World Traveler? Hardly.

Some of my favorite home decor items are knick-knacks I've purchased abroad. The travel bug hits me often and it hits me hard, but I simply don't have the cash flow to jet-set off to Spain, Italy, or Morroco to furnish my home on a moment's notice. One day. One day...

So until I win the lottery, I've located some items that give a home that eclectic, well-traveled look without ever leaving your zip code. First rescue retailer? Target.

For years Target has dabbled in global interior design. Recently I've been very impressed with their specialty items shown here. I think their tagline says it all: "Global decor, right on budget." Feast your eyes.

Those metallic vases are crying out to be used on a bedside table and I simply love that funky mirror for a hallway. Wicker baskets give instant "worldly" appeal without forcing you to venture outside your comfort zone. And who could go wrong with those brightly colored pillows?

Next rescue retailer had better have "world traveler" style appeal. It's Cost Plus World Market. It's their job to appear worldly. Heck, it's in the name!

These paper lanterns are a cute addition to any room, and for around $20, you won't worry about switching them out in a few months. I love a little Asian flair, and I'm never against animal prints.

Remember those capiz shell lanterns I found in Japan? Well here they are again (only lots cheaper) at Cost Plus World Market. Think how fun they'd be in a den or on a desk. The unexpected sparkle will render miles of fun and funk in your home.

Finally, I had to feature these crazy mirrors. Though I can't honestly think of anywhere to put them, I have to respect the creativity. Alhambra-inspired mirrors made out of Reddi-Whip and Waffle boxes. Curious. Sold under the premise of "green design," I think I will pass. But... nice try, Cost Plus World Market. E for effort.

Fabliss Finds on Etsy

For those of you who crave something unique and special that won't a) break the bank or b) be in all your friends' apartments or homes, check out www.etsy.com. This wonderful website aims to connect makers with buyers. They want people to be able to make a living making things. Their tag line? Buy, Sell, and Live Handmade. This is definitely something I can get behind.

I have only purchased jewelry from this site, but the more I look at the chandeliers, pillows, and cutesy accessories on the site, the more I want to make a purchase.

Take a look at some great examples, then check out the site for your own personal needs.

Chrysanthemum pillow by user "Kainkain" for $20! Try beating that price and originality!

Cherry Blossom "Popwall" Design by user "NouWall" for $65. What a great way to spice up a boring wall without having to deal with nails, hammers, or levels. Gorgeous!

And, finally. Something I am seriously considering for my own home. A unique chandelier is hard to come by, and while this is not "cheap," it certainly isn't overpriced once you've done price comparisons. Plus... it's amazingly cool and chic.

Bubble Chandelier by user "jeanpelle" in Brooklyn, NY. Lists for $395.

These are just a few of the fabliss examples on the site. Happy hunting on etsy.com! There are dozens of things waiting for you to find them!

The Boring White Couch Experiment

Let's talk couches. I love the look of a crisp, clean, white couch. It anchors a room and brightens it all at once. But, when the time comes and you lose your patience with your living room's look, how can you spruce it up without busting your budget? With couches running upwards of $2000, you certainly don't want to replace it on a whim! So what can you do? This got me thinking, and before I knew it I was on my way to IKEA for a field trip and experiment.

THE CONTROL: Boring white couch. Only $699 at IKEA!

THE VARIABLES: Pillows and blankets galore! All under $39.99/piece

THE HYPOTHESIS: For a few measly bucks, we can brighten up our living rooms and our lives. Bold splashes of color will be our keys to success!

THE RESULTS:

Fabliss Couch #1 - Black and white with a pop of color and LOTS of texture on the pillows. Pairing houndstooth pillows with a polka-dot blanket gives it a daring sense of mismatched chic.

Fabliss Couch #2 - A cozy, less formal option with a blanket that screams "warmth and comfort!" Pull colors from the blanket to go wild with variety in tone and texture. A mini-bolster breaks up the monotony of square and rectangular pillows.

Fabliss Couch #3 - This look infuses on a bit more color and pizazz by using bright, patterned pillows and a deep blue blanket. With the over sized gray pillow, you have many comfy naps ahead of you. A textured white zebra in the middle of the couch breaks up the midnight blue.

THE CONCLUSION: Our hypothesis is confirmed. Using color and pattern yielded big changes without the big budget. With all items purchased at IKEA, you can bet these accessories are a great deal and won't leave you pinching pennies. Dare to mismatch prints to get a bold look. Your boring neutral couch will be turned upside down!

So there we have it. A little mini-experiment at IKEA that yielded big results. The next time you get down in the dumps about your boring, neutral couch, go crazy with accessories! Save a few bucks and brighten up your life!