anniversary shopping

My anniversary {7 years} is in 2 weeks and my parents are giving us cold hard cash as a present. I think it's a great present, the very best kind actually. It allows me to go virtual shopping weeks in advance and dream of what I could buy with the money. I come up with hundreds {well, not really hundreds} of combinations of things. But right now, I am focused on a few "need to have" pieces for my home. I'm not super sappy in that it has to be something of heirloom quality -- I'd rather spend the money on small purchases that will add to the overall ambiance of my home, or on things that I'd love but wouldn't necessarily buy myself. Some people might find this crazy, but my husband doesn't mind, it's practical, and it entertains me for hours on end.

First up is a nice linen barrel shade for my recent Goodwill lamp purchase, blogged about here.

What do you think? Pretty cool for $24.99 at Tarjay, yes? Find it here

Next up is a monogrammed pillow, a must. I have wanted one for eons, and I think it's something really special and very worthy of an anniversary present. I have scoured etsy, but right now my favorite pillows are on Ballarddesigns.com. Check out what you can get for a mere $26 with a FREE monogram:

That's right -- an 18" square pillow with the insert people, and a free monogram, for just $26. And guess what? It comes in several shades of linen, and that fabric I love to hate: burlap. I may just have to break my own rule and get me a burlap pillow with a big fat monogram in chocolate brown on it. Or maybe I'll get the hemp linen. I imagine that would have that same natural, burlap-y look without the scratchy fibers and shedding. I think I can't lose either way with this.

Unless of course I get this size, for just $22... this would look really cute in a pair on matching armchairs.

Let's go over the most optimum fabric choices for the 18" size, shall we? I want something neutral that could be moved from bedroom to living room without burning your eyeballs out, and that could match any number of decor choices in the future. That means I'm getting a neutral. But which one?

Hemp Linen - luscious if I do say so

Caramel Twill - classic and would hold up well as well as match almost anything

Camel Velvet - would feel wonderful to the touch

Burlap baby - So good, yet so bad

Then again, I could do something wild and crazy {for me} like toffee check:

OK, maybe not. It might be too busy for me, not sure. I think I like the stuff above better.

Then there's the monogram options. Too many choices makes me a crazy person. I think I like

the fourth one and the last one... or maybe #13. I don't know what to pick! Want to pick for me??? I am so bad at this kind of thing... I can second guess myself for weeks on this kind of minor decision.

Lastly, something like one of these cute monogrammed signs would be really nice to have as a momento in our home, not to mention a cute piece of decor:

Just $16.00 found here

Or this huge shabby letter, $41.95 found here

Then there's this sweet family sign for just $24.95 found here

And I LOVE this with the added crown moulding for $35 found here

Then again, let's not forget the family name sign master, Susie at Bienvenue. Check out her darling signs with that added french touch, all very affordable! Find them here...

I think that both the Ballard monogrammed pillows as well as any of the family name signs from Etsy would be fabulous anniversary or wedding gifts that are custom, affordable, thoughtful, and memorable, not to mention classic. In fact, my sister's anniversary is just the day before mine, I think I'm going to get her one of the above, probably a family name sign. Now, which one? Hhhhmmmmmm....