The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Upon my return to Chicago from my mini-vacation in Colorado, I found that the city had switched to Christmas mode.  From red lights strung through every tree on State Street, red, white and green glowing bulbs in each plot of greenery, to enormous Christmas horns daring to burst out in Christmas song donning the facade of Macy's....it was quite the scene to walk back into.  However, I have yet to hear TOO much Christmas music, so I suppose I can deal with the premature decorations.  Needless to say, the early anticipation of Christmas always bothers me each year.  Just because it's the end of October doesn't mean Christmas is the next day!  And mostly it just reminds me of the presents I need to begin scrounging together.  Blah.  So while I have tried to ignore the ridiculous decoration of the city, I couldn't help but notice a display of sparkly clothes when I was walking by H&M yesterday.  And honestly, there is no better way to reach my heart than through some fancy, affordable clothes.  H&M was sparkles galore, and while it is not Christmas yet, or New Years for that matter, the red shoes, skirts, dresses, fancy bejeweled belts, necklaces and headbands, all thoroughly excited me.  Maybe this makes me shallow, but I REALLY love clothes, and if clothes are my ticket to holiday spirit, than so be it.  After a week of anti-Christmas cynicism, I am very excited for the holiday season.