Thanksgiving recap & blog swap reveal!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday! Mine was great. I got to spend time with Geof, my family and even did some Christmas shopping.

Wednesday, Geof and I went out on a date night to see Breaking Dawn and then went to dinner at a newish Mexican place called Dos Gringos. It was perfection!


Ready for date night!


Movie + Mexican = Perfection

Thanksgiving was spent at my aunt & uncle’s with the family and Friday we did some Black Friday shopping in Delaware. We scored some great deals! The rest of the weekend consisted of skating, relaxing, more shopping and a little work.


Thanksgiving at my aunt & uncle's

To keep with the theme of the Plenty To Be THANKful For Challenge, here is Day 9: I’m THANKful For Thanksgiving! (Post a picture of your table… if you have time!)


3 large tables for Thanksgiving this year

Day 10 I’m THANKful for Black Friday and Leftovers!


Doing Black Friday shopping in Delaware was definitely something to be THANKful for since we not only got some things on sale, we didn’t have to pay sales tax!

Last but not least is the Plenty To Be THANKful For Blog Swap Reveal!


Look how pretty she wrapped everything!


Love all my new swap goodies!

I was partnered with Stephanie from Life’s Lyrics and to say she spoiled me would be an understatement. She sensed my love for nail polish right away and even got me a shade that was on my Christmas wish list (Rainbow Connection from OPI). She also sent me some other beauty goodies and a gorgeous Christmas ornament along with a gift card for Starbucks!

We connected right away and it turns out, we have a ton in common from our favorite color to our taste in music. That’s why I love swaps, because it’s always nice to meet other great bloggers. Please pay her blog a visit. She’s wonderful!



Thank you to all the ladies that took the time to organize this challenge and swap. Putting the posts together has been a blast and also given me the opportunity to reflect on the things that I’m most thankful for this season. I’ve also “met” some really nice ladies. I’m thankful for you all!

I'm THANKful for My Hometown!

It’s Day 3 of the Plenty To Be Thankful For Blog Challenge & Swap.


Today’s topic is My Hometown!

I’ve lived in my hometown, just outside of Philadelphia for most of my life. Living in this area, there is plenty to be THANKful for like…

Sporting and Entertainment Venues

Citizens Bank Park, Lincoln Financial Field and the Wells Fargo Center are so easy to get to for games and concerts. Citizens Bank Park is also a beautiful ballpark and pretty amazing to watch a game in.

Airport

This may sound silly, but it’s very nice living so close to an International Airport

Culture

Philadelphia is such a historic city. Sometimes I take for granted how many opportunities are right in my backyard. I need to start being more of a tourist in my own city

NJ & DE

I can get to either of these states in a jiffy. It’s a nice convenience when looking for a change of scenery. It’s also easy to get to NY & MD if I want (another thing I need to take advantage of).

City/Country Balance



There’s a nice contrast between the city and suburbs. If you’re looking for trendy restaurants, unique stores and eclectic bars – you have the city. If you’re looking small vineyards, mom and pop shops and the great outdoors – there’s the county.

California Dreamin’

The best thing about blogging is the relationships formed from it. Leeann at Join The Gossip is someone I originally connected with over our taste in music and have grown close to ever since. Though we live on opposite coasts, I consider her my friend and know the day will come that we’re actually able to meet in person. Her blog is one of my favorites and she is truly an awesome person.

This brings me to a swap we decided to do. Since we’ve never been to each others hometowns, we decided to bring a little of that to each other and did a city swap. It was so fun shopping my own city to get a package together for her and receiving fun souvenirs in return from L.A.

Here is what I got:
Pretty postcard of the L.A. skyline with a nice note on the back
Hollywood magnet
Hollywood mints called “Hollywood Hottie Cinnamints”
Hollywood star keychain
California book that has the cities and sights that are a must-see. There are some beautiful photos in it and I look forward to reading the whole thing.
Hollywood mug that’s super cute. I’ll be enjoying many large cups of coffee out of it!
Mix CD that was so creative. It’s easy to forget how many songs are about California until you see them all together. This will be a perfect driving mix!

Track listing:
1. Just A Girl – No Doubt
2. The River – Good Charlotte
3. California Gurls – Katy Perry
4. Party in the USA – Miley Cyrus
5. California – Phantom Planet (this song reminds me of The O.C…loved that show!)
6. All I Wanna Do – Sheryl Crow
7. Hotel California – The Eagles
8. Corona & Lime – Shwayze
9. Free Falling – John Mayer
10. Wake Up – Hillary Duff
11. California Love – 2Pac & Dr. Dre
12. Going Back To Cali – Biggie
13. Beverly Hills – Weezer
14. California Dreamin’ – The Mamas and The Papas
15. Santa Monica – Everclear
16. Californicaton – Red Hot Chili Peppers
17. Hollywood Nights – Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band
18. Walking in L.A. – Missing Persons
19. California Sun – The Ramones

Thank you, Leeann! This was so much fun. If you want to see what I sent, click here.

Summer swap package!

The wonderful Angela over at Sweet Tea Diaries hosted a summer themed swap. Since this is one of my favorite seasons, I had to get in on it.

I was paired with the lovely Yours Truly. My package arrived last Thursday and boy did she spoil me! Here are some photos of my goodies!


Box of fun!


Wrapped up all cute in a pink/white tote

Goodies included: beach towel, dish towels, flip flop tumblers, strawberry lemonade mix, lip balm, cotton lotion, bubble gum, notepad, napkins, magnet with a wonderful Irish saying, "J" koozie and wine tote

Some great home decor magazines and a lovely card

Thank you Yours Truly for everything and Angela for hosting the swap!

Lemonade Award & A Swap!

Thank you to The Gifting Gumshoe who was so sweet to present to me the Lemonade Award! I hope you know that I appreciate it very much. If you have not paid this nice lady a visit, you must. She always has the best ideas for gifts to give and receive.

The Rules of Accepting and Sharing this Award:

1. Put the logo on your blog or post
2. Nominate at least 10 blogs that show an attitude of gratitude
3. Link to your nominees within your post
4. Comment on their blogs to let them know they've received this award
5. Share the love and link to this post and the person who nominated you for the award. Tell us how you've come to have an attitude of gratitude

I have come to have an attitude of gratitude for all the wonderful people I have “met” through blogging. All of you are so nice and the support I see in this community is overwhelming.

Ten Blogs that I nominate:

1. Polka Dot and Cupcakes
2. Just Another Day in Paradise
3. Nautical by Nature
4. All Things Southern & Preppy
5. Pink Julep
6. DC Prep
7. A Hokie & Wahoo
8. My Life in Pink and Green
9. Missy in Pink
10. Little Miss Michelle
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In other news, Angela over at Sweet Tea Diaries is hosting a fabulous swap! It is for all things summer related. You can get your favorite summer beauty products, flip flops, maybe a beach read...whatever you like and send it off as a surprise to another blogger. In return, you will get a wonderful package full of summer surprises too! It sounds like fun to me.

Pink Swap!

How fitting that I signed up to do a Pink Swap in honor of Valentine’s Day over at Monograms and Manicures. I’m very lucky to have had my swap partner be Preppy 101 over at All Things Southern & Preppy. Today I received my swap package and wanted to share all of the goodies I received:


My goodies ready to unwrap with a sweet card.


Chase really likes the box. I got a cute makeup bag with my name embroidered.


Adorable stationary and my first piece of Lilly ever. I love, love this coin purse!! Pink calendar with stand (this is going on my desk at work).


Cupcake tea towel, cappuccino mix and cute pink damask frame.

Thank you All Things Southern & Preppy for everything! This was such a fun swap and it has been great getting to know you.

Here are some the goodies I sent over to Preppy 101 for the swap!