Weekend update--Junk Swap edition

I had a great weekend! It all started on Friday afternoon when I received my Junk Swap box from my cute partner Andy. Andy and I didn't know each other prior to being matched up as swap partners but we have been having fun catching up on each others' blogs and we've found that we have a surprising number of things in common! It's like we were meant to be partners. :) Do click on her name and check out her blog--Andy has fabulous taste in shoes and a collection that will amaze you and make you insanely jealous.

The object of the Junk Swap was to fill a Flat Rate Priority Mail box with 'junk' you already had around the house; no need to buy anything special. Well, I think Andy and I both bent the rules on this one a little! Shh, don't tell! The first thing I pulled out of the box was the Martha Stewart Good Things book, all wrapped up in the loveliest white linen table runner and a big grosgrain bow. I love me some Martha, and Good Things is my favorite column in her magazine so I just love this book! I can't wait to look through it for inspiration. Next was a pair of darling painted yellow and blue salt and pepper shakers, and a Tiffany box filled with candied almonds! I just love the Tiffany blue; isn't is the most gorgeous shade of aqua?

The next thing I pulled out of the box was the adorable striped bag (that I'm going to have to fight Maren for, as she loves little bags and purses), which was used as wrapping for my very favorite thing in the box! Andy used one of those great plastic storage boxes with the removable dividers and filled all the little compartments with STUFF! If you remember how tickled I was with the binder Risa sent me in the Pink & Green swap, then you'll have an idea of how much I totally love this box full of goodies! Andy sent everything from ribbons and buttons to lipsticks, frosting tips (perfect since I'm starting a cake dec class today!), lip gloss, fun colorful office cupplies, perfume, makeup, hair clippies for Maren, and even Milk Bones for Bronco! It has been such fun to open the box and just look at all the treasures there, that I hate to take them out to put them away! Maybe I'll just leave them a little while longer. :)

In two of the compartments there were little drawstring bags, one for me and one for Maren. In each one there was a darling bracelet, handmade by Miss Andrea herself! In one of my emails, I mentioned that my favorite colors right now are red and aqua, so my bracelet is done in those colors. I wear a lot of silver and turquoise jewelry so this bracelet will be just perfect! And just look at the darling silver SHOE charm she included! Maren's bracelet is made of sparkly Swarovski crystals and will look so sweet on her little wrist!

I think you'll agree with me that what Andy sent me was anything but Junk--it is all treasure to me! And we had so much fun swapping that I think we'll do it again. If you visit Andy's blog you can see what kind of *Junk* I sent to her. The weekend goodness didn't stop with my Junk swap--more to come!