Montgomery Ward

It’s the middle of summer and, unless you’re lucky and have a summer birthday or anniversary, there’s no gift-giving occasion in sight. Which is really unfortunate because we’re in love with these fun, whimsical diamond accent necklaces.

Perfect for summer, this diamond flip flop (sandal) pendant is definitely one of our favorites. It’s fun, under $100 and unique. We also can’t help but love this retro eyeglass pendant necklace with diamond accent. One last sea-themed pendant to tell you about: this diamond accent starfish pendant.

Know someone who’s stylish and loves a good cosmo (the drink, of course)? She’ll really appreciate the style of this diamond martini pendant.

Need some good luck? Whether you’re starting a new job, getting married or just need an extra boost of luck, it never hurts to take your lucky horseshoe with you every day — this lucky horseshoe pendant necklace may be just the thing you’re looking for. Good luck!

(More diamond pendants also available online at wards.com. …and don’t forget: $100+ orders qualify for deferred billing so you can bling today, pay later!)

Contemporary styles aren’t limited to high dollar downtown lofts with sweeping city views. Whether you’re in the suburbs, city or country, there are simple ways to bring contemporary style into your home.

In the bedroom, it’s easy to start with a simple platform bed for a clean, sophisticated contemporary look. To complete the contemporary effect, keep “stuff” and knick-nacks to a minimum and don’t be afraid to experiment with bold pictures for the wall. We love the bold colors in these Festival Paintings and the simplicity of this Echotone Painting.

Another great way to bring some contemporary flair to your home is with contemporary rugs. A true contemporary rug can be simple, wild (think lion or zebra print rugs) or unique (this post-it rug style is a great example).

Whether you’re decorating your bedroom, family room or even a bar in the basement (we’re secretly pining for this great bar) be sure to follow these three simple guidelines for contemporary decorating:

• keep it simple: remove extra clutter
• embrace neutral colors with a splash of color: stick primarily to beiges, browns, tans, etc. and then add a splash of something bold
• less is more: stick to basics

We always get excited about new products and wanted to share these new arrivals with you. Here are some of our favorites - be sure to check out the entire list of new products online at wards.com:

• double treat ice cream maker: this ice cream machine lets you make two different flavors at the same time. Just add ingredients, put in the freezer and enjoy in a few hours!
• retro bar accessories and appliances: like your martini shaken, not stirred? You’ll love this retro martini shaker (makes a great holiday or birthday gift)! We also love the look of this bright red retro ice maker. Since we’ve got retro appliances on the brain, we couldn’t help but add this nostalgia doughnut maker to the list.
• a smarter chip and dip tray: we think this one is pretty smart, since it can either keep cold dips cold or hot dips hot for long periods of time.
• perfectly pink girls storage collection: we love this collection, including underbed storage bag, over the door shoe organizer, hanging shoe organizer and hanging accessory shelves.
• custom sized (made to measure) roman shades: these 100% silk roman shades can be made to measure (up to 72″ in length) and are cordless for extra safety. Available in nine colors, they’re available in both inside and outside mount.

Annoyed by allergies, I’ve been looking into finding an air purifier to help keep the air indoors cleaner. I’ve been discouraged, though, because it seems like each purifier I found was another large boxy, bulky contraption that I’d have to find a place for in the house.

Thankfully, I found something that not only works, but doesn’t look like an air purifier. Disguised as a ficus tree, this purifier filters air through a five layer filter to remove smoke, pollen, dust, etc. from the air. 

More good news: not only is the filter washable and won’t need replacing, but this is one plant you don’t have to worry about watering! (Which is perfect for me and my non-green-thumb.)

In honor of the official start of summer tomorrow (Friday, June 20), here are our top 10 essentials for the ultimate summer:

10. Frozen Drink Machines: Whether mixing up margaritas or fruity smoothies, we couldn’t imagine a better way to spend some time in the sun than with a cool beverage in hand.

9. Pool Toys: Inflatable chairs, bumper blasters with water guns, even inflatable ducky baby seats — what else do you need for a day at the pool?

8.  Sturdy Folding Sports Chairs: Summer means sports…and lots of it. Whether you’re watching kids’ soccer, coed softball or just relaxing at the lake, you’re going to want a comfortable chair. These folding chairs are lightweight, come with a bag for carrying and easily fit in the trunk of your car.

7. Patio Furniture: Enjoy dinners outside on the deck and get ready for summer BBQs and entertaining with a patio furniture set. A portable patio set is perfect for small spaces and the folding chairs also make it easy for indoor storage.

6. Ice Cream! Nothing compares to the taste of homemade vanilla ice cream in the summer. It doesn’t matter if you make it yourself or buy it, all that matters is that you get an extra scoop with sprinkles.

5. Keep Cool: Ceiling fans, outdoor fans, dehumidifiers - whatever works for you, be sure it’s working and on-hand when the hot days of summer creep in.

4. Curbside Lemonade Stand: OK, so this one only works if you’re a child (although we’d love to see photos of some grownups with a lemonade stand if you decide to try it out!).

3. An Evening Boat Ride: Whether you have a friend with a yacht (we wish!) or if you rent a row boat to go out and watch the sun set, be sure you enjoy a relaxing evening out on the lake at least once this summer.

2. Read! It doesn’t matter if it’s The Odyssey or the latest issue of People magazine - as long as you read something. Of course poolside or beach reading is our favorite, but even just taking a book out and reading on the front porch, balcony or deck is much more relaxing than an hour of re-runs on TV.

1. Relax in a Hammock: After a long day at work (or after a long day of yard work), relax in a hammock and you’ll feel like you just went on vacation. Close your eyes, listen to the sounds of summer and enjoy…

Our buyers just told us about this cool new product - inflatable headboards!

Options include upholstered, faux leather and microsuede finishes but here’s our favorite part: the price is much lower than traditional headboards and they’re easy to assemble.

These durable headboards rest on the mattress and attach to the wall with easy-to-use (no tools required) Velcro wall tabs.

Did we mention no tools are required? Everything you need comes with the headboard: air cushion, electric pump and wall tabs. Check out these inflatable headboards and tell us what you think!

Looking for a way to add some contemporary style to your home?  We’ve been inspired by this room, featured in the June Montgomery Ward Catalog.

If you’re looking to add some contemporary style to your home, a great place to start is with clean, simple furniture. We love the punch of color that this red Easy Rider Furniture adds.

It’s been awhile since I heard anyone say “I really love that shag carpeting!” but, in small doses, shaggy carpeting is making a comeback. This black, shaggy flokati rug is anything but basic and boring.

The key to contemporary decorating is to keep it simple, then add a punch of color, a funky rug (even a zebra rug!) or bright, abstract artwork.

Hundreds of new items were just posted online at wards.com and I couldn’t wait to show you some of our favorites…

Club Chair and Footstool: Only $199.99 for the pair (!), this gorgeous set is perfect for a corner or even as extra seating in an office or reception area.

Ice Cream Cupcake Pan with BONUS Mix: I have already confessed my cupcake addiction but this special pan is perfect for kids birthday parties or something fun and different for your next party. These butterfly and beehive cake pans are also fun alternatives to a round cake.

Perfect Pink Teen Comforter Set: Available in twin, full and queen sizes, this comforter set is perfectly pink and great for a teen girl’s bedroom!

Summer Essentials: Cool Pool Toys. Don’t start summer without it - a fun inflatable pool toy is a must for a visit to the pool or the beach. Of the new styles and designs just made available today, this Water Caterpillar Inflatable Pool Toy is definitely our favorite.

Want to see what else is new today at wards.com? Feel free to browse our selection of new items just added today!

The mere mention of a birthday (my sister-in-law’s birthday is in 1 week) is all it takes to kick off an intense craving for birthday cake and/or cupcakes.

In fact, I’ll admit it: sometimes I even look for excuses to buy a cake. (”Happy 1/2 birthday to me!” “Welcome home from your business trip, honey!” “It’s our anniversary!”)

Ice cream cake, chocolate cake, carrot cake: I am an equal opportunity cake addict – my only requirement is frosting and lots of it.

With another birthday just around the corner, I’m definitely thinking about cupcakes and can’t wait to try out this cupcake stand. The display of tiered cupcakes will be so much more impressive than just setting them on a plate! 

Unfortunately, my baking skills are sometimes more like the Swedish Chef (yes, the Muppet character) than Martha Stewart, so I always favor sprinkles (and lots of them) to disguise a less-than-Martha frosting technique.

I’m going to try a few different combinations of colors from this gourmet carousel of candy sprinkles (available in pink or white).

Do you have a recipe or photos of a cake/cupcake masterpiece? Send it to us!

If your little one is obsessed with Hannah Montana, exploring with Dora, or a Cars fanatic, decorating their room is a piece of cake.

But what if they’re into camo, sports, disco or even pink camo? This is where things get a little more complicated.

For Young Camo Enthusiasts
We love these custom kids furniture pieces, available in traditional green camo: custom headboards, custom storage ottomans and even custom chair for teens. Of course, the perfect accent for a camo room would be a classic camoflage comforter.

…and don’t forget pink camo for her! If you decide to go with a pink camo comforter, opt instead for simple pink accents throughout the rest of the room (so the patterns don’t get overwhelming)!

For Young Sports Stars
There’s nothing better than seeing your name in print — and kids are no exception. Whether they’re into soccer, baseball, football, cheerleading or ballet, we love these personalized kids wall art on canvas.

Rooms for Teens
When designing teens’ rooms, the most important ingredient is compromise. (For both parent and son/daughter.) If they want black walls, for example, be willing to compromise with one black wall (or a different color altogether).

Thankfully, the options for teen bedding are endless: everything from flashy colors to bedding basics, sports team bedding and more.

Even more important than the bedding, however, are the accents (lamps/lighting, wall art, etc.) Here are a few of our favorites:

• funky lighting accents
• LED color panel with clock
• wall pops and murals
• shaggy chic rugs
• sequin or sheer window treatments

Good luck with your decorating — send us a photo when you’re finished!