Ornament Swap fun!!!

Hi Lovies!

I can't believe the most magical time of the year is here again. I also can't believe this is the 5th year of this amazing swap that has brought so many friends together. It's a swap dear to my heart and I hope (if you've participated in the past) it's been one of your favorites too.

Since I'll be having baby Noel (our second daughter) this December, my lovely friend Erin will be hosting this year's swap over on her blog Pugh's News. Not only is she the perfect hostess but it's pretty amazing that our friendship happened through this very swap five years ago. Erin was who I sent to that very first ornament exchange I hosted. She is such a close friend and it always makes me smile to think of how we "met."

For details on how to join this year's ornament swap, head over to Erin's blog post here. {Sign-ups start today and close on the 12th of November} 

Getting to spread Christmas joy while connecting with another blogger is my favorite. I hope you'll join and welcome our new hostess while you're at it. If you don't know her, you'll instantly fall in love with her like I did, I just know it. 

Erin, thank-you again for always being such a wonderful friend! love you xo

a sweet holiday tradition.

I'm so in love with our White Christmas tree. I love that this year--as with every year--I got to decorate it with new ornaments from dear friends. 

I ordered an owl ornament (which you'll see below) from Christine's etsy shop and she was so sweet to surprise me and Felix with this penguin cutie and a crochet heart. Don't you love random kindness? 

The twinkle star is from Gracienne to Felix. Precious!

I love that I met Erin through my first ornament swap and we've been exchanging ornaments ever since. This year she sent me a fluttery pink (pink for baby girl's first Christmas) paper ornament that she picked up at a Christmas craft fair she goes to every year and a glittery reindeer from here's the thing on etsy. She included that amazing vintage fawn candle while at an antique shop for Felix's nursery. Erin, every year you outdo yourself. I love you sweet friend! xo

Rhianne made these two for me. Handmade are my favorite! 

Speaking of handmade goodness, check out this one of a kind ornament my darling artist friend Phoenix made of Felix! It's Felix in her Halloween costume, one of the first times I caught her smile on camera. love love love. 

My vintage soul sister Amanda sent me three most thoughtful ornaments: vintage rudolph, a handmade cross stitched ornament that looks magical with twinkle lights shining through, and a photo one that we've already put a picture of Felix with her Santa hat, to always remember this first special holiday. 

Please take a peek at Amanda's blog post because her photos are much better than mine. While there, you should really follow her too. Her blog is such a cozy corner of the internet. 

some I sent out : 

photo borrowed from Amanda's blog : I scored these vintage beauties from an etsy shop called by the wayside. I just loved the gold snowcap and the gold and pink ombre one was from Felix. I thought they were perfect for my vintage soul sister. 

 The owl I was talking about earlier from Christine's shop, Dela Chic. Christine makes so many adorable owls it was hard to narrow it down, but I chose the pink and tan one for Lauren-- so she'll always remember it was Felix's first Christmas year.

These were in Erin's etsy favorites so I decided to surprise her with something she loved. I love that there were four bells and there are four Pughs :) (look how pretty one looks next to her favorite angel ornament)

Such a sweet holiday tradition among my favorite girls. 

My 2012 Ornament Swap.

Dear ornament swappers, I hope by now you've received your ornament (except for perhaps international shippers) or at least have heard something from your partner and agreed to extend the mail out date together, which is fine. If you have any problems, please let me know!

I thought it would be fun to swap with another first time Mama who is just as excited about their baby's first Christmas. Felix and i couldn't have found better swap partners than Jessica and her adorable son Reeve. 

aren't they beautiful?

First, I love that Jessica thought to send a Baby Girl's 1st Christmas card. We were incredibly spoiled!

How girly is that first ornament? Jessica said she found it at this super cute etsy shop called LalaDangerous. Jessica wrote, "that if the pink ornament with flowers and tulle is super sweet and girly, then the puff ornament is sassy and full of personality. Shouldn't a little girl be both?"

Absolutely! As if I didn't love those two already, this last one is hands down my absolute favorite one. 

Jessica wrote, "the little girl ornament was just so sweet... dark hair, sweet smile, cheeks and has that vintage feel that I know you love." 

Did she get me perfectly or what? 

Jessica's little guy is named after Superman himself. She told me Reeve has already owned over 20 Superman onesies in his 8 months which they'll turn into a blanket some day. 

I couldn't contain my happiness when I found this Superbaby ornament for Reeve, from Felix. 

Jessica mentioned that they were having a hard time finding the perfect Baby's 1st Christmas ornament. When I found this sweet Giraffe (i mean look at that tail!) I had to get him. 

I always have fun with this swap dear to my heart, but this year was extra magical as a Mama. This year was extra special all thanks to Jessica who could not have chosen more beautiful ornaments. ♥

I love that she is most looking forward to sharing the Spirit and story of Jesus with her son. 

Check out Jessica's post on our exchange on her blog To Those Who Wait. 

I can't wait to show off what everyone else swapped! If you've received your ornaments, please email me a photo {micaela.maxham[AT]gmail[DOT]com} so I can use it in an upcoming post. Thank-you lovies xo

F & pom poms.

During a target run today for wrapping paper, i was happy i stopped by the ornaments. I have a new love affair with the letter F.

{i love how all my ornaments are from my friends. Erin, can you spot the deer and the vintage gold ball you gave me? Kary, you know i love my Elvis ornament. Rhianne, you can just barely make out the cowboy boot you gave me last year-- the top is peeking out at the top left. The heart and candy cane is from my bestie M. Lauren sent me the hot air balloon and exactly a year ago today, Amanda sent me the ornament she made of my most favorite kiss. All of these are so special to me}

&

My little seester made us Maxhams matching pom pom hats. Felix couldn't wait to model hers for Auntie Maddie. Look at that hand behind her head! Gosh, i can not get enough of my little poser.


Happy December 1st Lovies! 

Ornament Swap check-in.

Hello Lovies! For those in the swap, i hope you've had fun shopping for the perfect ornament for your partner {i know i have!}. Today's the date i set aside as when your ornaments should be in the post. We all know life gets busy so if you're running behind i'm sure your partner wouldn't mind if you let them know. 

I can't wait to see all the beautiful ornaments exchanged this year. As they come in, don't forget to email me a photo along with your social media link. I just love showcasing them on my dolce vita!

Happy Ornament Mailing Day xo

(love the vintage ornaments i found on mine and Felix's last thrifting adventure. Twinkie deers remind me of Marianne & me)

Ornament Exchangers : Check your Inbox!

photo via

Thanks to Felix taking a long nap in her swing (hurray!), i managed to email everyone signed up for this year's Ornament Swap.

If you signed up and for some reason don't have an email from me, please email me and i'll get it sorted, promise.

I'm so excited for this and hope you are as well! Don't forget to take photos of your ornaments so I can showcase them, one of my favorite posts to share.


Thank-you for playing along and happy ornament shopping!

xoxo

Only 4 more days to join in the Ornament Swap!

Maybe it's too soon to be in Christmas mode but Thanksgiving is around the corner and if you're like my family-- the Christmas tree goes up soon after (um maybe even Thanksgiving night). 

If you haven't join this year's Ornament Exchange, you have until November 12th. 

DETAILS HERE. We'd love to have you!

This year i'll be hanging my ornaments from my past swap partners :  Kaileen, my very 1st swap partner in 2009 (the first exchange was round robin style so i sent ornaments to Erin. I met her through this swap and i honestly can't imagine my life without her friendship), Erin of c'est la vie in 2010, and last year from Bianca and Lauren. 

Every year has been so much fun and this year, i hope you join in. I think ornaments are special memories and it's a swap you can actually use no matter what you get. 

*special thank-you to everyone who's spread the word xo

(pin-up girl ornament from 12LegsCuriosities // 1950s glass ball ornaments from simplychi)

Ornament Swap!

Lovies, it's that time of year again...

I can't believe it's my 4th year hosting an ornament exchange on my dolce vita. I look forward to this swap all year-- I've met my favorite girls through it. Getting to spread Christmas joy while connecting with another blogger is my favorite.

to join:

*email me, micaela.maxhamATgmail.com with subject line : ORNAMENT SWAP

*include your postal address + blog link. If you don't have a blog, you must include your instagram, etsy shop, or fb page please. (also indicate if you can't send overseas)

*cut off date is Nov. 12th  i'll try and get everyone partnered by Nov. 15th // ornaments will be mailed out by Nov. 29th

*ornaments can be bought/vintage/hand-made... whatever you fancy but $10 is the max spend amount because i know it's about to get crazy with holiday shopping. PLEASE put some thought into your ornament--check out your partner's blog/links and see what their style is etc.

*DO include a Christmas card for your person. Tell them about your favorite Christmas quote, song, family tradition, or why you chose the ornament for them.

Have fun with this! snap a photo of your ornament sent/received so we can share them on our blogs (i love the actual exchanges and showcase them).

pic : such pretty things

feel free to use the button on my sidebar lovies. i hope you'll join-- the more, the merrier xo 

happy things with which to end the week.

♥ right now as i type this, it's 1:53 a.m.  Lately my sleep schedule has been off (i think Felix is trying to prepare me for our nights together) earlier this week at 4 a.m. i rearranged our art wall in the living room when i couldn't sleep.

♥ sleepless in El Paso also means etsy dream shopping. 

twinkie bought us the pair of vintage gold fawn on white sippy cups! i think i'll use one for cotton balls in the nursery and the other one i'm saving for her to use when she's a tot.

♥ i don't mind the insomnia when my baby girl is the reason (especially those adorable toes pressing against my ribs-- ugh!) these were from our check up last Friday. Will you look at that kissy profile? so in love.

♥ Erin found this  newspaper article on Robbie Williams tucked away in her suitcase. It's from her trip to London summer of 2010 -- she realized she had never sent it to me and included it in her last letter. Better than finding a $1 bill in a jean pocket i say! ;)

♥ Ornaments at the craft store reminded me that my blog's FOURTH annual ornament swap is just around the corner. I've met some of my favorite friendships through hosting this swap.

♥ i am so blessed by amazing friendships, that of course i can't end a week without sharing sweet gifts for our baby girl. Manny gave Felix her first Harajuku dress (he's always loved Gwen Stefani so it makes his gift even sweeter). Miranda, a girlfriend i've known since Junior High, made the storybook F while her daughter made my daughter the teeny bracelet that matches the pacifier holder that also has her name in blocks. 

i just love handmade! like the newborn size teddy and card my pilates buddy Sarah gave us. 

♥ this photo of baby us, how my parents always said twinkie needed to be close to me (true story: Marianne even followed me to my kindergarten class, hoping my teacher wouldn't notice). How i wish i had her close to me now--especially now--instead of on the other side of Texas.

Happy Friday Lovies! what happy things are you ending the week with?

+please leave a link below if you do post-- i'd love to share in your happiness xo

Ornament Swap Showcase!

yesterday i showed you the ornaments i sent and received and today i can't wait to show you what you lovies exchanged in our third annual ornament swap.

To Dawn / From Mary

To Erin / From Lauryn

To Polly / From Marianne

To Elisha / From Alycia

To Carin / From Hannah

To Mary / From Dawn

To Kary / From Phoenix 

(Phoenix is really crafty-- i mean look at the ornament she made Kary of her cute son Miguelito!)

they both spoiled each other. i love it!

To Phoenix / From Kary + Miguelito

To Erin / From Elise

To Madeline (my little seester who always participates) / From Antonella

To Antonella / From Madeline

my Momma also participates :) these are the ones she sent Karina

To My Momma / From Karina (love the elvis and the NYC ones)

To Elisse / From Erin

To Karleen / From Jenn

To Marianne / From Polly

To Nan / From Athanasia

To Carrie / From Sara

To Jaimie / From Jess

To Jess / From Jaimie

To Ginna / From Amanda

my little sister Madeline also swapped with M's daughter Kenzie

To Kenzie / From Maddie

To Maddie / From Kenzie

THANK YOU to everyone who played along and sent photographs xo

if you didn't get a chance to send a photo but blogged about it, please comment with your link because i'd love to check it out! {thank-you!} it makes me smile that through my little ornament swap we shared christmas cheer and will always have a sweet memory of it. 

i love hosting this swap and already can't wait to do it again next year! x