Sometimes, it's better to give than to receive.

I'm the type of person who gives gifts or little tokens out of nowhere, for no apparent reason than to cheer you up or let you know that I thought about you. I definitely love receiving gifts but there's also a fulfillment you get from giving gifts, a kind of warm feeling that you get knowing that you probably made someone's day. Sometimes, all it takes is a little gesture...

A friend was recently bummed out so I thought of getting her that one item that was sure to cheer her up. It also gave me the opportunity to use one of my monogram tags that I received from my package exchange with Lyn. (Thank you again for the super cool tags, Lyn! I love them!) I've been waiting to catch up with her so she can get her little present. I hope that she will like it. You can check it out below:

Do you think it's better to give than to receive?

Package Received! Part 1

I received my package from the lovely Lyn of The Chronicles of Mrs. Claypool about a week ago. I'm always excited to receive packages so when I got it, I had to control myself and get the camera first. Opening the packages within the packages was so much fun! It was like a gift that kept on giving! The wrapping paper and the boxes were all so cute. The tiny flowers that adorned each gift were a nice touch too! I absolutely love everything in the package! Although it's hard to pick a favorite, I have to say that the monogram tag and stamp set will definitely get a lot of mileage! Since I like old school snail mail, I will be using them a lot, hopefully soon!

Thank you again for such a wonderful package, Lyn! Your thoughtfulness and creativity made my day! Thank you so very much...

Packages Sent!

I took some photos of my packages before sending them out to my package exchange partners. (The reason I do this is because I tend to forget easily plus I enjoy documenting with photos). My packages were a combination of handmade and store bought items. I also included some cards from my Etsy store. I sent my packages out in these really fun ebay boxes I got last year. Luckily, the lunch boxes fit so I was quite happy. You can take a peek at what I sent out to my partners below:

•  Hello Kitty tin lunch box
• Adam and Eve amigurumi apples
• Tucker for Target cardigan
• Squirrel plushie
• Crocheted floral brooch
• Flipflop keychain
• Bird card set
• Typography notebook
• Typography packing tape
• Pack of marigold seeds

• Hello Kitty tin lunch box
• Adam and Eve amigurumi apples
• Crocheted floral brooch
• Vintage butterfly brooch
• Flipflop keychain
• Bird card set
• Typography notebook
• Typography packing tape
• Pink floral "Dream" dog plushie 

I will be posting photos of the packages that I received tomorrow. They were a real treat to receive!

Have you guys received your packages yet?

A Confucius Kind of Day.

___________________________________________
Images cannot be used without my written permission.

© Copyright 2011 Pretty Dandy.

The Matchmaker.

I have spent most of the morning playing matchmaker. It was a role I have underestimated but it was definitely fun and interesting getting to know everyone. I certainly hope with all my heart that I did an acceptable job. I tried to accomodate any requests participants may have so I really hope everyone will be happy with their new friend!

If you have signed up for the Package Exchange Project, you should have received information about your partner already. I have sent out the emails this morning. (I sincerely apologize for the slight delay) If you are on the final list of participants but didn't get my email yet, please leave a comment below and I shall resend it immediately.

Just a couple of reminders:

• Packages should have at least 5 items.
• Packages should be sent out no later than September 5, 2011. Please feel free to send out your packages earlier, if you like! Should there be any delays, please inform your partner.
• If possible, please take photos of your packages to share with the group. It would be lovely to know what everyone got and I think it would be fun!

Once again, thank you to all who joined. Let the exchanging begin! :)

Closet Cleanup: Rodarte For Target.

I have been spending a lot of time sorting out and cleaning up my stuff lately. Being a obsessive compulsive shopper, it shouldn't come as a surprise that I have a TON of stuff but man, do I have a A LOT! I have amassed enough clothing to probably dress up an entire village! What's even more embarrassing is that a lot of them still have tags on or have barely been worn. And so I bring to you... Closet Cleanup!

Closet Cleanup will be a section in my blog dedicated solely for selling my stuff. Most fashion bloggers call it "Shop My Closet". Most of the items that I will be posting will be in new or gently used condition. I have seen quite a lot of fashion bloggers do this and I thought I might as well give it a try and give my neglected stuff a new and loving home. If you're interested in any of the items, just leave a comment specifying which item you want. Be sure to include your email address!

First up is a collection of Rodarte For Target items...

• Condition: New with tags
• Size: 9 or 13
• Asking Price: $25 with shipping within the U.S.A.

• Condition: New with tags
• Size: 9 or 11
• Asking Price: $25 with shipping within the U.S.A.

• Condition: New with tags
• Size: XL
• Asking Price: $35 with shipping within the U.S.A.

• Condition: New without tags but travel bag is still attached.
• Size: XS
• Asking Price: $35 with shipping within the U.S.A.

 

• Condition: New with tags
• Size: XS
• Asking Price: $27 with shipping within the U.S.A.

 

• Condition: New with tags
• Size: 3 or 5
• Asking Price: $25 with shipping within the U.S.A.

Final List of P.E.P. Participants.

As of August 20th, here's the final list of P.E.P. participants:

1. Vannesa T.
2. Mandy L.
3. Alexandra K.
4. Tisha K.
5. Nicola P.
6. Victoria T.
7. Kaitlyn P.
8. Pamela C.
9. Lauryn G.
10. Hannah N.
11. Julie T.
12. Barbora K.
13. Hayley J.
14. Peta D.
15. Boyd B.
16. Christina E.
17. Sheryl S.
18. Cat B.
19. Robin M.
20. Gayle H.
21. Vickie C.
22. Melissa B.
23. Laura Q.
24. Maartje V.
25. Erin D.
26. Rosalie G.
27. Nora C.
28. Jamie L.
29. Katie B.
30. Courtney K.
31. Ruth C.
32. Lyn D.
33. ME! :)

If you signed up and your name is not listed, please let me know by leaving a comment. Participants will receive information about their partners on Monday, Aug. 22. Thanks again, everyone! Let the shopping begin!

Outfit Post: Happy Camper.

After 10,000 years of not posting any outfits, lo and behold! An outfit post! Be warned. It's nothing special or fancy and I definitely wasn't feeling at all creative or dandy. I really just wanted to wear my new hi-rise retro flared jeans from Old Navy. They just arrived this afternoon and of course, I had to wear them immediately.

Since I gained weight, I've been looking for high waisted jeans. I'm so over skinny and low rise jeans! I'm tired of constantly making sure my backside is decently covered when I'm bending over. Plus, the sight of my gut sticking out like Winnie The Pooh is just plain gross (and unacceptable). These pair by Old Navy fit the bill! They suck me in and they give me an excuse to wear my flatforms which make me look taller and for that, I am a happy camper. :)

• Hat: Gap
• Hello Kitty Shirt: Old Navy
• Blazer: Old Navy
• Jeans: Old Navy
• Flatform Sandals: Joe's Jeans
• Pin: Vintage

Final Call!

Today's the last day to sign-up for the Package Exchange Project. For the first time, we are going international! I will update the final list and will post it tonight. As always, if you signed up, please check that your name is in the list. I'm so excited that I've already started collecting items for my package!

Below, you can see the package I sent out in the first Package Exchange Project I organized. The theme was "Old School". I had so much fun, I might recycle that theme for the next one! But for now, let's keep spreading the word. Today's the last day to sign-up for fun and excitement! :)

The Secret Garden.