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We thought we'd do something different this year, so we took our old Christmas tree to the thrift store and decided to try out a real tree instead. There are plenty of places around town to get a pre-cut tree, but I wanted the full experience of picking out my own and chopping it down, so we took a little road trip up to Michigan last week to see what Pinecrest Farms had to offer.
Behind this charming little wood cabin store, we climbed aboard a tractor pulled wagon and told the driver we'd like dropped off where the Frasier Fir trees were located.
One the ride over, we did notice some fun and funky colored flocked trees. While we weren't ready to steer away from traditional, I did think they looked really pretty out in the field.
Jason had shoulder surgery a few weeks ago, so that meant he was off the hook for doing any dirty work. That left me in charge of chopping down our tree, which the family had a blast standing on the sidelines heckling me for my lack of tree chopping experience (though Mariah didn't do much better).
Even though it was just starting to snow, I was working up a sweat! I had bundled up in my prAna Permafrost Half Zip pullover hoodie and my winter coat before we left, and ended up taking my coat off so I could finish the job without overheating. The Permafrost Half Zip is an excellent hoodie for winter, keeping you warm and toasty whether you're out cutting down Christmas trees or sipping cocoa watching the snow fall down from the comfort of your living room. Either way, it's super soft and cozy and is a new winter favorite of mine.
Our driver was nice enough to haul our tree back to the tractor once I chopped it down, and while they were giving the tree a good spin and a shake to knock off the loose needles and probably any critters that might have been hanging out inside it, I walked around the barn admiring the beautiful wreaths they also had for sale.
Then we strapped the tree to the top of the car and were on our merry way.
If you follow my InstaStories, you know we had a few snafu's getting the tree set up properly, which ended up with a toppled tree, a few broken ornaments, and me sitting on the floor sawing off another 6 inches of trunk in my living room. But, once we took Jason out of the equation, the girls and I got everything set up just fine. Talk about girl power! I brewed myself a hot cuppa tea, took off my sap covered clothes, and slipped into my comfy prAna Kara Jean (color Volcanic Plum) and prAna Frosene Top (which I featured here in October and still wear frequently), and got to wrapping a few holiday gifts to put under the tree.
After adding a few finishing touches, I'm happy to report the tree is firmly in place and won't be toppling over again, so I'd say we did pretty good for our first year of setting up a real Christmas tree!
If you like any of the clothes featured here, prAna is offering my readers a special discount of 15% off of their purchase when using code WPTMF18 at checkout! Here is a link to the items I'm wearing in this post:
prAna Permafrost Half Zip in Coal
prAna Kara Jean in Volcanic Plum
prAna Frosene Top in Bone
Allison is absolutely obsessed with the Permafrost Half Zip and even included it on her annual teen gift guide we published here last week, so if you are looking for a great gift for teen girls or ladies, I don't think you can go wrong there. I did order the Kara Jean in a size 8, which fit great. But, they have some really good stretch to them, I think I could have ordered a 6 and they still would have fit beautifully. As always, prAna has some of the softest, most comfortable clothing because they use organic cottons and recycled fabrics, and I think that just makes them that much better. If you'd like to learn how using organic cotton and recycled fabrics helps with reducing environmental impact, and prAna's sustainability initiative to better the planet, you read up on that HERE.
Be sure to show us your prAna winter fashions on social media by tagging @prAna and using hashtag #prAna4Winter!
What kind of tree do you put up each year? Real Christmas Tree or Artificial?
Sure looks like quite the homey spot to get a tree indeed. Never seen any in such funky colors on tree lots before. haha watching you chop it down must have been fun. We've always gotten real, but if I ever get one for myself, will be fake. Way easier and the cat tries to eat the real ones.
ReplyDeleteThankfully, my dogs are terrified of the real tree, so they don't go anywhere near it lol.
DeleteWhat the what the what??? You killed a tree? How nasty! I do not approve, did you hear me? I do not approve, missy! I think angels cry in heavens every time someone chops down a tree! We had a massive conifer sawed away last week in our yard because it was dead but I was still on the verge of tears the whole time.... I cannot handle trees being killed, I just cannot....
ReplyDeleteI did tell you many times not to beat Jason so often... now the poor guy has his shoulder ruined.... one can only take so many beatings from one's nasty wife...
The tree does look nice in the end, love all the blues.... but I still bet you can hear it crying in the night....
Your bum looks nice in those jeans by the way.
Yes, I chopped it down. That's what they are grown for. While I won't chop one down next year, I'll still buy a pre-cut one. The fake tree gathered way too much dust and was a pain to store the rest of the year. The city will come collect the trees at the curb and turn them into mulch that the community can come back for to pick up this spring for free, so I see no harm in going with a live tree. As they say, it's the circle of life.
DeleteJason's dad went into a real funk when he had to cut down one of his trees. It was a sore subject for awhile. I bet he'd still sulk if we brought it up. I, on the other hand, wish the city would come cut down more of the trees in my yard. They are too big and I worry about the damage they will cause when just the right big storm blows through.
I understand him, you plant it, and water it and nurture it and watch it grow and develop for years, even decades, I watched so many sparrows and turtle doves nesting in that conifer of ours, it is a whole biosphere for so many birds and insects.... it is a tragedy when you have to axe it down.
DeleteThey don't sell firs which are dug out with some soil, not cut, in your country? That way it does not get killed, but you can take it out after the holidays and put it in your porch or plant it back somewhere.
Unfortunately, they don't have trees to dig up here. The baby tree Allison brings home around Arbor Day for planting this year we'll be sure to name in your honor for our tree chopping offense ♥ Though, it will be a miracle if it survives as we haven't had one live yet.
DeleteI thought I was seeing things with those colors.
ReplyDeleteI asked why they spray painted them lol. I guess you can get flocking in different colors these days, over the traditional white.
DeleteYou look FANTASTIC! PrAna is my favorite clothing line. I love the look, and I love that they are ethical.
ReplyDeleteI love PrAna. Since I discovered this line, it's just about the only one I ever buy from. I look good, and I know I'm doing good at the same time.
ReplyDeleteYour Christmas tree is gorgeous!! I loved 'experiencing' the tree picking through your photos. :) We don't have pine trees where I live.
ReplyDeleteWe get a real tree every year. It's a family tradition, spanning over the last 20 years. Pinecrest Farms looks so beautiful, and they have a great selection.
ReplyDeleteWe get a real tree every year. It's a family tradition, spanning over the last 20 years. Pinecrest Farms looks so beautiful, and they have a great selection. Your tree looks spectacular!
ReplyDeleteI keep hearing all kind of buzz about prAna, so I totally need to head over there to buy myself a few things.
ReplyDeleteThis was such a great post! Love your outfit and the fact your visit a farm for your tree!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE your tree. So beautiful. And what a great way to get into the spirit of the holidays :)
ReplyDeleteNice photos! We usually make Christmas trees from pruned branches here, in Lithuania.
ReplyDeleteI do love that jacket. We're big on real trees here too, but since we now live in a condo and don't want to tote one up and down the stairs and then find a way to dispose of it too, we have gone artificial the last couple of years. I miss a real tree. The smell alone makes the hassle worth it. :)
ReplyDeleteWe don't celebrate Christmas but we can share the joy and excitement whenever Dec 25 is approaching. The real tree will be perfect!
ReplyDeleteWe do artificial. My dad used to do real as a kid and it would always leave me with headaches and the needles used to always get stuck in my socks so I've avoided them! - Jeanine
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love the Prana brand. Their clothing is so comfortable for anything life throws at you.
ReplyDeleteIt looks so great! I love the photos taken of you. I wish we could have a real tree, with a real dog. I feel like my family misses out on things because of me at times.
ReplyDeleteDoes it feel odd not having Mariah around to help decorate?
You look so cute! Got to love having pieces in your closet that are totally adorable and also allow you to get the job done. Santa's elves should be wearing prAna.
ReplyDeletelooks like a blast. i can't do the tree farm thing as i'm very allergic to pine (horrible allergy to have in WI), but i love all the photos.
ReplyDelete