Super-Duper Christmas Bargains!

I had some time to kill Sunday night, so I headed to Bed, Bath and Beyond to check out their clarance secions. I had a $25 gift card burning a hole in my pocket!

As I was walking the store I picked up some practical items (NO FUN!) I needed a new pair of dishwashing gloves, so I got this funky pink pair. Then I got a new shower curtain liner so that I can hang it up when I move out (seven more weeks!!!!)

I hoped to score big and find some nice ornament sets, but unfortunatly their Christmas clearance section had been pretty wiped out.... except for these babies.

It was a difficult decision, but I went for the all gold. I LOVE the look of the matted red, green and gold, but I thought that there might be times when it would not quite match whatever my theme was. Gold will match virtually anything.

My new appartment will have a mantle in the living room, so I bought two of these to sit on it next year. They are 17 inches tall and cost me about $7.00

Heck - I'm tempted to go back and buy two in the other colore now!!! lol

My wish for today...

that the tree is still standing and the garland is still up when I get home.

I decided that I need to go to Kohl’s or Target next Tuesday. I am going to buy a few Valentines related kitchen towels. I really love having decorative towels on hand. I also want to pick up a few flowers to put in my simple Ikea vases. I have three of the five. I know I have the bumpy one, but I forget which other two I have.



I’m also thinking of buying Daniel a bag of heart shaped Dove dark chocolate. He likes dark chocolate and I can do a fun chocolate trail in the house and have it end at his Valentines day present. Something cute and fun like that. What did I get him for valentines day??? None other then The Simpson’s Movie in Blueray!!!!!




We’ll watch it while playing with our light saber. Lol Yea, we’re dorks. But how can you not want to own a light saber?

So, when it comes to buying stuff for around the house - I am a bit behind the times. You can ask me about any store when it comes to clothes... but house ware? Yes - totally and completely clueless.

I've learned that I like Kohl's *a lot.* I've learned that this store has the potential to be dangerous. I must be careful when I visit there tonight. Tonight’s agenda contains Christmas lights, stockings and stocking holders.

Last night I was re-introduced to a store I have not been to in quite a few years.... TJ Maxx. Not only did I find the perfect tree skirt (gold jacquard) but I found canisters that match the ones I currently have. I needed a few extra, including a smaller size to hold my brown sugar. Then I saw it…. I did not buy anything because I had other things I need to accomplish… but I saw it. I will go back, I just don’t know when. I saw a good selection of pieces by Le Crusset. My heart skipped a beat. I will own many pieces…. But I will make myself hold off until after the holidays… … I think.

ok, I think I've got it figured out. I'm leaving this afternoon to drop by Keri's house (boy would I love to sneak out early, but I have a meeting scheduled from 3-4!!!) to get a tree. Afterwards I am going to stop at TJ Maxx. I'm hoping that TJ Maxx suits my needs. While I am there I am going to look for a tree skirt, I may try to look for something traditional, so that I can have that base covered... or not. We'll see what I come home with :). I am also going to look for stockings and stocking holders. I will only buy something if I love it. If I don't liove them, I can find something at one of the other countless stores nearby... Depending on how ambitions I feel, I might also stop at AC Moore. I want to get a few wrappings items.. and while I am at it, I should just stop at Kohl's... that is right in the same plaza as AC Moore. If those don't work, there is Target and lastly another Kohl's in Canton. Lets cross our fingers I don't end up at the mall. The last thing I want to do is spend $150 on a tree skirt at Pottery Barn..... a $30 one from Kohl's or whatver is good enough for me!

I think I would like to do some nice realistic looking garland with lights... wrap that around the banister and up the stairs.... maybe a little something in the kitchen... maybe a kissing ball... who knows just what wonders I may conjure up this week!

Poor Daniel will be afraid to leave on any more business trips!

I'm seriously bummed... the tree skirt is now out of stock. Needless to say I am back on the hunt and ready to act FAST.

Here are my new possibilities. I've been going batty on ebay... what are your thoughts?




I think my two favorites are these last two... the teal and the green and gold.

What do you think? Did I find my tree skirt?

Almost forgot…

See that green bowl in the background? I have three little condiment bowls that are the same shape, but must smaller… As an example, we often use them for tea bag holders and spoon rests…

Anyway, those would be great to hold my olives and gherkins…. I bought the three-leaf tray for the purpose… but now I need to find something else small to put in there… BUT I’d like to do a nice selection of olives and picked stuff. Maybe these will allow me to just have MORE of that type of stuff on the table.

I also need to get a bowl to put in cranberry sauce. None of my little bowls will do the job – they are just way to little! I need something bigger, but obviously not as big as all the other bog bowls I have.

Yesh – this is tough to figure out… but the table looks great – doesn’t it?

Here I am, that much closer to Thanksgiving. Daniel and I are having Thanksgiving dinner in Vermont, with his Mother and Step-Father. Me, having a new-found love for cooking and making things look nice... was desperately itching to host my own Thanksgiving dinner. A fair compromise was made - I am having my parents over the weekend after Thanksgiving, for our own celebration.Needless to say, I HAD to design a beautiful table for the dinner. Yesterday, Keri and I had a mission – to design my table.

I am impressed with our bargain shopping. I was able to complete the table without breaking the bank. In addition, many of these pieces can be used year-round.

I am excited to have these cool leaf bowls to serve my soup in! In addition… this beautiful gem from Sue La Table…. Oh I could have EASILY gotten myself into WAY too much trouble there. But I kept it under control.



So what do you think?
Yes… I know, I know… Once piece stands out. We all know which one that is. Needless to say, I am going to look for a platter this week.

I was weak…

No, I did not eat anything. But I saw some bargains I absolutely could NOT pass up on.

12 crimson cloth napkins with a floral crimson pattern on it… sort of an embossed look
4 “Prescott Paisley” napkins by Chaps
A set of 4 striped place mats and 4 matching napkins by Liz Claiborne. They are a orange, brown and tan striped
A set of 4 gold place mats with 4 matching napkins that have a gold fruit pattern, again, giving an embossed look.
A set of 4 crimson place mats with 4 matching napkins that have a floral embroidery accent in the corner – these are by Chaps as well.

All of this was purchased for $58. This comes out to be $1.45 per item… not bad, eh?

I’m thinking of using them as inspiration for my Thanksgiving table. Keri can help me with those decisions :)