Decorating the Hall Bathroom for Christmas

I keep a storage box labeled "Christmas Bathroom" filled 

with all the little decorations that go on the glass shelves each year.

Most of them were collected over time from places like 

HomeGoods, Michael's, Cost Plus World Market, and the late, great Pier 1.

Everything was chosen to match the shower curtain

Sam found on Walmart.com.

The Annalee Elves especially stood out– their quirky, modern 

colors were perfect for her bathroom. 

 Their facial expressions and funny hand gestures make them

look like they're trying not to witness any of the "business" 

happening in there, which still cracks me up.

Those, along with the mercury-glass tree, 

were lucky HomeGoods finds.

The little church and house came from 

World Market as ornaments, and the tiny pink trees...

I honestly can't remember where we got them.

They have that vintage-inspired look 

even though they're fairly new.

The glitter-roof houses from Marshalls are 

actually gift boxes with removeable tops, but 
we use them as décor and store the trees inside 
during the off-season.  Their colors match the 
bathroom so perfectly it felt meant too be. 

The mini light-up tree (also HomeGoods) runs on a timer 
that glows for 4 hours every evening– 
one of those small details that makes the space feel extra cozy.

A bit further down sits Sam's rose-scented bath salt jar.
Every Christmas I pour out half the salts and nestle a 
a little gingerbread-girl accent soap inside.
She's an old Pier 1 find, too cute to ever use.
The salts have begun to crystalize around her,
makes her look like she's been dusted with sugar
—just like a real cookie

One of my favorite stories is from a year 

when Sam attended a coworker's Christmas party. 

She casually mentioned how perfectly the host's

ornament wreath would match her bathroom, 

and the host immediately took it off the wall 

and gave it to her.  

Sam thanked her a hundred times

–it was such a sweet gesture. 

This year, Sam struck gold at HomeGoods again

with a set of towels covered in little trees and snowflakes.

She knew instantly they'd match her shower curtain.

I found the Nutcracker soap dispenser on a clearance endcap 

at Target, literally in the back aisle of the store,

 after Christmas – a total steal.  

I just had to convince Sam that the red and pink 

tones really did belong in her bathroom. 

This tin sign came from Michael's 

after-Christmas sale back in January 2020.

(apologies for this photo) Pictures of a lit light never want to cooperate.

The teal dear is plastic, the Santa is a tin ornament from Pier 1, and the pink deer

is a ceramic piece from Target.

get the pink one here

A few years ago we picked up red bath rugs at HomeGoods

it's subtle, but they shimmer with sparkly red threads 

when the light hits them. 

It's not a huge Christmas makeover, but these

little touches bring so much cheer to the space.

They're also helping Sam catch the retro, 1950's 

vibe she wants for the bathroom.

Thanks for stopping by

and Happy Hunting!

Thanksgiving is almost here!

The Firethorn bush berries are turning 

from orange for Halloween

to a nice Christmas red.

Once they're completely red they won't last long,

the local birds gobble them up in no time!

Nothing new on the Thanksgiving 

Hutch Buffet this year.

Maybe a little rearranging of some items.

Sam found a new round Fall table cloth 

for the front room table

I think it adds a lot of life to the 

little Thanksgiving vignette.

All the colors really compliment one another.

Thanks for stopping by

and Happy Thanksgiving!

And Black Cats Are Seen

I popped onto WestElm.com  

this Halloween season to peek at their

spooky lineup.  

They had an unusual assortment of tableware.

An assortment of dapper animals dressed in

classic horror cinematic attire. 

Designed by Rachel Kozlowski, 

whose created a very extensive line

of dapper animal designs at West Elm.

Here are her Patriotic dishes

get them here

I even own the Dapper Animals Sea Creatures plates from years ago.

Her new Halloween horror inspired plates are a new twist 

with Dracula, The Birds, Psycho, 

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and The Bride of Frankenstein.

get them here

The taper holders compliment Dracula Bear, 

and the Headless Horseman.

Then I saw this beautiful cat bowl,

I loved the detail.

I decided I had to order one!

It was originally selling for $69.

Sam said I could have one for an anniversary gift.

The day after I ordered, it went on sale for $49!

I called and got the sale price but was also informed

it was on backorder.

So it's supposed to get here before Halloween at least.

I just couldn't understand why it was a Dapper Animal,

that is until, I reexamined the plates,

and there it was!

 I realized it was a replica of...

The Bride of Frankenstein Black Cat!!!

Not a problem, I have a small collection 

of Frankenstein serveware on the hutch.

So a black cat Bride of Frankenstein should fit in purrrrfectly. 

Dapper  Animal Halloween Trinket Tray get one here

Thanks for stopping by

and happy haunting!

UPDATE:

Just received the cat bowl 10/30

It is HUGE!!

I thought it was going to be average size candy bowl.

maybe sit on the hutch buffet among the collectables.

It's more like the giant bowl you would 

serve candy to Trick or Treaters!!

Lena even thinks it's big!

and SCARY!!

Halloween Decorating and retro M&M's 2025

Happy October!

The inside of the house just got spookified!

I'll be working on the outside decorations this weekend.

Nothing new on the hutch buffet this year.

Sam and I noticed M&M's went 

retro Halloween this year!!

This year's mix is a simple blend of classic black and orange,

not quite as colorful as their previous "Cool Ghoul's" mix with its

lime green and purple added to the orange and black— but 

I'm still grateful that M&M's chose

to offer a special Halloween blend at all. 

It still brings a festive pop of spooky fun in the

ol' Jack-o'-Lantern candy bowl!

I tried something new with the 

Annalee Candy Corn Elf this year,

I "velcroed" the Hallmark Halloween 

treats tray ornament to his hand.

I must say, it looks like it was 

made to do that!  A perfect fit!

Back in early August I practically flew into my local 

Cracker Barrel to hunt for their elusive Dracula 

with Coffin Salt and Pepper Shaker for $7.99. 

I'd first seen him last year on Cris the Girl's You Tube channel, during one of her Halloween hunts.  

I was determined to track one down myself.

But alas, luck wasn't on my side last year, my 

Cracker Barrel turned up fang-free.

This year I had better luck, 

I nabbed one the first minute I was in the door,

IN AUGUST!?!

along with a couple of grave stone

shakers for 99¢ each!

They rattled their way right into my collection.

I enhanced the skull with bigger eye sockets and a better

shaped nose hole using a Sharpie.

In mid September Sam and I found this 

delightful little ghost candy bowl

at HomeGoods for $14.99.

It was hand forged in India!

I love tapping the bowl, it makes a beautiful 

ringing noise.

I filled it with monster foil 

wrapped Hershey Kisses.

I found them at Target!

It compliments the silver ghost nicely!

I've been on a hunt this year at Dollar Tree.

They offered a great tin standee

of a retro-ish skeleton

holding a frightened Jack-o'-Lantern.

the only problem, they sold out 

extremely fast, Here's hoping

 they'll be back next year.

Over all, it is shaping up 

to be a pretty good 

Halloween season.

Thanks for stopping by

and Happy Haunting!