Christmas Clearancing

So, have you had a chance to... you know...

Well, have you?  'Cuz I have! I love this time of year at Bath & Body Works. The post-Christmas and June "Hello, Yellow!" sales are awesome because the savings is bananas and shelves are stocked with the Signature Collection Classic fragrances.  I believe the sales associate gals at my local store keep all of the Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin for themselves, but there's always plenty of Exotic Coconut and Brown Sugar & Fig on display!

This time around, I had our move to New York and a new home in mind as I stocked up on my favorites.  I'm happy to say I've added a tremendous amount of Twilight Woods self-foaming hand soap, Brown Sugar & Fig shower gel, and loofah sponges to my BBW stockpile.  I want to make sure I have my favorites on hand the very first night I spend in my NY home! It's comforting to have 6 bottles of your favorite hand soap on hand when you're living in a brand new place, you know...  Anyway, the best part of my BBW shopping spree is that I purchased all of my goods with a gift card courtesy of my husband's grandma! 3 bottles of Classics shower gel, 1 bottle of I Need a Margarita shower gel, 1 large candle, 3 loofah sponges, and 6 bottles of hand soap for less than $50 - I saved nearly 60% off the original price! I'm one happy (soapy) girl.



Crate & Barrel "Joy" Coffee Mugs
$2.95

  There's another sale this time of year... and it's my absolute #1 favorite sale ever. The Crate & Barrel Winter Clearance totally rocks my socks, and I scoop up all of the cutest Christmas decor and entertaining items at 50-75% off the day after Christmas.  GOOD TIMES! It kind of feels weird, buying a bunch of new Christmas pretties the day after Christmas, but I love it when it's time to put the tree up each year! Especially next year - once again, I shopped my new NY home in mind.  Snowmen pot holders, snowflake-shaped soap and handtowels for the guest bathroom, Glittery red and green mixing bowls, and a red glass "kissing ball" to hang from the ceiling - I think I'm all ready for Christmas 2011!

I know I missed out on a ton of other great sales, but I had my priorities set long before this week - this girl knew long ago that she wanted a surplus of Twilight Woods foaming hand soap in her bathroom and Cute Coffee Cups to sip from next Christmas!  

Did you find any great deals this week? What are your favorite items to stock up on?

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a Christmas WISHLIST

Join in the fun!

Wishlist. Everyone has one, right? If not written down, then wandering around in the brain somewhere - which is where I keep my wishlist.  I wouldn't say that I miserably waste my life away, wishing I had this or that all the time; I've simply held off on several purchases for extra space/husband's school/income/we're moving really soon purposes. But on this 3rd day of the 25 Days of Christmas countdown, I get to share my little wanties and needies, so brace yourselves - it's quite a mixture of things, and most certainly is not on an "official 2010 Christmas wishlist" - I think i would be greatly disappointed on Christmas morning if I actually asked for these items. 

1. The Electrolux Washer and Dryer with pedestal drawers (in Turquoise Sky)  

I don't care if I have to sit in the floor, stare at the wall, and stand to eat, this washer and dryer duet will be my first large purchase when I move; every time I stick a coin in a washing machine, I think of these babies!

2. The Blenko Glass Marshall University Collection (made in WV)

Blenko Glass is made in Milton, West Virginia just outside of Huntington.

   

3. Domino Three-Piece Sectional Sofa by Crate and Barrel

Simple, modern, classic, roomy, clean, and sturdy - my kind of couch! 

4. Apple MacBook Air, 13"

Lightweight and powerful, for all of the techie fun I like to have on a daily basis.

5. Fiestaware Disc Pitchers in every shade

A must for this avid Fiestaware China collector! "What on the planet would you do with all of these", you ask?  Why, line them up in a rainbow, on a single shelf across the top of the dining area wall, of course! A dining room needs to be fun.

6. Land's End Goose Down Baffle Box Comforter

I want hotel-style bedding. It's comfy and clean, and I love white bedding!

6. Nikon D5000

Who doesn't want a nice digital camera? The reviews of this Nikon model are fantastic, and the cost isn't too over-the-top.

7. Sephora by O.P.I. 18-Piece Nail Colour Set

A great gift set with every single shade a girl could ever need.

8. Personalized Felt Stockings and Tree Skirt by Pottery Barn

What would a Christmas wishlist be without Christmas-related items if you're a Christmas fanatic like my Christmasy self? I've loved these for years - timeless!

Usually, I make a wishlist at all of my favorite online retailers for friends and family to shop from, but this year my head just isn't in it.  My head is in husband's job market adventure, which keeps getting more and more interesting!  I did manage to find these two items online - I do believe Santa is going to hook me up, too. I just know it. ;)

Sequin Tote, Gap, shown in Navy Blue (I asked for it in plum!) and

Professor "Feel good" Cable Crewneck, Land's End.

What's on your Christmas wish list?  Blog it and link up at the 25 Days of Christmas! 

25 Days of Christmas

I hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving holiday!  I spent a few days in WV and ate way too much, too many days in a row. I made time in between the face-stuffing to sneak around my mom's house and take a few pics of her cozy decor, which I'll share later this week.  Trust me, you'll want to visit her and stay awhile!

Today kicks off the "25 Days of Christmas" hosted by Star and Jmo.  If you're a Christmas fanatic like I am, then you're sure to love the daily blog topics Star and Jmo have chosen! The first topic of the countdown is: Christmas Decorations.
Currently, my Christmas decor is a jumble of things - a little bit modern, a crap ton of glitter and sparkly things, a childish piece here and there, and some folksy primitive style weaved through.  Does it work? Ehh... I make it work. For now.  My tree is definitely a keeper; however, I plan to phase out the remainder of the decor and gradually replace it with pieces that are clean, cheery, and modern.  Since I will be living somewhere completely different next year, I want a fresh, new look for the Holiday season.  Here are some examples of holiday decor that are currently inspiring my future "Christmas Decoration Revamp":



Marimekko Bedding Collection, Crate & Barrel

 

Ornaments, CB2



Fiestaware in Christmas Tree Pattern, Shamrock,
and Scarlet, Homer Laughlin China Co.



Vintage inspired ornaments and glass bead garland, Restoration Hardware



Can you tell that I love Crate & Barrel?

 





Vintage inspired garland, Restoration Hardware



Outdoor decor, Pottery Barn

Ahh... how's that for cheery holiday inspiration? 

You can check out my Christmas tree here.

Tomorrow, I'll be featuring the work of a super talented artist, Carrie Lawson.  She and I grew up in the same small county in West Virginia, and graduated from the same high school.  For someone who has had no formal training, Carrie produces phenomenal, powerful artwork that is keeping her very busy this holiday season.  I can't wait to share her positive spirit and talent with you!

Have a great Monday, and be sure to come back tomorrow for Day 2 of "25 Days of Christmas"!

Crate & Barrel Fall Preview Picks

When a new Crate & Barrel catalog arrives in my mailbox, I feel about as giddy as I used to when I was a child and the JcPenney's Wishbook came in the mail!  The latest C&B catalog is a preview of their new Fall collection, and as usual, the items are smart, stylish, and super drool-worthy! 
And now, my top 10 Fall picks:

1. Appetizer Plates, $2.95 ea.; 2. Madison Shower Curtain in persimmon marimekko, $49.95; 3. Potluck Bakers, set of three, $29.95; 4. Hoopla Table Lamp in amber, $79.95; 5. Max Dinnerware in plum, 16 pc. set, $74.95; 6. Swoop Bowls, $9.95 and $19.95; 7. Conway Rug, $199-$999; 8. Joe Mug in meadow green, $4.95; 9. Reid Throw, $49.95; 10. Red Velvet Whoopie Pie Mix, $8.95.

I'm a loyal Fiestaware fan, but the new C&B appetizer plates come in a huge variety of colors, are lighter weight, lower-priced, and have a slighly more modern look than my favorite appetizer plates from Homer Laughlin China Co.  If you're looking to brighten up your dinnerware, this would be the item to purchase (in every color!) I'm in love with marimekko patterns - any color, any print, just please give me more marimekko - preferably in the form of this deliciously orange shower curtain. The swoop bowls are just too cool - loads of fun to look at, and loads of fun used as serving dishes! The Conway Rug comes in several sizes, and I especially like that the majority of the pattern is a light cream shade (which hides cat hair!)  C&B rugs are super plush and easy to care for, and this particular one would look great in a neutral toned room that needs a color boost.  I don't think I need to elaborate on the Red Velvet Whoopie Pie Mix - just add butter, eggs, and milk!