2009 White House Christmas Decorations

I love decorating my house for Christmas, but it's always a lot of work.  No wonder the White House needed countless volunteers and 3,400 man hours to decorate for the holidays!  Check out some of the lavish Christmas decor and trees in the White House this year:

The Red Room Christmas trees are appropriately decorated all in red with red ornaments and large red ribbons.  The room's fireplace is dressed with a gorgeous red berry garland to match.

The State Room Christmas tree is decorated with ribbons and ornaments along with natural elements such as pinecones, berries, branches, honeysuckle garland, and dried flowers.

The Cross Hall contains two Christmas trees dressed with glass ornaments, pine cones, and red ribbons.  Beneath the trees is a beautiful gold tree skirt.  These Christmas tress stand guard around the door leading to the official Christmas tree in the Blue Room.

 The official Christmas tree of the White House is in the Blue Room and is adorned with handmade ornaments and yellow ribbons.  The yellow ribbons on the tree look so beautiful in the blue and gold room.

Past Christmas trees in the White House have been equally as gorgeous.  In 2004, the White House had trees decorated with snow and icicles.

And back in 1961 during the Kennedy administration, the White House Christmas tress was decorated with blue ribbons and lively ornaments.

Mosaic Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

You may have noticed something when I posted photos of my console table decorated for Halloween or when I posted photos of the bamboo hurricane planter I put together.  Actually, you may have noticed a lack of something.  For far too long, the space above my console table in my living room has been sadly blank. 

The wall has been empty, waiting for the perfect mirror to come along and decorate it.  For quite a while, I was shopping for a round decorative mirror.  Something red and mosaic would be perfect.  I finally spotted this beauty at Pier 1, but it’s $69.99 price tag was too hefty for me.

But after waiting for far too long, my patience finally paid off and the mirror went on sale for $49.99.  I think I waited a little too long to save $20 bucks, but regardless the mirror is finally mine.  Here it is, my beautiful new red mosaic mirror!

Cyber Monday 2009 Offers

This year, despite my better judgment, I braced myself and shopped the early morning Black Friday sales. This was my first year getting to the stores so early and it was a mad house! Although, I should have expected a mad house considering I was at Wal-Mart at 4am amongst a store full of half-asleep shopaholics! I didn't get the new computer I wanted at Wal-Mart, but I did get some great online deals and some great sales at Target later in the day.

If you've checked your email today, you've probably gotten bombarded with a slew of "Cyber Monday" offers. If you're not familiar, Cyber Monday is the first Monday after Thanksgiving where retailers promote special online sales. It's like Black Friday on your computer, without all the long lines or waking up at 3am.

It seems like every online retailer is offering a Cyber Monday sale this year. With so many offers, it's almost as hectic as Black Friday to navigate the sales. To help everyone out, here are some of the best offers I've come across:

Target
I found some great stuff shopping Target in store on Friday and they have some great online offers over the next few days.  Click here for their Cyber Monday offers or check out some of the great gift ideas I found:

 39 piece Pink Tool Kit, on sale for $24.99 - save $5

10 piece Gallery in a box Photo Frames on sale for $99.99 - save $100

13 piece Farberware Cookware Set on sale for $69.99 - save $20

Sensio Margarita and Frozen Drink Maker, on sale for $119.99 - save $30


Wal-Mart
To compete with Best Buy, Wal-Mart has unveiled some great deals on electronics.  These electronics are probably too pricey for most people to dish out as gifts, but if you're in need of a new tv, digital camera, or laptop you can find an excellent deal.





Walmart and Target aren't the only stores running Cyber Monday specials.  These stores are dishing out some great deals as well:


World Market: Save 20% & get free shipping on orders over $50 with code 1DAYAFF
Macy's - Free shipping with $75 purchase
Kohls - 15% off any order 
Sears
Lowes
Toys R Us