs and supplies at the following helpful, affordable sites:


DutchGardens.com is an excellent resource for spring florals, from Begonias to Peonies. You can buy all sorts of bulbs and plants on this vibrant site. The plentiful photos and how-to articles will provide bountiful inspiration for your garden. And you'll earn a 6% rebate from ConsumerClub.com on your purchases here.


Not only does Burpee.com represent over a hundred years of gardening excellence in its seed varieties and gardening products, it also gives you timely tips of the day, "The Garden Wizard" tool and the "Growing Zone Finder." Some of the latest seeds to hit the scene here are Radish Watermelon, Lime Basil and Rainbow Hybrid Carrots.


GardensAlive.com focuses on lawn, soil and plant care, as well as animal pest control, insect and plant disease control. The site's Solution Finder points you right to the information you need, giving you choices like "I want bigger and brighter blooms" and "I want to control garden pests." Shopping at GardensAlive.com may also help you with budget control, thanks to a 9% rebate from ConsumerClub.com.


Looking to dress up your garden with more than just plants? Find plenty of pots and planters, loads of landscape accents, bird feeders, outdoor furniture, lighting and a whole lot more on Gardeners.com. The 4% rebate from ConsumerClub.com will make sure you have plenty left over for seeds and bulbs. Enjoy the season.


March 09, 2007

Cool Clocks

Daylight Savings Time comes early this year — this Sunday to be exact. That marks the first day of extra evening sun that'll last for many months to come. But it may also mean the first day of mass confusion and late departures in your household. Why not use it as an excuse to assess your time-telling situation and invest in a couple of great clocks?


All kids need to learn to tell time sooner or later. Make it fun and exciting with the clock options on DiscoveryChannelStore.com. You'll be hard-pressed to choose between the cool, blue Translucent Projection Clock, the Color-Changing Projection Clock and the Color-Changing Mood Clock — among others. But once you do decide, you'll earn a timely 3% rebate from ConsumerClub.com.


Walmart.com has page after page of alarm clocks, wall clocks, outdoor clocks and more — even the Oregon Scientific Wireless Self-Setting Projection Clock, which automatically adjusts to the U.S. Atomic Clock. Shop here and earn a 4% rebate from ConsumerClub.com.


RedEnvelope.com, one of the web's gift-giving hot spots, has lovely leather alarm clocks, a clear glass travel clock and frame — and an iPod® alarm clock with remote. Save time and money here thanks to a 5% rebate from ConsumerClub.com. For clocks with serious old-world charm, shop BombayCompany.com. There are pendulum clocks, table clocks, mantel clocks and even the fancy World Clock Desk Pad. There's also a 3% rebate from ConsumerClub.com waiting for you here.


Find more clocks that are both fun and informative at FlaxArt.com. The Starburst and Ribbon clocks and the Magic Color Clock are high style and retro cool. The Color-Changing Clock channels a rainbow disco aesthetic while the Miniature Barbeque Clock and Motorcycle clocks defy description altogether. One things for sure, your 5% ConsumerClub.com rebate applies to all of the above. Happy clock shopping.


March 02, 2007

Fine Wine Racks

Where do you store your spirits? Under the sink? On top of the fridge? Somewhere else out of sight and out of mind? You may not even know about the amazing array of attractive, affordable wine racks available to you online — from simple and modern to ornate and old-fashioned. Here are some of the best places to find them:


Shop TheContainerStore.com for sleeker looks like the Qube Wine Rack, the InterMetro® Wine Rack and, for those with more sizable wine collections, the 54-Bottle Iron Folding Wine Rack. Save money for stocking your new investment thanks to a 3% rebate from ConsumerClub.com.


Find racks that take you straight to Napa and back on WineRacks.com. The stackable Wine Cube Tower lets you mix and match different-sized mahogany veneered cubes to create your own design. Serious collectors and connoisseurs will appreciate the premium cellar combinations while minimalist, modern types will especially enjoy off-the-wall styles like the Cha Cha Wine Racks and the Nolita styles.


StacksandStacks.com has dozens of tabletop wine racks (love the wine knot), floor wine racks and wall wine racks. And TableTools.com offers everything from the simple plastic Click Rack, to black wrought iron tower to the Metrokane Wine Bar, all under $20. And both of these sites offer a 3% rebate from ConsumerClub.com.


Finally, stop by everyone's favorite affordable store for just about everything, Target.com. Search for wine racks and find seemingly every make and model imaginable, from the 30-bottle Pine and Steel Wine Rack to the 15-bottle Chrome Tempo Wine Rack, all with a 3% discount from ConsumerClub.com.