My Ode To Big Lots

Yep, that's right.. Big Lots.  As in, formally known as, Pic N Save.  

I have been reading your blogs and Target is getting all the love.

Don't get me wrong, I love me some bullseye...("I don't know why you say good buy, I say hello..hello, hello").  Target is dependable, bright, clean, features "designer" merchandise at great prices, etc.

But I'd like to take a moment and celebrate my favorite discount chain........ Big Lots.

Now I know what you're thinking... eeeeeeewwwwww, gross.  That place is so cheap and dirty... doesn't it smell like feet and old creamed corn?

Yes, yes it does, but that's what makes it so wonderful.. no one else goes there.. well, at least no one else who wants what I want....D E C O R.

Yep I said it.  My home is deorated `a la Big Lots.  And, I thought I would take a moment and share.....maybe even inspire....(a girl can dream).

Take a look at this treasure....


   Yep, this canvas print.. $5 at my local BL...bought 2 and hung 'm together...




Then we have this bad boy that I swear I saw on the Real Housewives of OC in Tamara's House.....





  This lovely grille set me back $7... It hangs over the towel rack in the guest bath...I know, totally classy.    Then, there is this beauty....








Again, I know, totally elegant.. $7.00.  I splurged and bought 2.. they are on the wall along the staircase...oh and just incase you can't tell, it's about 2 feet wide.. a nice substantial piece.





This next one could by my favorite BL find EVER....








Yes, your eyes do not deceive you.. those are BIG, BEAUTIFUL, METAL, BARN STARS!  These were almost missed, even by my well trained eye... sold in a set of 3 (1 small, 1 med, 1 large), the box was up high....and marked at $20.  Yes, ladies that wall of stars in my entry.. $40.  Shall we continue? 







I have had this piece for a few years... (I actually sent this picture to Shannon when she was designing my blog.. see the resemblance?)  That color turquoise and a fleur de lis... forget about it.  I would have paid $40.  Fortunately, it only cost me....... $7.00.  Yep.  Oh, and the baseballs, those weren't included..that's just my genius decor skills at work.

So there you have it.  My favorite finds from a not-so-favorite store.  I know Big Lots is packed to the ceilings with crap.  That the linoleum floors are all scuffed and peeling.  That half the picture frames are broken.  That it takes an hour to find someone to get the box of barn stars off the top shelf... and that the lady who finally helps you has no business climbing a ladder....

But, if you're like me... and you love to make your home pretty, but can't spend a fortune... go, seek, conquer.

Just make sure to use that hand sanatizer when you're done.

Comments

Debbie said…
Ok. I have never been to Big Lots because of the reputation, but I am so loving EVERYTHING you bought!!!! I may need to take a trip over there...but I have to bring my husband and pack heat (just kidding) because it isn't in a really good part of town. It might be worth the trip there! Thanks for the show and tell!
Anonymous said…
Sister - I will back up and defend your love of the Big Lots! I was so in love with BL that I based an entire wine club dinner around wine purchased from Big Lots!! Nobody knew the difference and I had a little extra dough in my pocket :) Love, Kiersten
Alison said…
Okay, I go to Big Lots on a semi-regular basis to look for scrapbooking stuff and toys for birthday presents, and I've never seen any decorating items that cute! I will need to train my eyes better. (We did get an excellent mattress for my daughter's bed for very little $).
Stacey said…
I tell you we think a lot alike sister. I LOVE BL. I always score there and you're right it is empty. The nice thing out here it's next to my first favorite store Heavenly HOBBY LOBBY (BOBBY "lil man's Spin") I wemt there this past Christmas and scored. When I got home I told JGE that I felt horrible because they had miss charged me. Let me reiterate that they didn't charge me for half the stuff. I am always able to pick up super cute wraping stuff as well. I am just thankful I don't have to pack heat to enter the building like Debbie above described.
Tiffany said…
Stacey!!!! The only thing I miss about Colorado (besides my peeps in Sapphire Pointe) is HOBBY LOBBY!

I almost cried the first time I walked in. Oh, the things around this house from HL!

And, 2 years ago, I decided to get all new XMAS stuff for my 10 ft tree.. I walked out for under $100 bucks. Oh man I love that place.

Next time you go, caress a fleur de lis finial for me!
~Sheila~ said…
That is cute stuff.
We have a Big Lots here. I have to admit, I have yet to set foot in it. I will have to give it a try sometime when I have spare change. If I find a place with cute cheap stuff I never want to stop looking around and I always come away with more than I wanted.
One day...I will stray away from Walmart to check it out.
Sunshine said…
I am *so* going to Big Lots today! I love that place, I just forget about it!
Anonymous said…
I'm wondering if Mr. Clean has ever ventured in with you? My hubby hates the place but I love it! It's a treat for me to go wondering around there not needing anyhing in particular. I always wind up with great deals. I was just there yesterday and found the grill cover we have been lokking for! It's a wonderful adventure everytime!
Heather M
Heather said…
Don't hate me, but I have a Big Lots and Hobby Lobby right. next. door. to. each other. It's strip mall heaven over there, I tell ya!! And at the very end....yep, a cookie place. I won't go on. It might be too much for you.
KatBouska said…
Oooh...mama likey. Who knew Big Lots could be such a hot spot. Or maybe you're just good at finding treasures...
Candid Carrie said…
Thanks for the so kind words, my book is ready ... got publisher?

Anyway, I am a BigLot-a-holic. There, my name is Carrie and I am a BigLot-a-holic. The more you say it the easier it gets.

Socks, candy, decor, hair products, earrings, giant bras, hammock size women's unders.

I need to replace my kitchen table (it is the one that my grandparents used in their first apartment) and it is on its last legs (ha ha) and my first stop was BigLots. Don't forget to look way up high and behind stuff.
Jennifer P. said…
I've gone there even when it was Pic-n-Save (a horrid name if ever there was one!). I bought wicker furniture to spray paint red, and lots of glass vases to lump together. Yes--it smells horrible. But that smack-you-in-the-face popcorn smell when you walk into Target aint all that much better :) (unless I'm hungry for popcorn!).
Shannon said…
oh I'm a big lots fan. I'm basically a fan of cheapness to tell you the truth! So whether the deal is at targe, big lots, tuesday morning, ross, or tj max....i'm gonna find it! And yes, i have hand sanitizer in my purse!
Jeri Anne said…
I have shopped at BL for years! You never know what you are going to find! But I love anything cheap but cool. I am a major penny pincher, but love to shop(and decorate and scrapbook, and, and, and). Anyway, it makes it even more fun when you get it cheaper than you normally would, right? A couple years back BL had a bunch of fairy statues that I scarfed up. I have to give props to Hobby Lobby, though, too. It is a FANTASTIC store! Unfortunately, the closest one to me is almost 2 hours away! I love when they have their huge clearance in winter. This winter I stumbled in and all clearance items were 80% off!!!!!! Heaven!
Anonymous said…
I just found you blog and love it! You're a trip! I was just at BL on Saturday...all I was able to score was a new rug for in front of the kitchen sink and wallpaper for my master bath(which I don't know if I am keeping yet, I have to open one roll and get the big picture!
Anonymous said…
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said…
Love Big Lots! We've got a few in Vegas to choose from. I love buying toddler toys there. And my kitchen table is from there...not beautiful but plain, simple and it does the job for now!

Melissa
Mama Dawg said…
I love Big Lots. They were everywhere in New Orleans when I lived there. We went at least 2 times a month.

Glad I'm not the only one who likes this place!

Emily
http://www.twodogsrunningsouth.blogspot.com/
Melissa Lee said…
Dear Mrs. Romero.

I recently came across your blog entry on Big Lots and couldn't help but be offended at your remark that it smell like "old creamed corn." I'm sure you were just using humor at our expense, but nonetheless Big Lots prides itself on being 1. A great place for savings, 2. A place where everyone in the family can find something, and 3. A clean, personable enviroment that draws people in - not repels them.
I was saddened to hear that the store near you did not meet these quality standards we set for ourselves. As President and CEO of Big Lots, INC. I hope you will allow me to apologize that your local store smelt like "creamed corn" when our original desire is and always has been to smell like fresh, niblet corn. Anything less is uncivilized. And as far as the lady climbing the ladder who most assuredly shouldn't have been. Well, it was eaither her or the other employee on duty but she was in the back shaving. Her face. Or so I was told.
Please try us again. I'm sure you'll find our sales remarkable, our smell enticing and our employess clean-shaven and "jolly."
Oh Tiffany, you got Joy and I cracking up this morning. As I was checking out your blog I came upon your "Ode to Big Lots" and just had to read it as BL is one of our favorite finds too. You can get some of the best party favors there for sooooo cheap. We too have a few BL goodies hanging around in our house. Our funniest was the toothless checker who couldn't help but smile at us as we spent over $150 on prize goodies. Thanks for the laugh.

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