Home bloggers like myself are all a twitter with Anthropologie these days.  Their flea market meets whimsy style easily brings a fun yet comfortable look to our homes (and our closets).  I drool over the pages of the catalog and images on the website often…and then I jump back into (my) reality because their prices are super high.

Because of my budget, I’ve never actually set foot into an Anthropologie store.  Okay, I take that back.  I have been into an Anthropologie, but it was years and years ago (like mid 90s?) and they only had clothing back then.  I am lucky enough to have two stores here in my little oasis in Texas, but they aren’t in areas of town I frequent and I hadn’t been moved enough to go there just to drool even more in person over things I can’t afford.

My parents were in town this weekend and we found ourselves near BOTH stores.  My mom encouraged me to go in them (enabler!) and take a look around.  I wish there would have been a video camera to capture my expression when I saw the price tag on the $498 lamp that looks eerily similar to the $50 lamp I saw at Lowe’s a few years ago.  Insanity, folks!

At any rate, I started thinking about all of the similar styles I’ve seen for prices that are much more in alignment with my budget.  Of course, Anthropologie has some items that are priced very reasonably (like their flower pots), but the majority of their home decor items can be easily replicated for less.

For example, this Anthropologie ruched white Cirrus duvet cover is fabulous.  I’m a huge fan of washable white bedding, and I love this look.  But for $208 for just the king size duvet, it’s a no can do for me.

Imagine my surprise when I found a similar look at Target.  I picked up this king size duvet set (duvet and 2 shams) for around $60.  Obviously, this unstyled stock photo from Target.com leaves a lot to be desired, but imagine it’s potential with a voluminous duvet inside – and all for $150 less than just the duvet cover from Anthropologie.

Another fun piece from Anthropologie is this Well Defined Ensemble lamp.  You know my love of book pages in decor, so this lamp really caught my eye.

But for the $388 price tag (GASP), I think I’ll just mod podge some dictionary pages on to a lamp shade and stick it on this $20 Ikea Jonsbo Egby lamp.  It’s the same look for a fraction of the price.

Fun, right?  Well, don’t stop there!  Even the simplest Anthropologie accessories can be found for a smaller price tag.  For example, the style of their Vintage Garden Markers (set of 3 for $28) can be found for a steal at BasilicusJones, where you can get a custom set of 4 for $25.

Anthropologie

BasilicusJones

Anthropologie has some amazing hardware, too.  Much of it is really unique, but you are really going to pay for having that uniqueness in your home.  A lot of it, though, can easily be found elsewhere in styles that are nearly identical.  For instance, you can buy this Checker Knob for $6.

Or, you can grab this one at Hobby Lobby for only $3 when all the knobs go on a half-price sale about once a month.  You can get twice the number of knobs for the same price – and I’m fairly certain that it’s the exact same knob.

Now, don’t get me wrong.  I didn’t walk out of Anthropologie empty handed.  In fact, my dad noted that no one walked out of there empty handed.  I picked up a few goodies but left with a lot more inspiration – fun tutorials to follow.  🙂

What “Anthropologie Style for Less” items have you seen in other stores?  Do tell!

Spring has breathed such a fresh air into all that was quickly becoming stale.  Just as I couldn’t handle wearing a jacket (we don’t need “coats” around these parts!) any longer, the weather has climbed into the 70s and the birds are singing from the branches of my newly-budding pear tree.

I don’t put out much seasonal decor in the winter, as I find winter drab and depressing. Sorry, but I just do. I know a lot of you rock the snowflakes and all of the goodness that goes with it, but I just spend the winter months wishing I could play outside with my kiddos and feel the warmth of the radiant sun on my face.  Spring is the time when I finally reinvigorate our home with some reminders of the season.

On Thursday, I bought my first stem of spring: a beautiful blue and white hydrangea. Paired with some eucalyptus I also picked up and some greenery clippings from my front yard, it brought such a perfect reminder of Spring to my living room.

I put the stems in a silver plate bucket I picked up a few years ago at an antique market. I haven’t used the urn as a vase before, but I really love it used in that capacity.

The first nest of the season has also made its appearance. Putting out my nests is really one of my favorite parts about decorating. They just remind me of the anticipation of my own little nestlings, whom I just love more than life itself.

Spring is here (or almost here), my friends. What is your favorite part about getting your home ready for spring?

P.S.  Within 24 hours, my beautiful Hydrangea was a goner.  It was the first Hydrangea stem I had ever purchased.  Once cut, do they have a ridiculously short lifespan?  Did my silver plate urn hurt it somehow?  Was it too close to the window?  The greenery still looks brilliant, so I’m quite confused.  If you have any guidance for me on Hydrangeas, please let me know!

P.P.S. A lovely reader, Janet, supplied this link on overcoming Hydrangea wilt.  Have you tried these techniques?  I’m definitely going to next time!