Sunday, December 16, 2018

christmas wishes from the west coast!

Tracy from the Printable Pony has hosted an equestrian blogger gift exchange for years and years now, and it's just straight up wonderful! Legitimately one of my first orders of business upon firing up my own little blogger machine was to sign up and participate in that year's exchange!

eeeeee i love christmas surprises!!!
Each year when I learn who my own giftee will be, I spend all sorts of time creepin and crawlin their blogs, trying to figure out what direction to go in for gifts. It's a lot of fun, tbh.

And of course, it's also been awesome to receive surprise gifts too!! Every year has been different, but always super creative and super inspired. And this year was no exception!!

this package apparently did not have an easy trip across the country...
Karley from All In drew my name this year, and sent an adorable package filled with all manner of fun stuff for me and Charlie to enjoy! The box.... Well. The USPS honestly abused the ever loving shit out of this package. Holy moly. It was banged up.

was still crammed full of goodies tho!!! full disclosure: those peppermint pretzel cookie things are GONE haha
Luckily tho, the package's contents all seemed no worse for the (extensive) wear!! It was actually kinda like opening up a clown car haha, more and more goodies kept falling out!

First up were some snacks that I'm almost (almost) ashamed to admit how quickly they were eaten up haha. Peppermint pretzels for me and candy canes for Chuck, yum!

kensington mesh bath tote with fun products and sponges!
Then a cute kensington mesh bath tote (in navy, natch!) with Show Sheen gel detangler and Ultra Shield bug repellent gel, a squishy rubber curry, a big body sponge (christened with some nice lotion by Karley's daughter haha) and a smaller bath sponge that's pre loaded with shampoo.

charlie approves <3
I like that the tote has so many pockets and straps to hold products in place, and like that it's mesh so it won't hold water and will dry quickly. Perfect for bath time!

judgey barn cat surreptitiously creepin from that random cat-sized hole in the wall also approves
The products too are pretty exciting! Like, even the big body sponge: the one that lives in my trailer has finally sorta bit the dust, so the timing for that is perfect haha. The bug repellent will have to wait for testing until next spring when all the biting flies come back to life, but the mane detangler was put immediately to good use!

bc god save you if you don't get that all-important cat stamp of approval!
With all the rain and mud lately, Charlie's honestly started to look a little homeless. Like, at least being blanketed means most of his body stays mostly ok.... But his mane and tail are straight up wild. And there's just.... so much of both of them! The way this horse grows hair is unreal ugh.

just ignore the dried mud haha and enjoy the neat and tidy mane!
In an ideal world, the mane would be pulled and a bit more tidy, and the tail freshly banged, in advance of the clinic this weekend. But.... Oh well haha. At least with the detangler the mane looks semi presentable! And we'll just have to hope for the best with everything else!

Thanks so much Karley for this thoughtful gift! And thanks Tracy for hosting every year and coordinating all the details!

And to my own secret gift recipient: Your gift is in the mail, so keep an eye out for a box from Baltimore ;)


27 comments:

  1. Those Trader Joe Peppermint Pretzel Slims are ADDICTING. God, I can't stop thinking about them, and I already have had two bags in the last week. The rest of your stuff looks great too :)

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    1. Omg those pretzels were too fucking good tho dear god haha

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    2. The chocolate dipped peanut butter filled pretzels are super good (and decadent!)

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  2. I LOVE reading about everyone's presents! That tote is perfect for vath tine, too.

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    1. makes me wish i had a heated wash stall haha! everything is so muddy right now....

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  3. Such a nice gift! I really like that tote!

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  4. yay on secret blogger time. Love that I am involved this year. I do agree seeing everyone's presents is the best!! Love that tote!! Happy Holidays Emma!

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  5. Great gift idea and in navy too. I was sad to bow out this year, but will join again next time.

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    1. it's definitely fun to participate - you should do it next year if possible!

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  6. What a great gift!! I'm so sad I missed it this year (relatively newb over here) but next year for sure!!

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  7. I love those sponges with the shampoo already in them. They work so well!

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    1. i haven't used one before but am excited to try!

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  8. those sponges are super cool - i've always wanted to try one out!! let us know what you think

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    1. i definitely will - might just be a few months!

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  9. Oh my god, that cat picture is hilarious !

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    1. the animals at this farm have so much personality lol

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  10. Yahooooo so glad you got it... despite the beat to hell box 😣 There was a whole box of candy canes soooo looks like the hole leaded out some candy cane love on its trip 😂 Ha!!!

    Um yeah those peppermint pretzels are BOMB! I'll be happy to load you up with more if needed 😂😂😂

    I thought in the middle of winter, some warmer weather items would give you hope to nice weather .. and that bug stuff is my FAV for faces. Enjoy girl!!!

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    1. yayay thank you so much!! great gift all around!! i'm bummed bc it sounds like USPS lost a bunch of candy canes (and they're charlie's favorite!!) but we got a few and all the other goodies are all in perfect shape! i'm totally pumped to try that bug gel, esp bc bugs give charlie FEELINGS haha. thanks!!!

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  11. Cupid hasn't gotten clipped this year and I haven't pulled his mane in god knows how long so he is starting to look downright feral. Or like a big fuzzy teddy bear :p

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  12. That box went through something serious during its travels, OMG! Glad everything arrived tho, and I LOVE THAT TOTE! So cute and so perfect. Thanks again for participating!!

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