Cara Box Reveal

I signed up for my second Cara Box back in September and now it is time for the reveal!  I was paired up with Jessy from The Artsy Cajun, who I sent to, and Mandee from Life, Chaos and Quotes, who sent to me.  This time the exchange was spread out over a few months so that we could get to know each other better.  I definitely think I am going to like the quarterly exchange vs. monthly exchange better because it doesn't seem so rushed.  I really love reading blogs and I feel like I have made 2 new friends.

This exchange's theme was fall.  I have decided that I really, really like fall so this was a perfect theme for me -- so on to the box! 

First, Mandee sent a sweet note with this cute squirrel on the outside of the envelope.

Next were these handmade Halloween picture frames.  I think my favorite is the candy corn one, what do you guys think? 

How cute is this stuffed turkey?  I really like fall decorations so this was perfect.

 Next was this awesome bottle of nail polish.  I rarely go without paint on my toe nails and this is a perfect fall/winter color that I don't already have.

 She also included a candle and some hand sanitizer from B&BW.  I told her that I love anything pumpkin or apple so these were right up my alley.  What she didn't know is that I always have "germ juice" in my purse/diaper bag - so we will all get to use this :)

 Last was the notepad with a "K" and the Seed of Happiness. The notepad is a great addition to my desk at work.  The seed of happiness was my most favorite thing in the entire box.  It is a left over lump of clay made into a little smile.  They are made to give to people who are going through hard times and need a little smile.  Mandee's box showed up just a couple of days after my Dad died and this thoughtful gift brought a tear to my eye.  It was just what I needed.

Thank you Mandee for this awesome box of goodies.  I loved it all and I appreciate you thinking of things that I would like.  If you are interested, you can see what I sent Jessy over at her blog The Artsy Cajun.

Cara Box Exchange

One of my past times is reading other people's blogs.  I have been reading Kaitlyn's blog (Wifessionals) for sometime now and she does a monthly gift exchange among bloggers called the Cara Box Exchange.  I ventured out on a limb this month and decided to participate!

How it works is you get paired up with 2 other bloggers across the nation.  One you send to and one you receive a gift from.  This month I was paired up with Hannah and Lindsay and the theme was "Sail Away with Me (Nautical)".  We spent the past few weeks reading each other's blogs and exchanging emails getting to know each other.

I sent to Hannah who blogs over at Colorado Confessions. You can check out what I sent her here.

Lindsay, from Nickel City Pretty, sent me my Cara Box this month and it arrived last night!  I found the Nautical theme kind of hard so I was eager to see what she came up with.

First things first, I love that she took the time to decorate the box to go with the theme.  I would never have thought to do that.  Luke and Ben loved seeing the art, too!

 

When I opened the box this is what I saw.  She individually wrapped each gift with ribbons in nautical colors and included a nice card.  One thing that I noticed right away was that she included a gift for both Luke and Ben!  This really meant a lot that she would take the time to include my little guys in on the fun.

 

 

I didn't waste much time before I got to opening my presents.  It was like a birthday in July!  Lindsay really had her work cut out for her buying for me.  I don't share a ton about myself here on the blog so she didn't have a ton to work with (sorry, Lindsay).  She asked me a few generic questions and voila- she did GREAT!  She bought me some of my favorite items and didn't even know it!

 

The first things I opened were the cup and the scarf.  I really LOVE these types of cups.  If I am at home they are my cup of choice.  I like to drink my water out of them all day long.  Best thing is that it was pink, my favorite color!  Next, the scarf.  This one is perfect for me.  It is pink and yellow, light weight, and simple.  I love it!

Next, I opened the flip flops.  Who doesn't love a good pair of flip flops??  These are cute and definitely go with the nautical them with the little anchors.  What Lindsay didn't know is that I when I am not in my tennis shoes for work I am in flip flops the rest of the time.  In Texas we can wear flip flops 75% of the year!  These are great and I can't wait to wear them.

 

Last, I opened the eos lip balm and earrings.  Again, Lindsay picked out one of my favorites and didn't even know it!  I love these little egg shaped lip balms and keep one in my purse at all times.  She sent the summer fruit kind and this is one that I don't have!  Finally, the little starfish earrings.  I am not a huge accessory person given I wear scrubs 5 out of 7 days of the week.  I told her I like simple jewelry and I love these earrings!  They are both simple and cute.  I think I will wear them today!

Now onto the boys!  They loved that Mrs. Lindsay sent them each a present.  Luke was so excited that I am pretty sure he took the ribbon in the car with him this morning to Grandma's house!  She sent them both a nautical themed shirt.  Luke's was a headless pirate and Ben's was striped with a boat on it.  I didn't get pictures of them actually opening the gifts, but here they are showing them off (they were pretty pumped I let them stand in their chairs).

Thank you Lindsay for your thoughtful gifts.  I loved each item and I especially love that you included my boys in on the fun!

Please go check out both Hannah's and Lindsay's blogs today!  This was a fun activity and I think I will participate again in the future!