Falling Into A New Tradition

I don't know how many of you have been to Roger's Gardens in Newport Beach, but if you haven't gone before, you ought to. A relatively new tradition in my family has been to go the day after Thanksgiving. We chose that day specifically because all my dad's side of the family is in town for the holiday and it is the first day of the Garden's Holiday Open House. Let me just tell you, if you LOVE Christmas the way I do, this is the place for you. They have themed trees with ornaments ranging in price from a few dollars to hundreds of dollars. Decorations and delights from floor to cieling. Lights, stockings, stocking holders, feather brush trees, fresh cut wreaths...it goes on and on, and on. I especially love it because I'm able to find lots of vintage style decorations and even some actual reproductions which of course suits me to a tee. I could easily spend our savings buying up every little thing they have, but i try and muster up some kind of self-control and not give Daniel an excuse to leave me! ;)

Now, I know what your thinking by now..."I thought this post had something to do with Fall."

It does.

As the weather is beginning to change, be it ever so slight... this is California after all, I began thinking about all the decorating that comes along with the upcoming holidays. This lead to my realization that I really don't have much in the way of Fall/Halloween decorations. While I am the proud owner of oodles of Vintage Christmas Goodness, (as I like to refer to it) I have a difficult time finding Halloween decor that suits me. My taste is not readily found in stores as it isn't what's current. Sure I find a piece or two at Target and if I keep my eyes peeled, something precious at the Flea Market, but let's face it,

True Vintage Love,

be it authentic or made to look so, requires a great deal of patience and often times a substantial budget. I was trying to think of any little shoppes that might offer some Halloween that was a little more me, and that's when it hit me! I bet Roger's Gardens carries the same great designers I love seeing at Christmas in September. I looked up their hours and asked the husband if he would humor his wife and take her on a little shopping outing. We packed up the wee one and off we went.


The Garden did not disappoint!

I am not a good window shopper, I do not go to look...

I go to buy.

Even if it's something small, I rarely leave empty handed.




That said, this is one of those places where even I enjoy "browsing," nearly as much as I enjoy buying! So much detail goes into the presentation, I love it! They had one section that had multiple t.v.'s with nothing but snow on showing on the screens...nearby there was an eerily empty chair with a poorly lit side table. In another area they must of had two dozen dolls hanging on the wall, ranging in size, all completely spray painted white. Old rusty appliances littered various displays along with birdcages of all sizes spray painted black. In the midst of it all were beautiful paper mache figurines and glittery goodness, all threatening to empty my pocketbook. The pictures I've posted don't really do it justice but they give you a general idea.




Alas, I could not leave empty handed, and I purchased a few lovlies for our home. The skull I like because it reminds me of my love for Dia De Los Muertos; the hat comes off as it is meant to serve as a gift box, but I would not dream of giving him away. The owl is my favorite, very handsome I think. He's found a good home on our dining room table. I got a few other little odds and ends that I plan to gift to the Ru and my mother.

This brings me to my next thought.

I have discovered in reading other peoples blogs that for fun, they host "swaps". In a swap, you choose a theme, set an amount and then you, buy/make/hunt for little doo-dads and goodies and mail them to a fellow blogger. Essentially it's a themed Secret Santa via the world wide web. I realize we're already nearing the end of September. Further more, I also know that my little blog doesn't carry the esteemed readership (is that a word?) that many others do. But, if you're reading this and you would be interested in participating, or you know someone who would be, whether they have a blog or not...leave me a comment and let me know. I don't care whether you live around the corner, or across the country, if you're game, leave me a comment and let me know. If I get enough people who want to participate than I'll go ahead with the swap...if not, perhaps I'll give it a go for Christmas.