Thursday, September 10, 2009

for me? (and a giveaway!)

LinkIllustration by Racey Helps

Today I am feeling a bit like this lucky little hedgehog because two parcels just arrived in the mail and I have a third I have been waiting to share.

• • • • •

The first is from my sister Betsy. I keep trying to convince her to start a blog. Betsy finds THE GREATEST shops, introduced me to dècor magazines and like me, GASPs uncontrollably at pretty little things.



Betsy lives in NJ and we take turns sending each other cards and little presents.


Click to enlarge for detail

GASP! Betsy's enclosed prediction was correct: I LOVE this! It is painted in the softest shades with some metal showing through and just glittered all over. It's perfect.

• • • • •

Next is an Etsy purchase I made from Tami at Pink Butter Creme. Tami's blog and shops are sooooo pretty. I bought some of her hand-painted and glittered cupcake picks.



Look at her packaging! Cellophane + ribbon + millinery flowers =
S W O O N



Even a little wrapped thank-you magnet. What is better than that? I find that most online sellers, including myself, really strive to make every purchase feel like a present.

• • • • •

And finally, my sweetie pie friend Sharon over at My Life at Pansy Cottage & Garden and I decided to send each other some little gifts ... just because. Here is what I received from Sharon:




LOVE this!


Even cookies!



And one of Sharon's adorable aprons. I love the coordinating fabrics and small pocket, and the colors make me think of Baskin-Robbins!



It's not too late to enter Sharon's apron giveaway so hop on over to her blog and this could be you ...



but with a reversable apron.

xo

38 comments:

Pansy Cottage Girl said...

You are the sweetest friend ever, Tinker. And to think we became friends because of blogging!I love your blog, it is so pretty and inspiring. And besides that you are a great writer! Kudos to you dear friend.
Hugs,
Popcorn

Sweet Cottage Dreams said...

What charming little gifts and purchases!! You are a sweetie!!

LOL about meeting someone at Curves that looks like me. ha. ...poor thang!

sending a smile your way,
becky

LiLi M. said...

Is there anything better than a sweet package brought by your door step? It always makes my day. You had your well deserved share today! Love what your sister made you, what a great tradition and your purchase as well. Hope that tomorrow will be such a nice day too!

Anonymous said...

This post is full of the most yummy colors! Lucky girl! ♥

Cottage In The Sun said...

What wonderful goodies - I have some of my own from pinkbuttercreme - yummy!!

Claudia said...

Oooh! You just received some wonderful treats! And you deserve them! Don't little presents just make your day?

xoxo
Claudia

Lori said...

what wonderful goodies you got in your mail Elyse...it looks like everyone knows very well what will make you *GASP*...it's all so cute...and very "cottage"

debi said...

You Are a lucky little hedgehog! hehe Look at all those pretties!
Thanks for the links to such beautiful shops. I'm swooning here!

Carrie @ Cottage Cozy said...

What lovely gifts to receive, Elyse! So girlie and wonderful! Thanks for the tip on the apron giveaway too...what a simply adorable apron! Love her blog too...

Stay Cozy, Carrie

Let us know when your sister decides to join the "club"...lol

Unknown said...

Hi Elyse!! I love this post!! First of all, that image is darling!! I love woodland images like that!!! So cute!

The gift from your sister is just beautiful. I love it! Do you know who the artist was?

Dont you just love Pink Buttercream? I have her stuff all over the house and I just love it. Super sweet and pretty :)

LOVE the parcel from Pansy Cottage too!!! Such pretty and sweet goodies, the aprong is wonderful!!

It was so funny how you mentioned Sam from iCarly. The boys talk about him like he lives here, lol! They will come up to Chad or me and say, "do you know what Sam said today? Like we are into it too, lol! Oh well, we pretend, lol!!!

Love ya sweetie,
Amy

Tami @ Creative girl Vintage said...

Elyse, thank you so much for that lovely post. I am so happy you love your little cupcake picks.
I swoon over your blog!!!
You are just the sweetest!!!
Many Hugs..Tami @ pinkbuttercreme

Karen said...

OH MY GOSH! GASP! (mouth hanging open!)
How fun is all of that?!!!!!!!
As my friend Joy would say "How stinkin' cute is that?"
I'll do a swap with you any day of the week Girl!!!!
Very fun!
Karen - Some Days Are Diamonds

Lisa said...

What a great day! You got the best stuff! I just visited Sharon and I'm off to see Tami!
Hugs, Lisa

koralee said...

I can see why you are one happy gal today...everything is so pretty...enjoy all your treasures!

{oc cottage} said...

Aye madresita!!!! Those spools! YUM!
Glad you finally divulged the goods...you were killing me, Smalls!

m ^..^

Unknown said...

Your gifts and goodies are so sweet and pretty! What generosity from people who love you! Your Etsy purchase is so cute, too! I love it when an artist packages things so nicely. It makes you feel like you are getting a gift instead of just made a purchase! LOL!

I am hopping over to your friend's blog right now.

You are right, your sister SHOULD start blogging! She has fun and cute taste! :)

~TattingChic ♥

Terri said...

Oh I love all of your goodies! Have a beautiful day. Terri

Lisa said...

Love all your goodies,Elyse! The little cupcake pics are adorable and I can tell by her sweet happy that your sister knows you sooo well!:)

The imPerfect Housewife said...

Oh, I SO hope my girls have the kind of relationship that you and your sister do ~ that is sooooo special! And, as one of your "buyers", I will attest to the fact that you absolutely DID make my purchase feel like a present! I keep eyeing that birdhouse decoration (can you hear it calling my name??). I need to get a move on that one ~ Take care, girl ♥

Amy C said...

so sweet, I love those spools of beautiful ribbon, and I love how you treasure all of your lovely things and always make such beautiful posts.
Love the little animals print too.

Rose Brier Studio said...

How sweet that you and your sister send gifts back and forth. I love the pink spools and pretty ribbons on them.

Thanks so much for the help publicizing my shop, love the design!
~Marilee

Barbara Jacksier said...

What a week of beauty. I love all of your goodies but the little teapot especially.

Rebecca @ Belle Blog said...

Hi Elyse,
wow!! what a great day you've had filled with such pretty things. yes, your sister should start a blog. it is so much fun, and you meet the nicest, sweetest people.
♥ Rebecca
p.s. have a fun filled weekend!!

Duchess of Tea said...

Darling, have a lovely weekend.

Love, Hugs & Tea
Duchess ♥♥♥

Anonymous said...

The ornament your sister made is glittery and very pretty! Very very pretty I should say. And those cupcake picks - how cute are they.

Enjoyed looking through all the cuteness in your package :-)

Anonymous said...

Such sweet gifts! What a nice way to spend your week - opening goodies!

:)S

Cape Cod Rambling Rose said...

Thank you for visiting my blog via Marilee at Rose Brier Cottage! You have a lovely blog and I see we have many of the same favorite blogs. Love the gifties you received - the apron is gorgeous!

Ana~A Petite Cottage said...

Oh Elyse,
What a lucky girl you are to have such a wonderful sister and friends. All your gifts are so lovely. And how cute are those cupcake picks you bought! Have a wonderful weekend.

Blessings and a Smile,
♥Ana

Relyn Lawson said...

WOW!! What a lot of goodies. I loved catching glimpses and so appreciate all the lovely links. That's one of my favorite things: all the new discoveries and new friends. Hello, friend.

Candy said...

What fun little packages of goodies. Thanks for the heads up on the apron giveaway (heading over right now!)
Any gal is lucky to have guests arriving with love. Cheers ;-)

Relyn Lawson said...

Elyse,

My daughter had an absolute fit over the illustrations you posted. Our library doesn't have anything by Racey Help so we spent a while tracking him down. We found a few books that are affordable enough to take the risk of buying sight-unseen and unread. Sloane says that she is sure the illustrations would be worth the price of the book. I'm inclined to agree with her.

We are trying to teach her how to be responsible with money, so she has a monthly book budget. She really wants a Racey Helps book. Can you help us out and tell us what book that first image comes from? We sure would appreciate it. Thanks.

Happy weekend.

icandy... said...

Certainly, sweet Elyse~ take the idea and run with it! :)! Why, doesn't everyone need a little birdie princess!!?? *teehee* :)
Have a wonderful weekend!
Christina

Teena Vallerine said...

Oh my what a lot of postal treasure! Love those hedgehog pictures too! t.x

Renee said...

You have a wonderful blog.

I am a fellow gasper.

Renee xoxo

Maryjane-The Beehive Cottage said...

Sweetness is in the air! Such pretties and all for you! I love Tami's things! I have the snowman that she has under "Winter". I leave it out all year! Aren't sisters the best! And the apron from Sharon is adorable!

Have a sweet day!

Love,
Maryjane
xox

beachvintage.com said...

I love those cupcake toppers. So very cute indeed.

Heather ~Pretty Petals said...

what sweet gifts from your friends! that is always enough to make a girls heart happy. ;)))

xoxo Heather

Sonia said...

Yes, you are one lucky hedgehog. I love all the pretty stuff you just received. Its like Christmas all over again... Love the mini pie dish ornament...
Hugs!!
Sonia