Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Christmas Goodies, Christmas Blues

So, the Christmas recap.

It wasn't a super-exciting year to be me - I mostly received clothes and a few jewelry items as gifts.

First up, my dad purchased several of the Forever21 items I blogged about last week. I ordered them, but he wrapped them and put them under the tree. Sad, but true.

Next up: a few shirts. I got the open cardi on the left from LOFT - it was on final clearance so it must have been a fall item, but I've been wearing it a ton since Christmas. The purple shirt is from Target and this was the one clothing gift that my dad went to the store and picked out in person. I'm so proud. The last item is a shrit from J.Crew that my cousin picked out for me. I don't think anyone outside my immediate family has purchased clothing for me since I was a kid... so I was surprised by this one! It's very pretty (and sheer! holla at my bra - in this pic and the purple one too!), but I am a bit leery of the color... I don't do nudes well! However, I'm wearing it tomorrow because it is pretty and I love the necklace detail. Go cousin go!

I also picked up these shoes for myself (from my dad) at TJ Maxx. I love wedges but I'm not so sure how I feel about the purple color. I love purple, but this one is a wee bit brighter than I'm used to... but I'll probably always wear them with neutrals so it's probably fine.

Next up, a couple jewelry picks. My aunt bought me the necklace below from LOFT. I wouldn't have picked it for myself but it's definitely my style and I can't wait to wear it!


My dad's side of the family picked out these earrings for me. I love the gold and I love the pretty filigree shape (is it a filigree shape? It sounds right to me but I have no idea.). They're from Banana Republic and I'm kinda obsessed with them. I have one teeny-tiny issue with them though... they're really kinda heavy. And I am kind of afraid of having my earlobes stretch and rip (it happened to a friend of a friend in college!). So I'm considering seeing if Banana will let them exchange them. (See, I'm HORRIBLE at receiving gifts!)

My brother bought me 2 books from Amazon.... obviously I gave him a list because I have been wanting these two for a while now. Reviews to come!


And that was pretty much my Christmas. I also got cash from a few family members, but to be honest I'll probably stick it in the bank and not spend it on anything fun. Although now that I think about it I should buy myself something special. Though I am still unemployed.... *sigh*.

The day after Christmas my dad, brother and I drove by the outlet mall.... obviously we stopped. Banana Republic Outlet was having a fabulous sale - 50% off EVERYTHING, including sale. I almost bought a few dressy, work-type tops.. but seeing as I'm unemployed, I refrained. I picked up a plain, black 3/4 sleeve sweater that I'll be wearing all the time to my mall job.

And then I picked up this cute short-sleeve teal sweater on the clearance rack. You can't tell from this pic but it has a fabulous little bow right at the bottom of the V-neck. I couldn't resist.

And then I made a mistake at the Gap Outlet. I passed up on a cute little cardigan I fell in love with. It's a elbow-length sleeve v-neck cardigan sweater in a t-shirt material. It's long and would cover my bootay if I was wearing leggings - and it's a cute gray color. It was full price for about $23 and so I thought I shouldn't buy it... but I've been lusting for it since the moment I left the outlets. (Anybody live near a GAP Outlet and wanna do me a favor???)

Anyway, I'm feeling a wee bit let down by Christmas this year. It was my first year as a single girl in, oh, 6 years... and knowing that there were no sparkly surprises awaiting me under another tree was sad.

And for some reason this year I was feeling very bratty and deprived. There were no electronic gadgets or fun toys to play with. I know that my dad tends to be much more conservative with his money (read: he's cheap) than my mom would have been.... and I dunno. I'm not really going anywhere with this other than I'm just kinda sad. It would have definitely meant a lot to me to get something unexpected and a little special this year. Maybe healed my broken heart a tiny bit.

Then again, probably not. Toys do not equal happiness, right? Duh.

Either way, Christmas lost some of its magic this year.

I know that I'm lucky and blessed - I had time with family and friends and plenty of cute clothes and jewelry under the tree.

Maybe I've just got a case of the Post-Christmas Blues this year.

Did you all have a fun Christmas? Lots of good gifts? I need some excitement - tell me about your goodies!!

22 Classy Comments:

Eternal Lizdom said...

What was your favorite gift to give this year? I always get more joy out of what I give than what I get. We focused a lot more on charitable giving this holiday- even got Santa in on it with the kids.

I envy your fashion sense... I'm a fashion fuddy duddy!

It's funny- reading your descriptions of clothes, I'm reminded of the movie "Confessions of a Shopaholic." I just saw it for the first time ever this past weekend so I'm betting that's why it's fresh in my mind! Cute flic!

Sherrie said...

It sounds like you got some lovely gifts. I'm sorry you couldn't get what you wanted most of all,,,your mom. Hugs Sarah and I am thinking of you!

KatiePerk said...

I know exactly what you mean. The Holiday blues are so annoying. I get down around this time of year too. I am thinking of you!

Brittany said...

I got some BR outlet purchases too! I bought a ton.

The Shabby Princess said...

Girl, I have the Christmas blues as well. Ours was kind of a let down as well... but, oh well. Maybe next year, right?

Suburban prep said...

I have the Fixer Upper on my wish list too. You will have to review it later.
After christmas blues I was just thinking I had them too.

Sweet Simplicity said...

I love Mary Kay Andrews. I usually listen to her books on CD while I am traveling for work. Those earrings are pretty! (but I hate heavy earrings too)

Melissa said...

I think you can totally pull those purple wedges off! They would be cute with black!!

beckylbranch said...

What great gifts! I love all the clothes you picked out, and I would rather pick them out myself too! I guess no Christmas is ever perfect or how you picture it in your head, but every year is different....one day a lucky guy will have some sparkly something something for you! Right now you are in a valley, but one day you'll be up on that mountain again and say "the boy" who? what? who? LOL! Hope you had a fab Christmas <3 Becky

rachaelgking said...

LOVE the shoes- I'm with you, as long as they're paired with neutrals I think they'll be just fabulous!

CIP said...

I can understand your feelings about Christmas...every year it gets just a little less exciting. I love the purple top and shoes though. Awesome picks :)

Jessie Jones said...

Aw, I love all your gifts, especially those beautiful earrings! I hope you don't take them back! How heavy are they? I'm working on my "what I got for Christmas post" now.... Happy Tuesday!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a pretty good haul! I received some cards and cash. Nothing too exciting but I figure the cash will come in handy if I see something I want later on!

P said...

I actually really like those purple wedges by the way!

I was quite lucky because i managed to meet up with all but one of my friends I generally exchange presents with prior to Christmas - so on Chistmas morning when I woke up in my flat alone I had seven lots of presents to open. Then I had another lot of presents when I went over to my family's later on. So I can't complain, even though I didn't get anything super-big. I did get lots of lovely little things though. :)

Cheerful Homemaker said...

If it makes you feel better, I got a few horrible gifts that I'm planning to return. My brother is the worst gift-giver ever and next year I'm going to request that he buy me nothing. He got me a necklace that says 'Family' and has a man, woman, and CHILD on it. Do I have kids? Did he even look at it when he bought it?

I like the clothes and necklace you got. Wish I had family that bought me cute stuff like that!

Kelsey @ Seattle Smith's said...

I too have the post Christmas blues since I came home from the holidays to a quiet house with no decorations!!

Gracie Beth said...

I was sick on Christmas so it definitely lost some magic in my book, I also wanted a boyfriend from Santa and he failed to deliver.

Tiff said...

Gah, I felt the same way on Christmas day...and still do. I was blessed with so many nice things....but the things I really wanted (my grandpa and peace) weren't things that could be bought and put under the tree.

Sending lots of hugs and good vibes your way!!!

Savannah said...

Lovin' the Loft shirt and the purple wedges! Oh yeah and I love those Banana earrings..wait is that pretty much everything in your post? Now I really want to go shopping!!

allison said...

those are really pretty earrings

Weeksie50 said...

my Christmas blues are about to hit..I go back to work in just a matter of days : ) You got some really cute stuff!

Jenn@ The Crazies said...

the older I get the more I have to remember its about kids... MY kids LOl... my mom used to spoil us terrible at Christmas time and sometimes I forget that I am a grown up now. But I did get some nice things from my Hubby.... but it was kinda let down too...

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