The Siberian American: Friday Favorites: The Best Time of the Year Is Coming + A Big Announcement!

Friday, November 13, 2015

Friday Favorites: The Best Time of the Year Is Coming + A Big Announcement!

Happy Friday, y’all! Hope everyone had a great week. With the temperature drop, it’s really feeling like the beginning of the holiday season, especially after watching the ice rink being set up at Millennium Park on Tuesday. Here are my Friday favorites this week (and don’t forget to scroll down to the very bottom for a fun announcement!):

/ / One
Lately, every time Chris has had a day off, we have gone out of town on a day trip. When he finally got another day off on Tuesday, we decided to enjoy a day walking around Chicago. We walked all the way over to Northerly Island and then spent some time enjoying the weather at Millennium Park. I think I wore poor Chris out with our seven-mile walk, but it was nice to get out and enjoy the city.


/ / Two
One of my favorite guilty pleasures on a road trip is beef jerky, so when I saw the True Chews Premium Jerky Cuts, I knew it was a treat I wanted Skyler to try. True Chews are 100 percent natural and made in the United States. The kind we received were made with real sirloin steak, and the smell was enough to get Skyler to run to me as soon as I opened the package. She loved these. They are soft enough for me to be able to break them apart for her, and I felt good about giving her a treat that contained no corn, wheat, or soy.


Disclosure: Chewy.com sent me True Chews Premium Jerky Cuts to review. No further compensation was received, and all opinions are my own. 

/ / Three
I love holiday swaps, so I am excited to do the 12 Days of Christmas Swap by CG Swaps again this year. I had so much fun looking for 12 gifts last year and can’t wait to do it again. Signups close on Monday, so sign up now if you want to join!


/ / Four
I wanted to share one more plaid purchase that I love this week. This tunic is so soft and comfortable, and the length and color is so perfect. For more plaid ideas, check out my mad about plaid post.
Note: The links above are affiliate links. If you click on them, I get a teeny tiny commission.


/ / Five
I am so excited to announce that Mattie from Northwest Native and I are hosting a blogger Christmas exchange! We would love for you to join us as we get to know other bloggers and spread the holiday cheer!


The Details:

What:
Our Blogger Christmas Cheer Exchange is a fun opportunity to get to know another blogger! We will also be having a linkup, so everyone can see the great gifts you picked out.

When:
11/20: Signups close
11/23: We will e-mail you your person by this date
12/7: Deadline to ship your package
12/18: Show off your gift by linking up with us!

How much will it cost me?
We have set a minimum of $20. If you would like to spend more, we don’t mind, but please don’t expect anyone to spend more than that.

Am I sending to/receiving from the same person? 
No, this is a Secret Santa exchange. This way, you get to know two people!

Should I contact the blogger that I am her partner? 
If you need to contact your blogger, please do it through the Elfster site. We want your identity to be a surprise!

Let’s have a great time!

We would love to have as many people as possible participate, so please share our button:



<div class="Blogger Christmas Cheer Exchange " style="width: 300px; margin: 0 auto;"> <a href="https://www.elfster.com/exchange/view/16159322/095fc6/ " rel="nofollow"> <img src="http://imgur.com/iVBnrnl.png " alt="Blogger Christmas Exchange " width="300" height="300" /> </a> </div>

Linking up with AmandaKarli, and the High Five for Friday girls.

Hope y'all have a wonderful weekend! 

27 comments:

  1. How exciting! I love the idea of a gift exchange! I'm going to definitely consider joining =)

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  2. So much fun that y'all got to enjoy a day in the city! Sometimes that's exactly what you need when you've been going out of town a lot recently. I'm definitely signing up for the gift exchange! The best way to spread Christmas cheer might be singing loud for all to hear, but secret Santas always help too! Have a great weekend!

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  3. Gift exchange sounds really fun! I'll probably sign up! I love that plaid tunic, its simple and a great length.

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  4. The gift exchange sounds so fun!! Love that plaid tunic.

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  5. Yay! I love blogger swaps! I signed up for another one but never heard back about it, so I'm glad you and Mattie are hosting one! Plus it's fun to have it be secret santas!

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  6. I love christmas swaps! I have to restrain myself from joining anymore than 2-3 a year!

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  7. Ooh I love Millennium Park! It must be gorgeous at Christmastime! I've never seen a snow Bean :) Also, that gift swap sounds awesome!! Totally thinking about signing up! Have a great weekend!

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    1. I can't wait to see Millennium Park once it's ready for Christmas! I will be posting photos for sure! Glad you signed up for our swap-it's going to be great! :)

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  8. I haven't been to Chicago in forever. I should really go back! :) I love the tunic, and what a fun idea for a secret santa! :) XO - Alexandra

    Simply Alexandra: My Favorite Things

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  9. I love that you got to take a stroll around Chicago! It's my favorite city (altho I haven't been there in the winter so I dont know if I could cut it), but it's beautiful!

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  10. The tunic you got is so cute!!! I love Chicago and seriously need to plan a trip back...preferably when it's warm haha! xo, Biana -BlovedBoston

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  11. Thanks for joining us for the 12 Days of Christmas Swap- and yay for co-hosting a swap of your own! I'm gonna add that to our ongoing page of swaps-hosted-by-others, to spread the word. :D

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  12. My friend keeps posting fall in Chicago pictures and its making me want to go up there! It looks so pretty! And absolutely loving that tunic! I really don't need to buy any more clothes buttttt... I think I need that!

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  13. Oooo that Christmas Exchange sounds like fun!! Count me in!

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  14. The exchange is such a fun idea!
    www.amemoryofus.com

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  15. I have never heard of those chews, but I bet Ruger would love them! I love Christmas exchanges! If life wasn't so hectic right now I would love to sign up :) I am so excited for Christmas!!

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  16. Good you got to walk around and explore Chicago. Definitely a beautiful city with lots to see.

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  17. What a pretty view! I love that tunic!!! Have a happy weekend!

    Sarah
    http://mybowsandclothes.blogspot.com/

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    1. I love the views in Chicago-Lake Michigan is stunning! Hope your weekend was great! :)

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  18. What a cute Christmas gift exchange idea! Love it. Happy Friday! Trish - tales from trish

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  19. Signed up for the swap! I'm excited! I saw that tunic at JC Penney & loved it too. I didn't buy it but they do have some awesome coupons right now. Have a great weekend!

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  20. The 12 days of Christmas swap looks like so much fun, but the rules seem a little intense :( I've totally signed up for your guys' swap though! Looking forward to finding out who I'm sending a gift to!

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  21. Finally getting around to reading this! So excited about the exchange!!! Also, that tunic is perfection!

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  22. ahh that tunic is fabulous. i want it.
    KC loves beef jerky as well, as does the rest of his family. I'll have to check those out for his mom's dog, maybe as a christmas present :)

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