I spent most of Memorial Day on Monday around my house, but outside. We cooked some food on the grill, hung out, it was very therapeutic. Oh the weather in Los Angeles has been nice, very nice indeed. The sweet California sunshine can be a wondrous thing. Quite the switch from recent years that I have spent back east, where it has been nail bitingly cold for six months then transitions into humid and swampy. Yes we were having a great time, but I also started getting a little bummed out.

California weather has quite a bit going for her, but she can also be a cruel mistress…you see she is killing my lawn and plants. Yes, we water regularly but the sun is just burning them up. I believe the time has come to be proactive and take some steps to avert certain disaster.

As we entered our nearby Home Depot to obtain all of our necessary supplies, Sara’s attention was drawn to the patio furniture. “We really should pay some attention to the patio situation”, she was telling me. My first inclination was to say, “Oh come on, let’s just get what we came for”. Sara’s persistence and logic always has a way of changing my mind though, “So you want a good looking lawn, but don’t care if the patio area looks crummy?”. Okay, fair enough. Though if we are going to think of purchasing new patio furniture, what do we have to consider?

• Too Eat or Too Talk? - As with any new patio furniture purchase you should step back and look at the space you want to fill. Begin by thinking of what you’ll need. Is it for dining, or just lounging? Deciding what you’ll use the space for will help you begin to figure out what you’ll need.
• People or Alone Time? - Imagine what you want the space to look like. Do you want a seating area that you can have a lot of people in conversing? Or do you want a place you can be alone and read in? Knowing how you want the area to look will also help you figure out what to get and how much.
• What Style? - You need to be aware that materials convey styles and eras. Wrought iron is thought of as Victorian, wicker is romantic and wood feels rustic and warm. Decide what style you want to convey.
• Warranty? - When you’re ready to start looking at patio furniture look at warranties, and care instructions. Make sure the furniture is durable and the parts are easy to replace. Decide what works for you as far as the amount of maintenance needed.
• Fabrics Choices - Make sure fabrics are water resistant and plan to retreat these annually. Also, check that hardware and brass are galvanized and stain resistant.
• Bargains & Deals - Look for bargains in floor models, pieces with minor scratches or discontinued styles. You might be able to find sets that are missing a cushion, for example, and you can get a deal on that.
• Shop with a budget in mind, but look for value over price. Home Depot is currently offering 25% off of selected patio sets as well as free shipping! Let me tell you, that little sale went a long way in convincing me to come around to Sara’s way of thinking
• Try it OUT! - Before you buy it try it out! Make sure you like the styles you choose and that you are comfortable in them. Be sure you know return policies, etc.

Believe me, if you decide to take the plunge and go this direction, I have no doubt you will be so happy you did, and with these Home Depot coupons you will be even happier. Think of all the comfort and pride radiating from you home as you entertain in these warm upcoming months. Yeah, it’ll be great.

Suffice to say, Sara won out and this weekend I plan on napping on our new  Hampton Bay Wicker Patio set..

The Lakeside Collection is an online store that features categories like Apparel, Domestics, Electronics, Food Gifts, Furniture, Garden, Collectibles, Home Decor, Health & Beauty and Jewelry. So many things. The prices are good too. Really Good! With the plentiful additions of the online coupons and discounts they offer it just gets better. Excellent prices and discounts, and products people love? Well no wonder The Lakeside Collection edged into the top 10 most searched for items on Google today!

What are we shopping for today? Items for the kids? How about character bedding, pajama sets, stuffed animals, Christmas theme toys, art sets, puzzles and educational toys. Your  picky teenage daughter? How about purses, lip gloss sets, aromatherapy sets, or brand new bedding for her room? the guys in your life will no doubt love the thermals, camping equipment, sports items, a telescope and outdoor games, to name just few options.

A great example of the savings and quality available at The Lakeside Collection is 100% Cotton Towels featured above - Set of 16 for only $9.95

See the Lakeside Collection is a veritable wonderland of savings. They are constantly offering up new deals so it would behoove all of us to check out current offers and check often! Their slogan is: “good things in life don’t have to cost a fortune.” Yes. Exactly. Those of us here at Coupon Mountain completely agree.

For Free Lakeside Collection Coupons - Click here!

I have been checking out some recent Target coupons, and have found some great deals. I found that they are offering 15% off select home and garden items over $125. While thumbing through their recent selections I found this great STC Garden Green house. We’ve been honing our gardening chops for a while now and have gotten pretty good at it. Maybe it’s time to step up our game? Take it to the next level? Our current plot space is pretty full…and it might make her happy. Not too mention, that I always benefit when she’s happy. I am truly that good of a person, always selflessly thinking of others. I know I know, it’s quite alright to be in awe of such benevolence.

Click here for free Target Coupon Codes & Free Shipping Offers! 

Let’s all do a little meditation shall we? No I’m not trying to be corny (not trying, but it comes naturally). I want us all to think of what our bed means to us…and what it takes for a bed to make us happy. Comfort is key sure…it also needs to fit our space in look and dimension. There are quite a few factors to consider, we spend a lot of time with our beds. When we need a new one, when it’s time to step up, what should we look for? There are times when it really, really pays to do your research. Purchasing a major piece of furniture is definitely one of those times. You are going to most likely drop a nice chunk of change, so you better be sure you are happy with it for the long term. I don’t think going cheap for cheap’s sake is the route to take on this decision either. That futon is probably not going to make you happy. I see nothing wrong in spending some real money to get something that will make you happy if said acquisition can possibly last you 20 years. So how do we find a bed that will stand the test of time, satisfy us in the long term? Well go beyond just heading to the bed store and rolling around on the floor models for a few minutes.Do some research, find out about the manufactures and read some reviews. What do other people think about the mattress? Are other customers happy with their buy? If other customers are unhappy with a particular bed, what do they recommend and why? Alternatively, you may want to talk to your physician or even a chiropractor to see what they recommend. A chiropractor can recommend a bed type that will give your spine the maximum support it requires while it gives you the maximum comfort you need. Pay attention to the materials used in the construction of not only the frame, but of the mattress. Think resiliency. They do still make ‘em like back in granddads day, you just have to pay attention.You also need to take some exact measurements and think things through. Room size and dimensions? What size of bed will I be purchasing? What size mattress will I need? Measure the room and area the bed is destined for. Will the length of the entire bed fit in the area provided? Do you have space for a headboard and footboard, or just the bed? Will there be enough space for a nightstand, mirror, and/or a bench? What about the width? Don’t forget that, unless you are thinking futon, daybed, or platform bed, you will need to purchase both a boxspring and a foundatiion.
Here is a bit of reference, so you can keep everything straight:

Now that you are ready to shop, where should you start?

May I recommend the following bedroom furniture deals:

Pottery Barn Deals - Furniture Sale, Save up to 50% Off Select Items at Pottery Barn

West Elm Coupons - Save 15% off all West Elm’s Bedroom Furniture

Williams-Sonoma Discount Codes - Top Rated Decor & Furnishings

 Hope that helps…happy shopping!

What to do? What to do?

Well how about new blinds and curtains? The current ones, though not in terrible shape were old, and weathered…at the very least out of fashion. Window treatments are also often ignored, but will give one’s living space a real injection of new life. This seemed to be a fantastic idea. I found just the place to help us with our project too, Smith and Noble. Smith and Noble has a full line and massive selection of materials to craft custom window treatments. I know it sounds extravagant, but this after all our mother we are talking about and if you read my posting yesterday you know that there is no way we are going to be bad kids!

Only custom window treatments give you precise fit in your window opening, which not only looks but insulates better. Only custom window treatments let you choose, at no cost, important details like left or right side cord placement. Not only that but they are offering 15% off for new customers through May 1! This is great! I just know that she is going to be so happy this year!

Use coupon code SAVE-9PCH during checkout to get 15% off first order for new customers

For more Smith+Noble coupons, discount codes and bargains - Click here!

(Click on the image to play the Video)
I know it’s wrong but when I think of Sears, I think of that scene from the Brady Bunch Movie.
Put on your Sunday’s best kids - WE ARE GOING TO SEARS! 

It pretty much boggles the mind how long Sears has actually been around, a department store that has lasted as long as Sears has to encompass great savings and quality. You can literally find everything you need to make your house a home at Sears. Shop for discount Craftsman tools, Kenmore appliances, fitness equipment to lawn and garden supplies.

Plus I shall give you the following Sears Coupons from the kindness of my own heart:

 Save 60% Off Jewelry

Save 50% Off Mattresses 

Take an Extra 40% Off Clearance Apparel

Save 10% Off National Brands of Vacuums

If you want to use any of these Sears Coupons - Click here!

Well this time I am not going to let my frugal nature get the best of me! Take 10% off Appliances at Home Depot plus Free Shipping!

Which means you can take 10% Off major appliances like refrigerators, wine coolers, vacuums,  range hoods, etc. Some of the offers are only available online and I think you need to spend over $299 or more to tack on the additional 10% off. However since they are offering Free Delivery on online purchases it really is a great deal!

For more Home Depot coupons and deals, click here.

Hurry, the last day for Holiday Shopping Free Delivery is December 14! Shop Home Depot for up to 50% off select Holiday Decor, check out their vast collection of discounted pre-lit Christmas trees, ornaments, lawn decor, reindeer, snowmen, wreaths and much much more.

The best Holiday Decor sales are right after Christmas or closer to Christmas Day, obviously Home Depot wants to unload their current stock of Holiday decorations to make room for fresh supplies and new seasons. What I like about Home Depot’s selection is it runs the gamut from ordinary stock Christmas lights to unique and one of a kind deals, such as the Airborne Christmas Carousel. Many of these deals and products are available Online Only so check them out!

To check out the Holiday Decor Sale at Home Depot, click here.

Enter coupon code: HOLIDAY733 at checkout to receive Get $5 Off Orders of $50 or more

For more free Home Depot Coupons, click here!