'Deals and Steals'

Solid Grommet Blackout Curtains

I have come to realize that once I start shopping, I start to uncover some more deals. Why stop with a Sherpa faux fur throw and a set of basket weave print curtains when you there are even bigger savings on other items?

That’s what I thought.

And the more you spend, the more money you can deduct from your total purchase. It’s a win-win situation!

Don’t believe me? Here’s what I scoped out:

· A set of solid grommet blackout curtains (above) now comes with a free set of voile curtains. This is the first time I’ve ever seen such promotion.

Most windows are treated with three types of curtains: a sash curtain filters light; a draw curtain blocks out light; and over-drapery is purely decorative and hung from a valence.

The solid grommet blackout curtains act as your draw curtain – blocking out light, filtering noise and increasing the sense of privacy. The grommets make the curtains easier to draw on the curtain rod – perfect for a patio door or living room window. It is available in all the popular color options: beige, black, brick, green, purple and a light green called “sage.”

After you pick the color, there is little else to worry about. The sheer voile curtain acts as a sash curtain, filter lighting and complimenting whichever solid color you picked. And it’s free!

· Before it’s gone: A set of heather mélange blackout curtains (below, now $39.99) in a sumptuous chocolate is $45 off its original retail price.

Heather melange curtains in brown

Due to its tightly woven fabric, this curtain carries a slight sheen, rendering it luminescent. Best to place these curtains near a room with some excellent lighting – watch how the fabric absorbs the light.

A bit of shine and good craftsmanship too goes a long way. What I admire most are the details: the back and rod tabs, the stitching on the bottom and side hems. It’s hard to find curtains (or clothing for that matter) made from quality fabric and with quality stitching anymore.

Until now.

Didn’t want to say it, but here goes: “I told you so.”

-S. Gonzalez

*Photos courtesy of decorinnovation.com

'Spend a little, get a little more'

“Give and you shall receive.” I always liked this particular proverb, especially when the giving and receiving goes to me.

My friends at Décor Innovation have recently announced their own version of a ‘Spend Some, Get Some’ deal where for every $100 purchase you get $5 off. Spend $150 and get $10 off your total purchase; $20 off your $250 purchase; and $50 off your $500 purchase or more.

What does this mean?

This means that now you can take advantage of all the faux fur throws and blackout curtains on sale, with a little bonus to get something extra! Who else can beat that?

First of my list is the Sherpa faux fur thermal throw. Buy one in any of the mocha, black and brown versions and get another free! (This deal is in addition to the ‘Spend Some, Get Some’ promotion.) The throw has a quilted stitching effect with a fuzzy micro plush lining to guarantee the best in comfort.

Use one throw to accessorize your bed, chair, or as a nice cover-up for those movie nights on the couch. With another throw included, you can gift the other throw to a friend, family member, or for that special someone.

Next on my list is a set of blackout curtains (save $20 - on clearance for $39.99) in a subtle basket weave print. The slight texture adds dimension to your drapes, which could be lacking if the rest of your drapes are flat, solid colors.

The blackout curtains are higher in quality than the average curtain, known best for insulating the home and blocking out daylight if necessary. For those living on a busy street or in a metropolitan area, the curtains reportedly reduce noise and help ensure your utmost privacy. Get it now before it’s gone!

A new set of curtains in a basket weave print and a couple Sherpa throws could be just what my living room has needed.

**Plus if you leave some feedback or send some of your own styling tips with Décor Innovation products, get 10% off towards your next purchase.

Let your favorite proverb this month be “give and you shall receive.”

-S. Gonzalez

*Photos courtesy of Decorinnovation.com

'Better Get Another Muse'

Opening to an incoherent Björk soundtrack, Spanish model and muse Eleonara Bose set the tone Davidelfin Fall-Winter 2010 Collection.

Known for her hard, androgynous features, the model who once made her name modeling for Gucci (led by Tom Ford at the time) donned a Crayola yellow haircut cut slightly above the ears like small helmet. The coloring of her hair would form the basis of the collection’s color scheme – which also included black, white, snakeskin, fuchsia and plaid.

I had been forewarned by a colleague that the show would be a bust. But judging by the sprinkling of a few celebrities, the filming of the show for an episode of MTV’s “The City” and the fact that there wasn’t an empty seat anywhere in the ‘Salon’ of the Bryant Park tents, I thought his prediction could be wrong.

No, my colleague was right.

The collection was severe and unimaginative, even the use of bright color failed to pick up my spirits. One man wore yellow boots to match his yellow leggings, worn with plaid shorts and a white shirt and blazer. Another particular piece, a men’s blazer in fuchsia, reminded me of the square-shouldered, eighties-inspired collection in electric blues and pinks spotted a couple seasons ago at Marc Jacobs.

Been there, seen that.

The Spanish designer revisited his reconfiguration of garments like he did last Spring, taking garments apart and placing their other halves in unlikely places. For example, the bottom half of men’s jacket might find itself attached to the top of a men’s trouser. What looked like a pleated skirt might be worn on top of a woman’s gray snakeskin pant, underneath a blazer and white button-down shirt.

The effect was odd and gratuitous, being that the realigning of garments served no real purpose. Who needs a pleated skirt attached to a woman’s trouser?

Even the pieces that seemed more appealing (the black coat-dress with fuchsia lining or the long black satin dress) looked uncomfortable as the model teetered in each.

My best advice for Davidelfin: “Choose another muse and preferably, without a Crayola yellow hairdo.”

-S. Gonzalez

*Photos courtesy of style.com