BlogHer - Dreaming of a Brand New Bedroom... - Comments

If there's evidence that a CEO is a racist and an anti-Semitic

Vered — Wed, 14 May 2008 14:00:38 -0500

Then yes, I would prefer to buy my discounted sheets elsewhere.

Seriously? You don’t boycott companies b/c of political issues?

PS. It's noon PT. I think your workday should be over now. :)

Er what political statement?

Denise — Wed, 14 May 2008 13:49:07 -0500

I boycott Overstock due to poor customer service, not the CEO's politics. It's all about me personally when it comes to how and where I spend my money.

:-)

~Denise
BlogHer Community Manager

Flamingo House Happenings

Overstock's CEO Patrick Byrne’s political views

Vered — Wed, 14 May 2008 13:45:48 -0500

Wow, you learn so much on the internet. Now the simple act of buying discounted bedding has turned into a political statement. And, now that I have the info, I have to boycott Overstock too. Sigh. Non-discounted sheets are so expensive.

White sheets belong in the hospital. :-)
I don’t like dark colors either, but shades of off-white and what they like to call oatmeal and sand and light khaki-type colors look great and natural and clean and non-fussy. Yes, I’ve got opinions too when it comes to sheets.

Liz – whites are the easiest to keep clean, easier than colors I think, if you are willing to use bleach occasionally. But that would be a non-PC choice too, right? Bad for Earth. Also, I think you are correct on the no-name issue. Didn't even occur to me that the whole thing might be suspicious.

Sigh. You live and learn.

Vered DeLeeuw
www.momgrind.com

TW is responsible for washing sheets

Denise — Wed, 14 May 2008 13:21:26 -0500

But I will be happy to discuss this white sheet fetish of mine with you in person at BlogHer Con this year.

~Denise
BlogHer Community Manager

Flamingo House Happenings

Got to wonder about the ply...

Liz Rizzo — Wed, 14 May 2008 13:18:54 -0500

When I see a high thread count with no name brand I begin to wonder. It may be 400 double ply (hence "800"), which isn't as smooth as 400 single ply. Also, it says "cotton construction" as opposed to clearly stating "100% cotton." No mention of Egyptian or Pima.

OK, I'm a little obsessed with sheets...

Denise, how do you keep white sheets clean?

Liz Rizzo

I blog at Everyday Goddess.

Sheets should ONLY be white

Denise — Wed, 14 May 2008 13:11:58 -0500

I like white sheets and only white sheets and I've boycotted Overstock for years but before that boycotting, we always got our super high thread count sheets from them. Always.

~Denise
BlogHer Community Manager

Flamingo House Happenings

OK then I agree

Denise — Wed, 14 May 2008 13:10:42 -0500

If you don't want to totally disconnect, then a chumby is the perfect internet accessory for your bedroom.

Now what color would you want? lol

~Denise
BlogHer Community Manager

Flamingo House Happenings

I'm with Liz on this one!

Vered — Wed, 14 May 2008 13:01:57 -0500

I like a bedroom to be just a bedroom - no distractions. Definitely no technology.

Agree with both of you on quality sheets - take a look at this 800 thread count set from Overstock.com. They even have dark colors! $73 including shipping.

Another good place for discounted quality bedding is smartbargains.com.

Vered DeLeeuw
www.momgrind.com

Letting Chumby into the bedroom

Liz Rizzo — Wed, 14 May 2008 12:51:03 -0500

You know, I think I see the Chumby as the perfect bedroom compromise. Like, OK, you've let the Internet in, but in specific ways that don't intrude the same way as a laptop. I mean, you're not going to blog or email on a Chumby. It's like a multimedia alarm clock/picture frame/music player.

Yeah, I really dream of a bedroom that's not full of stuff - but that doesn't mean I want to be *totally* disconnected. :D

Liz Rizzo

I blog at Everyday Goddess.

Great sheets and a chumby

Denise — Wed, 14 May 2008 12:19:39 -0500

I have to agree that really GREAT sheets are a MUST. We've got some super high thread count bamboo sheets right now and I really like them BUT in the middle of winter, they seemed a little too "cool" and light. They're better "summer" sheets, I think.

We had the Chumby in our bedroom for awhile are you sure that's your ideal bedroom accessory if you want a bedroom that's truly a bedroom? Chumby can do so much more that it's tempting to "do more" with it --- and if you're going to do all of that with it, then why not just keep your laptop in the bedroom? Just talking out loud here - personally, I want my bedroom to have a laptop and books and everything that I love but your post doesn't sound like you want that sort of "stuff" in an ideal bedroom...

Now about those black out curtains. I think I need to research those. We're moving into what may be a very very bright bedroom (well as bright as a bedroom in the gloomy north can be...)

~Denise
BlogHer Community Manager

Flamingo House Happenings

Dreaming of a Brand New Bedroom...

Liz Rizzo — Wed, 14 May 2008 09:50:31 -0500

You know, when I did this interview for USA Today and they shot pics of me in my bedroom, some of the comments on the article really brought home to me that at 36 I'm living what might be considered an alternative lifestyle by some. I live in a two-bedroom apartment with a roommate, so my bedroom is also my office. And because it's just me - almost the same me from ten, even twenty years ago in many ways, it's still full of my stuff: Books, knick knacks, games, my teddy bear.

I don't live in a house. I don't have kids to give some of my cherished kid things to. I don't hold a man at night, so there's Teddy. For many excellent reasons and solid choices, that's my life.

Now, I have many dreams. I want to direct television, I want to get married, I want to drive a Lexus, and I'd like to pay off my student loan before I'm 50. And I'd really, really like to someday have a bedroom that's exactly and only that: A Bedroom.

With a bed. And maybe an armoire. A little nightstand or two.

No desk, No bookshelves, No television, No office.

Just a bedroom.

Come with me while I dream?

First installation: Nice Sheets and Thick Curtains.

Currently I'm coveting Comfort Soft Cotton Sheet Set by Wamsutta, 100% Egyptian Cotton, 400 Thread Count (queen set is $89.99 at Bed, Bath & Beyond). I find that a 400 thread count of 100% cotton is simply divine, and the single most important part of your bedroom. Good sheets really do make your bed the perfect retreat. I wish that good sheets came in a variety of darker colors, though.

As for curtains: Wow, would these Amanda Blackout Room Darkening Window Panels by Eclipse change my life. My window faces a freeway, so dark and quiet sounds dreamy. Prices vary based on the size of your window and how you want to hang them (from Bed, Bath & Beyond).

Now, I think the perfect bedroom would involve a less-is-more approach to wall decorations. While these aren't for everyone, I love Bilk Surface Graphics from Threadless. My new bedroom would immediately have to have one. Let's Go Parasoling ($40) seems perfect for sweet dreams. (If you check out Bilk, be sure to click on the designs to see how the sticker sets work; it's pretty cool.)

And I would totally have to have a candle wall sconce from Illuminations. With my Bilk already up, I'd want to keep it clean and simple, so I'd go for these awesome 9-Tealight ($59.95) and 5-Tealight ($34.95) Sconces/Chandeliers - They can hang against a wall or from the ceiling! I like that they take tea lights, too. Once you've made the investment in the sconces, you can enjoy them with an inexpensive bag of tea lights ($4.99, Linens 'n Things), particularly since these sconces don't require tea lights in clear cups.

Have I mentioned that my perfect bedroom has a coat rack? Maybe that sounds weird, but I dream of my robe hanging by my bed where I can slip right into it the morning. Of course, it has to be a slim coat rack - I don't need my umbrella and winter coats by the bed! I *love* this Metal Coat Rack with Marble Accents ($79) from Coat Rack Shack. (Seriously, there is a website specializing in everything.) But I would probably pick their Coat Rack with Ornate Metal Work, Flat Black Finish ($88.69) because it would go better with my wrought iron sconces.

Now for some fun. Whatever shall I put on and in my nightstand?

Could I want a Chumby more??? I mean, I need an alarm clock if my iMac is living outside the bedroom (aka, my $1500 alarm clock). And every bedroom needs music. And pictures. And the weather report. Chumby has it all in one neat little package. Daily Tech News explains: There’s something about Chumby...

At its core, the Chumby is a tiny Linux-based computer stuffed into a soft, leather-like case that resembles a beanbag. It uses Wi-Fi to connect to the Internet, from which it downloads widgets that deliver specific bits of information to its 3.5-inch touchscreen.

Basically, it's my future lover. Who cares about shoes when there's tech to be had??? ($179.95 from Chumby with free shipping)

And *in* my nightstand? Well, I have fallen in love at first sight with Wink, a Silk and Suede Blindfold ($75) from JimmyJane.com.

More versatile than your favorite scarf, this suggestive accessory can ravel while you unravel. Made of over 3 yards of 100% hand dyed silk cut on the bias, it provides more than enough comfort and just enough yield. The fabric softens beautifully with use & time. We've been known to slide off the mask and wear it out on the town -- our little secret.

Each side of the supple suede mask is embroidered to help you get what you want. One side shows the universal symbol of snooze: the Z! Wear it nightly as a decadent sleep mask, or flip it over and flash your partner the come-hither heart.

Cute, delicious, and practical.

Finally, when I'm not using my blindfold, I like to read in bed, so I'll definitely need a bedside lamp. Oh, Pink Lily Table Lamp (Lamps Plus, $39.95), if loving you is wrong, I don't wanna be a right.

Sigh, total dream bedroom. Maybe someday I'll be there. And I'm bringing my teddy bear.

Contributing editor Liz Rizzo also blogs at Everyday Goddess.