Have you ever found something that you couldn't live without at a store, only to find that it wasn't in stock, and you were going to have to wait weeks, or maybe months until that item came in?  I have, and it was pretty frustrating.  I can get a little impatient.  When I want something, I want it NOW.  Not in twelve weeks.

Most of the time that scenario will never happen at RC Willey.  I'll tell you why.

RC Willey has a HUGE Inter-Mountain Distribution Center (IDC) in Salt Lake City. It's literally the size of 12 football fields. This gigantic warehouse holds over 276,574 pieces of inventory, worth over $50 million on any given day.  That means, you want something, we've got it.  Today.  Or tomorrow. No waiting twelve weeks.

Here's how it works: Manufacturers from all over the world ship their products to IDC (or the distribution centers in Nevada and California).  Each day, 40-45 truckloads arrive with about 5,500 pieces of new inventory.  The product is then unloaded, organized, and stocked in shelves up to three stories high.

From IDC, inventory is taken to our RC Willey Stores, our other distribution centers, and also delivered directly to your home.

Thanks to our large pool of inventory, RC Willey has the ability to deliver quickly.  When you buy product from us, we try to get it delivered to your home within 3 days. (Within 5 days if you are out of the Utah market and your inventory is coming from IDC)  Everything about our delivery process is smooth.  Customers receive an e-mail the night before their delivery with an approximate delivery time, and the next morning the drivers call them to confirm that time.  Drivers then embark on a computerized route that gets them from house to house quickly and efficiently.  The system has been improved over time, and so it's no surprise that delivery trucks visit 500-600 homes per day.

Getting furniture from RC Willey is almost as quick, convenient, and painless as picking up french fries and a chocolate shake from the fast food drive-through.  Don't believe me?  Try it out for yourself!

I wasn't given a middle name at birth. 

Nope, just a first and last name.  When I was young I often signed my signature with a fake middle name.  That's how much I wished I was one of those middle-namer kids.

I just got married a few months ago, and I'm happy to report that I'm now officially part of the Middle Name Club, thanks to my maiden name becoming my middle name!

I'm now entitled to celebrate, because today is "Middle Name Pride Day". 

No, I didn't make it up.  It's totally legit.  The purpose of this holiday is to celebrate your middle name, especially if you are embarrassed of it or hide your middle name.  (According to holiday tradition, you are supposed to tell three people who don't already know it, what your middle name is).

So be grateful if you've got a middle name, and no matter how heinous it might be, embrace it today!!

I've got a major case of spring fever.  Who else is ready for winter to be over?  In an effort to rebel against the cold, I've been dreaming of barbeques, swimming pools, and patio sets to adorn the backyard.  Check out these little gems that I found.....

I love these backyard planters... cute with or without plants inside

I am craving an afternoon in this hammock

I'll take this Agio patio set, thank you very much

This Adirondack chair is so classic.  And it's even on sale!

If you can't wait for summer either (or at least spring), take a look at RC Willey's Patio Furniture.  While you are at it, if you plan on spending a lot of time relaxing outside in the next few months, you'd better make sure you've got a good Grill.  It's all about the food, right?

We are going to give one of you the opportunity to feast on mouthwatering grilled cuisine all summer.  On April 1st a lucky random social follower (blog, facebook, twitter) will be chosen to win this Weber Genesis E- Propane Gas Grill.

If you aren't already following this blog, sign up now and stay tuned for the winner!

When I was 19 I lived in London for a semester studying film and travel writing.  Besides falling in love with the theaters, art museums, restaurants, fashion, and ethnic diversity found in each European city I visited, I also became fascinated with the cars that frequented their roadways.  I had been under the impression that my Mitsubishi Lancer back in the states was a petite vehicle, but once I met the European Smart Car, my little Lancer seemed more like a Mini-Van.

The first time I saw a Smart Car parked on the road, I honestly thought it was fake.  Remember those battery-powered toy cars?  You know, the ones kids could actually sit in and drive around the neighborhood? I thought it looked like one of those.  After a few moments of intense observation, I began attempting to measure the Smart Car with my arms, peering inside the windows out of curiosity, and thinking how great it would be to parallel park one of those beauties.  I came to the conclusion that these would NEVER make it to the United States.  There was just no way. 

Okay, so I was dead wrong.  It's been five years, and Smart Cars have definitely started to make their presence here in the U.S.  Have you seen them around?  What do you think of them?  Would you want to drive one??  You might be able to soon....

RC Willey is Giving Away a Smart Car!!

Alright, I'm just going to lay it out on the table.  At first, I was incredibly skeptical when I thought about owning a Smart Car.  I've already been in way too many car accidents at my relatively young age, and as a result, I prefer safe cars.  At first glance, the Smart Car didn't seem all that safe to me.  It's definitely not like the Buick my father made me drive when I turned sixteen.  (At the time, I was mortified, but I actually appreciate the experience looking back).

This inspired me to do a little research.  First, I went and looked at a Smart Car, and got all of the information I could.  Next, I turned to the internet.  Interestingly enough, I found that the Smart Car is actually pretty safe.  In fact, it has earned very high safety ratings thanks to its steel, race-car style frame, and liberal use of high tech front and side airbags.  Surprised?

Here are some of the Pro's of owning a Smart Car:

*FUEL EFFICIENT: can you say up to 50 mpg? 
*Perfect for city driving
*The ultimate parallel parker
*Mercedes Benz engineered
*Roomy interior (I was shocked at how spacious the inside felt)
*Environmentally friendly
*Makes a statement

Some of the features I (a non-car person) thought were cool in the Smart Car Guidebook:

*5-speed automated manual transmission
*4 Airbags (2 in the front, and 2 on the sides) and Tire pressure monitoring
*Acceleration skid control and Automatic hill start assist
*Heated Seats and door mirrors
*Air Conditioner with automatic temperature control

I'm obviously no expert, so if you want to learn more about the Smart Car, go to the official Smart Car Website. 

To enter the RC Willey Smart Car drawing, all you have to do is print out an entry form online, fill it out, and drop it off at the nearest RC Willey.  A winner will be randomly chosen on March 29th.  It could be you!  Good Luck!!!

Thank goodness February is finally over, and March is here.  Make room for blossoming buds on trees, waking up to the sound of chirping birds, neighbors coming out of winter hibernation, and looking ten pounds thinner after you've shed your parka.  I can't wait.

Spring has always signified new beginnings for me.  A fresh start.  No wonder I love spring cleaning.  Out with the old, and in with the new.  This is the perfect time of year to clean out, throw away, de-clutter, and re-vamp.  One of the best places to start is your bedroom.  Here are ten easy things you can do to give your bedroom a fresh new look!

1. De-Junk

Get two big garbage bags.  You will use one for actual garbage, and the other for gently used items that you can donate to charity or give away.  Go through your closet, and drawers and GET RID of anything you haven't worn or used in the past year.  If you are like me, you might need a friend with you to act as the voice of reason.  She'll convince you that no matter how much you loved those sandals five years ago, you're never actually going to wear them again. The more you junk, the better.  Plus getting rid will give you an excuse to do some shopping to update your wardrobe.

2.  Take the time to REALLY clean

This should not be a half-effort job.  Get a bucket of soapy water (Mr. Clean is my personal favorite), a sponge, and a toothbrush and attack everything.  The shelves in your closet, the baseboards, the walls, the doors.  Dust your furniture, and get rid of any cobwebs on the ceiling.  Clean your carpets if you have access to a carpet cleaning system.  Throw your mattress pad, sheets, and pillowcases in the washing machine.  Remember, the more thorough, the better.

*Now that you've cleaned and de-cluttered, we are on to the fun part.  Re-vamping and re-freshing.  You might want to try some of these ideas to bring new life to your room if you haven't already...

3. Move Around Your Furniture 

The most obvious way to change your bedroom is to buy a new bedroom set.  If you are in the market, perfect.  You'll have a lot of gorgeous furniture to choose from.  If this isn't an option for you, try moving around your furniture to create a new look.  If that's not enough, and you just can't stand the furniture that you've got, try re-painting some of it and finding new knobs for your dresser drawers.

4. Need a Headboard?

Since your bedroom is primarily used for sleeping, the bed should be the focal point of the room. If you don't have a headboard, you can find some for a reasonable price.  Another option is to try making your own!  HGTV gives great headboard ideas and step by step instructions on how to create your own chic fabric headboard.

5. Don't Skimp On The Bedding

No matter how lovely the furniture is or how great the paint on the walls looks, if the bedding doesn't impress, then the whole room is kind of a bust.  It's usually the first thing I notice.  Unfortunately, purchasing new bedding gets very expensive, very quickly.  If you don't want to purchase a whole new bedding set, try layering blankets and folded plush throws at the end of your bed for a luxurious look.  Add lots of colorful, patterned pillows (you can make your own if you know how to sew).  The more pillows the better.

6. Accessorize With Furniture

If you have the space, try to get your hands on any type of furniture you can to help embellish your bedroom.  Placing a bench at the foot of the bed, or a comfy reading chair with an ottoman in the corner can help transform your bedroom into more of a suite, not just a place to sleep.

7. Get More Light

If you don't already have lamps on your nightstands, dressers, or the floor, you should definitely invest in some.  If you are sick of your perfectly good lamps, start looking for new lamp shades.  You can usually find them for a fraction of the price that an entire lamp will cost you, and they will still help change the style of your room.

8. Give Your Walls Some Love

Re-paint your entire room a new, fresh color, or simply paint one wall a bold accent color.  If you want to go out on a limb, say hello to wallpaper!  Can you believe that it's back?  Well, it is, and it's a much improved version of the old stuff.  Now you can find highly textured and very elegant wall paper that is easier to remove than it used to be.  I'm loving bold, bright patterned wallpaper at the moment.

9. Hang Stuff Up

  I love mirrors because you can get them in a myriad of different shapes and sizes.  Nothing makes a room look bigger than it really is more than a mirror hanging on the wall.  Next, personalize your bedroom- hang the things you love up on the wall.  You could showcase anything from expensive paintings, to photographs from your travels, to your child's artwork.  Be creative, and make it your own.

10. Fresh Flowers Deliver

  Have you ever stayed in a hotel room that had fresh flowers on the nightstand?  It's such a simple gesture, but it makes all the difference.  Invest in some plants, and get fresh flowers as often as you can to adorn your bedroom.  It will bring new life to your room, and also wonderful fragrant smells.

One of RC Willey's best kept secrets is that we have a wide range of product not found in our stores, available for sale directly from our website.  Perfect for people who prefer doing their shopping online, and for those that live outside of our markets (Utah, Nevada, California, and Idaho).  The best part is that shipping within the United States is absolutely FREE!!

Even I was surprised when I discovered the huge selection of online only items that we carry. Everything from Office Furniture and Desks....

to Kitchen Tables....

to Patio Sets and outdoor furniture....

To Entertainment Centers and TV Stands.....

To Mattresses......

to Bedroom Furniture.

Pretty sure you'll find at least half a dozen things to add to your wish list.  At least I did!  Check out our Online Product now!

I would replace all of my meals with desserts if I could get away with it.  In my opinion there are few things in this world that are better than a slice of delicious chocolate cake with chocolate frosting, a home-made sugar cookie, or a piece of Dulce de leche cheese cake.  There is only one genre of desserts that I pass on every time.  PIE

Ever since I was a kid, I've never cared for any type of pie, ESPECIALLY the fruit kind.  I always thought of pie as an old person dessert.  Weird, or maybe true?  Now, I just think that it's a waste of calories. As I was thinking about pie this morning 3 stories/thoughts came to mind.

1. College.  Blind date.  Painfully awful.  This boy had baked a frozen Marie Calenders razzleberry pie for dessert (keep in mind there were a bunch of couples there... it's not like I was the only one he was cooking for). When I politely informed him that I wouldn't care for any of the pie, and that I'd just like a scoop of vanilla ice cream instead he got really offended.  He was so mad that he literally ignored me for the rest of the night. Woops.  We never went out again.  Thank you, razzleberry pie.

2. Have you ever seen two girls eat an ENTIRE pie in less than 5 minutes, on accident?  One time my roommate Stephanie had just made a banana cream pie.  She and our friend Bonnie sat down at the table to try a slice while I was eating dinner.  We had been eating, talking, and laughing for a few minutes when I noticed that the whole pie was gone.  Just as I asked them where the rest of their pie went, they both came to the realization that they had pounded down the entire thing.  They couldn't believe it, they were so mortified.  As they were drowning in their sorrows I was rolling on the ground laughing so hard I couldn't breathe.  Let's just say they were pretty sick for the next 24 hours.

3. Why is it tradition to eat pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving?  It's honestly my very favorite holiday, but I must say that when it's time for dessert, I am less than satisfied.  I'm always wishing for something better than pumpkin pie to top off such an excellent meal.  I've said it before and I'll say it again, when the day comes that I host Thanksgiving dinner at my house, there is going to be a new sheriff in town.  I'll be serving chocolate cake in addition to pie.

For those of you that think I'm crazy, and enjoy pie, you'll love this promotion for our Private Event.  Print off this blog post and come into any RC Willey location between now and this Saturday (Feb. 27th), and you'll receive a free 8" Fruit Pie!

In addition to getting a whole pie, you'll have a chance to get $50, $100, or $200 off your purchase (depending on price of purchase) *Some exclusions apply.  Promotion not valid at RC Willey Outlet Stores.  See you there!

There is something so magical about the Olympic Games to me.  As a kid, I constantly dreamed about competing as an ice skater in the Olympics and winning a gold medal for Team U.S.A.  I had only been ice skating half a dozen times, but to my seven year old brain, nothing was impossible.  Now that I'm an adult and my Olympic dream is no more, I'm simply inspired and awed.  It wouldn't be an understatement to say that my husband and I have been addicted lately to the Vancouver Olympics.  Every night after work we find ourselves hooked to the television until we fall asleep.

Some of the highlights for me this past week have been watching Hannah Kearney win the Gold Medal in Women's Moguls, Apollo Ohno and J.R. Celski take Silver and Bronze in the Men's 1500 Short Track, Lindsey Vonn earn Gold in the Women's Downhill, Shaun White blow away his competition in the Men's Halfpipe, and Evan Lysacek skate to win Gold last night in the Men's Figure Skating.

As much as I have enjoyed watching the athletes compete, I have encountered several moments of frustration in the past few days.  Especially while watching Pairs and Men's Figure Skating.  I have had to remind myself several times that I am not an Olympic judge, nor do I have the knowledge or experience to think that my calls are accurate and theirs are not.  I just don't understand some of the scores that I've been seeing- some seem too high, and others very low.  Is anyone else confused? 

You see, to me, a triple axle is a triple axle.  A cool looking lift is a cool looking lift.  What's technique and form anyway? If an ice skater lands any of his tricks without falling and has a smile on his face, it's an A performance in my book. 

I guess we can all be grateful that I'm just an avid spectator from my living room.

A few weeks ago we had a company wide health fair at RC Willey.  Employees and their spouses were encouraged to attend a free screening to check out their blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose level, and Body Mass index.  My husband and I went together.

Side note: I am a little neurotic when it comes to doctors offices, hospitals, and needles.  I've been this way since I was a kid, and as hard as I try, there is no changing me.

Anyway. I had convinced myself that this little screening wasn't a big deal.  I wasn't going to embarrass myself in front of all my co-workers.  Well, I made it through the blood drawing and cholesterol stations like a normal human.  I stood up, feeling a little dizzy, and stepped in line to get my body fat measured. I thought I was in the clear by now, but that's when it started happening (like it always does)....Everything got really fuzzy.  My vision became blurred, and my ears started ringing.  Just then, I was called up to get my body fat measured.  I made it to the table, told the nurse my height and weight, and seconds later I was on the ground.  Yes, I FAINTED.  Not in the privacy of a doctor's office, but in front of about 20 co-workers.  And it wasn't because I had a needle in my arm or I had seen blood.  That's how crazy I am when it comes to this kind of thing.  Next thing I knew my husband was picking me up and a nurse was frantic trying to find a nearby clinic to take me to.  "That won't be necessary" we told her,"this happens regularly."  Busted.  Now everyone at the office knows I'm a total pansy when it comes to anything medical.

I don't remember much more about the health screening.  I got the heck out of there so fast that I missed out on all of the cool healthy lifestyle pamphlets they were handing out.  I did manage to get my hands on some copies later on though and I thought I'd share.  The article posted below suggests some simple changes you can make to lose weight- and you don't even have to live off carrot sticks and celery, give yourself HCG shots, or run 10 miles a day. Check it out.  Here's to hoping that I make it through the whole health screening next year.

10 Ways to Lose Weight Without Dieting- by Kathleen Zelman, MPH, RD, LD.

1. Eat Breakfast Every Day

"Many people think skipping breakfast is a great way to cut calories, but they usually end up eating more throughout the day.  Studies show people who eat breakfast have lower BMIs than breakfast-skippers and perform better, whether at school or in the boardroom" says Elizabeth Ward, MS, RD.  Try a bowl of whole-grain cereal topped with fruit and low-fat dairy for a quick and nutritious start to your day.

2. Close the Kitchen at Night

Establish a time when you will stop eating so you won't give in to the late-night munchies or mindless snacking while watching television.  "Have a cup of tea, suck on a piece of hard candy or enjoy a small bowl of light ice cream or frozen yogurt if you want something sweet after dinner, but then brush your teeth so you wil be less likely to eat or drink anything else," suggests Elaine Magee, MPH, RD. 

3. Choose Liquid Calories Wisely

Sweetened drinks pile on the calories, but don't reduce hunger like solid foods do.  Satisfy your thirst with water, sparkling water with citrus, skim or low-fat milk, or small portions of 100% juice.  Try a glass of nutritious and low-calorie vegetable juice to hold you over if you get hungry between meals.  Be careful of alcohol calories, which add up quickly.

4. Eat More Produce

Eating lots of low-calorie, high-volume fruits and vegetables crowds out other foods that are higher in fat and calories.  Move the meat off the center of your  plate and pile on the vegetables.  The U.S. government's 2005 Dietary Guidelines suggest that adults get 7-13 cups of produce daily.  Barbara Rolls, PhD, claims it's not really so difficult to do: "Stock your kitchen with plenty of fruits and vegetables and at every meal and snack, include a few servings.  Your diet will be enriched with vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, fiber, and if you fill up on super-nutritious produce, you won't be reaching for the cookie jar."

5. Go for the Grain

By substituting whole grains for refined grains like white bread, cakes, cookies, and pretzels, you add much needed fiber and will fill up faster so you're more likely to eat a reasonable portion.  Choose whole-wheat breads and pastas, brown rice, bran flakes, popcorn, and whole-rye crackers.

6. Control Your Environments

Another simple strategy to help cut calories is to control your environment- everything from stocking your kitchen with lots of healthy options to choosing the right restaurants.  That means avoiding the temptation by staying away from all-you-can eat restaurants.  When it comes to parties, "eat a healthy snack before so you won't be starving, and be selective when you fill your plate at the buffet," suggests Elizabeth Ward.  Before going back for more food, wait at least 15 minutes and have a big glass of water.

7. Add More Steps

Get yourself a pedometer and gradually add more steps until you reach 10,000 per day.  Throughout the day, do whatever you can to be more active-- pace while you talk on the phone, take the dog out for an extra walk, and march in place during television commercials.  Having a pedometer serves as a constant motivator and reminder.

8. Trim Portions

If you did nothing else but reduce your portions by 10%-20%, you would lose weight.  Most of the portions served both in restaurants and at home are bigger than you need.  Pull out the measuring cups to get a handle on your usual portion sizes, and work on paring them down.  Get instant portion control by using small bowls, plates and cups, says Brian Wansink, PhD.  You won't feel deprived because the food will look plentiful on dainty dishware.

9. Have Protein at Every Meal and Snack

Adding a source of lean or low-fat protein to each meal and snack will help keep you feeling full longer so you're less likely to overeat.  Try low-fat yogurt, small portions of nuts, peanut butter, eggs, beans, or lean meats.  Experts also recommend eating small, frequent meals and snacks (every 3-4 hours), to keep your blood sugar levels steady and to avoid overindulging.

10. Switch to Lighter Alternatives

Whenever you can, use the low-fat versions of salad dressings, mayonnaise, dairy products, and other products.  "You can trim calories effortlessly if you use low-fat and lighter products, and if theproduct is mixed in with other ingredients, no one will ever notice," says Elaine Magee.  More smart substitutions: Use salsa or hummus as a dip; spread sandwiches with mustard instead of mayo; eat plain roasted sweet potatoes instead of loaded white potatoes; use skim milk instead of cream in your coffee; hold the cheese on sandwiches; and use a little vinaigrette on your salad instead of piling on the creamy dressing.

CONFESSION: I have never once watched American Idol.

I know, I know, I'm basically Un-American.

Even though I might be "out of touch", I know that plenty of you out there have a date every Tuesday and Wednesday night with the television.

Whether you've been on the American Idol band wagon since Season 1, or you've just recently hopped on board, this promotion is for you.

The American Idol Lover.

RC Willey and Serta Mattresses are giving you the chance of a lifetime!

Four lucky contestants will win a trip for two to Los Angeles to go to the American Idol Finale this May!

All you need to do is go to the nearest RC Willey and take a "Serta Test Rest" in the bedding gallery.  After you've tried out a mattress you'll be given a contest entry form, which you can complete online.  How ridiculously easy is that folks?

Good Luck!!

*Visit www.SertaSweeps.com for more information and check out the contest's official rules.