I always like hearing about things that people are buying because it makes me wonder if I should be buying those things too. Sometimes I think I SHOULD be buying them. After all, if some other person has gone to the trouble of researching it and if Jennie has ten of this t-shirt then I probably need at least one. There's something to be said for the research and good taste of others.
Thusly, it occurs to me that I have been on a bit of a shopping spree lately, all in the name of Christmas. I've been decorating the house with things I've been considering buying for months, but now that I've got people coming over for parties and gift-opening and eating there's a new sense of urgency to hurry up and frame that shit and stick it on the wall.
I have never really gone all-in on Christmas decor, mostly because I don't like to spend money on it and partly because I think so much of is is so godawful ugly and tacky, but this year in this new house I wanted to get a few more things to make it feel extra Christmas-y. I really don't have much beyond the tree, ornaments and stockings. Actually...that might be it. Last year was Christmas Lite and this year will be Christmas Regular. (It is my hope to never venture into Christmas Extra Bold.)
So. The Things.
This year I really wanted some Christmas pillows for the sofa. My sofa is brown with brown pillows and Elizabeth has been talking a lot this year about how her living room used to be So Very Brown and I realized there was no reason I had to keep using the brown pillows that came with my brown sofa. I am an adult, I am allowed to buy new pillows that aren't brown.
It only took me six years to get to this idea and I'm still just doing SEASONAL pillows and not regular everyday pillows. Baby steps, people. Baby steps.
Classic Tidings Poinsettia Pillow from Target
I can't find this on their website so it might be in stores only, which is so annoying. (Or, maybe their website really does suck that much, which I think it does. Does ANYONE shop there? They make it SO DIFFICULT.) Anyway, I saw this pillow in a catalog that came in the mail I knew I really wanted it which is super rare for me as I never want anything right away. I must hem and haw and ponder and think and consider.
I sourced one at my local store and I've had it for a week or two. It's made of a synthetic material that is SIMILAR to felt but not actually felt. It LOOKS like felt the first three or four times you get close. It's some kind of polyester, but fuzzy and kind of oddly plasticky on the reverse side. It's not unpleasant, but it's not high quality. It is probably worth about $9.99 and not $19.99 but I do like the way it looks, all red and pretty and flowery.
Painted Holly Branch Pillow Cover from Pottery Barn
I just got this today and I like it. It's 16" x 26" which felt BIG to me, maybe too big for a sofa pillow but it's really not. I like that it's not square so it's kind of different. I am in love with the pattern. I had to get the insert from Amazon and it's not here yet, so I can't say that I am looking at the final product on my sofa but I'm pretty sure it will be great.
12" Merrie Pillow from Crate and Barrel
I have wanted this pillow for the past three years and every year I ask for it and every year nobody buys it for me and this year I said To Hell With That and I bought myself the pillow. It's 12", which is rather small but it's so cute. This is not the kind of pillow you take a nap on, rather it's a pretty pillow that you prop up on OTHER pillows but really it is so, so, so cute, did I mention that it is cute?
A whole bunch of glass ball ornaments from Crate and Barrel
This is the kind of thing I have wanted for years but I did not want to buy CRAPPY glass ornaments with irregular color or dull color or ugly color. I also did not want ornaments that would break easily or looked cheap or flimsy or had seams in them. I took a chance on these, having not seen them in person, and I have to say they are pretty sweet. I like them! I got a few of each in red, gold, green, purple and hot pink. I have not decided if I will put them on a tree or pile them up in a big bowl or hang them from my chandelier but I like them. For $3 each I like them a lot and I think they will last me many years if I can keep the small hands away from them.
(SIDEBAR: Okay, so I had a really big fight with Paypal last month. Like, a BIG BIG BIG fight. A fight where I declared, several times, that I was never going to use Paypal, ever again. Then I realized that meant I could never use Etsy again and I was okay with it because, really, it was a VERY BIG fight. But then I found things on Etsy I wanted and I really, really wanted those things so I amended my vow to "I will never use Paypal to ACCEPT MONEY FROM OTHERS ever again. Ever. Ever ever ever." I can use Etsy for buying but that's about it. I realize this is not the most staunch or impressive or even results-getting consumer position but...look, I really like Etsy. Shut up.)
This is ALSO something I have wanted for months (today's theme!) and I finally bought it. This will go in my bathroom. I love the colors and the sentiment. This artist has some other really fantastic prints and I'm considering one or two more.
I realllllly wanted an Advent Calendar this year that I could string up like bunting and I also loved the idea of each date being a separate item to open and enjoy, rather than a pocket-style Advent calendar. I don't have a lot of extra wall space in my living room, so a bunting-style version works best for me.
I looked high and low on Etsy and this type of thing varies in price dramatically. I even found a version for $112. Yes, ONE HUNDRED TWELVE AMERICAN DOLLARS. (I did not purchase that one.) Instead, I found this darling version with stamped muslin bags. It's exactly what I wanted and cost $25 which is just a little north of what I figured it might cost to DIY. I can put little notes with the activity for the day in there and if I want I can put a tiny present in some of them too. I'm really looking forward to doing this with Claire and I'm planning on hanging it with a fat, red, satiny ribbon.
I just really liked it.
Reindeer Stocking from Pottery Barn Kids
I bought this for Charlotte, because I liked how sweet and cute the reindeer was. I got it today and the stocking is sort of fluffy and stuffed in places, to give it a 3D look. This isn't in the description and I don't really like it. Chris likes it, so maybe I would consider keeping it if they hadn't embroidered the name all the way through the top of the stocking.
So, PBK will be getting a call about that tomorrow. Can nothing be easy with their embroidery department?
I scored eight of these suckers for $4 each at TJ Maxx/Homegoods, after pining for them at Macy's where the 16-ounce set was $70, for only four!
Costco evergreen, apple and hydrangea wreath
To be delivered 12/5! This is going to look kick-ass on my door.
That's all I've bought lately, but I think it's QUITE ENOUGH for one week. What did YOU buy this week that I might need to copy? I am on the hunt for Christmas books for kids, kids Christmas pajamas for not $35, and a cheap-ish, non-shedding way to decorate the stairs and mantle (no live greenery or fake greenery).
I totally buy stuff after other people on the internet tell me too. I really like getting the recommendations from real people that I like.
And I love that pillow. It IS cute. And I want the glass ornaments too.
Posted by: HereWeGoAJen | November 16, 2011 at 07:48 AM
I love the wreath you have selected! I also love Julia Child, and I am trying to figure out where I could put that print in my kitchen.
This week, I have bought some jewelry for my sister and my secret santa and 1/4 of a cow. :-) I have always wanted to do this, but I have no idea how much freezer space it will require. I guess I will find out when we pick it up from the butcher on Friday!
I have seen Gap, Old Navy and Gymboree online coupons this week, so you might try there for Christmas PJs.
You could use a wide ribbon to decorate your stairs- I have a pretty Christmasy plaid in mind, but I don't know if that would go in your house. You could drape it and secure it with bows or wind it through the spindles. You could use the same ribbon on your mantle and maybe include some pinecones. Pininterest might have some good examples.
Posted by: Angela (@Aferg22) | November 16, 2011 at 09:21 AM
Just realized that it is Pinterest. Oops. Can you tell I have never been to that site?
I thought of a cute kid's book: Llama llama Holiday Drama. I love all the Llama llama books (especially Red Pajama), but this one is Christmas themed.
Also, I just ordered the wreath!
I will stop hijacking your comments now.
Posted by: Angela (@Aferg22) | November 16, 2011 at 09:56 AM
I love everything you posted here. The pillows and wreath are especially awesome.
Those jack wagons at PBK DISCONTINUED the line of stockings I bought the first year we had L and I had to debate whether I'd buy 4 new stockings this year or just get her a random one until I can get 4 new ones ON SALE. I went with the latter. Ordered her the tiny red one on regular PB for $9. It is so tiny, it made me LOL when I got it. Perfect for a baby, though.
I found a cute Advent house at Target in October and just bought it. I have been looking for one for years and REALLY wanted the personalized house PBK sold but never wanted to spend $100 on it until I decided to just GO AHEAD AND DO IT this year. And guess what? The bastards discontinued it.
We got holiday PJs from old navy last year and this year, I had a bunch of carter's cash so I just got them from there. They ended up costing me $3 a piece. I bought myself a cute flannel button down sleep shirt from JCREW. I figured since I only spent $6 on the girls, I could spring for myself.
Have you seen the Elf on the Shelf book? It looks cute. Saw it at Target but haven't bought it yet.
Posted by: Mel | November 16, 2011 at 02:35 PM
This is going to be a really long comment . . . I bought my kids matching jammies at the Carters outlet. I looked at Old Navy first and found something but ended up going with Carters. Re: stockings from Pottery Barn. I just had a similar experience :( I ordered my daughter's red/cream velvet stocking in 2008. It's perfect: the letters are perfectly spaced and the embroidery is only through the cuff. I just ordered/received my son's red/green velvet stocking and . . . I'm not a happy camper. My biggest beef is that his name is stitched through the cuff and the stocking, which forces the back side of the cuff (which is not velvet)to show i.e. hang down a little from the velvet front. And I hate seeing the embroidery when I look inside!!! It should be through the cuff only. PLUS, the letters are too skinny (even though it's the same font) and spaced too close together. It looked better in the preview pane. When I called to explain my dissatisfaction, I got a man (!) and I was sure would not understand my many issues. He was gracious however and noted all my concerns and said a replacement would be sent out at no charge. I am still waiting for it and oh please let it be better than the first. My husband thinks I'm crazy b/c it looks fine to him (of course it does!) but I'm sure you will understand :) It's disappointing that they did not disclose the 3D factor of the reindeer stocking. At least you have enough time to order a replacement if you choose? End of longest comment ever. Thanks for listening and I love your holiday decor choices!
Posted by: Stephanie | November 16, 2011 at 06:42 PM
This year we're definitely doing Christmas Lite. I think a decorated tree is going to be it. SO TIRED.
Posted by: Jesabes | November 16, 2011 at 10:37 PM
"...frame that shit..." made me bust out laughing at work.
Posted by: K | November 17, 2011 at 10:09 AM