Inside the sueded hush of Pottery Barn, they were already in full force Christmas glama. Fake berries and crystalline snowflakes, spa-quality bathrobes and towels made from "hydrocotton" towels. I don't know, I'd just like it to be more cottony. In the bar things area, they have a fake metal cocktail shaker in the shape of a bulldog, complete with dogtag. You twist off his head for the martini, like so. Only $49. If you liked that, you'll LOVE the silverplated mini top hat bucket (think Monopoly hat, about 8" tall.$49.95 Made in India. Seems kind of obscene, doesn't it?).
But better still are the catalogs. November spells the beginning of catalog waste land. I mean, if you haven't signed up to prevent delivery of all such things, which I haven't, since there are a few I like to receive. And every once in a while, it hits (see above). But the things that emerge from the woodwork...
1. Bed, Bath and Beyond: Adding a little stretch to your day.
Not so much a holiday entry, but too good to pass up. Have you been yearning to buy a plug-in fake fragrance machine, some sharp(ish) knives, an auto friend pet seat cover AND denim jeggings, all without re-parking the car? You're in luck.
Denim jeggings. Come and get 'em, fry 'em up hot. |
A.) First, we have the wall of urethane antlers, set on top of ornate, vaguely French plaques. While I get a kick out of some of those fake animal/beastie heads created by various crafters, falling along different ends of the cute-creepy spectrum, these are too generic, spare and, well, just strange in a way I haven't been able to put my finger on. I want to recreate the unfortunate slain animal about the bone bits. The text, in part reads: "Ateliar Antlers: The more you hang, the more impressive they look." I beg to differ. See for yourself.
B.) A lesser offence, really. "Driftwood tree: These hand assembled trees are a fun way to add the look of natural driftwood to your holiday decor. Whitewash finish makes the 'branches' look like they're dusted with snow. Expect delightful variations." I like how the text implies that homemakers are, at this very moment, seeking out ways to add driftwood into their decor. Maybe some are. they probably are. Would they choose these? The look to me like extremely old oversized taffy bits, smooshed together by an unfortunate individual; and now it is the craft recipient that is unfortunate. Joyeux Noel!
3. Frontgate. Do you have (some) money, but are not OF money? Do you have strange notions of class and elegance? The Gate is Open.
A.)What's better than Santa? Fairy Santas, who have stolen jesters' shoes. They will hold your stockings, but I really wouldn't trust them. Only $129. each.
B.)Sure, that's good. But what's better than Fairy Santas? Their "exclusive 'It's 5 o'clock somewhere' Fairy." 5OSF has shades of Santa, but is more about frolicking inebriation. A steal at $49.50 (without stand).
C.) What if I want *some* drinking in my tchotchke, but with less shades of alcoholism? You need Butler Santa (my name). Butler Santa is my favorite. How can we make the house merrier AND hammer home that we like to live well? "Champagne Wishes and Caviar Dreams Santa." While he had originally intended to sleigh it around the world, pleasing and freaking out kids, just this once, he's okay standing to the side, filling up your bubbly. Break out the mother of pearl utensils! Blitzen's in the kitchen and you haven't had blinis until you have had Blitzen's blinis...
D.) How could it possibly get better? Throw in a polar bear butler! Truly, everyone is at your service. Only $749. Plus, while ice cap comes in a bowler, "the included Santa hat makes your bear festive for Christmas." Whew, glad that's taken care of.
Two mirthful servants in one photo! Bonus ice bat. |
They normally don't bother to send anything my way, because they rightly suspect I can't afford them. But for the holidays they'll make an exception. I have the general impression they're a little more old school than Pottery Barn, a little higher end; they can come in with classical looking things (yeah, you see where my knowledge falls off~) but they mix it up in daring ways -- STRONG design sense. Ornate chandeliers, hanging inside birdcages. Rather cool, if one had high ceilings and money to toss. Truly, I'd probably toss some at them.
Moving on to less contentious pages of the catalog, we have "Gifts for the Executive."
NOT SILLY PUTTY. Thinking putty. Hahaha! |
I WILL OWN YOU AT ROCK PAPER SCISSORS. |
Whew, your comment is a post! It's such fun territory to explore...and on a less analytical note, I just love Anthropologie's style. I wonder what the frequency is of people maxing out their credit cards these days. I imagine it's more likely to happen from people charging groceries at this point than for tchochtkes, but I also probably way underestimate how much stoopid charges go on the cards...
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