Penguin Overload

Since I'm doing my normal avoidance of housework, I decided to share with you some of the newest penguin hoopla that has entered my house. The holidays can be both a blessing and a curse when it comes to all things penguin. Cuz there is so much more penguin related merchandise available. I guess retail thinks that they're a symbol of Christmas. Or maybe just wintertime in general. Whatever the case may be, penguin stuff is all over the stores. And it's just too much temptation for me to resist.

These are gifts. The red towels, wash cloth bundle and soap dispenser were a gift left at my back door by "Santa". However, I think the real culprits are my sweet next door neighbors, Jeremy & Nikki. The blue towels and the beanie penguin came from my bloggy homegirl, sea star. Remember this post? Yep, I inherited them. Thanks T. I don't even mind that you didn't wash them. LOL!
The pot holder and socks came from my sister. The cool ass ornament came from Lee Ann in my Single Adoptive Mom's Group. Is that not perfect for me? A penguin surfing in a margarita glass!! I love it! And the gorgeous silver salt and pepper shakers came from all the way from Canada.

The pics don't do them justice. They're really beautiful.... and heavy. Rhonda even wrapped them in penguin paper and sent along a penguin card. I needed a new S&P set because of my kitchen re-do. The old set was pink and didn't match anymore. I just hadn't found anything that I liked yet. These are perfect! Thanks Rhonda!

This came from Teri. She's one of the secretaries at work. The place would fall apart without her. She's also a fellow penguin collector and a loyal reader of the blog. This is Mia's first hooded towel. Appropriate that it should be a penguin. Thanks Teri!
This was one of my purchases. I absolutely love it! It's pink and green, too.

Check out the detail on this sweater. It's gorgeous! I chose a 2T thinking that Mia will wear it someday when she's a little bigger. This was another great E*bay find. Can you see the price tag? It's a fancy boutique sweater that was listed originally at $59.50. I paid $12 for it. Score!

Remember Miss Sophie's cute little penguin leg warmers? Since I gave her Mia's pair, I needed to replace them.

But look what else I found! I was shopping in Tarjay one day and happened across a pair of matching socks for momma. Are these not the cutest? Now don't ask me how we'll wear these. Cuz I haven't thought that far ahead. I also found these cute little penguin holiday hair clips on E*bay.

The penguin cupcake pan was another Tarjay impulse buy. But I ask, who needs to make a penguin cake more than I? I absolutely had to have it. The ornament was marked down 60% off in an after Christmas sale. And look at the freakin' Snack Trap! I knew I wanted some of these when I heard other parents sing their praises. Who knew they made one with a penguin?! Mia is now the proud owner of three of these babies.

This isn't penguin related but I thought I'd toss it in. My friend, Qin, recently went back to China to visit family. She promised to bring me something from China. It's from the Jiangsu Province. The little kissing girl and boy are ceramic. She said it represents "best wishes". But what's more amazing is that their clothes are pink and green. Qin had no idea that these are my favorite colors. Interesting, huh....

And I also finally have her name right. Her given name is Jing. But her nickname is Qin which is pronounced "Cheen". I always thought she was prounouncing it "Ching". But she gave me a card with the above gift with her name written inside. Which sparked a conversation about how not only was I spelling it wrong but also pronouncing it wrong. Oops. Now I know.

So thanks to everyone for the gifts. I do appreciate them all. I guess it's time to clean the house. I've procrastinated long enough. Damn.