Time to start shopping.

Christmas is just around the corner. Well, maybe not yet, but the way time has been flying for me this year it will be before I know it. I officially bought my first gifts a few weeks ago, but I cannot show them to you because some of the recipients read this blog!

But, I can show you this purchase I made bright and early this morning from SudsMuffin. These photos are from the Etsy listings I purchased.

I found this Etsy shop in a roundabout way: first I read Yazmin's blog where she talked about being featured on Anodyne Design, then I checked out Anodyne Design and read a few posts until I came across the entitled, "Lip Balm: Everlasting Love or Addiction?" and then found SudsMuffin. Isn't it fun to come upon a treasure after following a path through blogs? And, they're having a contest to win lip balm!

The lip balm pictured is for my adopted niece Nicky. She loves tiramisu like no one else I've ever met. I thought I loved it, but she has me beat. I would have bought two of the tiramisu, but only one was available in the shop, so instead I decided to try another flavor.

Their photos of lip balm are so pretty!

In other exciting news, Katrin honored me with a blog award!

That made my day! Read more about it on Katrin's Beads, beads, beads... blog. I'll use Katrin's desciption: "The idea is that female bloggers would have a chance to support and give some recognition to each other, every Rockin' Girl Blogger would tag five and so on."

Now I can bestow this award on five girl bloggers who rock! Hard choice - I love so many of you!

1. Yazmin


2. Annie


3. Jenn


4. LeeAnn


5. Ginny

My mom loved how her copper-colored Antonia's Adornment bracelet turned out. And I found out she's making me one in black. How great is that?! Bracelet love all around!

As if all this weren't enough, I received another award yesterday. I'll tell you about that one in my next post!