Advent Calendar Swap Reveal!

It's time! It's time for the Advent Calendar Swap Reveal! Sarah from Notes from a Newlywed and I hosted an advent calendar swap. We had quite a few people participate, so I cannot wait to see what you all came up with!

I was partnered up with the fantastic Sue from  SOS Supply. This woman is hands-down one of the most CREATIVE women I've ever met. She's so sweet and kind and caring, and made the most beautiful advent calendar. It's currently hanging on the wall, and I keep having to try to get boyfriend to NOT eat all the chocolate. :) 

This is the package it arrived in. It was a little beat up, but hey, character! :)

How freakin' beautiful is that?! This will be an advent calendar I'll use for years and years and years. It's so beautifully made, the colors are gorgeous, and I just love it.

I have NO idea what this is, but I'm not allowed to open until the 25th AND it says do not squeeze me - whaaat?!

I got mini-ornaments, too! Way too cute.

I also got a gorgeous card. How pretty is that?!

Hands down the best swap I've ever participated in - I loved it.

Sue, thank you SO much for everything. You are an amazing woman and I am so happy to have been paired up with you. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

If you participated, go on ahead and link up below :)



Happy holidays, y'all!

4 Gifts Series - {WANT} & WINNER!

As you all know from reading, we're moving in 2 weeks (from yesterday!). Along with moving, we'll be finding a house, paying for my schooling, and everything else we need to pay for. We'll only be having one source of income at the moment, so we need to save ALL the money we can.
When Alyson wrote about how she was going to do a blog series called 4 Gifts, I bragged about it to Cody about how it was an AMAZING idea and it was so smart and makes total sense for the holidays. 
So, I asked Alyson if I could join and she said of course!
What this series is about is the types of presents you want, need, wear, and read. Each week, we'll be posting a list of things we want, need, wear, and read.
This week, it's want.
The idea is you choose something to fit under the following four categories:
Something I want Something I need Something I'll wear Something I'll read
If it's something smaller, then 2-3 gifts per category works, otherwise one large item per category. Not only does this stop you from buying EVERYTHING in the world, but it also helps you save money in the long run. So, Cody and I will be participating in this in our own family this year, too!
 Now I know I won't get everything I want, need, wear, and read, BUT this is just a general list :) I'm so excited for this! MY WANTS LIST:

Glittered tumbler

Keurig for the new house

Patio furniture for the new house

Laptop cooling fan

What do YOU want for the holidays? Anything specific? Oh, we also have the winner for the 31 Bag in my 500 follower giveaway!

Congrats, Sara! Check your e-mail :) There's still one more day to sign up for the ADVENT CALENDAR SWAP and one more day to enter the giveaways in the 500 Follower Giveaway! Click both pictures below to check them out:

Have a good day, y'all!

5 for Five - {Week 4} / Giveaway & Advent Calendar Swap

Yup. Another week of TOTAL failure. Things got so jumbled up and I've been spending all my time with Cody since he came home sooo NONE of my goals were accomplished from last week. Big, fat ZERO out of FIVE. This week, I will get ALL of my goals accomplished:

1. Call all schools to be removed from sub list.
Since I'm moving, I have to remove myself from the lists up here. This should be an EASY goal.

2. Get ALL assignments done for the one course.
I only have the final project & an extra credit assignment due for this class... I should be able to get it done in no time!

3. Finish my Teachers & Technology resource blog.
I have only 25 more blog posts to do for this class. This equates to 25 hours of work for this one assignment... shouldn't be too hard if I divide up my time correctly!

4. Finish my Inquiry lesson.
This isn't due until the 25th, but it's a BIG grade so I want to get it done early.

5. Guest post for Laura.
I've been telling Laura for WEEKS that I am going to guest post for her.. so, I'm going to write up a post this week by Friday! It's coming, Laura - I promise!

What are YOUR goals? How do you keep yourself on track? Let me know so I can do the same for myself!

Don't forget about the 500 Follower Giveaway AND the Advent Calendar Swap Sign-ups! Both things are closed on FRIDAY!!

Have a good day, y'all!

Advent Calendar Swap Sign-Ups!

Uh oh.. breaking bloggy rules today! BUT, I absolutely have a great excuse to be posting twice in one day.

Sarah from Notes from a Newlywed and I have partnered up to bring you all an ADVENT CALENDAR SWAP!

<div align="center"> <a href="http://missventrella.blogspot.com/2012/10/advent-calendar-swap-sign-ups.html" title="Advent Calendar Swap Button by ventrellasara, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8190/8141551302_e3d8a125c8_n.jpg" width="320" height="162" alt="Advent Calendar Swap Button"></a></div>

What's the swap all about? Well, let me tell ya! Sarah had the great idea to go forward with the Advent Calendar Swap and asked me to be the co-host. Of course I said yes because I absolutely LOVE the idea of making a hand-made advent calendar for another person to bring in the Christmas season! Here's the timeline we're shooting for for this swap:

October 31-November 9 {sign ups}
November 12 {partners assigned}
November 13-23 {get to know your partner & create the advent calendar!}
November 26 {mail day! mail out your calendar to your partner in time for December 1st}
December 17 {OPTIONAL link up here on the blogs!}

Below are some example advent calendars I found on Pinterest (yes, my addiction). I absolutely love each and every one and think they're all SO creative.

Tin Can advent calendar

Candy Wrapper advent calendar for each day!

Christmas Advent Calendar Cookie Sheet

Variety of Handmade Advent Calendar ideas

The possibilities for this are ENDLESS!

If you are interested in joining in the swap, and I hope that you are, please fill out the form below. Sarah & I are so happy to be able to bring this swap to you and we hope it has a great turn out!

ALSO: If you sign up, please make sure to go to my giveaway page by clicking the button on the bottom of this post and go to the 5th giveaway for the 31 bag - you get an extra 25 entries JUST for signing up for the swap!

Don't forget about the giveaway going on!

Have a good day, y'all!