:: Package Pals ::

How good are blog swaps? I love signing up for them. There's the excitement of finding out who your partner is, and the fun of putting together the perfect package to send them. A little while ago I participated in Shannah's Package Pals Swap. This swap had no theme, instead we had to read our partners blog and figure out the perfect thing to send them. And, the best part was that my partner didn't know I was sending to them, just as I didn't know who was sending to me!

:: What I Received ::

The amazing stash above was put together for me by Emily from little dancing bears. Perfect right? Green sunglasses, stationery, stickers, gift tags, bows, fingerless gloves (very handy in this chilly weather we've been having, thank you!) - oh me, oh my! I was VERY spoilt! Thank you so much, Emily!

:: What I Sent ::

I sent the above to the gorgeous Sabrina of The Year the Pumpkins Arrived Late. I spent some time scouring her blog for some ideas and I found a very helpful '101 in 1001' post. I decided to theme a few of my gifts around helping her achieve a few of the 101 things on her list - send a message in a bottle (or three!), learn to knit, and finish a colouring in book. Sabrina is also a huge Diet Coke fan, so I sent her some Coke Lip Smackers (as close to Diet Coke as I could find), and she is also a fabulous pen pal, so I sent her some pretty pens, washi tape, and stickers. I also sent her some postcards (not pictured). You can read Sabrina's post about what I sent her here!

Thank you for putting such a fun swap together, Shannah!

:: Happy Mail Project - About Me ::

Last month I signed up for an 'About Me' swap, hosted by Gracie's Happy Mail Project. I love being a part of the Happy Mail Project - it means fun mail is always filling my mail box! I was partnered up with Alyssa, and couldn't wait to read all about her in her journal :)

Here is what a snippet of what I sent Alyssa:

And here is a peak at what Alyssa sent me:

Alyssa used water colour to decorate her journal which made it super cute and creative! I am also in love with the pretty papers and bits of bling she included in her package. We are also pen pals now, so I am a lucky girl!

Speaking of stationery-related things, don't forget to enter my giveaway!

:: Pamper Swap ::

A little while ago the lovely April from april, maybe hosted a swap with an awesome theme - pamper. And really, who doesn't like to be pampered? Obviously, I signed up immediately! One of the things I loved about this swap was that April made sure the person sending you your package was a surprise.

I was given the crafty Hannah to send my pamper package to. Unfortunately, her blog is down right now, otherwise I'd show you the post where she wrote about what I sent her. Instead, I'll show you pictures! Be warned, there are a few - I was testing out my new lens!

A cute little Olga Berg coin purse.

Hand-made soap and hot oil for her hair.

Mineral eye shadow and red lip gloss.

Earrings from Gracie's etsy shop and a bejewelled bracelet.

A Mimco hair tie (I adore these. I have three - pink, grey and white!).

"You can't help but love a lady who is not afraid to do nanna craft". Hannah loves to crochet, which I think is so cool!

This past week I've been a bit under the weather and while I was wallowing in my own self-pity guess what arrived at my door! My pamper package from the wonderful Lauryn of laureality! Perfect timing!

Lovely, lovely! A chocolate face masque, sweet mint lip balm, bamboo nail files, a pineapple orchid candle, and a wonderful package full of body products!

The lip gloss is 100% natural and 95% organic - gotta love that!

I love the floral card she included too, and even though the candle melted a teeny bit the smell is AMAZING! I love coming home and smelling the sweet smell wafting down the hall.

Earth-friendly body wash, body lotion, hand cream and body mist! Yes please!

Thank you so much Lauryn! I love my gift! And thank you to April for organising it all!

What's your favourite way to pamper yourself? I love taking time out to have a bit of 'me' time. I love trying out new eye shadow, getting a facial, or slathering myself in delicious smelling body lotion. Mmm!

:: Happy Mail Project - My Life in Lists ::

I love snail mail. I love blog swaps. I love lists. And I also love Micaela and her adorable blog. So, when I was paired up with Micaela for a 'My Life in Lists' swap I was super excited.

I filled out the pages of a journal with my lists! Here are a few of the things I put in the journal.

My favourite quotes.

My stationery must-haves.

My favourite sweet recipes.

My Summer 'To Do' list.

Things I Hope to Achieve in the Next Five Years.

Celebrity crushes!

And here's what Micaela sent me!

A playlist of her life. A lot of my favourite artists are on this CD. I'm looking forward to discovering some new favourite artists too!

Cute lists on the back of cute postcards!

Favourite books written on a book page. So creative!

A cute magnetic list pad which now sits on my fridge!

Micaela spoiled me with such an adorable package. I read each list and the letter she wrote about a hundred times! Thank you so much, Micaela!

In other news, I've been trying out a lens Mr LG gave me a little while ago. The photos of Micaela's package were taken with it. What do you think? I love the way my candelabra shimmers in the background of those photos!