A hug in a box.

My Ultimate Blog Party Post is here.

We live in a messed up world, full of crime, and hatred, negativity and misery, and it is sometimes easy to overlook the good, and focus solely on the bad. But every once in a while a fellow human being does something that re-affirms your faith in the beauty of humanity. With a simple gesture or two, some people can help restore the balance in the world, simply by thinking of others.


You're getting all this rhetoric, simply because on Saturday night I received a hug in a box. Something that brought tears to my eyes for the the pure thoughtfulness of the gesture.


I arrived home from my day at the casino right around midnight, and was thrilled to find a box near my mailbox. When all you ever receive in the mail are bills and junk mail, getting anything that doesn't fit into those two categories immediately brings a smile to your face. Because it was my birthday, I'd been getting birthday cards in the mail all week, but this was the first (and only) package. I read the return address, and was confused, and excited. Bella Bags. I had an idea what this was, but from whom, I couldn't begin to guess.


So, imagine my surprise when I open up the box to find this:





Pretty ain't it? I absolutely love it, and the colors and style couldn't be more fitting for me (they even match my living room). But the best part? The little tag hanging there (which I tried to photograph, but after about 15 attempts and no luck, gave up) said "Happy Birthday Candid Karina, with much blog love from Sognatrice". My blog buddy from Italy completely surprised me, and absolutely made my night (weekend).


Thank you again Sognatrice, I really was touched and am extremely grateful. I have no doubt that if we didn't live on separate sides of the ocean, we'd be hanging out regularly. As it is, I'm so glad we get to be blog-buddies, you are one of a kind.


Just another wonderful way the blogosphere has blessed me.


Do yourselves a favor, and head on over to check out Sognatrice's blog, it'll become one of your favorite places to visit, I promise. Also, (edited to add) do check out Bella Bags by Marcia, where Sognatrice got that lovely bag from, they have some fantastic stuff!

And don't forget to stop by Cafe Karina for this week's recap of American Idol.