go ahead and stone me

Today I found out that someone is making a quilt for us. I don't know this person well (at all), they've never been to my house, and didn't ask anyone what my/our taste might be. For the record, this is my taste:

(Pam Zsori's house from Housemartin)

What we're getting is likely to be more like this:

(Source)

Here's the thing. If someone who knows us well wants to make us a quilt? Awesome. I will probably love it, because it will have been made with us in mind. But this person is merely showing off, and to be honest I would rather have no gift at all than one I dislike but have to store because it was handmade as an ego-feeder.

Yeah, this makes me ungrateful. But seriously, we're not having a wedding to furnish our house.

because she's a BRIDE, see?

I've started shopping for the necessary infrastructure for my Big White Ivory Dress, and I have a complaint.
Why the veil? It looks silly and a little bit porny. Not really what I had in mind. (I found this particular bra here. Amazon has a better size and color selection than other places I saw it.)

let's call it overkill

...and in the mail today came a gift certificate from Anthropologie, for $40. Okay, I'm sold. THIS is how you turn a disgruntled customer thrilled and somewhat sheepish.

(Liz, I am working on your Gocco question and will answer it probably tomorrow. With pictures.)

it's a Christmas miracle, Charlie Brown

Earlier this week Illinois was slammed with some serious snow. Mail and UPS deliveries were delayed, which probably explains how a mystery package happened to arrive late on Christmas Eve.

Inside the package I found two boxes.

And a card.

The card says "Julia, I saw your posting about the disappointing service you received from Anthropologie. Please accept the two enclosed stoppers free of charge as a token of our dedication to making your next Anthropologie experience a positive one." Handwritten, signed by the operations manager, Allison. Sure enough, two stoppers, already giftwrapped. I don't know quite how Allison connected my virtual snit with my original order, but how nice is that? They were also out of stock online and in most stores, so I'm sure it wasn't easy to find them either.

I rewrapped them and gave one to DJ's mom (the original gift) and one to his brother's wife. Of course I had to tell the story, so Allison - there were two gifts under our tree from you this Christmas.

customer dissatisfaction

I'm having a fight with Anthropologie right now. Anthropologie doesn't actually care, which is why we're having the fight.

Last week I ordered a few gifts online, with plenty of time to spare before Christmas Eve. Yesterday the box arrived, missing one item. They'd charged me for it, packed the rest of the order, checked off each packed item, and completely left off one thing. I seem to be having this problem a lot lately.

I called this morning to ask for the thing to be shipped (in time for Christmas, please!), and of course they're sold out. Of course! That was annoying, but can't really be helped. The thing that bothered me was that the girl on the phone just could not have cared any less. I'm sure her job is boring, but an apology would have been nice. An effusive apology, and maybe an e-mail confirming my refund.

Especially since now I (or DJ) will be stuck braving the crowded mall the weekend before Christmas, in a snowstorm. Bah humbug.