exchanges: All Things Bright and Beautiful.

i love written letters. sharing thoughts/dreams/confessions with a pen.

Gemma of "All Things Bright & Beautiful" (which just describes her really, she's G-O-R-G-E-O-U-S. Twiggy meets Marilyn & a dash of warhol and zest) shared this post, saying she for sure loved hand written letters, believing that the best things in life aren't things. I was touched she felt joining my ornament swap would be a means of spreading this beautiful belief.

i picked up a pen... and wrote her, sharing a time in my life where i moved in with a gf after a bad break-up and for a while, drank wine by candlelight on my "mattress island." A mattress in the middle of a near empty room in a new house.

in her post about it, she mentioned that her appreciation would be shown very soon. I thought her thank-you email was more than enough.



Yesterday evening, her unexpected package found it's way across the ocean straight to Casa Di M. Opening a letter is like being invited into a new world.

an original etching. isn't the minnie button book charming??? inside she shared a quote her mum believes in.

when the parcel opened:

and the answer to your expression dear Gemma? YES! absolutely.

thank-you, thank-you, thank-you!!!! x10

dear lovies, i have been absolutely blessed and touched by the sweet outpours of this wonderful blogging world. A Christmas card from Gracie (as if the bride-to-be isn't busy planning ever after) and tonight after a stressful week and never-ending working my ornament exchange/Pay It Forward surprise came in from my friend Kaileen of Kalieen Elise. LOVE LOVE LOVE. love this blogging community. + (i am seriously feeling spoiled) an unexpected kindness from another ornament exchange participant, wendy weagle.

(i hope you don't mind me sharing those soon?)

so YES. YES YES YES, having a blog is great!

and to you reading these musings of mine,

thank-you. i'm so glad we're friends.

xo

a free moment finally to wish you TGIF!!!

i have been SO busy this week. i just got back from a fundraiser we do every year at work for families who otherwise can't afford a "basic" Christmas. Shortly after starting my job last year, i was asked to be part of the committee. i was honored.

We plan for this event months in advance and today was AWESOME. Wanna hear what our fundraiser is? I just told Max about it and he laughed. It's called our Annual NASTRIKE and basically what it is is adults racing on customized tricycles. (and most go all out) It's a lot of fun, a feeling of connecting, and being involved; all for a good cause. i was a judge and handed awards at the end.

this pic uploaded too small for some reason, but just check out my boots. i am in love with them my {nearly} knee-high boots.

i wear them over my jeans and i feel like the picture below.

this is my wish for your weekend... that you feel like this. xo

Benevolent Postcard: December 2009

Thank-you Diana for being the fabulous photographer/friend that you are. I was delighted to use one of your notecards for my December BPS mailing. I hope she loves the image as much as i do.

serious thinking should be done by candlelight only.

“I hold this to be the highest task for a bond between two people: that each protects the solitude of the other.”

-Rainer Maria Rilke

Ornament Exchangers please don't stress!

Darlings, i (and your swap person) know that life can get busy. it's life. Right now i'm over my head busy at work and hope you sweet friends don't think i've forsaken your blogs. Not at all. In fact, I can't wait and catch up on your lives.

So no worries if you didn't get your ornaments in the mail on mailing day (yesterday)... just promise that it's soon? {i'm smiling at you as i say that} you girls are lovely!!! and i know your person will LOVE their thoughtful ornament whenever they do get it.

if you're going to be really late, just shoot me an email please or reach out to your person directly. i can tell you that each and every person who signed up are full of kindness. so please do not stress lovies!!!


and not that this is related... BUT! i was terribly excited to wear my pink rain boots this morning! i had my co-worker take this picture of them to send to my meteorologist boyfriend. He delivers the weather for a living, i figured he would be proud of his fancy girlfriend for being weather prepared. {wink}

i really love my pink rain boots.

(top pic via my ink pen)

Announcing the winner of my Appreciation Giveaway!!!!

*read the details here.

You can read about Jackie on her blog "Exposed Brick."

Happy Ornament Mailing Day!

Happy December 1st lovies!!! Can you believe December is already here? the year is flying by! Not only is it 24 days til Christmas, but it's also the day i set aside as when your ornaments should be in the post. I wanted your swap partners to have some time to hang the ornament you chose for them on their Christmas tree this year. (how special is that for all of you participating? i love the idea!)

so this is just your friendly reminder. I can't wait to see all of the ornaments you get! send me pictures please? micaela.lechugaATgmail.com or a link to your blog post about it. and again, THANK YOU with all my heart for joining my ornament exchange. You are just lovely.

my little sister Maddie is joining in on the fun (she was SUCH a big help organizing this with me) and sent me this picture last night of her ornament to be sent off to Scotland. Isn't it gorgeous?


later today, i will announce the winner of my appreciation giveaway. Maddie chose a number using a random generator on Excel. what would i do without my CPA seester?

happy mailing lovies!

(pic 1 via this Flickr)