Tag Archives: Little Christmas

Happy 2017!!!

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Happy New Year, Vixens!!!

I feel so invigorated at the beginning of the year!!!  That whole clean slate thing, a new story to write and  a second chance to make things happen all rolled into one changes the game for me every year.  Whether I am happy to see the old year go or anticipating something in the one to come, a new year is a fresh start-period.

2017

I spent the end of 2016 doing something I have not done for years-shopping the after Christmas sales.  I used to do it every year and loved every minute of it.  But then my practical frugal side took over and I convinced myself my money was better spent on necessities (what???) rather than adding to my already bulging Christmas storage boxes.  And the more I bought vintage Christmas items all year long, the less I needed anything come December…..except maybe more room to show off my finds.

This year I needed lights, had the day off and the money to spend so how could I not take advantage of all the signs from the universe telling me to shop, shop, SHOP!!!   🙂

Here are a few items I picked up at Jo-Ann’s at a whopping 75% off plus a coupon!!!:

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Cute, right???  I picked up the lights there, too.  But boxes of lights are not very photogenic.

Over at Target, I bought this adorable camper mug and the treat boxes at 50% off.  And how about the Peanuts tote bag?  I found two of them (the other is currently in use) in the Dollar Spot of the store.  Despite their Christmas design, I plan to use those totes all year round for groceries and trips to the local farmer’s market.

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Speaking of the Peanuts, look what I found when I stopped at CVS to pick up some incidentals:

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Forty-40!!!-Peanuts Christmas cards that were already a steal at $19.99.  But at half that price…..simply divine!!!

On New Year’s Day, while overdosing on the antics of Ralph & Norton during the annual “Honeymooners” marathon and waiting all day for my absolute favorite episode  (hint:  it contains this little exchange-Norton to Ralph:  “Do you mind if I smoke?”  Ralph to Norton:  “I don’t care if you burn!”  LOL!!!  It never gets old!!).  I set up my Google calendar for mostly the next three months-goals, budget, posts, book club dates, etc-while adding in the antiques shows, fairs and other events I plan to attend and new ones I might want to go to for 2017.  This way I have time to save up for any special things I might spot on my travels.

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I am waiting for the Feast of the Epiphany (a/k/a Little Christmas) before I take my tree down, and as sad as I am to say goodbye to it and its glorious aroma, I am more than ready to see the pine needle rug below it to finally disappear.

And every night I fall asleep to the sound of the Boss himself reading his life story.  Yes, my Christmas gift to myself was the “Born To Run” audio book.  Sa-woon.

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So that is how I have been spending the first few days of this new year.  How about you?  Are you ready to take it by storm???

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing some things that I love with you   🙂

Until next time, fellow Vixens, happy digging!!!

 

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Weekend Wanderings

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Hello, Vixens!!!  How are all of you, especially those on the east coast with Winter Storm Jonas’ wrath behind-er, around you?  How did you spend your time snowed in?  Cuddling under a toasty blanket with you favorite book, person or pooch?  Or cooking big pots of stew and soup?  Or just catching up on sleep?  Whatever you did, I hope you and yours were safe and warm.

Peanuts snow day

Original Source:  Charles M. Schulz

Saturday brought us remnants of the storm and I reveled in the beauty of my first snow storm as a CT resident!!!  The snow did not start here until around noon and in total I think we received somewhere between 3-5 inches.  It was a little hard to tell for sure with the wind drifts.  Here is a picture I shared on Instagram about two hours in:

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I have trouble parting with my Christmas tree every year, especially when it still looks so healthy and green.  So instead of throwing it into the recyclable bin, I put it outside my front door after Little Christmas, or the Feast of the Epiphany.  It seemed to thrive despite the bitterly cold weather of late and the snow:

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I think I am going to use the shortening tin again next year to hold my tree.  I really like the way it looks.  I usually use a crock to hold it, but since this tin was bigger, I was able to get a larger tree.  What do you think?

As much as I should have spent my time inside unpacking my “Hoarders“-like apartment, I did the next two best things:  caught up on sleep and scoured the Internet for decorating inspiration.  I have a small wall in the bedroom part of my studio that I think would be perfect for a faux fireplace.  I got the inspiration from Kathleen at Faded Charm, who was kind enough to let me share two of her pictures with all of you:

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Courtesy of Faded Charm

Isn’t everything you see in the room simply stunning???  I really adore her style, especially how she strategically places pops of color amongst the neutral palette.  Look at the way she has displayed a chandelier on a stand:

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Courtesy of Faded Charm

I have a chandelier that I want to hang in my new apartment, but in case I cannot due to rule restrictions, I can do what Kathleen has done and add candles instead of bulbs for a gorgeous ambience.

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I just love the cut glass design on my chandelier:

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I also have a mirror that I hung over the fireplace mantel in my house.  I think it will be perfect for the faux fireplace project.  What do you think:

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So now starts the hunt for the perfect fireplace surround and mantel.  Maybe by the time I find it I will have room to use it if I can get passed my procrastinating ways.  If I don’t, the threat of a “Hoarders” episode is more real than imagined.  But then again, I would have a cleaning crew and a professional organizer to help me so it might be worth it!!!  Just kidding.  I am not really a hoarder, just an anti-proactive person who is a little lazy sometimes because daydreaming is soooo much fun!!!

Any tips for getting past my dreams and into action?

And how did you spend your weekend?

Until next time, fellow Vixens, happy digging!!!