SweetAlissum's Profile

It's so freeing to just let a few things go around the stressful holiday season. To quote comedian John Mulaney, "In terms of like instant relief, canceling plans is like heroin."

This is the first year I've felt fully satisfied about my Christmas decorating and gift planning, and it did help to trim my more intense ideas (make wrapping paper, customized ribbon and gift tags for everyone, every gets 3 kinds of baked goods) and it made it all such a happy process.

In terms of decorating, I bought only two new items this year, and both were in September because this is the end of a plan a few years in the making. All of me Christmas ornaments/decorations were bought over the past years, only on after Christmas clearance. This meant that I had to resign to not seeing that purchase again for pretty much a whole year, but it was great. I got the classy items I'd dreamed of for intense bargains (75%+ off).

For gifts, I set a strict limit of $25 for people outside my boyfriend, kid brother, and parents (who all don't care, but I love spoiling them). I cut out almost all of my extended family last year and opted to make my orange cranberry scones, wrapped in cellophane with twine and I thought that was still a nice effort.

For coworkers and casual friends, World Market has mini holiday coffees and hot chocolates for $2.50/$2 each, and David's Teas and Lupicia have cheap, delicious festive teas. It's not much, but it's all stuff I want to keep for myself (white chocolate apricot tea! red velvet hot chocolate!), which I think is the sign of a good gift.

A coloured shower curtain you can keep closed will definitely make you feel better about the room. I would definitely pick pale blues and bright turquoise colours to keep it beachy!

Anthropologie has this really pretty shower curtain (Sculpted Mums Shower Curtain) on sale right now that would be a really great shade of blue for the place.
http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/A093742.jsp

Urban Outfitters also has some fun nautical options!;
Elisa Cachero Odyssey Shower Curtain
http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=25331901&parentid=SEARCH+RESULTS

Whales Shower Curtain
http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=20397741&parentid=A_FURN_BATH

A blue shelf for the wall where you described would be good for colour and decor as well. You could easily DIY one in a blue shade of your choice, or search for a "blue wall shelf" on Etsy where I'm sure you could find something you love.

Have fun! Maybe paint the walls blue if your lease allows.

Maybe it's just because I'm from San Francisco, but bright houses don't really bother me. The colour in question sounds really ugly, but at least it's not your building!

I scored a perfect 0. I have wondered for a while if I'm actually a tetrachromat and this just adds to my curiosity.
My boyfriend scored very well too with a 6. His only problem area was right in the teal and turquoise shades, which is funny since I used those shades heavily to decorate our apartment. Maybe he's just overdosed on them in our living room. Haha~ This is super interesting all around.

What a beautiful home! I don't mind that you've opted for removing most of the wallpaper for the sake of renting - the white is far more neutral for a house in an ever-changing set of hands - but so glad you the 60s charm in one room. The built-in shelf, the molding, and beadboard are also fantastic so I'm so glad you're not going to touch them. This house is incredible.

I love all of these. Pastel shades are so calming and comforting to me.