I've Been a Little Naughty

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Well...not super naughty, but naughty for me. As you know, I'm a pretty frugal chick and I have certain rules that I rarely break when it comes to buying home decor.

Rule 1: Never pay full price for anything (unless we're talking about TJ Maxx or a discount store like that).
Rule 2: Be patient. Wait for that item you love to go on sale and then pounce.
Rule 3: This is a special rule I have when it comes to pillows...never spend more than $20-25 on a pillow. $15 is more comfortable for me.

Sooo, here's the thing. I broke every one of those rules in one fail swoop. Yes...me. You see, I spotted these new Simone Pillows at Pottery Barn a couple weeks ago and I instantly fell in love. I knew that would be perfect in my living room, but at $39 each (for the pillow cover only, NOT the insert) I had to pass them up.


I couldn't get them out of my mind though, so in a moment of resolute weakness I went back to Pottery Barn last Friday to buy one pillow...you know, to try it and see if I loved it as much as I thought I would. And they were completely sold out!!!

I was on the phone with my mom at the time (yes, I'm one of the super annoying people that walks around stores with an earpiece talking to myself on my lunch break) and so she raced to her Pottery Barn in Utah where they had exactly 2 pillows left. Needless to say she bought them for me and shipped them out the same day (because she's that kind of mom)...oh, the check's in the mail, Mom.
So, in short, I have $80 worth of pillows now sitting on my sofa and I loooooove them. They're just the change I needed in there, and they make my heart go pitter patter every time I look at them.


Oh, and I switched out my old rug with an enormous jute rug I found at a flea-tique store for $30...I'm not even kidding. It's originally from Pier One and it's in perfect condition. This is where my rules come into play...and hopefully that offsets the $80 I spent on pillows that I didn't need but really, really wanted. And it's ok to be naughty every once in a while, right? :-)

48 Suburbanites Said:

Trish @TheOldPostRoad said...

The dog on the back of the sofa is TOO funny.

redpoppy007@aol.com said...

If you get that much pleasure out of those pillows they are worth every penny.
I love them, they do add alot to the room.

Sweet As Boys said...

They look GREAT!!!!! Totally worth the "rule breaking"! ;)

Sarah said...

No worries, if you love it that much, it is definitely worth it! Plus, to freshen up the look a bit with a rug and two pillows for that price, it isn't bad at all! I love the pillows! :)

the undomesticated wife said...

Sometimes you just have to splurge!

Unknown said...

Oh I heart them as well. I did something similar but ordered the roman shades from PB of this same fabric. I love the fabric and can't wait until it comes in the mail! It looks great in your living room! Cheers.

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous. And they really add some punch to your room. Love it!

Funky Junk Interiors said...

I totally get it! If they polish off the room in the perfect way, you can't NOT get them.

Thrift shopping is a crap shoot. You come home with something you had no idea you needed most times. LOL And that can be pricier than simply buying your one retail item you NEED.

Well done! Looks very pretty!

Donna

Anonymous said...

I love those pillows however, I hate to tell you this..but I feel like you should know. I saw those pillows in HomeGoods the other day. They may not be exact, however very very similiar. I'm not sure if you have a HomeGoods near you, but I can bet they were alot cheaper. Never the less...they are beautiful. Sometimes we have to act on impulse and if you can't live with out them...then I say buy.

Room to Inspire said...

I have also been "eyeing" these pillows...they are beautiful and worth every penny if they make your heart pitter patter with every glance!

amylouwhosews said...

When the pillows look THAT good, I think naughtiness is okay. :)

Unknown said...

I basically shop by the same rules you do; however, I have one other very important rule I try hard to stick to: Only buy what I absolutely L.O.V.E. By doing this, it weeds out all those impulse buys or purchases just because it was so "cheap". I actually save more this way. So, in your case since you LOVE those pillows so much, I say it was a wise buy and enjoy them!!!

Nancy

Amanda @ Serenity Now said...

Worth every penny. They really add some oomph to that area. Question about your rug...did you clean it up at all (besides vacuuming) before bringing it into your house? I always wonder about that kind of stuff. :)

Emily@remodelingthislife said...

I love them! A splurge like that is really fun from time to time. Enjoy them!

Juli said...

If it makes you happy then I say splurge. i was hoping you were going to say you found this awesome fabric and then I was going to go and order yards of it for my family room. I have been looking for something just like that to make some pillows and maybe a cover for the ugly dog crate that has to sit behind the sofa. Oh well, a girl can dream. Love the pillows! They really do make the room.

Marjorie said...

A judicioius splurge that really brings you joy is definitely worthwhile. I would bet you keep those pillows for a LONG time an love them every minute. My husband always reminds me to prorate a good purchase of the life of the object and add the pure enjoyment factor. You scored big :-)

Marjorie said...

Judicious has only one 'i', Marjorie.And has a 'd' at the end and I am also missing a preposition. Argh. Need more coffee...:-)

Amanda said...

As Sheryl Crow sings "if it makes you happy........it can't be that bad". Your room looks fab! Love the pillows!

Pine Tree Home said...

Justification. It's a great way to not feel bad about spending the money. Your steal on the rug offsets the price of the pillows. How do you like the like color of your sofas? I am looking for a change and have been going back to that color in a custom slipcover, but am afraid to take the leap.

Yansy said...

They look fabulous! I don't blame you, once a while to spend doesn't hurt. Come by when you have a chance, I have a design dilema.

Unknown said...

Looks great!!! Love your "rules." I should try and stick to those myself:)

T

Christina said...

Sometimes a splurge is just the right thing. And looking at your pictures, it looks like a great splurge. How nice your mom was to do that for you.

Aja said...

No shame! These look fantastic in you space so they're totally justified in my book!

gina said...

I have spent every day since I moved in shopping for pillow covers for my three sofa pillows. They are just so pricey and so many of them are so seasonal. But these are gorgeous! And are the colors I was looking for... OH no, now I'm wondering if I should make a run to MY local PB.

Victoria said...

To me the best thing about being thrifty is that when I find something I just LOVE at full price, I normally have the money to get it due to what I've saved in other areas! :)

The pillows are gorgeous and I can def understand why you splurged!

Andréann said...

those pillows looks fantastic!

Unknown said...

They are beautiful. You could consider them a gift to yourself and think of all the ways you have saved money on other things. $80 is pretty reasonable for heart therapy.

Missy in Texas said...

I would have done the same thing! Sometimes you gotta go for it.

Shana said...

I have been eyeing these pillows for a while now so it's really funny that while blog hopping I found you and this post about your gorgeous pillows!! In fact, these pillows inspired me to paint our office/den which is just off the living room that wonderful shade of blue in your pillows!! I keep thinking that they've got to have the fabric for sale, so that I can make more than two pillows for $80, but I may just have to splurge like you!! Fun to find your blog!

SoBella Creations said...

Great pillows!

All Things Cherish said...

Love those pillows, didn't as much until your pic of them. The PB pic doesn't do them justice as far as the colors. And I love that jute rug too! Too bad Pier 1 doesn't have it anymore! Cute!

Victoria Hayden said...

I am in love with your pillows now too! Gorgeous! I can see why you couldn't get them out of your mind. I occasionally break the rule of waiting for the sale too...I do say you have to love it, and you do! Enjoy those gorgeous pillows!

Hugs to you,
~Victoria~

Marina Capano said...

Hi Nice to meet yo!
I love your blog! what a fantastic deco! I love it!

I hope you on my blog!

xoxo

Pat said...

You deserve to treat yourself once in awhile. You work hard, you are a terrific mom and a terrific blogger! As a person who works at PB I can tell you that you will not be sorry you spent the money on these pillow covers. You will have them for years and years and never tire of them. They were "made" for your room. As always, just love your blog.......
Pat

Laurel @ Ducks in a Row said...

Oh, they're beautiful. Here's to never regretting them. It's fun having a "splurge" every now and then.

Lindy said...

Wow, those are really beautiful pillows. Worth every full price penny you spent! And yeah for Mom! (My mom would have done that, too!)

susan/standingsure said...

hey AN. Your room is really coming together! I love the new rug as much as the new pillows. It is sooooo you!

beth said...

Well, since you are usually so disciplined about how you spend your money, I don't see how a little splurge now and then on something you really, really love can hurt anything. The new pillow covers are beautiful. I bet every time you're near them, you have to stop and admire them for just a little while. :)

Misti of Studio M Designs said...

I DO love that fabric! Hey, a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do!!! Glad you got crazy and went for it.

Stop by and join my Uppercase Living giveaway!

~Misti

Anonymous said...

Great pillows! Love the delicate colors.

Betsy

Lynette said...

I love them and if they make you "pitter-patter" then that can only be a good thing right? And, I'm sure you got SOME kind of bargain on the rug right? That has to be factored somehow in this, right? I mean surely you can justify the pillows and the savings on the rug somehow, you're smart like that!!

No matter, the pillows are gorg and do look outstanding in your room and on your couch, and the dog just helps bring out that extra something - I think its called life!!

Enjoy them and don't worry about it -

llamashouse said...

oh my goodness, i stumbled upon this blog by accident while googling "why is pottery barn so expensive?" i'm the type to by everything on discount or from flea markets, yet i had the EXACT experience with the simone pillow earlier this week! i've been going back and forth trying to decided if they're really worth the $40...i think they are...so beautiful...

TupeloLove said...

I love your living room walls colors! What are they?

Delightful Dwelling said...

I love those pillows, they are gorgeous and a great pop of color! I think it all works out just fine since you got the rug for only $30. Think of it in reverse, it's like you paid $80 for an area rug (not too bad for a big rug) and only $30 for the pillows which works out to $15 a pillow.

Lisa said...

I saw them at pottery barn and loved them also! They look wonderful in your room!! lol...I didn't even see the dog....Too Funny!!!!

wcwalker said...

I really love your blog...I love the look of all white but with 3 kids 2 cats and a dog (who couch surfs) I am scared --how is the microfiber working out for you?? Your sofas look really comfy --where did you find them --Thanks

Anonymous said...

I can't believe I left your blog over an hour ago then came across it again from a google search for "Oil Rubbed Broze Spray Paint" and now here I am admiring photos of your living room. How funny!

:-)

simmsgirl said...

Hi! I know that this is an old post but I have drapes made from the same fabric as the pillows in this post.
I am looking for a wall paint color. What is the paint color of your wall?
BTW, do you still have your pillows? LOL!