Marie Loves Books: holiday swap

Whoooo it's December!

Anyone else wonder why they call it the happiest time of the year when it's probably accurately more like the most stressful time of the year?!

This year I'm spending the holidays with Nick and his family. His tradition? A real Christmas tree. Which is currently sitting pretty with its app controlled blinking lights behind me. That's causing me a crap ton of allergies. And the house doesn't even have a ridiculously overbearing scent of pine. I feel lied to. Also it requires to be watered. And it leaks sap. But it doesn't shed like my mom always told me it would! It's pretty cool. Totally different. But pretty cool (see Nick setting it up above).

To get in a more festive mood, I dyed my hair a color I've never tried before... Teal. Well it's more Turquoise but I love how it turned out! Besides, I needed a change. Also, I got that dress off Amazon for like $15. I'm in love with it!

Got my gifts from my Secret Santa too~! I'm so excited to open them! But I'm waiting until Christmas. Like I do every year. I also mailed out my SS gift yesterday! Wish I had taken a picture of it. I put a lottttttt of effort into it. Also, Nick did a good job with picking the packaging box. So cute that he helped me every step of the way and he got really into it too.

So SS, my boyfriend picked out all the quirky chocolates for you and the pretty box it's coming in!

Also I think it's worth it to mention that after TWELVE YEARS I finally got my white Christmas tree with its pastel glitter ornaments.

But then Sophie stole it.

It's okay, we'll share.

How are your holidays going so far?!

All of this weekly book haul meme stuff is so hard to... deal with lol. I decided to go with Stacking the Shelves which is hosted by Tynga's Reviews!

So I finally got around to opening my Secret Santa gift which was part of the Holiday Book Swap hosted by Squeaky Books & Emily's Reading Room which was from the lovely Christi at Christi The Teen Librarian. Guys, I get the best Secret Santa's, I swear! It's 330AM and I don't feel like tagging my pictures so... here! lol

Look at all the wonderful goodies!! I really like the tree ornament, it lights up! And it's funny how she included a lip balm from Rudolf and something from A Christmas Story since those are two of my must watch holiday movies since I was a kid! And yay! Lots of peppermint bark!!

I also thought this note was sweet. I was super confused when I opened this one until I read the note. I've flipped through it so far and it looks like a really entertaining read! I can't wait to get started on this. Thanks for including it Christi! And thank you for everything else! I love everything!! (:

I also got myself some stuff for Christmas. Does anyone else do that? Buy themselves gifts for Christmas? I got myself the Kindle Paperwhite (which I played with yesterday and I'm kinda ehhh about it) so I have something to read my ebooks on while I'm on the bus to work in Orlando next year. I also got myself a lip/nail Butter London set because I've been wanting Butter London FOREVER (but I refuse to pay $14 for ONE effen nail polish)! And funny story, I'm one of those people who hate chocolate and peanut butter but I've been craving Reese's like crazy all month!! Ugh. What is going on?!?

Also not pictured I got The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente (wow that's a really long and complicated title) from the wonderful Beth at Living a Goddess Life! Thank you so much Beth! That was really sweet of you :) and I also got a finished copy of Splintered by A.G. Howard from the publisher! So thank you! I'm not sure who to thank since it was sent from Hachette but the publisher is Amulet *shrug*.

Annnnd that's pretty much all I got related to books this week and for Christmas. What did you get this week? Or what did you get for Christmas?