my new favorite store

You may have noticed that when it comes to frequenting large retailers, I'm a bit sheltered. As it turns out I recently found my way into another fun store, namely Cost Plus World Market. And now I want to live there.

Cost Plus World Market's colorful globe-trotting style reminds me of Pier 1 Imports, except that Cost Plus doesn't push customers to sign up for a credit card. In addition, Cost Plus shows an extensive kitchen collection, giftwrap supplies with prints worthy of Crowded Teeth and Loyal Army, and a fun selection of quirky candy and foodstuffs sourced from all around the world. This is my new go-to store for almost everything (fresh food still needs to come from a proper supermarket or greengrocer, for now...)

Check out this unassuming vase in the likeness of a brown paper bag:

The sassy vase elevates a simple bouquet of tulips to a gift worthy of Tater's graduation ceremony (she got her Masters in Social Work, bless her heart.)

Just today I returned to use my first 10% coupon and snag these ceramic milk bottle vases for myself. The clean lines and modern white can blend with anyone's aesthetic but I picked these for the kitschy design concept.

After passing through the candy aisle, I couldn't resist this Super Mario 1-Up mushroom tin full of sour candy. But the Hello Kitty candy dispenser is purely functional: it's a fully-functioning electric fan!