Fall Favorites Swap

Back in September, I signed up for a Fall Favorites Swap.  The gist of the plan was to pick out some of my favorite fall items [food, clothes, scents, etc.] and send them to whomever I was partnered up with.  Lo and behold...I was able to send my favs to one of my fav people!  J of An Unstyled Life.  She'll show you what all I sent, so I will instead show off everything I got in return.
*Note: J cheated.  I'm seriously about to put together another box of stuff because she sent me soooo much!*

I kinda couldn't wait to open it, so I ripped into it in the car...

 Love the smell of this candle!  We have it burning almost 24/7

 Yes, the pumpkin came in the box!

Isn't this mug the absolute best?  So cute and festive, and I love it.

 A gorgeous patterned scarf to add to my collection.

I love love love the box!  And even better was the extremely sweet and probably made me cry card that came with it.  I'm not sharing that though.
I'm a little early, but as soon as the link goes up, I'll be adding my post to it to share with others.  Click HERE to visit and see what others received in the mail!

Thrifts, Gifts, & Souvenirs

My mom flew in last Friday and left this morning, bringing with her a few gifts for me, a chance to take a trip to Venice, Italy, and a love of thrift shopping.  Since I love gifts, I love traveling, and I love thrifting, I have decided; I am my mother's daughter.  Venice pictures will be posted later, but I couldn't wait to share my thrifting/gifting/souveniring experience.

I've been looking for thrift stores in the Kaiserslautern area since I got here, but didn't find one until recently.  As soon as I walked in, I saw this and fell in love.  Who doesn't want a cool typewriter?!

I also have a thing for owls.  Mom spotted this on the wall, so I brought it home, too.

Speaking of owls, Mom brought these fingerless gloves with her.  Made by some friends and accompanied by a cute clip I wear in my hair...I'm in love.

Mom also brought me this, a Christmas ornament.  Not sure where she picked it up, but it's cute!

So, to continue the trend, I bought an owl ring while in Venice, Italy.

My collection grows larger and larger!

Another souvenir from Venice is the wooden cat on the right.  I love animal carvings, and bought it to accompany my elephant, dog, and slightly eaten owl.  The Christmas ornament just wanted to be in all the pictures, so I let him.

Flowers from Hubby

Timmy has never gotten me flowers before.  Not because he isn't thoughtful and sweet, he really is.  I actually told him not to bring me any since I'm not particularly fond of those kinds of gifts...I'd rather have an evening out for a date, or a simply necklace I can show off.  So imagine my surprise when he brought me home a vase of lilies.  They are absolutely gorgeous and a wonderful surprise...I think I like flowers more than I imagined I did.

p.s. I'm so so so behind on my book reviews.  We are supposed to get internet in the house next week, which will allow me to do many needed projects!  Can't wait!