If you are not old enough to remember the Sears catalog, just pretend that you do for my sake. Please?

When it came in the mail, inches thick, I was oddly excited for a young girl who should have been outside playing. Nope, I wanted to go through everything single page, one by one.

And, I played a little game, I was very careful about what I touched – because if I touched it, it was magically mine.

I would search each page and carefully “touch” my chosen selections, being careful not to “want” too much.

I guess that is how this young girl, who’s household’s budget was tight, dreamed.

And still today, catalogs make me happy. I do a lot of online shopping – living out here in the country (plus, stores just don’t carry pants in my length!).

But there is nothing like going through the pages of a catalog (although much less environmentally friendly).

The Sears catalog was functional – everything was clearly shown on the page and the information was provided.

But now, everything is so beautifully and artfully crafted.

And although, I don’t do the “magic touch” any more, I sometimes still play the game, a little, in my mind.

When we were renovating our house, I told the initial architect that if I had to define my style in a catalog – it would be Ballard Designs.

That is still true today, but like most of us – I love how Pottery Barn incorporates vintage items – it is visual candy.

But there are two other catalogs that I think also capture sides of my style: Sundance and Garnet Hill.

When I go through the pages of these catalogs, I love just being inspired. They are not bargain places by any means (although I have bought sale items from both and been very happy), but sometimes it is fun to just imagine.

I know, totally makes me a dork, but I am okay with that.

So let’s do that today – imagine if we place them in this post – they are magically ours!

We can be dorks together!

Sundance has pretty and unique jewelry…

Plum Pretty Necklace

PLUM PRETTY NECKLACE

Dreamy dresses…

Fall Blossoms Dress

FALL BLOSSOMS DRESS

And unique furniture and home decor…

Draper’s Cabinetry

DRAPER'S CABINETRY

And Garnet Hill is another place to dream…

Cozy and stylish sweaters…

Pointelle Sweater Coat

garnet hill sweater

But my most favorite of all, and if it ever goes on sale…

Johanna Quilt and Sham

garnet hill quilt

In case you are wondering, neither Sundance or Garnet Hill have any clue whatsoever who I am or about this post, this is just you and me doing a little catalog dreamin’.

How about you? What is your dream catalog?

Thanks for reading!

p.s. Oh, and speaking of pretty things, please check out the giveaway of a beautiful fall burlap wreath over at Top This Top That.

October 03, 2012 — Laura Putnam