Free Shipping and Other Great Deals

Who doesn't want free shipping? Shopping online can be great, but sometimes those little added costs, like shipping, add up. Fortunately, there are websites that are designed to supply you with promotional codes and deals that will help you get free shipping or a discount on your purchase. Try checking one of these websites the next time you plan to make a purchase online, and you may end up saving yourself a few bucks:

www.currentcodes.com

www.promotionalcodes.com

www.couponcabin.com

www.couponcode.com

You can also try googling "coupon codes" to get several other results. These are the ones that I have tried...I use currentcodes most frequently.

Shop it to Me: Your Free Personal Shopper

Shop it to Me is a website that e-mails you when your favorite stores and designers are having online sales. You can choose to receive e-mails daily, weekly, or anything in between. You choose the stores, designers, and types of products that you want to receive notifications about. It is a great way to find deals on the products you are looking for. To check it out, visit:
http://www.shopittome.com/shhsecret/baa9d542

Ideeli

Ideeli is a website that is similar to Gilt Group, but they seem to offer a wider variety of products. Different items go on sale throughout the week, and are usually only available for about a day. They also periodically have give-aways that you can enter to win. You have to be a member to shop, so follow this link to join:
http://www.ideeli.com/invite/lisapearson

Refurbished Desk

I had been looking for a desk that I could use for crafts for a while, and I saw this beauty at the Centerville D.I. a few weeks ago. I realize it isn't much to look at in this picture, but it is made of solid wood, has built-in shelving, and was only $30. So, I decided that I would refurbish it and give it a whole new look.

To get started, you will need:

1. Furniture to refurbish
2. Electric sander
3. Paint
4. Paintbrush - I used a foam brush to help avoid brush strokes
5. Drawer hardware (pulls or handles)

Instructions:

1. Wipe down the furniture with a clean, damp cloth.
2. Using the electric sander, sand the furniture. If you sand it to the wood (thus removing the old pain), painting will probably be easier.
3. Begin painting. Make sure that you apply an even coat. You may need to paint more than one coat in order to have adequate coverage.
4. When the paint is dry, apply the new drawer hardware

Here is the finished product: (sorry...these pictures didn't turn out the greatest)

I love how this desk has built-in shelving on the side. It gives me even more storage room.

If you are able to find a decent piece of furniture, refurbishing can be an affordable way to give it a new look. Including the price of the desk, this project cost me less than $50.

Gilt Group

Gilt Group is an online company that sells designer merchandise at up to 70% off of retail prices. They have products for women, men, children, and home. You have to be a member to shop on their site, but membership is free. The website features new sales beginning at 12:00 EST on weekdays. You can preview the sales in advance so that you know what to watch for. Be advised - products sell out very quickly. Some items are still pretty pricey, but if you are looking for a specific designer or don't mind a lot of browsing, I think that you can still get some good deals. I was able to get this shirt by James Perse for $13 + shipping...the suggested retail price was $85! Check them out at www.gilt.com.

Modbe Clearance!

Modbe Clothing is an online/catalog clothing company that sells modest clothing, such as shirts, pants, skirts, and bathing suits. They sell children, tween, women, plus, and maternity sizes. Right now, Modbe is having a clearance sell on their website - you can get shirts, skirts, and other items starting at $5!!! It looks like sizes are starting to get limited...check it out at www.modbeclothing.com.

Accent Pillows

Accent pillows can be an easy, affordable way to add a little personality to your room. These pillows are very easy to sew and making them yourself may be less expensive than purchasing them from the store.

Skill level: Beginner

You will need:

1. Sewing machine
2. Fabric with matching thread*
3. A pillow form

*Some fabric stores sell remnant pieces of fabric at great prices. I purchased my fabric from Material Girls Quilts and was able to buy remnant pieces for about $5/pillow.

Directions:

1. Cut the fabric that will be used for the front of your pillow into a square that is approximately 1" larger than the size of your pillow form. I cut my fabric into a 16" square because I used a 15" pillow - for the sake of these directions, I will include the measurements that I used for a 15" pillow.
2. Cut the fabric that will be used for the back of your pillow into a 16" x 21" rectangle (16" tall, 21" wide).
3. Cut the back fabric piece in half, so that you have two 16" x 10.5" pieces.
4. Next, hem one side (the 16" side) of each back piece. I made a 1/2" hem.
5. Once you have hemmed one side of both back pieces, pin both back pieces to the front pillow piece, right sides together. The hems on the back pieces should be in the middle of the pillow and the fabric should be overlapping.
6. Sew the back pieces to the four side of the front pillow piece. I used a 1/2" hem.
7. Turn your sewn pillow right-side-out and insert your pillow form. Congratulations - you have an accent pillow!