I’m no fan of Martha Stewart. Her thinly veiled contempt for those around her drives me nuts.

I had the particular misfortune of watching one of her over-the-top holiday shows where her homemade cinna-lemon candles sat atop a finely appointed table complete with crisp linen and mugs* of mulled cider, and the walls sparkled with hand stenciled doves. Upstairs, the guestroom boost all the comfortable amenities of a five star hotel, and burning on the gilded nightstand abutting a handwritten ‘sleep tight’ card…yep, you guessed it, another damn cinna-lemon candle.

If you didn’t puke after the first mention of cinna-lemon candles, you’re my hero. Piss off, Martha! What about the real people on real budgets?

Let’s be realistic. Everyone wants to present a crackin’ get-up but very few have the time or resources for Martha’s drama; especially if you're an apartment dweller who can’t make permanent alterations.



Here are a few realistic and inexpensive ideas from some of your favorite writers:

Sutter Home’s Bubbly Moscato: 6.99-10.00. Unless you have a sommelier in your numbers, no one will miss the expensive French champagne. In fact, those who don’t fancy the shape bite of dry champagne will thank you.

Moscato wines are produced using late harvest grapes which are exceedingly sweet; giving them the label 'dessert wines'. Perfect for newbies!

Sutter Home also has a placid moscato that I love. The alcohol content is around 15% so take care…it’s still alcohol! Flavor notes: Rose petals, lichee fruit, creamy white peaches and ripe, juicy honeydew melons.







Better Homes and Gardens Scented Wax Cubes: 2.00 for a six pack. I LOVE these things. I’m a Yankee Candle whore but Emily purchased a pack of Iced Winter Cranberry from Walmart and we gave them a try. Two cubes scented our entire first and second floor. The fragrances weren’t overpowering or synthetic and well worth 2.00.

In addition to Iced Winter Cranberry, my favorite scents are Spice Sugar Plums, and Wild Berry Cheesecake. As far as I know, they’re exclusively sold at Walmart.

Tips: To increase the longevity of the scent, once the burner and used wax have cooled, use a rubber band to affix a piece of plastic wrap over the burner. You’re good for a few more burns.

Company dropping by at the last minute? Place a small pot of water with a little cinnamon and vanilla on the back eye of the stove, bring to a boil, then turn it to a simmer or off. Bam! Instant “Girl, what are you cooking?” aroma - which is far better than Glade.



Our Bed and Bath Picks: Westpoint Home and Tuesday Morning. Believe it or not, people judge you by your linen. Yeah, you could buy cheaper linen from Walmart but why not save yourself the tears (and your guest the itchy bottoms) and pay the extra dollar for a higher thread count and pile.

Tuesday Morning is one-stop-shopping! Be sure to check out their cookware. Westpoint has been an annual family pilgrimage for as long as I can remember**. Hit the seconds area for deeper discounts. It’s worth it and most times the flaws aren’t visible to the naked eye. I picked up our Ralph Lauren towels for 75% off.


Dollar Tree Tableware: 1.00per piece. Skip Pottery Barn and hit Dollar Tree white dishes hard. Who knew they’d look so classy? Don’t purchased colored dinnerware…ever! Accent colors are just that; accent colors.

They should be relegated to napkins and maybe the trim of the plates…but never the entire plate as it takes away from the food. Punches of color here and there are fine; splurge on a set of Pier One napkin rings, placemats or a table runner.

Remember: Keep it simple. Keep it classy. And let it sparkle. Once your table/buffet is pulled together, you’ll be pleased.





Flowering Floral Panels Vinyl Wall Art by The Sticker Hut: 8.00–42.00. This is an excellent idea for apartment and rental dwellers. These panels are guaranteed to stay in place as long as you do. They’re easy to apply and give your space an artsy touch in a pinch. They even have front door decals.

That’s it for now. Drop us a line for more suggestions. Peace!




*Yes, mugs of cider. Like she’d ever drink from a mug.

**I’m gonna cry if I stay on that topic. *fans eyes* I’ll share the story with you at a later time.









**UPDATE**

 Riunite’s Rosato: 5.99. This was my first taste and it wasn’t that bad, actually. Though it lacks the complexity of V. Sattui's Gamay Rouge, it’s a nice substitute. As the name indicates, it’s a rose moscato blend – mildly beefy and sweet. Don’t confuse with white merlot which is dry and beefy and pairs best with heavier meals. I imagine rosato would pair well with most meals and on its own.

Tip: Pour your rose/red wines into a decanter - give it a few minutes to breathe - and no one will know what they're drinking. ;-)  

We found another Better Homes and Gardens scented wax melt that we think you’ll like: soft cashmere amber. The fragrance is an amalgamation of Victoria Secret’s Angel and Ralph Lauren’s Romance – soft and clean. Emily purchased an entire tray.