stepping into summer swap

Anytime I come across a blogging gift exchange I sign up. I probably should read more about said gift exchanges, but I just get so excited. Before I know it I'm fifteen minutes deep in the line at the Post Office ready to ship another $20 limit Target gift. 

I lead a fascinating life. Really. Pilates and Post Office visits. What more does one need?

The most recent gift exchange, Stepping Into Summer Swap, was hosted my Meg and Macy. Two key words lured me in to this exchange: sandals and nail polish. Okay, you caught me. Those are three words, but no tried and true female in the blogging world can say no to those two things made up of three words: sandals and nail polish. 

One quick click on Meg and Macy's blogs, a few questions answered, several emails exchanged, and wam bam thank you ma'am, I was back at the Post Office ready to ship yet another blogging gift. 

Side note: should I invite the Post Office workers to a Christmas party this year? Yes or yes? Yes, obviously, because we're all best friends by now. 

There are several times throughout the year that I get way too excited to check the mail. Those several times include: every single day because I'm crazy and think, for some reason, that I'm going to get mysterious surprise mail 365 days out of the year. BUT the times when I'm waiting for a blog gift are REALLY exciting because I know that when I open the mailbox that there will be something there other than Southwest trying to get me to get their credit card. Real gifts!

I was paired with Macy which means I was the luckiest because she sent the cutest sandals and polish. The cutest! Think of your cutest pair of sandals and your favorite color nail polish, and then just know that mine are cuter. Wink. 

Macy got me these lace-up sandals because she said they reminded her of tying up pointe shoes. They are also a lot more comfortable than pointe shoes so winning!

Fashion blogger. Candid. Blurry phone pic. What what.

Ignore my ugly dance/Pilates feet and just keep looking at the shoes and purple polish.

Thanks, Meg and Macy, for hosting such a fun giveaway! I'll sign up for one or twelve more if you'll host them ;)

This post is brought to you by the season summer, the letter S, and me forgetting to take pictures of gifts I get before I need to post a blog. 

christmas cheer--blogger style

I know Christmas is not at all about gifts.

But...

it kind of is.

Don't act like you don't get excited when you buy something secret for someone special. The shocked squeal they let out when they open said secret gift is the best.

It's almost as the best as whenever you notice a freshly wrapped present under the tree and it has your name on the tag. Hashtag for me?!

Okay, we're all in agreement that Christmas is a little, tiny bit all about the gifts? Good. In keeping with the A Little, Tiny Bit About Gifts theme this Christmas, I decided to take part in the Blogger Christmas Cheer Exchange hosted by Olya and Mattie. 

There's not a whole lot I enjoy more than browsing stores at Christmastime. For example, I went in to World Market to pick up some items for the name I drew (Christina!), and somehow/1.5 hours later/$75 later/stocking stuffers for everyone later I left with a shopping bag almost as full as Santa's bag. 

Every time I would head towards the front to pay I would notice part of the Christmas maze in the middle of the store that was undiscovered. You can't leave World Market with Christmas mazes undiscovered! What if the key to all Christmas happiness (a.k.a. something chocolate related) lies within that one corner of the Christmas maze in which you did not enter?! ?!?! !!! How tragic. So yes. Point is: World Market stole an hour and a half of my day and $75 from my wallet and I'm a-okay with that. 

The Christmas Cheer package for me came when I was out of town for Pilates. Freddie opened it and said, "A package came for you. It's dog toys." Dog toys?! I didn't order dog toys? Did Lupe steal my computer and order himself dog toys? 

It took me about 48 hours to realize that A) It was the package from the gift exchange and B) Freddie is bad at telling me information. Because the package of dog toys ended up being a package with one dog toy, a bag of dog treats, and lots of things that weren't dog related at all. Communication is key in marriage, folks. We're rocking it. 

Jenn from hellorigby! sent me the cutest stuff. Going back to my point from the beginning of the post, gifts!! They are fun to open!! (and give). But open!

Has anyone smelled the magestic-ness that is A Thousand Wishes from Bath and Body Works? Because if not go smell it or find me and smell me. Trust me, that's how good this stuff smells---that it wouldn't be weird if you sniffed me. 

Peppermint dark chocolate and Kettle Pop Gum! (<<wut? I know). 

I also got this Marshmallow Fireside candle that was in Wednesday's post. Update: it's already below halfway burned. Oops and sorry not sorry and all of that. 

I couldn't believe how thoughtful it was of her to include Mr. Lups in the gift receiving. He has thoroughly enjoyed chasing and rolling around his new ball. And by thoroughly I mean he gets really confused when his paw touches it and it rolls away. This causes lots of paw moving the ball and chasing the ball time which then causes lots of nap time from said ball chasing so we're all happy.

A big Christmas Cheer filled thanks to Oyla and Mattie for hosting something so fun, and to Jenn for gifting something(s) so fun! Let's do it all again next year.

And by next year I mean around Valentine's Day because who says gift exchanges can't be quarterly? Wink.

Happy Friday!