holiday cheer.

Part II of my Holiday series brings one of the most widely debated topics of the holidays -- the decorations.  Families coming together find ways to meld their styles and traditions, they avoid phone calls from the parents who passed down the traditions (since they'll be upset tradition has changed), and letters are sent to Targets everywhere that Christmas decorations shouldn't be out yet "because it's barely November!" (...no?  Just my mom sends that letter to Target?)

Growing up, there was a strict rule that no decorations went up until after Thanksgiving dinner was eaten and cleaned up, no music was listened to until the day after Thanksgiving, and you were to be scorned if you even thought about turning on outdoor Christmas lights.  The Friday after Thanksgiving, my day off from school was always spent helping my Gram put decorations up at the family business and at her house - in fact, I got to help again (albeit, two days early, much to my mother's dismay) this year when I was home, which was a real treat.  When I moved into my own apartment last year, I was confronted with my Roommate, who puts Christmas decorations up the moment Halloween is starting.  I went into a complete holiday shell-shock, and at the risk of being a tad dramatic, it did alter how I enjoyed the holidays (they felt too long, and Thanksgiving barely happened).

This year, we compromised and put things up slowly, and we're finally decked out.  We have the upside-down Christmas tree we obsessed about, Leonard the Christmas Pup is out and up, and I couldn't be more happy to come home and see my lights everywhere.

It's weird, learning to decorate on my own.  On one hand, I love being able to do things the way I envision them; on the other, there are certain aspects of decorating with my family that I miss.  My sisters and I would dress up in the lights and tinsel every year.  I had a pair of snowflake ornaments that I made earrings into, and wore them one day a year - decorating day.  We fought each year as to whose turn it was to put my mom's Precious Moments Angel tree topper up, because we could never remember from year to year, and the slip of paper we wrote it on always got lost.

When I was home over Thanksgiving, my mom was seriously bummed that I wouldn't be around to decorate the tree that year.  Before I left, I made sure to put up two ornaments of mine on the tree, with a little note.  She called me later in the day and told me how much she loved it and was glad I could be part of the decorating, if only by sentiment.

Leonard the Christmas Pup makes an appearance every year in my life, and will continue to do so whether Loverman likes it or not.  An outdoor lighting decoration, my Gram bought it on a Black Friday sale in AZ three years ago.  I was slightly heartbroken after having a holiday without her dog, and I was craving a puppy of my own.  She had originally bought the decoration for herself, but I talked about how much I loved it, she re-gifted it to me.  I put him up in my dorm the first year, and he is now up for the second year in this apartment -- he is definitely one of my most beloved decoration items.

Leonard the Christmas Pup

My roommate's cat, Betsey, has her own holiday decor.

Bonus - Christmas card of myself and the sisters at least five years ago.

What are some of your decorating traditions?

things I love Thursday.

As a pretty enthusiastic person, I can easily bounce from one thing to the next with an abundance of joy and excitement (No lie - it drives my parents and Loveman nuts!). Because I am the way I am, I constantly want to tell people all of the fun things that I've discovered or am in love with.

So, on every Thursday, I'll be sharing (about) five (maybe six) things with you that have been suffering through my excitement.

-- moleskine planner
I live by my planner - I am lost without it, I color code it, and I need a sturdy one.  There have been years when I went through 2-4 planners just to find the right one.  I think that I hit the jackpot this year.  I love the way Moleskine looks and feels, and the layout of the week is large enough that I can write all of my lists and to-dos, along with birthdays and meetings.

The pocket in the back with the address book is also super handy - great for address or notes (which I'll probably use it for), or anything that gets picked up along the way.

-- bean boots
The weather is getting colder, which means I pull out my boots and wear them every. single. day.  I love the classic look of the Bean Boots, and the Thinsulate ones are especially useful in chilly Minnesota.  I actually tend to wear them year round - they're great to slip on quick if it's been rainy, or even if I'm going to the garden (one day).

-- Let Them Talk
Yes.  Hugh Laurie of everyone's favorite medical drama has not only one, but two albums for our listening pleasure.  I have been absolutely in LOVE with his first album and I listen to it to and from campus, while I'm driving, homework, every day, every time I can... I'm OBSESSED.  Particularly with his rendition of "Jericho" and "Let Them Talk".

-- upside down Christmas trees
The newest design fad is also in my apartment living room.  Almost.  My roommates cat has a thing for Christmas trees, so we decided to hang it from the ceiling.  I've been spending so much time looking at the images of the trees, I cannot wait to get mine decorated.  It's a little complicated to get it set up, but it is definitely going to be worth it come the Christmas holidays.

-- zig zag asian collection: wool scarf
Along with bringing out my Bean Boots for winter, I've also brought out my wool scarves.  I have two from Zig Zag that I purchased at the Weisman Art Museum's gift shop and I love them.  They're the right size to wrap around your neck or simply wear it as a shawl when working at the computer (which I'm doing now!).  The color of the threads is phenomenal, and I won't be surprised if I pick up another this year.  Sorry Loverman.