We have had the same Christmas tree and ornaments for the past 11 years. The tree is short and was about $20 that we splurged on the first year we were married. It's FINE, but I don't love it. I keep swearing that THIS is the year we're going to get A REAL TREE, but I've yet to follow through on my threats. Sigh. Maybe next year...Anyway. The ornaments we have were given to us by one of my sisters that same year. So...11 year old glass balls. They were lovely, but were never really "my" style. However, the past several years, they have been looking VERY worse for the wear. But ornaments. They are never on your to buy list until you are decorating the tree every year, but I never wanted to pay full price. And then, after Christmas, when they are the price I'm fine with, they never have anything I want. So, 11 years. And never being excited about my tree. Sad.
Last month, we were at IKEA (shocking, no?) and they had their Christmas stuff out. I was poking around in the boxes and found these. Lovely, right? The colors are so rich and the plaid ones are divine. I'm so completely excited about them. With all of the colors, I'm drawn to the deep navy blues and wanted to find some smaller navy ornaments to compliment them. Our first scouting location was Pier 1. I will tell you a *little* secret. I LOVE Pier 1. LOVE. I always have. And every year, I would drool over their Christmas displays, but never pulling the trigger out of frugality. But, Friday? Friday was my day. I planned and budgeted and shopped for Christmas decor. And I love every single thing I bought. Plus. Well. The most gorgeous set of red and glass stemware and probably the most gorgeous red bowl I've ever seen.
Just...lovely. However, while I left with bags full and some lovely icicle ornaments, there were no navy to be had.
(I REALLY wanted to leave with this:
The photo does NOT do it justice. It's GORGEOUS and deep blueish green and would look lovely in my bedroom...)
Target was stop number two. We stocked up with the most frivolous impulse buy purchases ever. Mostly funky tights for me. And LED Christmas lights. And, well, small teardrop shaped ornaments. In silver. Because teal is apparently the blue choice of 2010. I'm ok with the silver, though. For now. My quest for navy will continue, but for now...I'm actually excited to decorate the tree this year. Even if it is the same ole bargain fake tree we've had since the dawn of time...
Since we found ourselves downtown, we hopped over to the Gateway for a little Anthropologie shopping. For, uh, more fun tights. While there, we tossed over ideas for dinner. We settled on Buca right out of the gate. Like there is ever any discussion when we find ourselves downtown...I mean, c'mon. We really love Buca. But then, I had the brilliant idea of calling Isaac's brother and his wife to see if they wanted to join us. He had plans, but our sister in law Kim and their adorable Caleb came and had dinner with us. Sammy adores Caleb and so it was a great time for all. We left dinner just in time to find the theater and parking and get our tickets at will call. We found seats and Sammy explored while we waited for the show to start.
The theater is adorable. Small, with three rows of seating on three sides, a small stage and square in front of the stage for the action. I tried to prepare Sammy for the show, how it was different than going to a movie, but his face when the action started? I don't think we'll ever forget that. He was completely in awe of the live action. He laughed, he clapped, he loved it. By intermission, he was starting to fade. The show started at 7 pm, which is about the time Sammy starts heading to bed, so we knew this would be pushing it. I was a little hopeful that a small nap in the car would buy us some time, but a nearly two hour show? A little bit pushing it. Which is fine. We really wanted this to be his first outing and we figured whenever we had to leave due to sleepiness, we would. I'm happy to report that we made it about 1/2 way through the final act when Sammy looked up at me and declared, "I need to go home, put on my jammies and take a nap right now". We pushed it a few more minutes and then Sammy started gathering up his things and would have started trekking home alone had we not followed. The boy, he is serious about his bedtime. Which I love, but it's still comical.
All in all, I think it was a success. We may do a matinee next time (because I'm adamant there be a next time!), but we love how close we are to opportunities like this for him. It's really important to me that Sammy has the opportunity to learn how to be in a theater for plays and go out to eat and conduct himself in those situations and we are so blessed to be in a place we are able to take advantage. I cannot recommend the theater enough.
(I was totally going to scan in a picture of our tickets, because they were so cute, but Sammy's scissors somehow managed to attack them first...)
And if you throw in a Saturday night out with good friends for dinner and bowling? We had ourselves one mighty fine weekend. Though I am really looking forward to my bed for the next several days. Good thing I have an upcoming turkey coma to help out with that.
(two princes, spin doctors)
Have you looked at Wally World, they have some dark blue balls (not quiet navy) but dark blue. I wish our IKEA and pier1 were not 5 hrs. away I love the things you bought. That bowl is to die for. Some way I have turned up with a collection of snowmen, and always looking for newer ones. Glad Sammy got to have fun. Love Mom
ReplyDeleteIf you still can't find any, we can redo the old balls that you have and make them navy. Let me know. At this point I'm kind of dying to do something that is not work related for a few hours.
ReplyDeleteAnd if you want me to help decorate your tree, I'd be happy to do that, too. I personally love the smaller tree and think you could do some fun stuff with it.
Mom - I haven't. I so very rarely go there. I may have to poke my head in. I don't want shiny blue, though. I want to find matte ones. Which seems to be even harder!
ReplyDeleteSharon - I didn't even think of that. How hard is it to chip out the old paint? And I may need help. I have really pretty parts of the puzzle, now, but the executing may take something else. Especially when it comes to the tinsel / bows / whatever options.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA tinsel??? I feel faint. Tell me you're joking...
ReplyDelete:)
I've never actually done it, but I think you would just soak them in really hot soapy water to loosen it up, then sort of swish and rinse until it comes out? Hmmm...I may have to think about that. Too bad you don't want shiny; we could use the really cool fine glitter in blue and put it on the outsides of them and not worry about the paint inside.
No, not tinsel, tinsel. I don't like tinsel. I was using it in the generic "something drapey-other-than- hanging-ornaments" kind of way. Like the strand of silver beads I have...Is that not even necessary on a tree?
ReplyDeleteHmmmm. Maybe we should play around with them. I have TINY silver balls that glittery blue would look awesome on.
Whew. don't scare me like that!
ReplyDeleteLMK...I have Michael's coupons right now and they sell really pretty fine glitter there. We could make it our Saturday-after-Thanksgiving project.
This day sounds just nearly perfect. And for the record, I love Pier 1, too. It's a longer love affair than any other of my life. When I was 13 I bought myself a wicker rattan chair there for my bedroom. Just typing that made me think, "I was a weird 13 year old." But it's true...probably both parts.
ReplyDeleteHappy decorating!
Oh, Sharon. That might be a good day to do it. I think we're putting up the tree next Monday night.
ReplyDeleteLaurel - When we lived in San Diego, there was a Pier 1 outlet. It closed the last year we were there, but for the other 3? It was happy times. I have so many things from there ($3 lamps, a HUGE silver pumpkin-y looking vase thing that is in my dining room ($50) for $15, etc) that I STILL love.
The hot water and soap should work. They have matte, and they are quite pretty.
ReplyDeleteHmmmm...maybe I'll pop in while we're out grocery shopping tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteLove that chair.
ReplyDeleteYou might try some vinegar in them.
ReplyDeleteI love Pier 1 too. Hobby Lobby had some deep blue ornaments when I was in there today- have you tried there?
ReplyDeleteI retired my ornaments I made the year I made yours a couple of years ago. When I retired them I wondered if you were still using yours or if they looked as tired as mine.
I used your basic acrylic craft paint- so what ever will take that off will work. Paint thinner, soaking in vinegar, hot soapy water, I am not sure, but I know that if you have those old glass balls that have the silvered paint inside, you can get that off with a bit of rubbing alchol.