Quite possibly my last new favorite thing from Etsy in 2008.

Acrobats in Strips, $80.

Texas weather is famously fickle. As an example, last week went from 25 degrees and dry to 80 degrees and rainy in the space of two days.

As a result, I spent most of my holidays cleaning mud off the floors.

If only I'd asked Santa for Mr. Shoebrush. If the product name alone hadn't won me over, the adorable design certainly would have.

Oh, how I wish this worked on dog feet.

Mr. Shoebrush, $82

I wish I had gotten an earlier start on my holiday decorating this year. Etsy has some really adorable ornaments, like this felted Weimaraner ornament from Leaf people.

Oh well, maybe Etsy will have after-Christmas sales too.

Happy Holidays!

Weimaraner felted ornament, $30

Both Barney's and Neiman Marcus are having substantial pre-Christmas sales that include home decor and a lot of their seasonal items.

While cruising the markdowns in Barney's home department, I found this great spider tray by Eduardo Garza for $55 (50% off).

And Neiman's has this 6-bottle counter-top wine chiller for just $59.

This velvet pouf would be the perfect pairing for an antique vanity.

It's also available in chocolate and royal purple.

Velvet Pouf, $89

Since it's the last Friday before Christmas, enjoy this fun version of "The 12 Days Of Christmas." Merry Christmas, Shak-ers!

Here's another interesting gift item. It's a terra cotta pomegranate that has been kiln fired, soaked in pomegranate essential oil for an entire week and then kiln fired a second time to seal in the aroma.

The end result is a fragrant "objet d' art" whose scent lasts for 9 to 12 months.

Terra Cotta Pomegranate, $60.
Image via dallasnews.com

I have to admit I'd be happy to have been bad enough to receive these oh-so-naughty happy-pill canisters from Jonathan Adler.

They look like circus tents and they're probably as good for holding candy or cotton balls as they are for prescription drugs.

Vice Canisters, $80-$135.

I’m madly in love with these tree spirits by Alma Pottery on Etsy. How simple and beautiful.

Target’s Red Hot Shop has some unusually hip (even by Target standards) gift items available for sale, and if you’re a member of Daily Candy, they’re all an additional 30% off.

Fun gift items include A Year’s Worth of Cards sets ($60) and these Talking Condiment Dispensers ($20 each).