I’ll admit it: I shopped when I was across the border, so this post is about stuff. Stuff stuff stuff. Because Hubby & I don’t buy each other gifts – ever – we are able to set aside a little money to treat ourselves to something nice every once in awhile.
I think I must have been inspired by the vintage magazines we found in our holiday rental because I splurged on a brightly hued soft-as-lamb Marimekko wool blanket on our trip to Finn Style. It is such a bold, cheery (kinda retro) colour – and it was on sale! Our house can be chilly, so I’m looking forward to curling up with my new blanket, and a homemade latte, on the sofa. But it also looks good on our bed . . .
I had another blanket that my grandma crocheted tossed on the bed prior to the arrival of the Marimekko blanket. One will live downstairs by the sofa, and the other in the bedroom because I am too lazy to move a blanket around as I need it. It also feel too much like something a toddler would do.
If the pink one stays, I think the paintings (which I have been dying to tweak) need some brightening up. See my horrible rendering below.
One thing to note about the blanket is that it shed a bit of pink fuzz. Bah! So I washed it with my Eucalan, line dried it and now it seems to shed less and less. That’s why it’s a bit wrinkly in the photos: it’s already been through the wringer.
I also scored this Marimekko dress – the same one in the Lucky article that drew me to the store. It was 80% off and covers my skull-crushing knees. Happy dance. I was going to picture it actually on me, but no one needs to see my winter-hairy legs. I’ll show you in the summer.
The Lucky article. Spot the dress? Top right, inside the red box.
At T.J. Maxx I bought this Dooney & Bourke purse for a song. I don’t normally go ga-ga for brands but I have been burned by random-brand leather handbags from Winner’s. I spent so much money having a particularly annoying leather bag fixed that now I only buy labels I trust. In real life, this purse is a gorgeous chalky grey with a hint of purple, trimmed in a lovely shade of purple-ly/plum (Hubby hates when I start naming colours this way).
That’s my haul! Lucky for me, Hubby only bought some teeny-tiny-tool-a-ma-bob so there was plenty of space in his suitcase for my finds.
Did you make any fabulous post-holidays purchases? Were there good sales in your city?
Gaaahhhh!!! I almost bought that purse last time I was at TJ Maxx!!! I love the soft, buttery leather and the pearly-purple hue you are talking about. I am kicking myself about it even now. Perhaps they'll still have one when I get paid in a few days….
Really?!? You should definitely go buy it so we can be purse-buddies 🙂
Thanks for your sweet comment. I am back to blogging now :)Seriously, it was really nice of you and made my day. More importantly, I am LOVING the new blanket. Your idea for the artwork looks great too. Good purchase!!Jenny xowww.simcoestreet.blogspot.com
Thanks, Jenny! I'm happy you're back to blogging – can't wait to check out new posts 🙂
Sweet blanket 🙂 And that dress!! Can't wait to see it this summer!
I am LOVING that bag Tanya! And I can only see a hint of your sweater, but I love that too! You have great style 🙂
I haven't bought anything but diapers in sooo long. I am definitely living vicariously through these purchases. That blanket! That dress!
I love the purse. I recently got a new DB purse too. 🙂 http://pinterest.com/pin/100838479126222491/
Wow. Great buys! I love that dress and handbag!
Love the blanket! And that dress is too adorable!!
My personal preference is the granny crochet blanket, but mostly because I am dying to do something like that myself but don't have the time or fortitude to actually sit down and crochet it myself. :-)Great bag too! I'm the same way with purses and brands. I am a Coach loyalist because their bags take a beating and still look great, whereas I've had seaming rip on other leather bags and look somewhat haggard after only a year of use.- becky @ casacaudillhttp://casacaudill.blogspot.com
I LOVE the new blanket – it looks so great on your bed! I buy a new Coach bag every couple of years, the quality is totally worth the price 🙂
Great buys, all. Being the handbagaholic that I am, of course I can't take my eyes off your new purse. So pretty!The first nice handbag I ever bought back in the 1980s was a Dooney. I had a series of them, then Coaches, then LVs. Lately I've been on a Michael Kors kick, but I think it's time to revisit Dooneys. I agree that once you own and really nice bag and see how well it holds up, you're hooked.
Thanks Dana! You must have a GOREGOUS handbag collection. You have a fabulous eye for picking decor pieces, your purses must be amazing too. It's funny because a Dooney & Bourke was the first nice handbag I bought, too (it is a tan leather one) but it was from Winner's.
Wow! Great finds! Love love love the dress and the throw! Thanks for the tip on the Eucalan too. Definitely going to try that.
Beautiful blanket, dress and I LOVE that purse. I did some post-holiday shopping while visiting my parents in Arizona, but just last week we were at the mall and found out that the Bloomingdales in it was going out of business, so they were having some great sales – so I had to buy a purse, of course. =)I also did not know about Euclaan, so I will be getting some of it soon for my sweaters. I hate to dry clean and now I may not have to – yay!
What fabulous luck! A Bloomingdale's closing sale must be amazing. Glad I could help with Eucalan – I hope it works for you. I use it for all my cashmere and other wool garments.
Love that blanket and the dress! I heart Marimekko!
i looooove that dress! its so fitting.. i have it in purple-yellow but i would also want it in black and white!