Today is the Frugal Friday holiday edition over at the Shabby Nest. I am looking forward to bookmarking lots of inspiring ideas...for next year.
This is our first Christmas to stay in LA! I am so very thankful to not travel this year. I can not wait to go to my own awesome church for Christmas Eve! Home Sweet Home!
However, somehow I thought that staying here would give me exponentially more time to get things done, not so much. I think I was more efficient with travel plans always on my mind. On the other hand, maybe I bit off more than I could chew. Oh, right, this is also the first in a few years where I havn't been "off track" for November and December. Maybe that's the real interference- work!
In any case, here it is a week before Christmas on the dot and I haven't really finished decorating the apartment, haven't baked and I have not cleaned at all. I have been busy with other fun stuff though, so I am not really complaining- just behind my schedule is all.
On to decorating! With six people in the apartment on and off for a week, I decided to pare down my decorations and go with a "less is more... space" theme.
This summer I met a vintage Santa at every thrift I went to.
For $0.99 or less each, how could I pass them up? My mom is a true believer in Santa and so it is fitting that the apartment is decked out with the jolly old elf.
We decided not to get a real tree this year. After six Christmases on the road, we don't really have a tree tradition and at close to $80 a tree, we decided to stick with my 99 Cent Only Tree from a few years ago. Isn't she darling? This little tree was a real blessing to me. One day I was feeling down about apartment life and wanting more. I happened to be coveting a white feather tree I had seen on a blog. Finding this tree at the 99 Cent Only store was just the pick-me-up I needed. Finding red and white mushroom ornaments half off at Cost Plus was icing on the cake.
Filling in for a tree, the green chairs have assumed the responsibility for present storage. Love them! Love the red and white wrappings paired with the green. Today my cousin in Florida sent me a whole box of presents wrapped in my favorite Target Dollar Spot paper from last year. I have been rationing that paper like like a depression era granny! Now I have a whole chair-ful to enjoy!
Last but not least, my favorite "splurge" of the season...
Skates -$7 at Goodwill, ribbon $2 at Joannes, floral picks $2...visions of the Ice Capades dancing in my head... priceless.
Hope you all have a great Friday and a wonderful weekend!
Oh, if by chance you find yourself in Los Angeles for Christmas and you are looking to celebrate in a place just brimming with peace, love and joy, I invite you to join us at- Hollywood United Methodist Church!
I love the skates hanging, what a simple and elegant idea. Thanks you sharing. GOD BLESS AND MERRY CHRISTMAS
ReplyDeleteWhat fun decorations! Love the skates!!
ReplyDeletewhat a great tree & wow, I love the chairs, the gifts look perfect on them!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by and commenting on the photo garland. I also believe in "less is more" and really love your tree/chairs/and skates! Good find on the skates! Peace to you this Joyous Season!
ReplyDeleteI love all your decorations!! But I am especially fond of your turquoise chairs and red wrapping. My living room is a similar scheme!
ReplyDeleteOMG! $80 for a tree?! I never bought a real one in LA and didn't know they went for that much. We have a lovely 6' real tree that was about $35.
ReplyDeleteYou know, I'm really diggin those chairs!
ReplyDeleteI need to get to decorating my tree! I started last night, but I had to get ready for church!
LOOOOVEEEE how the presents look on those green chairs!
ReplyDeleteI didn't know how much trees cost in LA either, since we use an artificial one for fire safety / mess / allergy reasons. $80 is NUTS!!! We're going to invest in a bigger artificial tree at the after Christmas sales this year, since ours is only 4 1/2 feet tall . . . now that I know what the real ones cost I'll be buying that 7 foot plastic pine with no reservations :)
Those presents are so cheerful in their red and white paper. Love the skates too. The colorful laces are super cute.
ReplyDeletei love the comment "like a depression era granny" made me smile :D
ReplyDeleteIt's a little late, but I finally finished my daughter's play kitchen! Good thing, as her birthday party is tomorrow. Here's a link to my blog about it: http://uswheelers.blogspot.com/2009/12/cassidys-birthday-present-or-best.html. Thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the ice skates. I saw a pair at a Goodwill when we were back in MO in Oct but I didn't want to have to pack those in a suitcase so I passed-maybe someday ...
ReplyDeleteI have had so many Google problems-and it isn't over-Google has no idea how to solve the problem.
Sorry I haven't been by much-I decided after weeks and weeks of non-stop Google issues, I am throwing my hands up and making much needed visits.
I hope you have a Very Merry Christmas and hope you can come by for a visit.
Cheri