A Ballard Designs Outlet Field Trip

Hey all,
It’s been a busy and semi-productive weekend, and eventful as well.  My 5 year-old daughter took the scissors to her hair and gave herself a little trim.  I’m talking a chunk out of her hair.  The poor girl has always been hair-challenged, so this is just adding to it.  Perhaps mullets will make a comeback.  
Anyway, I have a great project (for my budding hair stylist, no less) that I was hoping to reveal to you today, but alas, I need another day to finish.  But trust me when I say that I think it’s going to turn out beautifully!  Here is a hint…
Once again, I was inspired by the photos from Emily A. Clark’s blog from the Charlotte Homebuilder’s Tour.  Apparently, I’m living in the wrong state.

In the meantime, I also made a trip down to the Ballard Designs Outlet, which is just about 25 short minutes away!  I thought I would share some of the treasures that are available in this Land of Loveliness.

They have me at “Hello” – I’m not even IN the store yet, and I’m greeted with this!

A wide variety of pretty clocks at your service:

 Some artwork:

 A yummy quatrefoil mirror:

 Some fab headboards:

And the lighting – oh the lighting!

Some awesome chandeliers and lovely lanterns.  I was oh-so-tempted by the lanterns!

 A pretty console:

A beautiful linen sofa:

 And a selection of mercury glass:

They were even having a President’s Day Sale!  Everything was marked down with an additional 20% off, and then ANOTHER additional 20% off.  So what did I get?  Nothing!  Zip, zilch, zero, can you believe it?  
I was looking for some specific things – drapery inspiration for my dining room, maybe a chandelier for our bedroom or the dining room.  Figures, right?  When you’re looking for something specific, you just never find it! 
I was very tempted by that beautiful lantern though – I have been digging through lots of dining room inspiration photos, and I love that look!  But one of the curses of the Ballard Outlet is a No Return Policy.  So, I didn’t want to risk not loving the lantern.
But really, like any outlet, there are some great deals, and there are some things that are just so-so.  You need to look, but I certainly enjoy stopping by, looking for deals!
Did I mention there is a Frontgate Outlet right across from Ballard?  No, I’m not kidding. 😉  I’ll save those deals for another post.
Happy Monday!

6 Comments

  • Reply
    Lisa
    February 21, 2011 at 1:39 pm

    Oh I am so jealous that you have a Ballards Outlet near you! Just for window shopping – how fun! I have a lantern over my kitchen table and love it. I know it's not for everyone but it's my favorite thing we've added to this basic house so far. Sounds like that lantern at Ballards spoke to you in the same way!

  • Reply
    Colleen
    February 21, 2011 at 2:09 pm

    I wish we had one around here. I didn't even know they had outlets.

    I am cracking up at the first part of your post as my 5 year old daughter did the very same thing with her cousin last week. Except it was more than a chunk. It was cutting the finally grown out bangs and then a big area in the back. I blogged about it. We had to have it fixed. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry so I did both!!

  • Reply
    Green Door Girl
    February 22, 2011 at 5:59 am

    what wonderful things and no you can never find anything you want when you have a specific list! 🙂

    PS – my oldest chopped off her hair at 3, we had to go with the pixie cut for a few months, it was not a happy day in our house 🙂

  • Reply
    Kim @ Sand and Sisal
    February 23, 2011 at 3:33 am

    A Ballard Outlet?! Oh so envious! Enough said. 🙂

  • Reply
    1 Funky Woman
    February 25, 2011 at 5:23 am

    Man you're so lucky to have a BD outlet and a Frontgate outlet so close. I love the lantern, so cool!

    I have to say I laughed when I read your daughter cut her hair! My daughter is now 6 but has cut her own hair 3 times. Once when her hair was quite long so we had to go to her shoulders. Then she snipped it again and we went to a bob cut. Not too long ago she pretty much decided she didn't like her bangs and chopped those suckers. They are finally growing back.
    We have hid all the scissors from that child!

    Megan

  • Reply
    Stuff and Nonsense
    August 11, 2012 at 7:52 pm

    ok

    i seriously need to either move
    or cultivate friendships with folks
    who live near a BD outlet

    i'm in desperate need
    of a new slipcover for my baldwin sofa
    and i just don't want to pay retail

    why can't they open one
    in pittsburgh??

    alison

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