I am extremely blessed in that my family knows exactly what I love, and also know exactly what kind of phase I am in my life. Some years I am into my crochet phase and everything around me involves yarn and hooks and patterns.
Then some years I am into baking, or photography and so forth.
This year I am clearly in my book phase, I'm inhaling books, grabbing books, sharing books, looking for books, watching book videos, and you know, all things books. So, for my birthday most of the gifts were book related, except for my husband who knew that the rest of the family had the books covered and he wanted to spoil me with two big items that I have had my eye on for some time.
When I was blogging more intently, back in the day, I always shared my birthday and Christmas gifts and then like so many other things that fell to the side, this was one of the things I stopped blogging about. I don't know why, but I love looking back on these kind of posts, so here we go:
A beautiful bed set from Laura Ashley, actually I got two, this blue and white floral and the green and white floral. Love it so much ♥
One of the biggest gifts was this Shark Beauty CryoGlow Mask. I've had my eye on it for a long time, and honestly did not think I would get it anytime soon, but my wonderful husband got it for me and I am loving it already.
The second biggest gift from my husband was the Slush-Ease Max Slushy Machine. This is going to be so handy especially for the holidays because it makes a lot of drink and keeps it cold for 12 hours. I thought it was just slushies but it also makes shakes, juice, frappes, I mean, wow.
From my beautiful daughter, I got a lot of things and I don't think I even took photos of everything, so I'll try to remember.
She gave me a gorgeous bouquet of pink roses because she knows I love fresh flowers. She also got me a Blind date with a puzzle. I should have taken a photo of it because it's so me, the puzzle features an old truck in a field of sunflowers.
She got me a beautiful necklace with the map of Portugal on it ♥
Then she got me another Blind date with a book, this time a cookbook. And this is what was included in the package.....this sweet pouch with sardines, which I had a good laugh because as you know I'm Portuguese and we love our sardines.
In this pouch were quite a few things, some crochet flower fridge magnets, some sprinkles, and a little pink sewing pouch.
Also included were two butter bookmarks, a cute little pink pen, a peach notepad, an orange little notebook and some sweet clips holding the cutest stickers.
The cookbook that arrived in this package was Nigella Lawson which I was thrilled about. I've always enjoyed her recipes but did not have any of her cookbooks yet. I've already looked through it and there are quite a few recipes I want to make.
Also included in the box was the cutest strawberry dish sponge and this little drying rack with a lemon scented lemon to place on it. I guess it's to give a nice smell to the sink area. Just the cutest little things. I love the whole Blind date with a book idea.
Oh and before I forget she also got me the cutest sweatshirt with the words Book Lover on it. I'll have to remember to get a photo of that when I wear it.
I absolutely adore book sleeves and yes, I can make them, I have the pattern for it and they are not hard to make, I just haven't gotten around to do it, but I am actually thinking of making them for Christmas gifts for my sister in law, niece and my nephew's girlfriend because they love books as well.
Anyway, my girl picked this one for me, and again, just the perfect one with florals like I love.
It can fit books, Kindle or a tablet, so it's perfect.
The last gift from Jasmine was so sweet and I was beside myself with happiness when I opened it. My very own embossed stamp for my books. The books that I am never parting with will get embossed with my very own stamp including my name. How adorable is that?
From the library of Sandra Bourland. Oh my, how adorable! ♥
And lastly, from my brother and sister in law, who also know me too well. Everything book related. The first piece my brother picked himself and it's this beautiful puzzle piece that brought me to tears ♥
The cutest tote and this pouch, that both say There is no such thing as too many books. I 1000% agree. Love it!
I also got a tumbler that says Just one more Chapter! And this cutest lavender scented candle "Smells like she's Reading". Hahahah I love that!
The last thing from them was something I have also had my eye on for a while and really wanted to get. Again, they all know me so well.
I am in love with this cute stand. They chose a girl that they say looks like me, she is sitting on a window seat with a beautiful window behind her, a little sign that says Just a girl who loves books ♥, a kitty cat nearby, a blanket on her lap, a beautiful plant to her side, a stack of books and a cup of coffee or tea. Yeah I think that pretty much describes me to a tee.
It sits on my bookshelf and it keeps track of how many books I have read this year, which as you can see, is sitting at 41 at the moment.
Oh and also included in their gift was this adorable bookmark. I love metal bookmarks and this one not only has a funny saying but on the end of the bookmark is an open book.
Honestly, I could have just handpicked all these for myself. I just realized I completely forgot to get the gifts from my brother in law. Oh jeeze Sandra!
Anyway, he got me a Cristiano Ronaldo lego set, a big one which I plan on putting together and displaying on my living room shelf.
He also got me something I have also been talking about getting. As you know we are a big gaming family, every night after dinner we sit at the table and play some sort of game, a card game, a board game, whatever it may be. I have seen these really cute Vintage Bookshelf Board Games and thought it would be perfect to collect them over time and have them on the shelf, ready to be played but also looking like they fit in with all my books.
He got me the Trivial Pursuit edition. ♥
So, I have been spoiled rotten this year and I'm so thankful for my entire family, for knowing me so well, for picking such thoughtful gifts and making my 52nd birthday so special.
