Blogger Secret Santa Gift Exchange

This Christmas I participated in the blogger version of a "Secret Santa"!! Melina from Only a Flight Away and Summer from Famous In My Own Mind organzied this and it was a BLAST! I was paired up with Kylee from 2Anchor and it was so fun shopping for her!

We were asked to secretly give little hints of things we liked so that we had some help shopping for the other person. I said that I liked mountains, pendants, and foxes. Kylee said she liked sparkles, owls, and anything. haha! So here's what each of us sent each other...


The first few photos are what I sent (I went a little owl happy. They're everywhere right now, I couldn't resist!):
1. An anchor necklace (sparkly!) and an anchor pin. Because her blog's name is 2Anchor... I thought it was clever. haha! Plus both of those items are so unique AND who would have thought I could find such awesome anchor things in the winter?! I sure didn't!
2. An owl flashlight keycap. haha!
3. The card I used c/o Let It Be Raw
4. Owl socks! I love fun socks and these were perfect!
5. A pair of owl earrings and two owl necklaces. I LOVE the one on the right!
6. Sparkly nail polish. Perfect for the holidays. :)
7. My presents all wrapped and ready to go. I had to get real creative with the wrapping because I didn't have any little jewelry boxes. It ended up making it a lot more fun. :)

The next photos are what I received from Kylee! 
1. My gifts all in a pile
2. A beautiful flower pin/clip. I wore this to church and received a bunch of compliments!
3. A friendship bracelet and a leather cuff
4. A beautiful pea green scarf (I actually thought it was mustard when I opened it. Must be the lighting)
5. An intricate and unique pendant.
6. I forgot to include the pic of the little Karma necklace. You can kind of see it in the group pic.
7. She said she's sending another gift that has to do with foxes! I'm being way too spoiled! I'll be sure to share it with you all when it arrives. :)

It was so fun opening this on Christmas morning! Everything was wrapped so perfectly, I'm sad I forgot to take a pic before everything was unwrapped. :P I was too excited. haha!

Thanks so much to Melina and Summer for organizing this! It was WAY fun! And thank you Kylee for all the wonderful gifts! It certainly made Christmas morning a little more special. :)

Did any of you participate as well??

P.S. I have two guest posts up today! One over at the ever fabulous- Awkward Girls and one over at my friend Aaron's blog- And then he came home. I'd love for you to check them out! :)

I Love Christmas!

Hello everyone! I hope you all had a WONDERFUL Christmas weekend. :) Here are some snipets from mine...


1. Yes, I'm in my twenties and got a doll for Christmas. But this doll has a story behind it. My mom had dolls like this when my older sister and I were really young. We both loved them so much, but my mom sold them when we built our home. We've talked about them ever since, but didn't know what kind they were. So my mom surprised us this year by finding out what they were and ordering one for my sister and one for myself. :)
2. My dad also got a toy for Christmas. haha! He received a remote control helicopter. He was so excited! Five minutes into playing with it and it was already up a tree. haha!
3. Fun socks by the tree.
4. I made Christmas sugar cookies the other day! Want the recipe? You can find it on my guest post HERE! It's the best recipe in the world. :)
5. The shadows of my sister, mom, and I walking home from church.
6. Those would be Juicy Moon Boots... :P
7. More fun socks!
8. Watched lots of Christmas movies this weekend! So fun!
9. These may just be the biggest grapes in the world!

Remember how on my Christmas Wish List I said I wanted a new bag/purse?? Guess what I got?! And it's even better than the ones I had pinned! My sister (and miss angela) is amazing!

I wanted to have a different way of saving my Christmas memories this year. So I took videos here and had my sister take videos of her little family in Illinois. Now it looks like we were together this Christmas. :)

song- I Love Christmas by The Girls With Glasses

Now everyone tell me, please-

1. what was your favorite part of your Christmas weekend??

2. What was the favorite item you received??

3. What was the favorite item you gave??

My answers-

1. My favorite part was seeing my family be completely happy Christmas morning, even though it was a much smaller Christmas than years past.

2. I have two- the doll because it's sentimental and the purse because it's exactly what I wanted.

3. My favorite item I gave would be taking my sister to see The Nutcracker (post HERE). She is also in her twenties and had never seen it!!

Have a great Tuesday everyone!

P.S. the WINNERS of the Christmas Giveaway Extravaganza were posted yesterday!!

Merry Christmas Eve!

Merry Christmas Eve everyone! I hope you are all having a WONDERFUL time with your family, friends, or however you celebrate this special time of year.

(just a look at some of my Christmas' past. The big one includes myself in the white t-shirt, my two sisters, two little cousins, and my Grandpa as Santa. The top little pic is me as a baby, aw! And the bottom little pic is me in my Christmas ball gown when I was 6ish)

I will be spending the day with my family, seeing a couple of movies, and playing games. Then tomorrow will be filled with friends, family, great food, skyping Christmas morning with my sister, BIL, nieces, and nephew, and Church. :)

How are you going to be spending your weekend?? I'd love to hear. :)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Remember- the Christmas Giveaway Extravaganza ends tonight at Midnight! Enter now if you haven't yet. :D

P.S. I'm guest posting over at Someone In Mind today about finding Christ in Christmas. :) I'll be posting the same post here tomorrow if you miss it. But I'd love for you to read it and check Erin's blog out. It's a good one!

Holiday Decor

Here's a look at what my home looks like around this time of year. I grew up in this house and my mom does a wonderful job of decorating each holiday. But Christmas is the best. It's beautiful, cozy, and magical. I hope you enjoy the little tour...

Here's a view of the daytime...

There's actually a funny story about our tree. You can read that in my guest post over at Nat the Fat Rat. It's a good one. :)


And a night view...


This is a music box I got for Christmas a long time ago. It was one of those things I wanted so badly. I was so excited when I got it. It's no ordinary music box. It has 4 different scenes from The Nutcracker, the curtains open and close in between each scene, and it plays 8 different songs from The Nutcracker. :)


Every little detail is taken care of. There are things to see everywhere you turn. It sure made Christmas memorable growing up here. :)


Do you like decorating for Christmas? Do you go all out or keep it simple??

P.S. I'm doing a Christmas guest post over at Mrs. DTF today! Check it out if you have a sec.

P.P.S. Be sure to enter the Christmas Giveaway Extravaganza if you haven't yet! It ends Christmas Eve at Midnight!

Year in Review

For some reason I thought I wasn't going to do this, why? I don't know. But then I got to thinking about how great of a year it really was. I've come a long way from where I was at the beginning of the year. And while you won't really see it in this post, I see it in myself, and I'm so grateful for it.

As New Years is approaching I'm starting to wonder what 2012 will have in store for me. Will it be a good year? Will it be a hard year? Will I accomplish a goal? Will the world end? ;) I have this weird thing where I can tell how the year is going to be before it happens. Maybe it's just me being strange, maybe it's me taking a thought and making it happen, maybe I really do have psychic abilities (something I've often told my family I have. haha!). Whatever it is, I've never been wrong.

Last New Years I knew that this was going to be a good year, and I was right. Yes, this has also been a challenging year. My family's gone through some difficult things and I know that there's always bad with the good. But the good far outweighed the bad this year, and for that I am truly grateful.

I had many moments this year where I literally had to stop and take a mental picture. It was too wonderful, too important to let slip by. Things that I knew I needed to remember for as long as I live.


This year I:

• Rock climbed! While it wasn't anything serious, I was terrified. I DO NOT (did not?) rock climb for real. Give me a fake wall- sure. But the real thing always seemed too unpredictable. Well, I did it anyways! And without a lot of fancy equipment too! Just a rope and the know-how of my dad. :)
• Met bloggers in real life! Not only did I meet many amazing ladies, but we still get together! I've made more friends this year (from all over the world) than I have ever before.
• Rode (is that right? it suddenly looks wrong) in a "cage" across a canyon! Using nothing but a pulley system, my family and I crossed a canyon on one of the best hikes I've ever taken.
• Flew over the tallest mountain in North America! While it did make me sick (what can ya do?), it was amazing. I'm so glad I seized that opportunity.
• Saw the most amazing lake in the world! Seriously, someone take me to a lake that is more perfect than Lake Louise in Banff National Park. If there are any bloggers that live there or in Jasper, make room for me, because I'm moving there! Jk, but I would consider it!
• Learned about photography! While I am NO expert, my photography skills have GREATLY improved.
• Walked on 5(?) glaciers! Each one was different, and each amazing.
• Drove from Anchorage, Alaska to SLC, Utah! That was actually my second time doing that. Except the first time it was the other way around.

I could go on and on about 2011. The couple years before this one weren't the easiest. I was happy they were over. While I know I'll be sad to see '11 go, I'm excited to see what 2012 has in store. :)


What about you? Did you have a good year? Or are you ready to move on?
(you can actually read about some of my travels in my guest post over at A Dreamer's Daze today!)

P.S. Enter my Christmas Giveaway Extravaganza HERE!

P.P.S. If you would like to sponsor Gentri Lee, check out my sponsor page HERE.

Blogger of the Week: Running in Heels

Hey guys! Today we have the guest post from this weeks Blog of the Week- Nicole from her blog "Running in Heels". She has such a fun blog and inspires me all the time with her love of running. So read her post then head on over to her blog and give her some love!


***

Hi there, Gentri Lee readers!

I'm Nicole & I blog over at Running in Heels

Yup, that's me. Although it's a little bit mis-leading. Because I only look like that once every few weeks when I decide getting ready is necessary (that photo was taken on Thanksgiving, hence me wearing makeup). Most of the time, you'll spot me looking like this:

Because I'm a runner. And between attending class to become a Physical Therapist and running to stay active, my wardrobe consists mostly of those fabulous drifit running clothes. So if you're looking for a fashion blog, I'd recommend you continue your search elsewhere, unless of course you find spandex and sweaty hair fashionable :)

Being the health & fitness nerd that I am, I blog a lot about living healthy and you guessed it, running. I also blog about my life, which is crazy at times, and my adventure of returning to college after taking 2 years off. Who would have guessed it. Not me! Anyway, I've been running for about 12 years now, so it's safe to say that it has become a part of my not-so-normal, everyday life. I ran my first half marathon when I was in college, and my first full marathon the very next year. Since, I've become an addict, what can I say.

I also have an addict dog. Dakota was welcomed into my life when I lived in Colorado after I graduated from college, and quickly grew to love running just like her mama. The minute she sees me putting on my running gear, it's all over. And those days when I don't want to run, well, just imagine saying no to this sweet face:

Doesn't happen much. And since I treat her like she's my baby, you'll see a lot of her on my blog.

She kind of tends to steal the show.

I'm also a country girl at heart, even though I grew up and currently live in the city. It's kind of weird if you think about it. But I have this desire deep down inside to be a true Southern Belle. I want to be able to say "bless your heart" on a daily basis without getting looked at like I've lost my mind. I also want to drink sweet tea all day everyday. Northerners just don't know how to do sweet tea, or bless people's hearts. Another reason I want to be a Southern Belle and live in the country is because I'd like to have the option to do this:

Even though Southern Belles probably don't do that. Can't please 'em all. But you definitely can't be pulling that thing out in the city. That was the first time I ever shot a gun by the way, and it just-so-happened to be 3 short months ago while visiting family in Missouri. I screamed directly after I pulled the trigger because that thing almost blew my shoulder out. Maybe I should just stick to running. And keeping spandex and sweaty hair fashionable!

Love,
Nicole


***


I absolutely LOVE Nicole! So please go check out her blog right HERE!


P.S. Have you entered the Christmas Giveaway Extravaganza yet?!

We're Back!

Remember the little Halloween Blogger Rap I shared? Well here's the Christmas version... non-rap version. :)

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

This video includes: Ashley, Emma, Alexis, Lauren


*note* I used these girls because I already had their "heads" made from the Halloween video and they had photos that worked for what these videos require.


Have you entered the Christmas Giveaway Extravaganza yet?? You should! There are SO many amazing things up for grabs!

P.S. I had a couple guest posts publish this week. One at Hudson's Happenings, Young and Naive, and one at La Vita e Bella. My mason jar snowglobes were also featured this week over at Good Magazine! Check em out! :)

A Look Back

Hey everyone! Are you having a good start to your week? Already ready for the weekend? haha! I'm guest posting over at A Lost Feather today. Sarah's blog is one of my favorites, so I highly recommend you hop on over!

Lately as the seasons have changed from Autumn to Winter, I've been daydreaming of warmer times. It's been so cold here, bitterly cold. I can hardly stand it, and I'm reminded why I don't love Winter. So today I'm going to step back to this past Summer. A time that seemed so perfect, adventurous, and warm. Well, as warm as you can get in Alaska. Which is where I spent a good part of my Summer.

If you weren't following me back then (most of you weren't) here's a summary:
My sister and her family lived in Alaska, but they were moving to the lower 48 in August. I knew it would most likely be the last chance I had to visit Alaska for a while, so I decided to put my life on hold and spend two months with them- then help them pack up and drive through Canada back to the USA. My parents even came up and stayed for a couple of weeks. Here are some of my favorite shots from that experience:
I'm just going to let the pictures do the talking... because there are a lot of them...






















Mmmmmmmmmmm... Good times. I'm feeling much warmer now. :) And if that wasn't enough for you, go ahead and enjoy this video I made of my trip. I still watch it on a regular basis...


P.S. Don't forget to enter the Rolled Up Pretty giveaway! It ends tonight at Midnight!

Recent Treasures

Happy Tuesday everyone! First- I'm guest posting over at Classic & Bubbly today! I'd love for you to check it out. :)

As most of you noticed, I'm hosting a giveaway for Poshlocket. (didn't know? Enter HERE!) Well, they are so so wonderful and sent me some earrings. Guys, you would not believe the compliments I received when I wore these on Sunday! Everyone LOVED them, as do I! The quality is excellent and the detail is beautiful. (btw- it's hard taking pictures of your ears...)


They came in a cute little pink suede bag that not only looked beautiful but smelled nice too! haha! Basically, I am in love with Poshlocket.


For a while now I've admired the BEAUTIFUL pieces Lo makes for her shop Printed Peaks. I was finally able to place my own order and decided to make it a custom one. I am SO SO incredibly happy with my necklace! Every time I wear it people stop me to ask where I got it. :)



Plus Lo sends her pieces in the cutest little bag as well!


A little while ago my other bloggy friend Kaitlyn posted her new "deer" cards to her shop- isavirtue. I fell in love instantly and decided to make yet another custom order and have her print them on a natural paper for me. I am so in love with these! I ordered a set of five and am FOR SURE keeping one for myself. haha! And of course her packaging is always beautiful and handmade!


I think ANY or ALL 3 of these would make excellent gifts for someone this Christmas season. Not only are they all beautiful and unique but affordable as well! :D Let me know if you pick up any of them! We can be twinners! (Or I can be twinners with whoever you buy them for. haha!)

If you want some fun things to do:
the Poshlocket Giveaway (ends tonight at Midnight!)
the TJLundin&Co. Giveaway (ends tomorrow at Midnight)
and my guest post over at Classic & Bubbly

This Weeks Loves

First- I am guest posting over at Roots Wings and Other Things today sharing one of my favorite makeup looks! Take a peek!

Happy Friday everyone! I have had many "I LOVE THAT!" moments this week. here are a few of them:

1. A Theater in SLC is one of 3 in the world (the other two being in LA and NY) to receive actual costumes from the new movie- Breaking Dawn. When I heard that yesterday morning I knew I'd be making a stop on my way home from work to see these babies! (I'm a fangirl sometimes)

2. My sister's kitty- Rue. He's hilarious. As most cats are.

3. I FINALLY got my hands on a copy of Crossed! So excited to start reading!

Found this in the Nordstrom catalog that came in the mail yesterday. I may need them (or one of them of course- the other would go to one of my BFF's!). 

This says if you bake marbles at 350 for 20 min. then drop in ice water this is what you get... SERIOUSLY?! SO trying this!

Source: craftster.org via Gentri on Pinterest

HILARIOUS!


And just in case you missed them on yesterday's post- Here are some of Anthropologie's new ECards! I'm in love!

OH! And you get TWO chances to make EPIC wishes today! Make sure they're good ones! :D

Source: polyvore.com via Gentri on Pinterest

P.S. Don't forget to enter this week's giveaway! It's a good one and is for a great cause!