I know, the Army of M.E. can’t stand Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie because, in UO’s case, they sell overpriced disposable clothing unwearable after one wash. We must admit we do like a lot of what we see in the way of Anthropologie -especially the designer collaborations. But then they get silly with their no-name bags in a similar price range of a top designer bag at a sample sale -and that makes us mad. We hate trashing but this is just how we see it. However, we do give credit when it is due and in the fall we covered UO’s stylish beenies (those little sequined and hounds-tooth hats they had, some resembling Eugenia Kim at a fraction of the cost -who wants to spend a lot on a dying trend like hats?) Now, our attention is brought to a sale on the domestics at Anthropologie -shipping charges can be a bitch with larger items (and you can’t have them shipped to the store for pick-up) but here are some nice items we found that we think are good deals:

This Stenciled Coffee Table is reduced from $698 to $350 + $75 shipping. It has a lovely design and is quite practical with storage space for magazines and remotes and rounded edges if you have (or plan to have) little ones.

This Decoupage Nesting Table is very versatile -you can use it to display rolled up towels in the bath or, if you are fortunate enough to have a summer home, a resting place for your guest’s weekend bag. It was originally $248 and is now $50.

My home consists of mostly white walls so I rely on the occasional splash of vibrant color and print from little accent items that can make brief appearances (committing to bold colors/prints that can’t easily be changed, like wallpaper, is not advised as the eye tends to tire and taste tends to bore quickly of them)

Dishtowels -the first two are $8/ea. and the third is $10:

Napkins (first 2 -$13 and last $17 all are sets of 4):

Tablewares -bowls $8/ea and teapot $30:

This inside out hanging shade is very Kartell for $80:

I’ve had an ongoing obsession with birch tree forests (to the point that I want a full-wall mural in my living room which would require abandonment of the above rule about permanent prints), so I love these coniferous curtains to the right, but that’s just me.

And for a final little DIY lesson, the below ‘wall art’, as they like to call it so they can charge you $130 (on sale!), you can do yourself. Peruse some art magazines, or go to a local fabric vendor -or even look on ebay for interesting prints/fabrics. Get a $5 black frame from Target or wherever and viola -your personalized version will likely be more exciting than this anyway.

As much as Sofia Coppola’s last two films have been a gigantic overindulgence of money, so was the excessive life of her last character portrait, Marie Antoinette. Just watching the sequences showing gluttonous consumption of sweets, champagne and shoes makes my stomach churn. Well, minus the shoes part -that just makes me jealous. I can’t, however, deny the valuable cultural reference to the blossoming tea bloom. This is a great gift for the impossible to shop for or someone you don’t quite know that well. It can also be a fun indulgence for yourself or a conversation starter for a dinner party you intend. The average price at specialty shops is around $15 for a box of 6 and after some online research I discovered you get more for your money ordering online. The most comprehensive site I found was Golden Tea House which is a direct exporter from China & worldwide shipping is only $3.95! Amazon has a selection as well, should you be planning to order something from them. You must be sure to have a clear glass pot or mug in which to steep otherwise the point is somewhat lost. You may find them on the above-mentioned sites or go with something more modern at Bodem.