Day of Giving Thanks... and Shopping

Remember my self-challenge this year to make a Thanksgiving card that doesn't immediately scream "THANKSGIVING!!!!!" ?  Well, what do you think?  Did I succeed?

Yeah?  YEAH!!!

I used a paper punch for this card, and painstakingly glued each little leaf to the branches.  I made the autumn part stand out by adding a colorful, bright border and also sticking foam stickers on the back.

I have avoided going 'round to the shops on Black Friday for years.  Even when I ventured into one, I was never one of those admirable let's-stand-in-line-outside-from-10pm-the-night-before types; I was more of a, oh-let's-check-out-what's-left-after-a-leisurely-brunch kinda gal.

This morning, though, my sister-in-law asked me to accompany her to a shoe store to try to find a pair of black flats, and I was happy to tag along and spend more time with her.

A little over an hour later...

I staggered back to the apartment laden down with:

• the most insane piece of jewelry for my mom's Christmas present (I will edit this post to reveal what it is once I give it to her)*

• a slow cooker (that I have no clue how I'm going to lug back to New York)

• a hot pair of black satin strappy Stuart Weitzman heels

• and a funny lobster Boston magnet for my refrigerator collection (that reminds me of the best lobster roll I've had in my entire life at Neptune Oyster).

I must admit that the above does not include all the stuff I scored online in the afternoon:

• a Samsung 55-inch LED/LCD tv

• a new tv stand

• a new bedroom dresser

• two new nightstands

• gorgeous lamp bases and lamp shades that I picked out separately

• a gargantuan piece of artwork on canvas

• awesome, personal Christmas gifts for friends and family

I was a Mean, Green Shopping Machine today.  I'm so proud of myself; for once, I was sharp, efficient and effective.  I typically wallow in indecisiveness when it comes to shopping.  Today, I used my time well, and there will be no returning of anything I purchased.

Of course, shopping was not the focus of my entire Thanksgiving, ha ha.  It goes without saying that I feel extremely grateful to share the holiday with loved ones.  I also very thankful that my inner circle called/texted/emailed to wish me lots of good eats that day.  And, trust me, I know how very fortunate I am to be able to afford everything I bought today.  I'm a very lucky girl, and I am fully aware of it every minute.

Happy Thanksgiving, all!


* It was a 100-inch long strand of pearls.  It was so very creamy and heavy - the ultimate luxury.  It came in a lacquered rosewood box and a little booklet with pictures of a dozen different ways to wear it!