It’s The Little Things: A Gnome Gift

To understand me (well, as much as anyone can. I still don’t quite get me, myself), you need to know a bit about my background. I have a best friend. Her name is Lizzie. Liz. Elizabeth. One, unfortunate day when we were around ten (unfortunate for her, because I have no idea where this came from), I decided to call her “The Liz.” This stuck and it is what I call her when we are joking. Usually I just call her Lizzie or Liz. Although, my father insists on calling her The Liz. He was there during the creation of the name. In fact. Oh my gosh, I cannot believe I am going to admit this, but it is on video tape. As is the time I got chicken pox and streaked naked. Our video collection is extensive here. It is called, “growing up in the country.”

Yes, we have many stories to share.

Or not.

I cannot remember a moment when The Liz has not been in my life. We have been best friends since we were three years old. We are different. And yet, we are the same. I have not seen her in many years. She lives on the other side of the country. We can go months and months without speaking, but I think of her everyday and I know she does the same. She is just there. A part of me. And I love her. Always have. Always will. It is a constant in my life. A friendship that does not need watering, because it is a garden in my soul.

I received a package from The Liz this week and I had to share it. It made me smile.

It is a little thing and so it fits this post. Although our friendship does not.

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It is a gnome kit.

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A naughty gnome kit. I told you. She knows me better than myself.

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Isn’t this the coolest gift ever? I cannot wait to make all of the gnomes in this kit. I have leftover felt everywhere in my house, and thread, so this will be a fun project to do using items I all ready had in my house by following the instructions in the book.

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Thank you Liz for your gift. And I am not speaking of the gnome book. I love you, girl.

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It’s The Little Things: The thoughtfulness of a friend. I know I need to do more little things like this. It is a good reminder to my soul.

Do you have a friend that makes you smile? Have you given a fun gift to a friend recently?

NOW CLOSED: 11th Blog Giveaway

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Thank you all who entered! This giveaway is now closed!

Oh, you guys, I am now eleven months into writing this blog. I was unsure about blogging and so far I love it. It is the creative outlet I did not even know my soul needed. Thank you for hanging in here with me. I know I can be all over the place. I guess I am just a random person. I appreciate all of your support. I truly could not and would not continue this blog if it was not for you.

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I am so excited about this month’s giveaway. I had received one of these Anthropologie Handira Blankets as one of my Christmas presents. It is beautiful. The blanket retailed for $188, but two weeks ago I got another one as a popback for $24.95. So, now I have two. And I was beyond thrilled, content and happy.

Two days later, another one popped back. I could not believe it. I definitely did not need three, so I bought it as my giveaway for this month. I cannot wait for one of you to win this! I think it is a work of art. And you know my motto: stripes go with everything!

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To enter for a chance to win the Anthropologie Handira Blanket, simply leave a comment on this post telling me what is the place of serenity that you see when you close your eyes. I think giving away a blanket brings thoughts of contentment and warmth.

I have many places that flutter and flitter through my mind. Images that slide around until I finally settle on one. Today mine would be leisurely laying in bed with my husband in our hotel room last year. Our room overlooked Pike Place Market in Seattle. I could see the ocean and hear the bustle of the morning crowds below. We had the windows open and the fog seemed to linger right outside of the window as if waiting for an invitation before entering. All of the delicious food from the market blended together to just barely waft itself into the fog. Seattle will always smell of the sea, coffee, curry, garlic, and yeast in my memories. There is no meal that could hold it, but it would be delicious all the same. The bed was perfectly crisp and warm. The air carried the coolness of morning left behind by the moon. I could have stayed right there in that spot forever.

I cannot wait to read about your calm place that only you can see when you close your eyes.

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You can also earn a second entry by following this blog. You can do so any old way on the right hand side of the page. Please just make sure to leave a second comment stating you are following.

Limit two entries per person.

This giveaway runs from Monday February 10, 2014 12:00 a.m. PST to Sunday February 16, 2014 9:00 p.m. PST.

I will pick one winner by entering the names from the comments into random.org. I will contact the winner February 17, 2014. I will announce the winner’s name on this blog on February 18, 2014.

* This giveaway is not sponsored or affiliated with Anthropologie.

* I will attempt to contact the winner three times. If I receive no response within two weeks, the winner will have forfeit the prize. A new winner will be drawn.

* Past winners are welcome to enter. : )

Thank you to everyone who enters! I appreciate you all so very much!

Gnoman…Gnoe-man…Gnoah, man!…

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I have to thank Melinda for spotting this gnome sweater at Modcloth and alerting me to its existence. And on the last day of one of their sales, too. Thank you!

I kind of love this Gnome Is Where The Heart Is Sweater more than any item in my closet right now. Don’t tell Humboldt!

How could I be a gnome lover and not own this?

I couldn’t.

I do not want to be the crazy lady wearing this sweater every single day, but I would if I could. It is so comfy and I like the length and the fit.

The jeans are Mother Cruiser Denim that I got on sale at Anthropologie for $40. Regular retail price is $220. I am often confused when people state that Anthropologie is too expensive. They have fantastic sales. I snatched up two pairs. They are my favorite jeans I own. I had to get them shortened, but that was no problem. If you can find these, I cannot recommend them enough. They are magic. I sized down one size.

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My husband (the pictures above are not him. They are the model at Modcloth). Oh, I desperately want to post photographs of him. He is the whole reason behind me even liking gnomes, being the Angry Gnome (this is his nickname, which is hilarious, because he is the least angry person I know). He, however, would rather stay a mystery. I keep telling him, “Honey. I need pictures of other people on my blog. People are going to get sick of pictures of just me. I’m getting sick of pictures of just me.”

Nope.

So, for now, he wins.

I did want to show the two gnome sweaters I purchased for him (on a discount, of course) from Modcloth. The sweater sporting the gnome with the skis is called, “Assert Your Elf Sweater.” Yes, elf. But it is obviously a gnome. I cringed at the name and purchased it anyway. The UFO gnome invasion is called, “Gnome away from home.”

How cool are they?

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And yes, we wear our gnome sweaters out together. And, yes, we are so cool dorks. And, no, we do not care.

We like to coordinate.

Oh my gosh, sidetracking into a funny story:

Years and years ago, my family found ourselves at the Fashion Island Mall in Newport after a trip to Disneyland. I wanted to go to the Anthropologie there and we were going to eat dinner at P.F. Chang’s.

So, there we are. In our matching Mickey Mouse t-shirts surrounded by chic women (this is often the mall shown in “The Real Housewives of Orange County.” I once smelled one of the cast members there. Yes, you read that right…I am a freak. She smelled divine).

Two women walked by us as we were waiting outside for a table.

One of them turned to the other one and said:

“Oh…My…God.

“They match.

They are all matching.”

The word “matching” was said loudly and as a derogatory word.

They turned around and stared at this new breed of species they had never encountered before.

I waved.

They snickered and left.

I would love to go shopping there with my husband in our matching sweaters sometime. I find instances like that encounter amusing. They are just lucky I didn’t try to smell them. ; )

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Would you laugh at us? Or do you think it is okay to “match”? And do you ever match your partner (besides Halloween)?

P.S. Please do not forget to enter for a chance to win a $25 e-gift card to Anthropologie. It ends Tuesday night!

Modcloth Lately

First, thank you all for your kindness yesterday. I really do very much appreciate it. Thank you.

You guys are the best.

Let’s start the day with a light hearted shopping post, shall we:

My sweet mom gave me a generous gift card for Christmas to Modcloth. It came at the perfect time, because I had a cart full of items I had been wanting and a 20% off my entire order code.

Serendipity.

The items all came on Tuesday and I am so excited to share. Some of these items are on such a good sale and if Modcloth sent you a discount code like they did for me, you can get some steals!

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I bought the Kick, Woof, Coast Necklace I had been wanting forever. It did not disappoint. This is such a well made little piece. It even comes with instructions from the company on how to send it back if it ever needs repairs.

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I had been watching the Pastime and Present Dress for awhile. Then it went 50% + my 20% off making it around $33.60. I love that this dress ranges in sizes XS -4X. Modcloth does it right. I purchased my usual size medium and it fits great. I do not know why I am holding the dress so oddly. It really does hang well.

It reminded me of what Goldilocks would have worn to hang out with the bears. I plan on wearing this with my Kick, Woof, Coast Necklace above, leggings and brown vintage boots. Watch out bears! Here I come! And I happen to like porridge (much to my husband’s chagrin).

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More gnome socks. make-yourself-gnome-socks. Of course!

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Retro Rosie Earrings in red. I all ready owned these in white and wear them all of the time. They are a good substantial size.

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I’m Game Necklace. Also 50% off. This was $8 after my discount.

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The Loveliest Of All Earrings. They’re unicorns! So sweet!

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The Wizard of Ostrich Sweater in a size Large, because the medium I had ordered previously was teeny tiny and immediately went back. I had given up on this sweater after my sizing dilemma, but when it went 50% off plus my extra 20% plus a gift card, I had to try it again.

I like it. I paired it with my black skirt, black tights, brown boots and fun earrings. With jeans, I feel it is too short. I am very glad I tried this sweater again in a different size. I could not get the ostrich out of my head. Now that’s a line you don’t read every day.

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My mom also surprised me with these All Abuzz Earrings from Modcloth. I had wanted them, because they reminded me of my grandma. So sweet!

Thank you Mom! I love you! I cannot wait to wear all of my goodies! I will think of you when I do.

Have you purchased anything from Modcloth recently? What is on your wishlist?

* P.S. I shared this on The Pleated Poppy!