Yuletide Wishes

Well, it’s officially November and only 8 weeks until Xmas.  Figured I’d put together my wishlist for those wondering what on earth to get me this year.  Please email each other if you pick something off the list…particularly if you pick an Etsy item since those are hard to return.

Gift Cards:

Barnes and Noble Gift Card - So I can by ebooks for my ereader!

The LOFT for clothes

Pier 1 Imports - for home decor

Starbucks - for those rushed winter mornings

Other Ideas:

Teal scarf

Cute knitted finger gloves

Pictures of Baltimore City for our walls

Wicker baskets of all sizes

Purple toss pillows

Solid knit throws in one of these colors:  peacock teal, plum, gold, or red

K-Cup coffees and in particular Celestial Seasonings Mandarin Orange Spice Tea K-Cups

1996 A&E version of Pride and Prejudice starring Colin Firth

Etsy Items:

Much Ado About Nothing Journal by Immortal Longings

Once Upon A Time In Wonderland Locket by birdzNbeez

Protective Sleeve for ipod in Orange Blossom and Sparrow fabric by WallabyBagCo

Ainsley - Butterfly Clutch lined in bronze dupioni silk by JuliaSherryDesigns

So what’s on your wishlist this year????

Celestial Seasonings Mandarin Orange Spice Herb Tea,

Vintage Whimsy Fever

I’ve fallen head over feet in love with vintage chic decor.  I’ve liked vintage and rustic for years, but it hit a high fever of 110 today when I stumbled on Robin Brown’s Magnoila Pearl designs.  Check her enchanted cottage slide out on CountryLiving.com.  There is such magic, such whimsy.  It really makes me smile.

I’ve often thought of hunting through antique stores for things, but I’ve had little luck getting a hunting buddy.  I’d far rather spend time among antiques with unique stories than brand new posh.  Sounds like I just need to start going on my own.

M knows that our next house must be one of character.  We both love things like exposed wooden beams, interior brick walls, oddly shaped rooms.  I think having a house with character would help bring that vintage chic to life in a room, but I suppose it isn’t a requirement.  Why not start now?

Couldn’t do the all white with splashes of pink thing that is so popular in vintage/shabby, though.  It’s just not us.  When I think vintage, I think a little more old world, or, as I like to refer to it, gyspy vintage with color and texture and wear.  How to tie that all in to create a feel of wild abandon and return to nature…now that’s the tough part.  Robin Brown does a lovely job of it in white.

Vintage pieces I’ve never thought of good uses for until now…

• old china plates and bowls for everyday use
• skeleton keys
• lacy shawls
• slightly rusted tins
• mason jars
• old aprons
• antique switch light plates
• an old typewriter
• old, small wall mirrors

Dreary Day

we dream and stretch and dream again

wrapped in wool and blue gray shadows

left by the rainy afternoon sky

we tuck ourselves among books and woven baskets

in the quiet gold and burgundy tower room

where she writes and wanders among old thoughts

the trees outside are mustard and wine

the clocks have slowed and fallen out of time

it’s a dreary day at our little home along the willow run

where we dream and stretch and dream again

Autumn Morning

Just Say No To Hawkers

Malls need to ban hawkers who harass customers in the halls.  Seriously, it’s frustrating and it makes me not want to go to the mall. 

When I visit the mall, I expect to enjoy my time there browsing and purchasing, grabbing a bite with my husband.  I don’t expect to be attacked by people desperate to make a sale. 

On Saturday we strolled Towson Town Center.  While walking the halls, we successfully dodged several hawkers.  If we’re not interested, we’re not interested.  But one girl had a dirty trick up her sleeve and I fell for it.

When I nicely said “No thanks” to her offer for a cream sample, she responded “Are those your real nails?”

OK, I’m a little vain about my nails because I get so many compliments.  I don’t do anything to them and they’re perfect.  Never been for a manicure in my life and I don’t use strengtheners or faux nails.  So, I responded yes and she latched on to my wrist.

She wouldn’t let go.  Several times I told her “I’m not interested” and “Believe me, no matter what you say, I’m not going to buy anything” but she refused to let go of my arm.  I didn’t want to cause a scene, but I probably should have.

She whipped out this hard sponge-looking thing, basically a large nail file, and began filing away at my thumb.  She flipped it and polished it.  When she was done, mere seconds, she thought she was something special because my nail was so shiny that it hurt my eyes.  She let go, smiling, hoping I would respond.

I took that moment to run.

Ugh, I felt so violated.  The whole day I went around with my thumb feeling so different and wrong.  I could practically see my own reflection in my nail.  It was terrifying.  Who would want that?  It felt so fake. 

Next time, we won’t even pause.  There will be no pausing, no looking at them, no anything.  Hawkers are aggressive and make my mall experience unpleasant. 

Malls should just say no to hawkers.