enJOY it

an archived personal and craft blog from Elise Blaha Cripe.

i love november.

Ilovenov
west elm bentwood pendant lamps (I still love ours so much and they're on sale through the end of today!), anthropologie felted garland (sold out…and worth a DIY attempt for sure), fab.com rectangle pillow, tieks ballet flats (curious if these are worth the investment), three potato four wooden us sign, nate berkus for target mirror.

'Tis nearly the season for holiday shopping which somehow always makes my wishlist grow longer. We're currently figuring out lighting for the office and while on the hunt I saw that my bentwood pendant lamp is 20% off. I seriously love this lamp and am tempted to just buy another (I won't though). Also, that garland is perfection. I know this will be a reasonable DIY, I just need the felt and to figure out if the base should be wire or string. I'll keep you posted

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21 responses to “i love november.”

  1. Isobel_A Avatar
    Isobel_A

    I’d go with wire – bendable is good!

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  2. Amy Avatar
    Amy

    I strongly believe that if Tieks are a good fit for you, they’re worth the investment! They don’t make half sizes so not everyone is a good fit. I now have two pairs and can easily walk miles in them. They’re my go-to flats – I’d recommend getting a color you’ll want to wear all the time. They’re allegedly doing a promotion early this week via Facebook too, so keep an eye out!

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  3. Alida Avatar
    Alida

    Elise, I admire how you keep up with blog posts considering all the balls you have in the air. I’d buy another one of those lamps, you never know when you need it.

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  4. Rhonda Avatar
    Rhonda

    I started a diy version of that anthro garland. Using string and felted sweaters.

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  5. April Avatar
    April

    These lamps are awesome! I made the circle ‘yarn’ lamp where you wrap up a ball a deflat it but I suppose I didn’t use enough glue and it started to deflat too! I want to try it again though. These lamps remind me of them. Wondering if I could DIY a version of these too!
    The garland is so fun and cheery, I could see this as a wreath version! I love the ‘us’ sign. I can definitely picture it in your home on your wall! I have also seen a ‘hello’ version on etsy I believe and would like to purchase it to hang in the entry way. Fun stuff!

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  6. Lauren Avatar
    Lauren

    A woman at work tried the Tieks and was disappointed in them. She ended up sending them back. She almost exclusively wears heels, though, so she might not have liked them simply because she wasn’t used to wearing flats. I’d be interested to see if people who normally wear flats or minimalist shoes like them. Send an update if you end up getting them!

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  7. Laura Avatar
    Laura

    Love this collection – especially that rectangular pillow; so fabulous!

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  8. Jessica Avatar
    Jessica

    I have four pairs of Tieks because I love them so much. I bought my first pair for my wedding–their return policy is great (they send you another pair, if you want to exchange for another pair, with a return shipping label so you don’t have to pay for that) so I figured if I didn’t like them, I could easily return them, no money wasted. I have semi-wide feet and always have a hard time finding comfortable ballet flats. Tieks work for me. Just to keep it totally honest, I’ll throw in a couple of the negatives… they sometimes take a little bit to break in. I’d say that maybe 2 of my 4 Tieks took about a day or two to break in. The other thing is that since they are hand made, I find that there are small variations between pairs. For example, when I bought the matte black Tieks, one shoe had less fabric (fit snuggly) on my foot. The other one had more fabric and wrinkled more at my toes (this one also showed more toe cleavage). I sent them an email and a picture of the difference. They admitted that they couldn’t notice a difference themselves but still offered to exchange it for another pair. The second pair I got was fine. This is the only reason I wish they sold them in stores so you could try them on. But again, the return policy is so great that it doesn’t really matter. I’ve also heard that they are not so good for people who need arch support–that’s not a problem for me so I can’t speak to that. They are expensive but after my 3rd pair I donated about 15 pairs of (non-Tieks) ballet flats that I had previously bought and wore only once or twice. I’d rather have a handful of shoes that I always wear than a bunch that I rarely wear because they hurt. Hope you like them!

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  9. Caiti Avatar
    Caiti

    I saw a version of the Anthro garland on Pinterest by P.S. I Made This, and she used a string of lights as the base, and tied it with ribbons. I think the lights might add a fun touch as well!
    http://ps-imadethis.tumblr.com/post/14510592731/bring-joy-to-the-world-this-holiday-season-use

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  10. elise blaha Avatar
    elise blaha

    Thanks for the tip!! I might have to try a pair on… sometimes I’m between a 7and 8 so who knows..

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  11. elise blaha Avatar
    elise blaha

    I’ll keep you posted for sure!

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  12. elise blaha Avatar
    elise blaha

    Thanks for the info! glad to hear their return policy is good. 🙂

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  13. elise blaha Avatar
    elise blaha

    fun! thanks for sharing a link.

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  14. Ang Avatar
    Ang

    I agree that tieks are worth it. I was very leary of the price, but a recent Facebook promo got my curiosity up. $175+? Maybe for boots, but ballet flats? But I figured if they were comfy, they would be essential to my “work at home” mom uniform, and save me from buying the random few $30 flats I would inevitably buy. I ordered my size then wasn’t sure if maybe the smaller size would be better, and they had that out to me within a few hours. I also emailed some questions and they were incredibly responsive and amazingly helpful. So I definitely agree their customer service is awesome. And their packaging is super cute. So are they worth it? I think so. They are becoming my fall/winter equivalent of flip flops (I ordered the same chestnut you have pictured above). And I second what a previous commenter said. If you like them on Facebook they should have a promotion this week. If you’re curious, I’d buy them, wear them around the house and then send them back if you’re not in love.

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  15. robyn Avatar
    robyn

    here’s what i’ll tell you about Tieks, in my experience. everyone says they are totally worth it, comfy from day one. I won a pair in a blog giveaway, and when I got them they didn’t fit well and rubbed my feet raw where the seams were. going a size bigger (only whole sizes at my tiny foot size) made them too big, and they slipped off, a different sort of uncomfortable.
    that said, I know several other folks who have them and wear them daily and swear by them. for the money however, i’d get a pair of Toms. just as comfortable, and you’re giving a pair of shoes to a kid in need while also supporting fair labor practices, all for far less money!

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  16. caitlin frost Avatar
    caitlin frost

    i love those hanging lamps. i’d buy one for every room in my house if i could. but being a texas-turned-new england girl, i’m addicted to ceiling fans–especially in a house that has no AC in the summer, so i had to give up style over function.
    i found a great vintage-inspired one at home depot of all places.

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  17. Tara Avatar
    Tara

    I have all kinds of shoe issues, but I love my Tieks. I have two pairs and I wear them ALL the time. I haven’t been able to wear any other ballet flats. They all cut into my feet. The Tieks have been perfect right out of the box!

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  18. Heather Avatar
    Heather

    Hi! I just stumbled across your blog! So fun! 🙂 I’m excited to read more!
    http://www.seashellsandeggshells.blogspot.com

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  19. Sarah Avatar
    Sarah

    I’m loving the whole list, esp the lamps

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  20. Melonie Avatar
    Melonie

    Love my Tieks. Worth every penny:)

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  21. Shawna Avatar
    Shawna

    I don’t want to burst your DIY bubble, but the Anthro garland IS available online!!!!
    Just placed my order [woo hoo for this full time mamma & work out of home, and part time grad schooler who has no time for DYI during the holidays!]
    Happy Crafting!

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