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!
12 comments:
I love the skates hanging, what a simple and elegant idea. Thanks you sharing. GOD BLESS AND MERRY CHRISTMAS
What fun decorations! Love the skates!!
what a great tree & wow, I love the chairs, the gifts look perfect on them!
Thanks 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!
I love all your decorations!! But I am especially fond of your turquoise chairs and red wrapping. My living room is a similar scheme!
OMG! $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.
You know, I'm really diggin those chairs!
I 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!
I 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.
i love the comment "like a depression era granny" made me smile :D
It'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!
I 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 ...
I 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
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