to my friends here in the west..

be merry & silly !!

wishing y'all in the east..

have a most gluttonous and drunken holiday!!

x'mas decor

every year, we haul back an 8-9' douglas fir.  it breaks our wallet, kills our backs and diminishes yet another tree.  this year, inspired by the image of the ladder x'mas tree i posted previously, our 8-year old daughter and i spearheaded the project.  after a quick run to 99-cent store yesterday and a stop at target today, here's the outcome.  please give us a like, yikes, or cool.  (thanks for your prompt response, jillian is getting a big kick out of it!)

we started with a vintage wooden ladder and coiled 2 strings of lights around ($20 total).  then hang ornaments galore.  here's a close-up.  (nutcracker in the back, $12.99).

an extra strand of big bulbs ($12.99) renders a new look for our red acrobat's pole by the front door.

size matters!

a lovely gift from mk.

simplicity = beauty

by jillian.

baby poinsettias from 99-cent store dresses up our powder room.

5 baby poinsettias in the bread basket.

gift idea #4

the nutcracker in natural wood holding a little present is the best nutcracker i've come across.  it is unpretentious and refreshing.  that's the way i would imagine the original nutcracker to be.  available at west elm for $24.  part of proceeds will be donated to st jude's children hospital.  plus free shipping.  doesn't get much better than that.

gift idea #3

cash is the best gift.  second to that, gift cards are always welcomed.  here are some fun little containers for your x'mas gift cards.  the plastic holders at the top are 99-cents each.  the paper holders on the bottom are two for 99-cents.  all from the lovely 99-cent store.

decoration idea #2

more wonderful surprises from 99-cent store.  the peace sign is such a classic.  the blue of the blue star is an iridescent indigo, a beautiful rich color.  the tree is just funny!  everything 99-cents of course.

gift idea #1

i wouldn't mind getting a white elephant of these stone buildings (house, temple, condo).  simple and quirky, they seem to have jumped right out of john hejduk's drawings.  $14.95 each from CB2.

x'mas a-coming - decoration idea #1

after halloween, the rest of year will just fly by.  before you know it, x'mas will be here.  i am starting to look at the tree and gift possibilities.  this seems like an wonderful alternative to chopping down a fresh tree.  taken from CB2 website.