I love a good surprise.  The planning, the anticipation, and the thrill of bringing a little unexpected happiness into someone’s life – especially around the holidays – is ridiculously fun.  This year, with the help of one of my favorite retailers, HomeGoods, I was able to create a little holiday surprise for one of my best friends – my sister – Chelsey.

Chels is four years younger than me, the brunette to my blonde.  She’s beautiful, witty, intelligent, and one of the most passionate people I know.  A great balance of sweet and sassy, for sure.  She’s also an adored wife and mother to my nieces and nephew.

Life’s been a little crazy around these parts the past couple of years (two babies in two years will do that to you, apparently), and Chels has done everything from watch my kiddos, to clean my house, to grocery shop, to helping me manage the business-side of The Inspired Apple.  I love her dearly and couldn’t choose anyone more deserving than her to shop for.

She’s recently been redoing the decor in her home, and I knew immediately that I would be looking for something for her to style her living room with.  The variety and quality of items you can find at HomeGoods – and her sister stores, T.J. Maxx and Marshall’s –  along with their unbeatable prices, made shopping for her easy and enjoyable.  I love that their inventory is always current, always changing, and I never have trouble finding the perfect item (just ask my husband!).

Apparently this is what you look like when you open the front door to bags full of throw pillows…

She was genuinely surprised and excited to change out her old pillows with the quality fabrics and trendy patterned pillows found among the selection at HomeGoods.  And, could she be any cuter?!  Somehow her outfit managed to be coordinating to the pillows. #winning

I also managed to snag a matching set of navy panels that will unify the room and add a boldness to the grey paint on the walls, along with a simple brushed nickel curtain rod and modern white frame to house her new family picture.  I can’t wait to see what she does with it all!

While I had a wonderful time perusing the aisles of HomeGoods, the best part was choosing a meaningful gift for one of my favorite people.  I’m pretty sure we both felt HomeGoods Happy at the end of the day 🙂

And, a big thank you to HomeGoods, T.J.Maxx, and Marshall’s for encouraging the spirit of shopping for people, not for gifts, in a joint effort to bring back the holidays.  Love that! I hope you celebrate the holidays with HomeGoods, too!

Happy Tuesday!