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Amanda Brooks, Small Business Saturday, Christmas Movies, Holiday Shopping and More on Weekend Meanderings.
WEEKEND MEANDERINGS
Good morning and a happy Saturday to you! It’s time for weekend meandering with Kim and Juliet, our weekly series where we share all of the things that piqued our interest and caught our eye over the past week.
How was your Thanksgiving friends? I am still stuffed to the gills from all of the delicious food and desserts. My brother and sister love to bake just like me and for 10 people we has 2 pecan pies, a cherry pie, 2 pumpkin pies, cookies and chocolate pots de creme.
Sadly by the time dessert rolled around we were all too full to manage more than a taste. So we had pie for breakfast yesterday morning and will probably have it again this morning.
Today we are headed to the Carolina to see the gingerbread village, have breakfast at the club and then to another Christmas fair, then lunch. After that I am headed home while the rest of the guests go bowling. Tonight we have cocktails with friends. And tomorrow, rest and the Chiefs game for Bill. I will be baking cookies.
What are your plans for the weekend?
Ok, on to weekend meanderings. Pour yourself a coffee, tea or chocolate and settle in because I have lots to share.
Christmas Movies
Cozy nights and weekends are perfect for Christmas movie marathons. I love the oldies, like White Christmas, Miracle on 34th Street, and of course all of the Rankin Bass Classics Like Rudolph .
Then there are my recent favorites, Elf(which is 20 years old), The Holiday, The Christmas Carol, The Polar Express. You are never too old for a night watching Christmas movies in my opinion.
After Thanksgiving dinner my niece and I watched The Holiday and yesterday Bill and I watched a few of our favorites while we were recuperating from the big feast. Have you started to watch any holiday movies yet?
Speaking of The Holiday, did you know the house is fake? You can read all about the build on Hooked on Houses.
Which Christmas movies are your favorites? You stream most of your favorites, or see them on Amazon. Others are playing on local channels or on AMC, TN Classics, and Freeform.
Amanda Brooks Christmas Cottage
It is no secret that I love an English cottage. American, Amanda Books cottage has been featured many times in magazines and on blogs. I love her use of natural elements and hand made decorations at Christmas.
How Amanda Brooks decorates her Cotswold farmhouse for Christmas.
The Greatest Gift
Who knew?
For almost seventy years, people the world over have fallen in love with Frank Capra’s classic Christmas movie It’s a Wonderful Life. But few of those fans know that Capra’s film was based on a short story by author Philip Van Doren Stern, which came to Stern in a dream one night.
Unable at first to find a publisher for his evocative tale about a man named George Pratt who ponders suicide until he receives an opportunity to see what the world would be like without him, Stern ultimately published the story in a small pamphlet and sent it out as his 1943 Christmas card. One of those 200 cards found its way into the hands of Frank Capra, who shared it with Jimmy Stewart, and the film that resulted became the holiday tradition we cherish today.
Small Business Saturday
Today is small business Saturday. Created in 2010 by American Express, Small Business Saturday is now a part of our holiday shopping experience, just like Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
These are just a few of the creative, hard working small businesses that I purchase from. I also have plans to buy gift cards from my favorite local restaurant, yoga studio and hair salon this holiday season.
I encourage you to do the same because these artists and small business are the backbone of our country.
Shops and Artists
I “met” Ria on Instagram and I fell in love with her beautiful paintings. I even managed to persuade her to write a guest post about her art and inspiration.
You can see all of her fine art on her website and perhaps find something special for yourself or your family and friends. If an original painting in not in your budget this holiday season you are in luck because Ria has launched a limited edition set of prints. You can se them all in her print shop. All orders over $75.00 ship free and a portion of the sale of the limited edition prints will be donated to Toys for Tots.
I’ve been a longtime follower of Pamela @salishseacottage and have enjoyed her cottage renovations, forays into beekeeping and now her beautiful candles.
You can read more about the company and the candle descriptions at Hood Candle Company and follow on Instagram @hoodcanalcandlecompany
Shropshire needle felt artist – fine wool sculpture, Zoom classes, needle felt supplies can all be found in her Etsy shop! She is also the author of “Little Needle Felt Animals” published by Harper Collins 2014. I am partial to this Needle Felt Fox and to the needle felted toadstools.
Allison is an interior decorator, blogger and small business owner, she has an Etsy shop. Her former home, has been featured in many magazines and shelter magazines and shared online too. If you are a fan of polo, horses and wonderful antiques than you will enjoy every piece in her store.
Jamie Beck
I have been a fan of Jamie Beck for over 10 years, their photography is amazing. During the Covid lockdown(s) in France Jamie created an image every day that she called isolation creations. I purchased two pieces from the first lockdown, but honestly, if I had room I would have bought them all.
Sadly, they are no longer available but you can purchase cards, paperweights, and so much more from her website. And you can order a copy of her book An American in Provence or her latest Flower of Provence.
If you love art and photography follow Jamie Beck on Instagram where you can watch her create her beautiful photographs.
Patricia is an artist and friend and her work is amazing. You can find prints, original art, cards, notebooks, 2024 Calendars and more in her shop! She also does commission so if that is of interest to you contact her directly.
Elizabeth Floyd
Elizabeth Floyd, a former architect Elizabeth left her job at the age of 35 to pursue her dream of becoming an artist. While there are many of her paintings that I would love to own(everyone in her current exhibition) at this point they are not in my budget.
I was lucky enough to buy one of her small watercolor paintings. There are still a few left if you are a blue and white fan, she also has prints, calendars and original oils available, and beautiful Christmas prints too!
Most Lovely Things
Did you know that Annie, of the blog and Instagram Most Lovely Things has a shop? Annie makes regular trips to the markets in France and you can find vintage finds, lavender sachets, handmade ornaments and more in her shop.
A few of the items from my shop
Pinecones & Acorns Chairish Shop
I am not sure if you know this but I love vintage and antique finds, art, and clothing. For years I had a shop on One Kings Lane and then in 2016 I opened a shop on Chairish. I have been a super seller for the last 5 years.
If you love unique, vintage finds come and check out my shop. Most of the items that I sell are under $50 and I offer combined shipping. Art, books, pottery, silver and more are available.
In Case You Missed It
Monday I shared this outfit, all of which is on sale. As well as my favorite Christmas book!
Everybody loves hot chocolate, at least everybody that I know. I shared my hot chocolate loves gift guide this week. These gifts would make great stocking stuffers, teacher gifts, gifts for your co-workers and of course the hot chocolate lover in your life.
Easy Ways to Practice Gratitude! This is a great post to bookmark, I shared some easy and manageable ways to practice gratitude that you can add to your life now or next year.
Last but not least, Friday Favorites! Books, recipes(this pasta recipe is scrumptious), links, sales and so much more.
UNTIL NEXT TIME
I hope that you enjoyed meandering with me today. Did you enjoy Amanda Brooks, Small Business Saturday, Christmas Movies, Holiday Shopping all the rest?
If you did please share the post on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter!
Have a great day! Don’t forget to pop over visit my friends Kim and Juliet you can find the links below.
If you missed any of the previous Weekend Meandering posts you can find them all here.
More Sales
Anthropologie
Boden 40% selected full-price styles* PLUS, an extra 20% off all sale with code E3N4
Brooks Brothers
Hill House 30% off everything! I love this bag!
J. Crew 50% off EVERYTHING
J Crew Factory has 50-70% off storewide (here). If you love plaid, check out all of their cute plaid clothing and accessories (here)
Pottery Barn~ Up to 50% off in most departments.
Walmart~ Sales in every department. If you always wanted an Opal Nugget ice machine it is on sale for about $200 off! We have one and LOVE it.
Park & Oak, National Chocolate Cake Day, Ageless Style and so much more on Weekend Meanderings. 
Buddy the Elf Pasta, Hello Lovely, Cranberry Desserts, Jamie and John Dewberry and more on Weekend Meanderings. 
John Derian Christmas, Lauren E. Lowe, Lauren Elaine Interiors, Castle Howard and more on Weekend Meanderings. 
Alice Grace Interiors, The Grove, Entertaining Outdoors, and more on Weekend Meanderings.
I am the odd duck who does not like old Christmas movies. I know I’m strange. In fact I don’t really celebrate holidays very much. But I love to decorate my home for Christmas. In terms of small businesses, I am a consistent Etsy customer. I spent way too much this past week in various Etsy shops.
Brenda
Brenda, I don’t think you are an odd duck at all. Everyone likes different things. I live the old movies because they remind me of very happy times in my like.
As for decorating, I love to decorate for Christmas! I know that your house looks beautiful.
I too spent way too much on small businesses. It is always good to support our small business friends.
Have a wonderful weekend.
xo
Elizabeth, So fun to see Amanda Brooks at home. Her shop is the best! Doesn’t her home look cozy? I love her taste. Thank you for sharing all these small shops. I will look at them. I forgotten it is small business Saturday. It happens so fast. I am barely over Thanksgiving.. Got to get on it all I guess. I like the idea of helping a small business and giving something more unique.
I forgot about your shop! You need to promote it more. i just took a gander and you have a great eye. So many pretty pottery pieces too. I may have to add something to my kitchen!
Sounds like you have a very fun weekend planned. Enjoy all the special events and get togethers. To me that is the best part of the holiday!
Happy weekend !
Hi Elizabeth! Sounds like you had a busy and fun Thanksgiving weekend and I envy you all those pies. Pie for breakfast is truly a life pleasure. I do love Christmas movies, but not so much the older ones. I didn’t watch them growing up and maybe that has something to do with it. But The Holiday is on my rewatch list and I watch Bridget Jones Diary (which I consider a Christmas movie since the bulk of the action takes place from one Christmas holiday to the next). We always watch Love Actually which is probably my favorite Christmas movie of all. Absolutely love send Amanda Brooks holiday home and I’m going to go back and watch it again. Glad you mentioned so many small businesses today … many I’m unaware of and need to explore right away. Hope you enjoy being home and have a lovely day baking! xo