"Life is not about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself."
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Friday, August 21, 2009

I shop...

Ummm....sometimes too much. And sometimes it is not always for things I need. The other day...was one of those days, filled with wants, not needs. Life is short...enjoy it doing what you love, right?! So, inspired by my blog friend Melissa, I thought I would show you some of my recent fun purchases!

I had these pictures in better order when I uploaded them but somehow managed to screw them all up here and just didn't feel like rearranging them again. One of my favorite places to shop, especially with autumn coming, is one of my local Yankee Candle shops. I just get a warm fuzzy feeling when their shops are all decked out for fall. And with a fabulous coupon in hand, it was time to stock up on some lovely fall scents. That little car air freshener was a total impulse purchase. They were hanging right next to the register and it was so cute I had to grab it. Now I can decorate my car for Halloween, too!

I also spent some time on Amazon the other day. As much as I love bookstores, I also love that I can just bring up Amazon any time of the day or night and browse all the books I want. I finally bought the book above, Pumpkin Chic. It is a Country Living publication. It is fabulous! All about decorating for the season with pumpkins and gourds. Amazing photos!

The other day on the way up to the White Mountains, we stopped in Derry NH at Cracker Barrell. I am not a big fan of CB's food, but I love their quaint little gift shop. And I know they carry Gooseberry Patch books. I collect the GBP seasonal books and some of their other books. Pretty much every year they come out with a new Autumn cookbook and a new Christmas cookbook. I hate to order from their site because their shipping costs are ridiculous, so since I knew we would be driving past CB I planned to stop in to see if they had the new books. They didn't have the Christmas one yet but they did have the fall book, Autumn With Family and Friends. I was happy with that. And I will have the Christmas book very soon...trust me!

GBP, despite them being a company that does some things I find disagreeable, is still something dear to my heart. It is because of GBP that I have met some of my closest friends. I have posted about this somewhere on my blog in the past, so I will try to condense. In a nutshell, after I bought my first GBP books in a gift shop I checked out their website and found they had a message board. I checked it out and found a group of women so like me! In to crafts and holidays and decorating and shopping and home and hearth! I was thrilled. Most of my friends are not in to any of that stuff. We all bonded online then suddenly GBP decided to shut down their message board. They didn't like that not every single post was about GBP. And they moderated everything. It took forever for them to put up posts. So we all kept in touch via emails. Eventually one of our friends found a site where we could set up our own private message board, and now, over six years later, our site is going strong and we are all closer than ever. At this point, most of us have met at least a few of us despite us living all over the country. We have seen each other through weddings, births, illnesses, deaths, happy celebrations, and trying times. And it all started with a cookbook!

Another Amazon purchase, Merry and Bright. This is also a Country Living publication and one I have had my eye on for a long time. All about decorating and entertaining during the most festive season of the year!

This was also part of my Amazon order, Home For The Holidays, which is a Hallmark publication. Again, all about decorating, entertaining, with fun crafts and recipes thrown in!

I picked up this frame at Marshalls recently. I love the rustic, Tuscan look. And it is in that oil-rubbed bronze patina that I love. I plan on making one of those monogram frames that are so popular now.

I picked up this antique brushed gold colored sunflower garden stake when I was at Cracker Barrel the other day. The center is amber colored beads. I plan to tuck it among my shrubs in the fall. It is not too big so it should be a subtle decoration among the green of the shrubs.

Another Cracker Barrel find, this little Trick or Treat plate is so funky and adorable. I plan on propping it up on a little plate easel and adding it in to my Halloween decorations.

Cracker Barrel again. This one will be placed on a plate easel at Thanksgiving.

And my last little Cracker Barrel plate. This one was just funny and I just had to have it. I think I will put it on a plate easel and place it amongst the desserts on Christmas Day!

I can't go to Yankee Candle and not buy candles! And this time of year is when my favorite types of scents abound. So I picked up a trio of fall yummies, two old favorites (Autumn Wreath and Spiced Pumpkin) and a new favorite (Farmers Market). I have always been drawn to warm, spicy candle scents, or scents from nature. So over the next several months all of my favorite scents will be featured!

Yeah, so, I really love these little car gels. They last longer than those cardboard air fresheners, and they are subtle, in both scent and appearance. MacIntosh Apple is my favorite year round (though in the summer I do love Sun and Sand...it smells like Coppertone!). I think a lot of people love MacIntosh because it is one of the few sold in a three-pack.

So you see, definitely not stuff I had to have out of necessity. I can live without all this stuff. But I also live to have fun...and sometimes shopping for frivolous stuff is fun!

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm headed to Amazon right now. . . and just wanted you to know that it all your fault, Kristen!!!!! ;0)

Furry Bottoms said...

Christmas Calories don't count, huh huh??? I wish that was true!! :) I love all the stuff you got. We don't have Cracker Barrell here so I'm not sure what that is except that its a restaurant. I have deco similar to that sunflower you got... only mine is a big white daisy with a ladybug on it. It stays out all year around, I'm afraid to admit.

Jingle said...

Well, if it makes you feel any better, I feel like this week I have shopped WAY too much! I had some money in my Paypal account that had been just sitting there and I sort of spent it. One big 2Peas order, an Etsy order and a Peachy Cheap order and ...well...now the guilt is setting it. Although, this pile of fresh scrapbooking supplies from 2peas is easing my pain! HA!

Unknown said...

There is nothing like a day of shopping...:) I LOVE Cracker Barrel and Yankee Candle!! The spiced pumpkin sounds really good! I didn't decorate for Christmas last year but this year I am going to get a tree and decorate!:) Very excited!

Farmgirl Paints said...

You did good girl. I love each and every one of your purchases. Makes me want Fall bad:)

Oh and thank you for your words of encouragement regarding my artwork. I'm in the works to start my own Etsy store. It's definitely a step of faith for me. I lack confidence in that area for some reason. Your words really mean alot. Anyway have a great weekend:)

Melissa Miller said...

WOOHOO! What is is about shopping spree posts? They are just so fun to browse through. Love this one Kristen! You are so sweet to mention my blog. Thank you!

Your books are all so beautiful and full of inspiration! I will check out Amazon again soon for more books as well. I'll look for these titles you have shown us. Isn't it amazing how much they have on that site for such great prices? We use them for purchasing so many different items. From coffee K-cups to electronics.

Cracker Barrel is my favorite!
For me I could eat the chicken and dumplin's and the bisquits for every single meal I swear.

You found the cutest new stuff for the holidays! I picked up the very same sunflower stake and almost got it as well. Too funny! The idea to prop the plate on a stand is a good one. Everything is going to look really nice. Love it all girl!

Have a good weekend. ~Melissa ;)

Melissa Miller said...

Love the "Bless Us" plate.
It's so pretty!
I'm going back....:)

The Old Parsonage said...

Ohh, I'm headed out for an all day shopping trip with my Mum and my Jade tomorrow. Can't wait to see what we'll find. I love the look of the Merry and Bright book. I'm an Amazon buyer too. Sometimes what I'm at work I do a little shopping:)

Please stop by The Old Parsonage anytime, I love company.

Enjoy!
Leann

Amanda@Imperfectly Beautiful said...

Ahhhhh...I absolutely MUST have those Counrty Living books for the holidays! Especially the pumpkin one...I am a freak about Halloween. Thanks for sharing your goodies with us.

~Amanda

p.s. LOVE that plate...so cute!

Amy said...

OMG, Kristen! You have so made me NEED to shop! And I have football games tomorrow so it will have to wait.

BTW, I'm in the GBP cookbook Autumn With Family & Friends..have you found me yet? HUGS!

marnie said...

Glad you got out and did a little retail therapy. Looks like you got some neat things...love the books!!!

Hugs,
marn

Days of Whine & Noses said...

cool stuff!

i can't wait until fall so I can make all my favorite fall recipes!

thanks for stopping by on my SITS day!

Connie said...

I am loving every single book and item you purchased! I love decorating books! That Merry and Bright looks great...please tell me what you think of it.

A New England Girl said...

LOVE all of these purchases. I was just at the Yankee Candle in Deerfield yesterday and will be doing a post about it soon. Their new fall line of fragrances are such a treat! Farmer's Market was one of Mr. J's favorite. I am partial to the new Vanilla Pumpkin [I think that's what its called?] and as always, their classics. Plus, I also purchased a new GBP book! or well, Mr. J did for me. :) I had such a good time and it made me SO happy to see that fall was right around the corner. I am also loving your other purchases, especially the books, and can't wait for you to show us some photos of where you place some of these items around your home. I'm sorry, descriptions won't do. :)