Before moving to Louisville, I hadn’t heard of Cost Plus World Market. But during a shopping trip our first or second weekend in town, we stumbled across it in a new shopping area next to the malls. They had tons of products from all over the world – including lots of art, which is what we were looking for during our first few visits. This might sound silly, but at that time I also purchased a silicone spatula with a wooden handle for like $3 and it is still my go-to spatula all these years later.
I had wanted to do a little decorating for Memorial Day, but as there were just going to be a handful of us spending the day together (we had our big party on Sunday), I didn’t want to go all-out. So I went online to search for some fun, yet low-key, Americana items that I could use for Memorial Day. I wanted things that I could also keep and build on for the Fourth of July, when we usually have a big family gathering. I saw a number of cute things on the Cost Plus World Market website, and since it’s nearly across the road from Babies ‘R Us (where I needed to go to get Bubbles a new swimsuit), I thought I would stop in and see what they had.
It was easy to immediately spot the Americana items when I walked in the door; it was all laid out just to the right of the main doors. There was a really cute coastal-feel patio furniture display, with blue and white cushions, and lobster-print plates. It reminded me of the lobster and clam bakes I had attended at my cousins’ on an island back in Maine. The second thing I noticed were some adorable painted wooden Maine Lobster signs hanging on the wall. Having grown up in Maine, I was smitten, but unfortunately, we really don’t have any place that they would go. Maybe if we had a pool house, or a beach house, or even lived on the coast. If you have the right decor to match, though, I totally suggest that you get one!
After passing the signs I was standing in front of the main Americana display that had all of the smaller Americana items. I had recalled seeing a few things online that I was interested in, and they had most of them in stock. I picked up red, white, and blue tortilla chips; red and blue plastic food baskets; red and blue bandanna-print paper food cones; “Americana” brand sodas, and American flag garland. One of the things I saw online – the red, white, and blue cloth napkins – weren’t in the store, though. On the other hand, there were a lot of things not shown online that were displayed, including some cute rubber duckies! I, of course, had to get one for Bubbles for her kiddie pool or the bathtub.
In the cookware section, I also found both red and blue stoneware ramekins. I knew I could serve my artichoke dip or some queso for the party, and then the red ones could be used during Christmas or on Valentine’s Day, and the blue ones would get used again for UK games! Plus, I’m just a sucker for cookware, bakeware, and gadgets.
When I was checking out I noticed a sign promoting their Red, White, & Blue London Sweepstakes. You could win a trip for 2 to watch the world compete in London! It includes tickets to the opening festivities and three sporting events, AND a $1000 Cost Plus World Market gift card. Pretty awesome prizes! You can enter to win the sweepstakes here.
On Memorial Day I hung my American flag garland, set out the Americana sodas, and readied the plastic baskets (lined with parchment paper). The paper cones would be getting filled with the red, white, and blue tortilla chips (I hadn’t opened the bag yet to keep them fresh), and the ramekins would soon be filled with the queso (it was being kept warm in the crock pot). With hubby running out for ice and the burgers on the grill, we were almost ready to eat!
A casual Memorial Day meal, but we had a great time. And so did Uncle Sam the Duck!
If you follow Cost Plus World Market on Facebook and Twitter you can easily stay on top of any other sweepstakes, promotions, sales, decorating ideas, and more.
This shop has been compensated by Cost Plus World Market, however all opinions, as always, are 100% that of myself and my family.
About Liza
Liza is a mom (5-year-old daughter, 20-year-old stepson, and 24-year-old stepdaughter) and wife living in Louisville. She loves spending time with her family, visiting the local zoo and parks, as well as planning travel adventures. Cooking and baking, DIY projects and crafts, and coffee - lots and lots of coffee - round out some of her other hobbies.