(This is from the After Show blog on the CasaVerde radio show I host...great tips/deal that I wanted to pass on www.blogtalkradio.com/casaverde )

Hi All-
Krista is an incredible, engaging guest, besides being outrageously knowledgable!! We disccussed the proper layering/dressing of a bed, thread count & an incredible offer from Peacock Alley to all CasaVerde listeners...

Krista first told us that we need to think of dressing a bed, as dressing ourselves...we need to start w/the proper undergarments or foundations. In the case of our beds, that would be a mattress pad, a feather bed and/or a wool mattress pad. This will add "loft" and comfort, along with being incredibly luxurious!

Next to take into consideration is pillows. A good, high quality pillow will go a long way in helping you sleep better at night, prevent "crooks" and other assorted pains in your neck & add to the "sleep experience". There are pillows for those who sleep on their sides, back & stomach. READ the label, and purchase the pillow that suits how you sleep. There are also down alternatives available for those who suffer from allergies. A good pillow protector is also recommended to help extend the life of your pillow, prevent dust mites (ick) & help those who have allergies.

Peacock Alley has developed an incredible innovation in bedskirts/dust ruffles...a "deck-less" bedskirt. The PA product is actually 3 panels that are pinned to the box spring. Same size fits all beds & depths as all you have to do is adjust where you pin the panel! 1 person can now change the dust ruffle w/out straining their back!! LOVE THIS!!!

OK, we've got our "foundation" mattress pad and feather bed, our dust ruffle (if needed/wanted...I have one just because my dogs like sleeping under the bed & the dust ruffle adds to the "cave" feeling for them) & our fabulous, sleep-style specific pillows. Now, the sheets....first off, make sure to measure the depth of your mattress so you get the right size fitted sheet! You don't want the sheet to ride up when you sleep so you get tangled up! Put on your fitte sheet, pillow cases on your sleep pillows & then your top sheet. Top sheet should be placed PRETTY SIDE DOWN! This is done so that when you fold the sheet back, the hem/stitching can be seen. Tuck in using hospital corners for a nice tight fit.

Next up is your blanket. Pick your weight depending on geographic area and/or season. Fleece and/or cotton are the most popular choices here. Next layer is the matalaise blanket. Matalaise can also be referred to as blanket cover or coverlette. Think of this as the "little black dress" you have to dress up! The matalaise is to be placed, and draped over the blanket and meant to hang over the mattress. There is usually a 15-16" drop, which places it right where the dust ruffle starts.

Lastly, the comforter is added. This can be down, down alternative, fleece...whatever. The comforter is folded in a "burrito" fold or in 1/3s, and placed at the end of the bed. Shams, accent & throw pillows are added depending on decor & style, and you have a beautifully dressed bed. (There is an art to how to place/stack pillows on your bed from traditional to contemporary...see the Peacock Alley website for ideas!).

***When buying down or down alternative, make sure to look at the FILL AND the WEIGHT as they are different!! Fill is the SIZE of the down cluster-so you can have a larger FILL which gives you more LOFT (i.e. poof) but you won't suffocate under the WEIGHT of denser packed fibers!! READ the LABEL & if you have a question, ASK!***

Krista & I also had a "controversial moment" in Krista's statement that "Thread count doesn't matter"! I gasped when I first heard her state this in Chicago a few months back & wanted her to explain. She stated that first off, thread count is how many threads per square inch. When there are claims of 5000 thread count...you CAN'T have 5000 threads in a square inch UNLESS you are pulling the thread apart and making 3-10 pieces out of the original 1. To illustrate, think of a piece of yarn that you can unravel...1 strand of yarn can become many...this is the same concept. Your 1 strong piece of thread, has now been divided into many pieces thereby lessening the strength & durability of the original fiber. Again, READ the LABEL. Krista states that you must look for QUALITY of yarn (100% Egyptian cotton for example), CONSTRUCTION of the weave, and finally the FINISH (percale, sateen...). FEEL the fabric...do you like it? Is it constructed well? If there are no samples available for you to actually touch, ask someone to open a package for you to test.

Peacock Alley news: Krista will be on HSN (Home Shopping Network) on Jan 4th showing off more of the exclusive line for HSN shoppers! Be sure to catch her there!

Peacock Alley is also offering an incredible offer for ALL CasaVerde listeners...from now (Sun 11/15) until Wednesday, November 18, 2009 @ midnight, they are offering a 25% DISCOUNT on ENTIRE ORDER when you enter in promo code RADIO at checkout!!! This is your chance to outfit your bed for the holidays, treat yourself to a little luxury or just do a re-do! Go to www.peacockalley.com check out all the pictures, products (GREAT Bamboo robes!!!) and buy yourself something nice!!!

Isn't it great when our guests offer us cool things? I love it...it helps me get some holiday shopping done as well! ha ha....Thanks Krista!

Until next time....dr