Jenn - that combination sounds just lovely.....HomeGoods is the dangerous store for me......it is fun to find treasures isn't it? Can't wait to see the little fairy pics.

Marshalls and Home Goods more than an hour away, so I am safe..
Can't wait to see your finds, Jenn. I didn't know you were in Pittsb. I went to college 45 min from there in Ohio, and we would go to the golden triangle to shop. But that was in the olden days, lol...Is that bridge to no where still there??

I know what you mean, I love that and the other places everyone mentioned too! I don't get to Home Goods too often, I have to plead with my DD to take me (don't trust my sense of direction that "far away") LOL Although, I was at a brand new Dollar Store the other day and spent $49.00!!!! They had some wonderful Christmas ornaments and decorations (better than most Dollar Stores)

The HomeGoods near me (too near), according to the clerks there, is frequented by several of the HGTV decorators - I've been to several others and they just don't have as much stuff....I really do have to tell myself I can't go and that I don't need anything else...it's a good/bad thing.

I'm going to have to go to HomeGoods. Ours is a bit of a distance from me, so I have seen the store, but haven't really been in it. But have heard such great things from you all--

er--

but of course I don't NEED new homegoods... I really really don't.

Judith- you can justify that $49 because think of all the items you got for that $49!

Cattknap, it's funny to think of the HGTV decorators getting stuff on-the-cheap. But sort of refreshing!

--Jenn

Fairy items are really popular Jenn, so you are right on target with your finds. And you've already determined what "theme" you want for your holiday decorating.

I love so many things, that I end up with a hodge podge instead of a coordinated theme! LOL

I don't have a TJ Max, but Michael's, Ross, and Homegoods are in the same shopping center. And I have two Marshal's fairly close, but one is so much better than the other one.

I love to go look at all of them every so often, but you are right, it is so "dangerous"--might just find things that I can't leave at the store. All those neat things just beg to come home with me. LOL Keep reminding myself that the house is full and I don't NEED anymore. But that doesn't always work. :o)

Luvs

Judith, you made me feel soooo much better. I went in a Dollar Tree for the first time and came out $39 lighter thanks to neat Xmas things in there. I've only been to 99 Cent stores but had heard the DT was much better. And they just opened one right next door to Michaels. Crap. Now that means double trouble.
So many dangerous stores, so little time. Or is that supposed to be so little money and so little room? LOL

I keep chanting I don't need more Xmas decor. Must be doing something wrong tho, it's not working at all.
Help..........

hugs, K

A HomeGoods store just opened about 3 miles from me, haven't been there yet because I know I will leave with Christmas stuff that I really don't need. Will probably go this week.

Has anyone ever been to AJ Wright? I was so excited to go to one because it's part of the Marshall's TJ Maxx, Homegoods chain...WOW, was I ever disappointed..it looked like a junk shop..very low quality, nothing like the other stores at all. I was just wondering if there all like that or did I just hit a bad one.

Hi, Kathie-
We do have one AJ Wright-- it's not as good as our Marshalls/TJMaxx, but our particular store isn't terrible. Since the Marshalls and TJMaxx's vary too, I'm wondering if it isn't just that you unfortunately have a not-so-good store.

Oh, I'd posted some pics of my recently thrifted ornaments and my cheerfully-gaudy fairy figures and some other Christmas goodies on my blog yesterday (link below). I'm looking forward to noodling around with it all to see how it comes together.

--Jenn

Here is a link that might be useful: Vintage ornaments and new sugarplum fairies

Jenn, I enjoyed reading your blog and you did get some great ornaments, our TS never seem to have those goodies! I am looking forward to seeing your Christmas decorating!

Jenn, those pink ornaments are just so horrible...I really don't think you need to put them up in your house this Christmas. Please let me take them off your hands so they won't detract from your lovely holiday decorating. I know I can find the perfect plac...um, what I meant was that I know I can dispose of them properly for you. LOL!

Seriously they are so pretty and you found some wonderful treasures!! I love the sugar plum fairies. I would really really love to have some of these. There's a TJ Maxx a couple of hours away from me, but by the time I get there, they'll probably all be gone. Drat it!

Thanks, Judith- It's true the ornaments at our thrift stores are usually few and far between that I find; usually it's just too competitive for the old ones. I was really just lucky this time 'round.

Dreamgoddess, you made me laugh out loud. I got through part of that first sentence and thought, "Wow, she's in an uncharacteristic bad mood..." and then cracked up when I read the whole thing. You make such beautiful vintage looking ornaments on your own, I can't imagine you need to buy any. Ever! :-)

--Jenn

Great finds on the ornaments Jenn, and I love your fairies too! Sounds like you are having some fun shopping and planning your holiday decor. Keep us posted. ;o) Luvs

Went to the 99 cent store today, got 4 packages of ornaments and a doormat. Spent $6.52. Darling husband wants to get a real tree this year and put our old-fashioned lights on it. I bought a pre-lit tree three years ago and it's just so darn EASY. A real tree? I remember the way a real tree smells so god but they dry out so fast,drop needles and are a fire risk. Which should I do? He lets me do all the decorating, regardless of his desire for a real tree.

Hi Jannie, Since most DH seldom ask for anything special, I think I would accommodate his desire for a real tree this year. Maybe he wants it for the smell and for sentimental reasons. You can use your faux tree again next year. Why not make him happy?

As for the mess, just buy one of the tree bags at the tree lot, less mess carrying it it---then bunch it up under the tree and put your tree skirt over it. When you are ready to take the tree out, pull the plastic bag back up around it and it will keep the majority of the needles from getting on your floor.

Luvs