feeling like the worst parent (santa) on the planet...

Today was my big shopping day with Shosh. I have been really good about sticking to my Buy Handmade pledge; shopping Etsy and other blog friends and also making gifts BUT there were just a few things I needed to buy from the big stores. So today I set out to search for the SINGLE thing the little has been asking for consistently for months... this thingie by Conair that lets you apply temporary color streaks to your hair. What do I find? Its sold out.. EVERYWHERE.. even on Conair's site. My only options are to A. spend a ton to get one off eBay and HOPE it makes it buy Xmas or B. try to explain why "Santa" didn't deliver. I had no idea this would be so popular or hard to find or I would have ordered one ages ago. I feel like a heel to go on top of the cruddy self I have been feeling like in general. To add insult to injury, the doll house I WANTED to get her seems to be out of stock all over too. I haven't completely given up hope on that though because there are other options and I still have a couple Target's I can try or brave a Toys R Us. (argh) Anyway, I will persevere on the gift front.

On a side note, I have not been posting my 12 days gifts here but over at the 12-Days blog. I will do another update tomorrow.

UPDATE: Grampa saves the day! He managed to find the doll house at a Target by his house and it is in his car as we speak! I am fearing not much luck for the other gizmo but she will have gift cards to use after Xmas so hat might have to wait. Hopefully her new goodies from Build A Bear will distract her.

On the first day of Christmas...

Our 12 Days to Christmas swap has officially kicked off in the most fun phase with the OPENING of the first gift. Tia, aka Ms Smoochie Lips had the distinction of providing the FIRST gift to be opened. She said she waited til the last minute to make hers because her muse was being uncooperative but she sure seems to have come through in a pinch as she sent ADORABLE ornaments of little birdies in an arrangement in a baby shoe! I think most of the participants have a soft spot for birdies so this was an appropriate gift sure to be beloved by all.








In other Christmas news, I also received my tree topper from the swap hosted by Donna at Under the Red Roof. My partner was the fabulous Lori of Vintage Flair who sent me this beautiful and BIG tree topper. I adore it!

I am also sharing a couple of close ups of part of my "Christmas Faerie" topper so you can see some of the yummy detail Lori added. I keep adding stuff to my tree topper and have not sent it off yet. Lori has been very gracious about this. Thank you Lori! I hope she likes it when she finally gets it.

Nostalgic Christmas...

Not wanting to spread my funk, here is a collection of lovely holiday images and inspiration...
12 Days to Christmas starts tomorrow! ( err, 84 minutes)