Where to Shop Monogrammed Items on the Web

Select the perfect personalized gifts for the special people in your life from one of these fabulous websites. Give a lovely set of monogrammed towels as a holiday gift or give that special person in your life a beautiful inscribed piece of jewelry. Find an array of options and a little something that is just for you.

Mark and Graham
Mark and Graham offer hundreds of home and personal items that can be inscribed however you wish. You’ll recognize their sleek, stylish offerings from Williams and Sonoma as a brand that is classic and now, personal.

Preppy Monogrammed Gifts
Monogram the whole family at Preppy Monogrammed Gifts. Get fun kids' gear, a classic scarf or sweater seat, and office supplies emblazoned with the letters of those you love.

Find Local Fare at Food Co-Ops

A food co-op is a grocery store that is collectively owned and operated by its members, and it normally focuses on local products. Even though you might not realize it, you likely have a food co-op in your area. Here are a few ways that a food co-op can improve your relationship with food.

  1. They’re more convenient than most farmers markets. Although farmers markets are also great ways to shop locally, they’re usually only held once a week (and not at all in the winter months). Food co-ops, on the other hand, are just as convenient as a traditional grocery store.
  2. They help to support local farmers. These days, local farmers are much fewer and farther between than they were in the past, and food co-ops are some of the most important things to help them continue to make a living by farming.
  3. Expect to become a member. In exchange for providing fresh, local produce, meats and baked goods, most food co-ops expect their shoppers to become members. This usually means paying yearly dues and receiving a type of membership card before you’re able to shop in their store. If you’re dedicated to supporting local agriculture or improving your diet, these dues are more than worth it.

How to Find a Food Co-Op in Your Area and Score Some High-Quality, Super-Cheap Eats [Lifehacker]
What is a Food Co-Op? [WiseGeek]
What is a Food Co-op? [Kitsap Food]

Where to Shop Apartment-Friendly Home Decor Online

Not all home furnishings are created equal, something apartment dwellers know all too well. Finding furniture and accessories that have dual functions and won’t take up too much space can be a challenge if you don’t know where to look. There are a few great retailers who specialize in just this type of decor, so you can buy with confidence. Here are three websites to shop for apartment-friendly home decor items.

1) Muji
Find simplistic yet functional items at Muji. This home decor website offers something for every detail of decorating, from furniture to cleaning tools.

2) West Elm
This catalog of home furnishings draws inspiration from the mid-century modern aesthetic, giving you stylish options for any sized space.

3) Urban Outfitters
The apartment living section of this hip, youthful retailer has a great selection of home decor items for renters. Find colorful tapestries, rugs, and wall art that will make your apartment feel unique and chic.

Stretch Your Paycheck with These Frugal Spending Tips

You work hard and save as much as you can, and of course you deserve to indulge every now and then. Here are a few thrifty tips to help you avoid overspending on necessities and, in turn, maximize your savings for things that are more worthwhile.

  1. Map out your meals. It can become a bad habit to order takeout or grab lunch instead of brown bagging it. Map out your entire household’s meals at the beginning of each week, allowing for the occasional lunch out or dinner in, in order to maximize your grocery trips and make a restaurant visit all the more worthwhile.
  2. Stay aware of your utilities. Utilities like your cell phone or electricity are essential, but that doesn’t mean that you should pay for them blindly. Instead of using an automatic withdrawal system for each month’s bill, analyze how much you’re spending on each utility and barter with the service for a better deal if you feel that you’re being billed unfairly.
  3. Buy off-brand or discounted. Sure, things like your favorite yogurt or those new designer shoes require a bit of brand loyalty, but there are a number of areas in your home or pantry where you can be thrifty without much notice. Opt for store brand groceries where you can, use generic household cleaners, and buy clothing when discounted.

Beware These 9 Common Overspending Triggers [Daily Worth]
Our House: Common Overspending Traps to Avoid [Well Heeled Blog]
Overspending On Sale Items – How To Avoid The Traps [Miss January]

Where to Shop Handmade Jewelry from Indie Artists Online

Whether you’re shopping for an engagement ring or simply looking for something sparkly to add to your own jewelry collection, pieces from indie designers exude a unique quality that sets them apart from the rest. These handcrafted jewelry items are often made in more environmentally friendly ways, and they usually cost much less than name-brand jewelry. Here are three great online sources for indie bling.

Catbird
Since it first opened the doors of its Brooklyn brick and mortar store almost 10 years ago, Catbird has been one of New York City’s most popular destinations for unique, affordable jewelry from independent designers. Now the shop also offers an expansive online store that allows web surfers to shop its signature dainty gold necklaces, stackable rings, and engagement rings at all price points.

Etsy
Etsy is democratizing the way that jewelry is sold by enabling independent designers to set up their own shops through the site’s online marketplace. Whether you’re searching for woven friendship bracelets or hammered gold rings, you’ll find it all via the simple search tools.

Bario Neal
Although many jewelry companies obtain their diamonds through the diamond trade, Bario Neal uses only ethically sourced stones and reclaimed precious metals that are cruelty-free and eco-friendly. This Philadelphia-based jewelry boutique and studio sells engagement rings, pendant necklaces, enamel bracelets, and much more.

2 Shopping Apps for Bargain Hunters

Ever met someone who didn't like getting a great deal on a new purchase? We didn't think so. Bargain hunting has its rewards, but not everyone has the time for comparison shopping. These free apps do the grunt work for you, ensuring that you're getting the best possible deal on whatever it is you're currently in the market for.

RetailMeNot
Available for Android devices, this app scours its database to find you coupons and promo codes for countless stores and restaurants across the country. You have the option for either printing the coupons out or presenting them to the cashier right from your phone. Email alerts about promos at stores near you keep you in the loop about the best sales.

Barcode Scanner
This handy app lets you comparison shop at the press of a button. Or in this case, the read of a barcode! While in a store, simply use your phone to scan a product's barcode or QR code and see if another retailer is offering the product at a lower price. This app is available for Android devices.

Newly Betrothed? Here’s Where to Create a Wedding Registry Online!

Whether you’re hoping to receive luxurious pieces that will fill your home with elegance or simple, functional items that you need to start your life together, there are an impressive number of websites that make creating a wedding gift registry easy. Here are three great sites to use for your wedding registry.

Amazon
Registering with Amazon is the ideal choice for the hip, tech-savvy couple on their big day. The popular shopping website sells everything from kitchen appliances to cleaning tools to electronics, and their wedding registry page makes it easy to add all of your favorite items to your list. You can even add items from any and all stores around the web!

Pottery Barn
If your style is a bit more elegant and refined, the Pottery Barn website is another wonderful online resource for telling your guests which gifts you hope to receive. The signature “Whole Home” registry allows you to separate your registry by each room in your house, which makes it easy to choose the items that you really need.

Target
With a personalized profile that includes a cute picture of you and your significant other, Target’s wedding registry page is tailored to your personality every step of the way. The items that you want are automatically separated by type and function, and guests can easily make purchases by using the “Add to Cart” button near each gift.

Public Domain/Openclipart.org

BoConcept: Sleek, Modern Style for Your Home

Head to BoConcept and their design consultants will help you decorate your home in a sleek, sophisticated, European style. Check out the Indivi 2 modular sofa system with varying seating units, leg styles, armrests, coverings and pillows that can be customized to suit your room and style to a tee. Pair it with a modern glass and chrome coffee table, a plush, geometric color block rug, a sleek, chrome floor lamp, a couple of glass and brushed-steel nesting tables and a supple leather chair and you’ve got a room that rocks. Check out their online catalog. Open every day.

BoConcept
430 W. 2nd Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 258-0835
http://www.yelp.com/biz/boconcept-austin-2

 

Book Person? Come to BookPeople!

Bibliophiles love to congregate at BookPeople, a local independent bookstore where hundreds of tomes line the shelves, waiting for someone like you to read them. Whether your taste runs to historical fiction, mystery, memoir, teen vampire tales, romance or non-fiction, you’re sure to find the perfect tome to spend time with. The store also hosts over 300 events per year. Upcoming happenings include author book signings, book clubs, children’s story time, poetry readings, workshops and lectures. In addition to books of every genre imaginable, you can also purchase greeting cards, calendars, small toys and games. Stop by their little cafe to indulge in a luscious espresso drink, Italian soda, muffin or dessert while you peruse your latest literary purchase. Open Monday through Sunday from 9a.m. until 11p.m.

BookPeople
603 N Lamar Blvd
Austin, TX 78703
(512) 472-5050
http://www.bookpeople.com/

http://www.yelp.com/biz/bookpeople-austin

Decorate in a Snap with Furnish 123

Furniture 123 is the place for great deals on new furniture.  Affiliated with Gage Furniture, this family owned business that has furnished Austin homes and apartments for over 70 years.  Furniture 123 offers great value on big name brands, which you can browse online, or inside of Gage Furniture’s showroom.  Prices are VERY reasonable, which make furnishing a room fun on any budget.  It’s not uncommon to find furniture marked 50% below MSRP and holiday sales offer even deeper discounts.  Items tend to be stylish and modern, but will fit any decor.  There's a great selection too – you can find everything from sectionals to lamps and dinettes to bedroom suites.  The sales environment is simple and straightforward with helpful, no-pressure staff.
 

Furniture 123
7725 Burnet Rd
Austin, TX 78757
(512) 454-3613
www.yelp.com/biz/furnish-123-austin

 

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