Monday, June 20, 2011

Shop It To Me: HomeGoods, Part Deux


We came. We saw. We shopped.
From left: Aileen, Arcelie, Jess, Sara. I'm the one with the glasses and the cart full of practical towels... what can I say? I know how to party.
Not pictured: Beth and Laura.
Yes, at 8 a.m. on a Saturday morning, seven women braved bed head, fatigue, and unreliable train service just for the chance to spend free money at the new HomeGoods store on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.

When we got there, the sky was overcast but the store was bright and buzzing with bloggers--and bagels! After a brief but warm welcome, the HomeGoods staff handed out our gift cards and set us loose.

I'd never been in a HomeGoods before. Turns out it's kind of like a Crate & Barrel but folksier, and with merchandise you're not as afraid to touch. The upper level had dishes, cutlery, and kitchenware--including prepared foods, which I was incredibly tempted to buy but which I knew would sound ridiculous when I explained it to my husband: "Honey, you'll never believe what I scored: five cases of root beer and a three-month supply of biscotti. No, no, listen... almond and espresso"--while the lower level housed more substantial furnishings like lamps, rugs, and tables, bedding, towels, and linens, and various decor and gifts. I had imagined myself tearing through the store throwing items into my cart with targeted precision as a price tally dinged above my head, but instead I wandered, kind of awestruck, unsure of what to buy. Why is it that when we're broke, we covet everything, and when we have cash to burn we can't make a commitment?

I think much of my hesitance had to do with my oh-so-practical spouse. I am convinced that we can use pretty much anything in our apartment--it is a fact that Jeff once had to physically restrain me from accepting an offer of a rolling wicker bar cart from a family friend that looked like something Blanche Devereaux might have designed for HSN while intoxicated. (If you are thinking, Wait, that sounds awesome!, you are totally right and I still regret not going back for it)--while Jeff takes into consideration things like floor space and whether things are actually, you know, useful.

My original plan was to buy things for our nursery, but the baby section was limited, so I ultimately decided to spend my time in the bedding, bath, and beyond. I knew we needed towels (our current motley bunch bore tears, stains, and an unmistakable air of sadness), so I picked out a set of eight by Ralph Lauren (four a shade of moss green, four the color of fresh-churned butter), and threw in a new bath mat (moss green) for good measure. My imaginary Supermarket Sweep overhead tally jumped to $70.91--more than 70% of my total spent in one aisle!--but it was cheap for what I was getting and I knew I'd be happier choosing things we actually needed rather than impulse buys like, say, a trio of patriotically-dressed mice:

Kidding. I had no impulse to buy this. But I'm sure someone will love it very much.
I paused to pose for a baby bump shot with my friend Arcelie...

That may or may not be a plate of food in the top of my cart.
 I'm pregnant, so shut up.
... and then made my way back upstairs to spend my remaining $30.

(Meanwhile, while I was loading enough towels into my cart to soak up a monsoon, my friends were making out like bandits. Sara scored a rubber spatula, a set of bowls, a pretty picture frame, a lettuce knife, and an outdoor tablecloth; Aileen bought a ceramic pan, a low-fat cooking pan, a veggie slicer, and wine glasses; Beth found a Le Creuset pie dish, floral napkins, two sets of 10 Vera Wang notecards, a set of her favorite Crabtree & Evelyn products and--most importantly--candy; and Laura picked up sweet fig liquid hand soap, a Ralph Lauren fitted sheet, and a citronella candle in a stone pot. Jess, however, was so indecisive that she bought 20 felted hangers and spent the remaining $39 of her $50 gift card on another gift card. Hahaha.)

With time running out, I set about finding something else that Jeff would be proud of, and that we could actually use. As I passed the kitchen section, my mind drifted to all of the times we'd carve chickens or turkeys on the quaint $4 cutting board I'd purchased the year after I graduated from college (2003) and watch in helpless horror as the juices rained down upon the floor. I grabbed a sturdy wooden cutting board twice the size of our current one with skid-resistant legs and a well around the perimeter specifically designed for roasts. At only $16.99, it was a steal. And I still had cash left to burn! And then, as I was waiting in line to pay, I spotted it: an adorable lemon yellow package stuck in among the check-out tchotchkes. The brand was Mrs. Meyers, so I figured I'd like whatever it was, and at $5.99 it would bring me right up to my $100 limit (I really wanted to come as close as possible without going over, so that I would win on the imaginary Price is Right episode I was living). As luck would have it, it was a tube of lip and cheek balm... for babies! So I managed to get my little bun in the oven a gift after all.

Sure, it brought my total to $102.22 (I'm sorry, Bob! I failed you!), but it was worth it.

Check out our shopping guns!
OK, now's the fun part. What would you buy with $100 at HomeGoods? This is an incredibly relevant question, because by answering you will automatically be entered to win a $100 HomeGoods gift card, provided by BlogHer (sadly I am not choosing the winner based on the strength of his or her answer, so no extra points for creativity, but feel free to let your imaginations run wild). You can find the HomeGoods nearest you using their store locator, and visit their Facebook page or blog to get more information on their products.

Rules:

This giveaway is open from June 20th-30th.

No duplicate comments. You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older.
Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail.
You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here.

And don't forget--BlogHer is still giving away ten $25 gift cards on their Promotions & Prizes page, so check it out and enter by June 30th! (Those rules can be found here.)

UPDATE: Congratulations to jerseygirl137, who was selected at random to win! Yay!

87 comments:

  1. I actually love Home Goods and go there often. I have a tea obsession, so I often shop the gourmet food aisle and pick out fancy teas that I wouldn't normally be able to afford. I've also found some kick-ass almond-stuffed cocktail olives there and ohmyGodIwantoneofthoseolivessobadnow!!!!!

    If I had a hundred bucks to spend, though, I'd probably also replace our towels. Ours have begun to tatter and tear, and it's kind of embarrassing. Luckily, as you have demonstrated, I would probably still have enough money left for a few jars of olives and a gourmet chocolate bar. :)

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  2. I love Homegoods and I am slightly obsessed with their lamps...although if I had 100 to splurge I would probably buy one of those fluffy mattress pads and some great sheets so it felt like I was sleeping in a hotel bed every night!

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  3. I would probably look for nursery items first too, but if faced with limited selection, I'd move on to finding nightstands or a rug for the guest bedroom!

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  4. I am moving up to NYC in a week and could definitely use the $100 gift card to help buy my essentials for my room. And definitely some of the candy in the checkout aisle...those marketers are so tricky putting it there to throw in your cart at the last minute...

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  5. things for my soon to be guest room (once the roommate moves out)

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  6. tweeted! http://twitter.com/#!/rpaigemast

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  7. I really need some new sheets and bedding - I've been using the same hot pink jersey knit sheets since college.

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  8. I adore HomeGoods! They used to stock my favorite marmalade, but I guess they used up all their overstock. On my last foray I picked up a cute replacement teapot, perfect pancake-sized spatula, and a french style tablecloth for my new tabletop.

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  9. I want this massive maternity pillow called the snoogle... never mind the not being preg part.

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  10. Brand spanking new pots and pans. Mine were donated to me when I got married and are cute but scary.

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  11. I'd buy some new dishes! We only have 5 plates, which is totally fine for the two of us for a couple days, but my parents totally complain when they visit.

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  12. I would buy anything that looks like a storage solution for all the stuff in my tiny apartment! Especially things that double as furniture AND storage. Coffee table that holds books and random stuff? Yes, please!

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  13. Here's my tweet!
    http://twitter.com/#!/LaraDietrich

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  14. Sheets. Definitely sheets. We only have one set, which is kind of a problem when they need to be washed

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  15. I've never been to Home Goods, but I really want to go. It seems like a magical place where people find amazing things that can pull entirely boring and mismatched rooms all together. Maybe they sell tinkerbell fairy dust or something...

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  16. I've never been to a HomeGoods before. I never gave it much thought, but now I'll have to check it out. Fortunately, there's one by my house. Yay! My two boys need a bit of a bedroom update, since it's been a few years and they're getting older. So- a hundred bucks to do that for them would rock!

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  17. Love HomeGoods. Such an awesome store.

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  18. I just love Home Goods. I would buy new frying pans and I really need some new towels.

    jerseygirl137(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  19. Tweet

    http://twitter.com/#!/jerseygirl137/status/83217431144833024

    jerseygirl137(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  20. What, you mean fraying towels with giant holes aren't all the rage on Martha Stewart right now? I've been married less than a year so I don't even have an excuse. I need some new towels. And a king sized comforter. My husband and I sleep under two separate blankets because we don't have one big enough to cover us on our King size bed. Note to self: Don't buy giant bed unless you have enough money to buy a blanket to cover it.

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  21. I would buy storage and organization stuff!!! Love all that!! And I always got crazy at Homegoods ;)
    gabygo20 at gmail dot com

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  22. Oh man!! I just moved to a new apartment and have been aching to hit up home goods. I want cups, chairs, bedding, towels....err, pretty much everything :P.

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  23. This would be great! I so need some bathroom rugs. Mine have finally (after 17 years) fallen apart.

    Mia @ 1momjustsaying.blogspot.com
    miaarticoli.verizon.net

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  24. I would buy stuff for my new apartment! :D

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  25. I would love to do a picture wall and I so need frames. Also three years in this house and I haven't put up a single curtain. FOR SHAME!

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  26. I LOVE Home Goods! When I worked in theater I bought props and such there all the time. With $100 I'd probably buy kitchen stuff (good cutting board, spatula, ladle). Or possibly something for my upcoming wedding (stuff to make center pieces?)

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  27. So much to choose from, but my house is sadly lacking in artwork and throw pillows. If I have any money left, I'm sure I could find some accessories too!

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  28. Tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/gmk82/status/83259530338766848

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  29. the HomeGoods by my parent's house ALWAYS has amazing upholstered chairs. and my hubby really thinks we need more seating in the living room [apparently he has some pretty high expectations of making friends and having parties]. so we'd probably put the $100 gift card toward a comfy chair.

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  30. tweet tweet!
    https://twitter.com/squyddy

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  31. I am currently obsessing over 2 nightstands at my nearby HomeGoods - I am a newlywed and trying to furnish our bedroom on a budget.

    I have also tweeted about the giveaway here: www.twitter.com/gwyn_elliott

    Thanks!! :)

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  32. fancy kitchenware so i can impress boys with my...stir fry skills

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  33. I love the prepared foods aisle! So many interesting things to choose from.

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  34. Twitter!

    http://twitter.com/#!/manga84

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  35. Lamps! I only just now realized our new house has no overhead lighting . . . We only saw it during the day, so it never struck me as odd until now.

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  36. I love HomeGoods! I would buy some new throw pillows to put on my sofa. And I love all the kitchen stuff!

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  37. HomeGoods is amazing! I would get some amazing wall hangings and I'm always tempted by the kitchen gadgets.

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  38. A little shopping spree would definitely go towards getting some non-dog-butt-smelling pillows for the couch... (Old pillows go to the floor. DOWN BEASTS!)

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  39. I love browsing and buying at Home Goods. I could use new throw pillows. I like finding new kitchen gadgets. My family appreciates anything which will elevate my cooking skills.

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  40. I want to win a Home Goods gift card! Some of the stuff in my house is so worn and outdated, it's sad! I would love the excuse to update! Yay Home Goods.

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  41. I tweeted to try and win. That is how sad the stuff is! https://twitter.com/#!/kristinawing

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  42. I saw a rug at my local HG that I'd love to have.

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  43. I love HomeGoods and would love to buy some new dishes. They have a great housewares department!
    lesleymitchell52@yahoo.com

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  44. Sheets, a throw pillow, and some non-domestic fun things, like candy...or margarita mix.

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  45. I would definitely by some new bedding for our Master bedroom! It's in need of a face lift :)

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  46. Strangely and surprisingly, the towels from our wedding registry (c. 2006) are in fantastic shape. I'm a little smug about that. What I would buy is a new set of high-thread-count sheets for the bed, and then some weird kitchen equipment -- ramekins, an avocado slicer, melon baller (I just like saying that), egg slicer, and many bowl scrapers. I love them. They love me back, except when their heads pop off. And then I cry.

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  47. Love home goods! Deco for my new house. Or stuff for my kitchen. Or maybe stuff to make my new huge laundry room cute. Ohhh the possibilities....

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  48. I've never had a problem finding things I "need" at Home Goods ;)

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  49. I have a Home Goods down the street and I'd get a couple of lamps for my family room and pots and pans for the kitchen

    s2s2 at comcast dot net

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  50. http://twitter.com/#!/susan1215/status/84695603422035968

    s2s2 at comcast dot net

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  51. I would use it to buy a new cover for my bed or some cookware.

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  52. I'm getting ready to move so I'd love a Home Goods gift card for setting up my new place!

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  53. Love Home Goods! Id get some new high thread count sheets!
    adrianecoros(at)gmail(dot)com

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  54. Tweet! http://twitter.com/LAMusing/status/84764684812697600
    adrianecoros(at)gmail(dot)com

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  55. I'd love to get new stuff for my kitchen. helenkeeler@comcast.net

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  56. tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/helen1949/status/85100421449916416
    helenkeeler@comcast.net

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  57. i would buy new pillows for the couch, maybe some towels, throw blankets, fun holiday decorative stuff, candles... :)
    lyndsey dot hauck at gmail dot com

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  58. I love, love Home Goods. My mother-in-law and I go crazy there. I love their home decor section. I would pick up a few pieces for the living room or dining room. For example I recently saw these big gorgeous lotus like candle holders I would love to buy.
    tweety800265(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  59. Tweeted
    http://twitter.com/#!/disneyfan40/status/85140532526985216
    tweety800265(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  60. Tweeted it!

    http://twitter.com/#!/RuthieRosie/status/85148781712121856

    contactruthie at yahoo dot com

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  61. I love home goods--I am obsessed with their lamps and am currently decorating my house, so I would love to win this!

    contactruthie at yahoo dot com

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  62. Ahhh Home Goods is my favorite place to shop. i am in the process of redecorating and painting my daughter's room. I could really use this gift card. I would buy new linens.

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  63. I'd love some new dishes and bedding, thanks so much, I adore Home Goods.

    shevilkenevil1 at aol dot com

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  64. I tweeted:
    http://twitter.com/#!/roomofmyown/status/85164296031567872

    shevilkenevil1 at aol dot com

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  65. I've never been to home goods. This would be a great way to explore.

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  66. I'd like to get some new knives!

    Thanks,

    selinda_mccumbers at yahoo.com

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  67. I would soooo love to be able to buy some new accessories for my bathroom. My husband is almost finished redoing it for me. He retiled the shower and floor and built me an awesome vanity. Now it needs some neat, different accessories that I know I could find at HomeGoods.
    chipdip2010(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  68. tweeted https://twitter.com/#!/chipdip2010/status/85482061439315968
    chipdip2010(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  69. I love HomeGoods!! I always such great things there. I hope I win! :)

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  70. I love me some HomeGoods! WONDERFUL place to feed my soy candle addiction at at least 1/2 the price! They also have a GREAT selection of eco-friendly/green stuffs that I love to rummage thru!
    Angie
    14earth at gmail dot com

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  71. I tweeted here: http://twitter.com/#!/FotoMacro/status/85765892851511296
    Angie
    14earth at gmail dot com

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  72. HomeGoods has to be the best place to visit. It's like a HIGH CLASS garage sale in that you never know what you might find -- and a definite upgrade from its sister, TJ MAXX. The displays are beautiful and soothing, and it's (way too) easy to find something beautiful AND useful.

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  73. Mirrors!!!! 'Cause I'm so vain. It's true.

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  74. Tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/laurleelou/favorites

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  75. In the last year or so, not one, but two Homegoods have opened less than ten miles from my house! I'm a little addicted to it.

    My old teflon coated sauce pots were crumbling so I've been replacing them one by one with great stainless steel pots I find there. I'd like some new bath towels and some bedding too. A gift card would feed my addiction nicely!

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  76. There's a store RIGHT NEAR me, and I never even knew it!!! I'd love to win this!!

    spayde.michelle@gmail.com

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  77. Tweet under Arniebelle
    http://twitter.com/#!/arniebelle/status/86089759751028736

    spayde.michelle@gmail.com

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  78. I would buy some art work or a mirror for my dining room

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  79. tweeted! http://twitter.com/#!/judes715/status/86235190657159170

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  80. Homegoods is the bomb! They are finally opening one near my house in San Diego....When I go home to visit the family in Ohio I always make a stop there. My entire house is furnished from Homegoods! Love, love, love that place.

    https://twitter.com/#!/JAMinardi

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  81. I love the fact that when I go for something in particular I can most likely always find it at homegoods, and for a great price! I have saved so much time shopping and so much money thanks to homegoods!! :)

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  82. tweeted this giveaway! http://twitter.com/#!/CourtneysSweets/status/86487964317790208 courtneyssweets {@hotmail.com}

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  83. I would use it to buy new bath towels. debsweeps4@yahoo.com

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  84. I love HomeGoods and would buy a new comforter

    mybeachylife at gmail dot com

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  85. I would get a floor lamp and some table lamps for my living room.

    the imagine tree at aol dot com

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  86. i’d love to get some sheets, towels

    kolpin4680 at gmail dot com

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  87. tweet
    http://twitter.com/#!/kolpin4680/status/86644075742232578

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