Snowflake Swap | I like gifts

So since we're doing this gift exchange I wanted to share some winter/holiday things I just absolutely love. 

First things first, I love boots, I have such an immense love of boots that I get kinda sad when A says I can't wear my boots in the house. It really isn't winter until I bust out my boots and scarves.. which sort of brings me to my next item:

Penguins

If you didn't know I have a small (ok ginormas) love of penguins. I have a penguin stuffed animal, stocking, ornaments, socks, decorations... you name it.. I more than likely have it.

via

Salted caramel anything: 

via

Starbucks, legit caramels (I kind of love the ones from Fran's Chocolates in Seattle) cupcakes.. it makes me happy and warm inside. 

What kind of things make it feel like winter/holiday season for you? Share and remember to link back for the snowflake swap if you post your ideas, let me know! 

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<a href="http://acaciaw.blogspot.com" title="Snowflake Swap"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwPrVcU8DoDotiHYw7tLmVqxXNJINgm-OesLDFa3x8oRyNlq7WUo3NYYRkzf22OvQeuNCGJaITorjC4PYEL1o2gNbWZy-y6p8LVpADhG-ytRtShrxOV5jUrndpT8Un_C67hRmggnyZwFg/s1600/Snowflake+Swap+Button.jpg" alt="Snowflake Swap" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Holy crap..

I bet you're all "where's Acacia?" because I was apart of this snowflake swap stuff, right? Well I did something crazy.. I got a third job.   I've been working 8-5 at one place and 6-9/1030 at the other two and weekends! I had an amazing little post for the snowflake swap scheduled but it never posted.. I 'm blaming blogger. 
Anyways, I hope you're all doing amazing, I am so SO SOSOOOOO excited that so many have signed up for the swap and hopefully you've received emails and soon you'll receive your buddy! Remember the best way to spread holiday cheer is to sing loud for all to hear - Buddy the Elf ;) 

sometimes its hard...

Words are permanent and I have an unimaginable memory for words said to me.  I can remember when my best friend asked me to be in her wedding.. her exact words, as I went assuming I was shooting the wedding she looked at me and said "I don't want you to be my photographer, I want you to be my maid of honor"  I cried.  Call it my obsession with song lyrics for the reason I'm able to remember.. or the fact that I just take things and internalize them -I'm kind of messed up- or just that I am elephant like... (memory, I'm not an elephant) 
Its hard for me to sit down and write on a blog when I feel like I'm not being honest.. I feel like of all the things I've been, honest has been the #1 thing.. I hate keeping people in the dark.. but the minute I write the words down, its permanent.  No going back. No fool me once's.. no second chances.  The bad thing about me is that I'm fiercely loyal, to myself.. to my God, friends and family.. and that loyalty has been what's been keeping me so silent.. but when the silence is broken, well, its broken forever. Then I can heal, then I can move forward and I can -like I have been- see the good an the extremely bad. I'm not blind.  I'm just choosing not to see. I'm choosing to put myself on the back burner for the benefit of someone else and I am doing this out of love.. as idiotic as that sounds.

Snowflake Swap | Sign up!

So I know you're all excited to start signing up, heck I know I am! Keep sharing the link and instagram post (just #snowflakeswap and tag me, Moira and Jane!) 

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<a href="http://acaciaw.blogspot.com" title="Snowflake Swap"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwPrVcU8DoDotiHYw7tLmVqxXNJINgm-OesLDFa3x8oRyNlq7WUo3NYYRkzf22OvQeuNCGJaITorjC4PYEL1o2gNbWZy-y6p8LVpADhG-ytRtShrxOV5jUrndpT8Un_C67hRmggnyZwFg/s1600/Snowflake+Swap+Button.jpg" alt="Snowflake Swap" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

So now that's all said and done, below is the sign up sheet! From now until the 15th we will be posting this sign up -or linking to it- so you can share it wherever you like.  Can't wait to tell you who you're swapping gifts with :) 

Snowflake Swap | Gift Exchange

In case you've missed the tweets of all the secret squirrel things we've been posting today is the day we finally get to announce what we've been up to!
Snowflake Swap 2013

Jane at Pursuit of Poppiness

Moira at McDancing Through Life

& myself are hosting this amazing blogger swap.

Starting on 11/4 (Monday) we will be positing signups and highly encourage you share this with your friends from now until then! 

Below are the instagram picture and blog link. 

Just put #snowflakeswap and tag us! 

@acaciaduh @mcdapkus @poppiness

Follow on twitter for any updates: @acacia_duh  - @PoppinessJane  - @MrsMcDancer 

and share the blog link below!

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<a href="http://acaciaw.blogspot.com" title="Snowflake Swap"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwPrVcU8DoDotiHYw7tLmVqxXNJINgm-OesLDFa3x8oRyNlq7WUo3NYYRkzf22OvQeuNCGJaITorjC4PYEL1o2gNbWZy-y6p8LVpADhG-ytRtShrxOV5jUrndpT8Un_C67hRmggnyZwFg/s1600/Snowflake+Swap+Button.jpg" alt="Snowflake Swap" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

I'm looking forward to seeing you all on Monday!