Holiday Shopping

So did you all go out shopping on Black Friday? Not me...no way! I just don't understand why people get up in the middle of the night to get ready to go shopping at 4am or 5am on the day after Thanksgiving. There is no way you will ever catch me in a store at that hour. Why should I when I can sit at home all comfy cozy with my laptop and shop from the comfort of my couch. I don't have to get up early. I don't have to fight the crowds or traffic. I don't have to wait in line in the cold weather. And I can usually get it shipped right to my house for free! How can I go wrong? And I can do it anytime. If I want to sleep in, I can. Then when I get up, I have a cup of tea and go shopping. It's great! And seeing as it is Cyber Monday, I will be doing a bunch more shopping today. I think I'll start with chadwicks.com. Let's see... I need a sweater for my sister...
Happy shopping!!!

(Early) Bah Humbug!

Just let me start off by saying, I cannot believe Thanksgiving is NEXT WEEK! What happened to November?

I've read that retailers started skipping Halloween and Thanksgiving and moved right to Christmas to try to get people to open their wallets a little sooner this year. Every year, I keep saying "gotta start holiday shopping early, gotta get started early" but I'm definitely one of those last minute people freaking out at the malls; standing in the store trying to justify buying a activity kit for a 5-year old for my teenage sister or yet another pair of slippers for my mom. What can I say, without a tummy full of turkey, I just can't bring myself to start my holiday shopping!

Every year, I try to propose to my family to just enjoy the company of each other during the holidays, rather than waiting to rip open gifts - but I'm met with 20+ people laughing in my face (I've got a HUGE family). Whatever happened to Holiday Spirit? How do I buy gifts for that many people, WITHOUT breaking the bank? This year, I'm approaching my gift giving different, I'm going all sentimental (I recently took up photography) and giving all the adults a framed, artfully designed photo of their children (last year I bought them all lottery tickets)- hopefully they'll like it! The little kiddies will get toys and clothes, as usual and the teenagers will get money! Done and Done!

What are some of your gift ideas this year?

the most wonderful time of the year...

So the holidays are right around the corner...before the last trick-or-treaters even have time to collect candy the stores are full of Christmas decorations and the holiday commercials on TV are getting Christmas carols stuck in our heads (and this is still 3 weeks before Thanksgiving!) I actually don't mind as much as other people, I love the holidays and like to plan my gift giving ahead. In fact I'm using this week to start my holiday shopping. I like to get a little head start so I can enjoy the weeks right before the holiday wrapping by the fireplace and enjoying time with family and friends.

This year, with everyone's budget being tight I am making it a Chadwicks Christmas! Every woman I know is getting a little bit of Chadwicks under the tree. Here is my shopping list...maybe it will give you some ideas. And if anyone has any other inexpensive, but awesome gift ideas, please send them my way!

Stylish picks for my mom:
The Down-Filled Coat (in Chocolate), The Isabella Blouse, and The Emma Cardigan (in Black)
A tee that gives back and a cozy outfit for my step mom:
the Chadwicks Change Tee, The Deluxe Flare-Leg Jeans, and the Bouclé Shawl-Collar Sweater (in Black Currant)



Fun accessories for my both of my step-sisters:
the Glossy Patent Bag, and the Ultra-Soft Wrap


And finally a collection of cardigans for my very best friend:
the Tweed Corsage Cardigan and the Garden Cardigan