This is one of my favorite ornaments, and probably our oldest one. When I was little, my mom, dad, and I each had our “special ornament” - mine was my dove (which over the years sort of fell to pieces, and was very sweetly replaced by Kendrick last year), Dad’s was a motorcycle-driving Santa, and Mom’s was this figure skater. We got her a fancier one a few years ago, and this dilapidated little thing was subsequently handed over to me. I was a competitive figure skater until about age 14, and my mother still ice-skates (we started taking classes together when I was about four), so this ornament never fails to stir up some nostalgia.
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Last night, Kendrick and I decorated our tree with help from our sleepy Christmas Elf (under the tree). We’ve only spent three Christmases together, and this is the first time we’ve had an apartment big enough for a grownup-sized tree, so we were pretty psyched. We’ve accumulated a mere five or six ornaments over the course of our relationship, so we stocked up on beautiful ornaments from Kmart and mixed them in with what we already owned, with (I think) lovely results.
We decided on a fake tree from Martha Stewart Everyday instead of a real one for a few reasons: 1) we live in a fourth-floor walkup, 2) it’s beautiful, and comes pre-lit, and 3) Lucy is a curious little thing, and I worry about her eating pine needles and drinking water with tree food in it (according to the ASPCA, this is dangerous for animals).
Kmart products generously provided by retailer.
In the home section at Saks Fifth Avenue, I discovered this gorgeous, Alice-in-Wonderland-esque Peppermint Tree Topper ($58) by MacKenzie-Childs. I love lots of items in the line, particularly the Courtly Check Ball Ornament Set ($52) and the Courtly Check Menorah ($318).
Some non-holiday-themed MacKenzie-Childs pieces that I think are spectacular:
I spent Sunday Christmas shopping while wearing my favorite new clothing item: these sweater tights from Betsey Johnson ($16.99 for two pairs at TJ Maxx; gift card generously provided by retailer). Kendrick and I are going to Florida next weekend with my parents to visit some family friends, so I’m trying to get everything done beforehand. Also, I’m a crazy person about finishing up shopping well ahead of time - I usually start in October.
Aldo flats.
When I went over to my mom’s house the other night, I opened the refrigerator to find this odd sight. Mom told me that when my cousin Zach visited, he persisted in doing this to all of the soda bottles, and when she asked him why he said that it keeps them fizzy for longer (less air in the bottle = less space for bubbles to escape, I suppose). He swears it’s true, but it seems to me that re-pressurizing the contents of the bottle is the only thing that would really keep it fizzy. Any scientists out there want to confirm/refute my suspicion?
