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12.04.2013

THE HOLBROOKS PICK A CHRISTMAS TREE


picking out a christmas tree is just the type of satisfying decision-making that i really excel at. don't ask me to decide what i want for dinner or where we should go on a saturday afternoon, that stuff stresses me out, but put me in front of a stack of douglas firs, and i'll tell you what's what. 

every year i approach our family christmas tree with a kind of weird, spiritual mumbo jumbo, anne shirley type of determination. it's an emotional decision, you know? brandon's learned to nod his head patiently and say things like "whatever you want, honey!" and "yeah, i see what you mean," because too many years with me and you start to learn these things already. there are just some areas of life, you know? 

usually we go for the spindly types, but this year i wanted something bushy and a little bit rugged. but who am i kidding? only one type of tree seems to make it to manhattan, and that would be the pricey triangle type. so i did the best i could, you understand.

can i tell you though? walking through all these christmas tree lots every few blocks is just about THE most soul edifying experience in the world.


every year huck picks out his own tree because that's the sort of extravagance we're into. two trees in a tiny apartment that barely has room for one! my home is a forest! anyway, a kid shouldn't be subjected to his mother's idea of christmas cheer, and a woman's christmas tree is her castle, something like that.

blurry shot of the three of us?


nailed it.

so brandon's out of town this week on a business trip and so it's been on me to get the trees gussied up in his absence. and really, this is pretty silly, this christmas... brandon's gone this week, next week we're in utah for my sister's wedding (IT'S BACK ON), then we're all home for a week, and then we're off to portland for christmas day. we'll be home together all of two weeks this month so probably we don't even need a tree at all, but look! i'm too invested to go without a christmas tree by now! we're past that point! this is not a discussion! 

so, right.

the big girl by day...


...and by night.


huck's tree:


huck is so so so good these days. this year is going to be the most magical christmas! when i ask huck what he wants for christmas he always says a christmas tree. (when i ask him what we should get for his dad he always says, "work." :) i took him to the drugstore last week so he could pick out his very own special christmas tree star, and oh man. it was an epic night for henry holbrook. all week long when we've been out and about he'll stop to remind me. "hey mom! bemember my christmas star?" 

oh, i bemember it, huck. 

welcome, christmas! us holbrooks are ready for you!

p.s. we're doing christmas trees again this year! please share yours on instagram or twitter (or on your blogs) with the hash tag #heynataliejeanxmastrees. i'd love to share a few on the blog later this month! this is one of my favorite parts of christmas, i just really love looking through all the trees each night before bed. thank you so so much to those who share! (last year there were a few menorahs tagged in there too, and do you even know how much i love that!?!?)

p.p.s. on me:
swedish hasbeens found on super clearance at my neighborhood shoe store
madewell tote (it looks like it's sold out, but these two are similar)
american apparel beanie

and on huck:
(huck is dressing himself these days, and i have to say, the man has style.)
american apparel sweatshirt and beanie
zara kids coat and jeans (last year)
vintage cowboy boots from my favorite antique shop in idaho
bow tie c/o colin's closet

38 comments:

  1. Oh good, it's not just me. I just need my space to decorate the tree ok? Ok. And yeah, maybe I'm crazy, but hey- crazy gets you your own tree. So there.

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  2. What a rockin' tree! I love how crowded the streets are with Christmas trees in these pictures! Such a strange and beautiful site!

    http://sometimesgracefully.com

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  3. Love the simplicity of your decorations and your bag is love too. Best wishes for your gorgeous family and happy holidays!
    atelier zozo

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  4. We picked ours yesterday too and have it standing up now. Little Miss was so excited to see it first thing this morning!!!!


    xoxo PARIS BEE

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  5. i just can't get over these photos. too, too adorable! just perfect.

    www.modernsuburbanites.blogpsot.com

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  6. I simply cannot explain to you how much I love the way you write! I swear we are kindred spirits, Natalie Jean! ;) I also adore your coat and that boy of yours, man is he too cute for words. Happy holidays Holbrooks!

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  7. two trees despite the small space, frequent travel, and MIA husband? bully for you! christmas spirit is brimming over there. well done, lady.

    LOVE the idea of sharing christmas tree photos - our will be tagged in there once she's presentable. ;)

    http://currenttempo.blogspot.com

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  8. I love this. I just posted about our tree today.

    On another note... and maybe this isn't the place to ask, but your pictures are amazing. What camera + filters + editing do you use? They have the perfect amount of softness and color to feel cozy.

    www.bradleycowan.com

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  9. Holy Moly I loved that coat. I needed that coat. Had to have it. Then I saw that coat is SEVEN HUNDRED dollars!!! Hopes and dreams, dashed. You are one lucky girl, Natalie Jean!!!!

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    Replies
    1. tell me about it. brandon got me a really nice leather jacket from allsaints for my birthday but it was just too big, and then of course they only do store credit on returns. otherwise, this one is super outta my price range too. yikes!

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  10. Hey! You will probably never read this, but I coincidentally just posted on my blog about my strange menorah (in an absence of a real menorah). In case you're bored: http://olivia-my-heart.blogspot.com/2013/12/happy-hanukkah.html

    xx

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  11. This is such a cute post! I love Christmas tree shopping. -Hanna Lei

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  12. Christmas is so much more fun with the little ones around. Treasure these moments.

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  13. huck's tree choice is killing me. haha, what a cutie!!!

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  14. More importantly....THAT COAT IS THE COAT TO END ALL COATS!! Whoa nelly that is beautiful. Also, Huck's style? Are you kidding me right now? Those boots are so perfect peaking out of his little jeans!! I can't handle how awesome your family is. And the trees. And that your sister's wedding is back on (good for her). Happy holidays to you guys! :)

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  15. I love this! And your coat! and just the whole thing really. 2 trees isn't even that extravagant!

    I have an off-topic question that may have been addressed once before or maybe not.. but is your couch one of the Macy's couches?? I was looking at it and admiring it, and heard some bad reviews about the fabric. Can you advise? :)

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  16. I got the same star!!! I have been waiting 7 years to find the perfect tree topper, and found it the other day in Duane Reade! (My almost 2 year old also loves it).

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    Replies
    1. Same here Kate! We were looking for a real "star" tree topper and it's crazy how hard that has been. Picked ours up at Duane Reade yesterday! Perfect!

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  17. Oh Huck and his little tree is just perfect! And I say being home for two weeks is definitely worth the Christmas trees ;)
    xo TJ

    http://www.hislittlelady.com

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  18. we were gone for christmas last year and we still got a tree! it's important stuff.

    http://semiweeklyeats.blogspot.com/2013/12/tuna-noodle-casserole-revisited.html

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  19. I have never in my whole married life been at my own house for more than two weeks in December, so we bought a fake tree! No guilt!*

    Also, since buying a DSLR all of the pictures that I don't take are blurry- which means that pre-nice camera, the pictures of me were way better. Oh the irony.

    *until we throw it away and it pollutes the earth forever and ever, amen.

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  20. What a lovely tree! I love that huck gets his own tree. i will be putting that idea in my pocket for later. :)

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  21. I can not find a plain gold star in a star shape! they are all pointy! or red! or both! the search continues. FL does nay have a duane reed.

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  23. Both your trees look lovely :). Two weeks is totally worth it! Plus - who says you can't leave it up another week in January? Definitely agree with the other ladies that your coat is amazing :). Though I admit I identify a bit more with the tree seller lady (dude?) considering I wore Carhartt bibs and Sorels when I cut down our tree last weekend... Happy December!

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  24. you are rocking that coat. i absolutely love it!

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  25. when did huck start looking sooo grown up?! darling tree. darling house. darling family.

    xo

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  26. Beautiful photographs! Lovely family, it looks splendiferous :) xo

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  27. Get ready for some snow in Utah boo! It's getting serious out here. Love the coat! Love the tree.

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  29. Your boots and his little bowtie! I love it!!!!

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  30. There are days (and I hope this doesn't sound too stalker-ish?) when you and your little family really help keep me going. You guys make me feel like things might just be okay. :)

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  31. such fun! all those tress look wonderful, and huck is as cute as can be. bemeber? i mean come on.

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  32. Ahhh, I love your Christmas tree round-up posts. Makes my holiday!

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  33. these photos are darling!

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  34. Your photos are awesome. Love your simple tree! Reposting on my FB page (scheduled for 8pm tonight): JULIE LOVES HOME,
    Thanks!

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