With that song in mind, I'm going to outline a few of my "favorite" things that our "Little Miss" has received this Christmas (or within proximity) and she's not even home yet! Get ready, this list includes several very sweet things, but also probably one of the most random gifts (and yet beloved to me for a number of reasons) we've received to date for Little "B". So without further adieu, let's get started shall we? (and you know I'm going to save one of the best for last)
Item #1: A Silver Letter "B" Christmas Ornament
Nate and I had just arrived home from my work Christmas party last week, only to find a package on our doorstep late that night. We brought it in and actually hadn't paid attention at first to the label, but then suddenly noticed that Brielle had received her very first official package in the mail! (pretty impressive considering she doesn't live here yet)
We were curious what was in this mystery package and couldn't stand the anticipation so we opened it before Christmas. (Sorry- we're those people-lol) When we opened it up- inside was the sweetest note that we almost didn't catch until a few minutes later...
Be still my heart. Sweetest note ever. Such a surprise from a very sweet family who I've grown to love and appreciate over the years.
Inside was a beautiful Letter "B" Christmas ornament in silver (someone paid very good attention or took a very good guess regarding our Christmas tree. We "love us some silver" in this house at Christmas!) We couldn't have been more surprised by this sweet gift.
Item #2: An Asian Corolle Doll
If you are not familiar with these dolls and have a little girl, you need to be. These are the sweetest, softest, most life-like looking and best-smelling (yes, you heard me right) dolls out there. This one is in the smaller size (mon premier) and they also sell larger sizes for older toddlers/young girls. You can find these dolls just about anywhere from AMAZON to TOYS R US, but my favorite place to find them on sale and where we actually purchased ours during a flash sale a few weeks before we were matched with our Little One, was through ZULILY. Oh Zulily, how I adore your site. If you have not yet checked out all of the fun items, great deals, and daily changing sales on this site, it's worth clicking this link and signing up by email to get their promotions. Trust me on this one. Very good deals on a number of things- though it does vary from week to week.
They have daily special flash sales on different brands (i.e. Tom's shoes, Under Armor, children's apparel/shoes, to name a few) There is everything from clothing, accessories, furnishings, kitchen items, and literally anything/everything baby/toddler/child. The list could go on and on. We had received credit through others who learned about Zulily from us and made a purchase or two, so we had free store credit and literally got our doll for free aside from the $4 we paid for shipping. Pretty good deal, huh?! The price was under $30 originally, had we actually had to pay for it and was competitive with everything else online. We loved this little Asian one and had to get it, but they sell so many cute ones, you can find about anything you would be looking for. I'm sure this will be just the start to her doll collection.
Item #3: Winter Panda Hat
This one actually made the list a little earlier than around this Christmas. Last year Nate surprised me right after Christmas with this little work of art, handmade from a friend of ours in our church. Message me and I'll be happy to share her contact info. She's very talented and did a great job w/ this cute little hat! We had been in NYC for Christmas and looked at a number of panda hats all over the city, but the price and quality weren't worth it and all were a bit too big for a toddler, so he ordered this one without my knowledge-- pretty sweet husband, huh?! (& sneaky too)
A sweet friend of ours is also talented in the area of woodwork and had told us about a year ago that he was working on a gift for our Little One. We sort of knew that it had to do with a little rocking chair, but of course had no idea how it was being made (by hand might I add). Imagine our surprise when they brought this sweet gift to us.
Item #5- THE Best Stuffed Animal- EVER.
Literally. Don't even try to compete. We'll round off the "These are a Few of My Favorite Things" list (at least in the area of surprise gifts for Brielle) with this last one. You couldn't guess it if you tried. I will warn you, you will likely see this one and think "What in THE world?" "That sweet little one is going to be scared to death" Ok. Maybe. If she hates it and never once carries it around, it will retire to a shelf where her mom & dad will be amused by it daily. (or it will become our very own "elf on the shelf" substitute game and show up in random places throughout our home all year long.
I discovered a while back that I have a favorite type of stuffed animal and didn't even realize it. I'd see them in stores, but never paid attention to the type until recently.
JELLY CAT animals-- click this link for your enjoyment & be entertained w/ someone's sheer genius in creating life-like stuffed animals in every possible animal you can imagine. Again, I'll brag on quality again for a second in that these are the best made, softest, most life-like looking stuffed animals I've ever touched or seen. I'm a sucker for super soft things so they win in this category by far. Photos won't do these justice. You have to see and touch them to understand the infatuation. Each one has various species of each animal type. Adorable-- I'm warning you. You're going to wish I had posted this well in advance of Christmas and now it's too late to buy one for your littles. They range in everything from---
Farm Animals
Bunnies
Bears
Elephants & Lions
Giraffes & Monkeys
Woodland Critters
Bugs & Beasts
Owls
Birds & more...
Which is where we are heading to next. So what kind were we given for Brielle?
People----Meet Orla the Ostrich. ( I seriously wouldn't make this stuff up--that's really her name- check out the site)
You have to see the full view of this long legged creature-- and of course the view is not complete without a complete view of the backside of this quirky animal.
I told you I saved the best for last. You have the biggest smile across your face right now-
I know it.
You know you want one.
So there you have it. If you are now as intrigued with JELLY CAT animals as I am, I'll give you a tip that you can find them on sales online, on Amazon, and other online sites, so be sure to shop around for the best deal. They are actually cheaper at one our our local stores than most any online. If you live locally- you can find these (albeit not every single one but many of the popular ones in both mini and regular sizes) at ROXIE DAISY downtown. ALAKAZAM TOYS in downtown, also carries some awesome and very similar animals alongside some Jellycat animals too. I hate to say I had never been in this store once, until my friend came to visit. Such a cute little toy shop with unique items!
For those who have provided Little "B" with some of her first gifts-- from the bottom of our heart we thank you for your sweet gestures and know that she'll love them and appreciate each of them as she later learns more of her story and how so many individuals have played such an important role in it.
**helpful links to various items and stores are noted throughout this post
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