Christmas Cheer!

'tis the season. Everything gets whip! 

This was my first ornament swap, but I think it was the best ever!! Like I've said before, I’m obsessed with Christmas and everything to do with Christmas! When I found out Erin at Living in Yellow and Jessah atDreaming of Dimples were holding a Christmas ornament swap I didn't have to think twice (go to their blogs to snoop on other ppls ornaments, I sure am).

A few weeks went by and I received an email from Jenn atBeyond the Stoop asking for my address to send me an ornament. I had completely forgot to check the list to see who I was assigned to and who received my name so when I got her email I was ecstatic and thankful she reminded me =P.

I was thrilled when I got the box in the mail, nothing is sweeter than getting snail mail. Check out the awesome ornaments she sent! I love these little guys, especially the little one’s top hat :). Thanks a ton Jenn! They will add some fun cheer to our tree (once we have the time to get one…hint hint hubbs) and I know the girls will love them! For now, they are chillen’ on the garland above the fireplace.

I was assigned to Tricia over at B’more Girly. Just reading her blog I could feel the positive and fun energy she gives off and I knew I wanted to send some fun and girly (of course J) ornaments. Snoop around her blog to get to know her and see what yours truly sent.

Right now she and her husband are going through a tough time, they lost their adorable dog Cayman. So sorry for your loss!

I’ll leave you with a little Christmas Cheer from our casa to yours.

awaiting more Christmas cards to hang...

My latest fave find from Cost Plus World Market (obsessed with that store), festive birdie clips! 

I moved the table for a minuet and our little monkey used it to her advantage....being a great mama I offered her coffee lol. 

-LL

Ornaments...already?!

YES! Why not?!

Ok, I'll tone it down a bit. I'm kind of a Christmas nut. But serious, think about it. Halloween will soon come and go, Thanksgiving is right behind it and then you're hit with that panic to finish your holiday shopping list in a rush. Or is that just me?

Well this year I decided to start early (I may or may not "decide" this every year...this time I'm serious lol). I'm scouting out gifts now and trying to be ahead of the game, not only to beat the rush but to also stretch the gifting budget a bit more.

This brings me to the ornament swap. Did you notice the ornament swap button on my sidebar? I was soo excited when I saw a post by Erin at Living in Yellow about the ornament swap she's doing with Jessah at Dreaming of Dimples. I love swaps, you get to meet new bloggers (just met Jessah and already hooked :), you receive a surprise in the mail and you get to surprise someone else...does it get any better?







Read below and you will see why you need to register this early...let's plan ahead people!

Via Living in Yellow and Dreaming of Dimples: 

Step 1. Sign up. 

Link up your blog below to let us know you want to participate in the swap. Sign ups close at Midnight on October 31st. 

Step 2. Spread the word. 

Everyone loves getting special deliveries in the mail. Especially when it’s a super festive item like an ornament for your holiday tree. So let all of your blog friends know about the swap. The more, the merrier. 

Step 3. Get your match. 

On Thursday, November 1st, we will post the swap matches. You will contact the blogger you’re buying for via their blog, email, twitter, facebook, etc. to get their address. 

Step 4. Shop and Mail. 

On or before November 12th, purchase and mail your ornament. This means your ornament should be en route to its recipient NO LATER THAN the 12th. 

Step 5. Receive & Blog about your ornament! 

This is the fun part! Blog, Instagram, Tweet your Ornament Swapping Adventure. Be sure and use #ornamentswap on Instagram & Twitter so other Swappers can find you! 

Step 6. Link up! 

We will be hosting a Linky Party on December 1st for those of you bloggers that want to link up your posts! (This gives you plenty of time to make sure your ornament arrives & recap your adventures.) 

That is it. 

It's pretty simple. 

Sign up & send. 

Now, I know people may have a few more questions about the details, so here are some additional things you should know. 

1. You should spend between $4-$14 on your ornament. 

2. Ornaments should be new, as no one wants any “gently used” tree decorations. 

3. The ornament you purchase should be something fun, quirky, or beautiful that you’d like to receive and that you will be proud of when it is associated with you and your blog. 

4. You can purchase ornaments from anywhere. Like these handmades from Etsy or unique ornaments from Pier One or Target.

5. You will not be sending and receiving to the same person. Technically you aren't "swapping", more like a daisy chain of ornaments will be flying through the skies via the postal service. You will send to one person and receive from someone else. This way you get to know at least two people! 

6. Be sure to package your ornament in bubble wrap to ensure it arrives safely. Getting a broken ornament is no fun at all. 

7. Please do not sign up unless you are 100% sure you can fulfill the swap requirements, we would hate for someone to sign up and not participate.

Giveaway: I almost forgot! If you post the ornament swap button on the sidebar of your blog (visit Jessah's blog for the code), you'll be entered to win this cute, zebra ornament from Pier One.

Now go join! 

-LL