mara76

I am a Filipina nurse living in Ireland. I craft in my spare time, I run and cycle to keep the sanity. I take time to enjoy the little pleasures in life, like happy mails.

Christmas is my most favourite time of the year. I just love how everything transforms into something wonderful at Christmas time.. autumn my favourite season.

I have a 16-year old daughter and a 9-year old son and they are both looking for penpals of the same age. If anyone has a child willing to do same please PM me. My children embrace diversity and they want to know more about other cultures.

If anyone has access to kitkat wasabi or green tea flavour please PM for a private swap! My son loves it and unfortunately we don't have them here. 😕

♡lighthouses for display - any size, any kind.. i love lighthouses!

☆souvenir Christmas ornaments for hanging on the tree.. will be most welcome anytime of the year as I am starting to collect the ones unique to a particular country, old or new, used or unused.. again, anytime.

♥new or used postage stamps. I am currently working on a project and I need used stamps from around the globe. I could do private swap for this..please message me.

♡socks UK size 5 or standard women's 4-10 - funky coloured/patterned ones, running or sports socks, warm fluffy winter socks, slipper socks or boot socks.

★yankee candle/ wax tarts-my new addiction..love the berries and mashmallow scent but any scent is welcome.

*cheetos!!-the crunchy ones.

★drink mix/chocolates/hot cocoa drinks/snacks from your country

♡ coffee mixes- plain, flavoured, brewing, instant, sugary, sugar-free, etc - anything caffeinated, send them in!

☆iced tea mixes-especially nestea and crystal light. i have enough lipton at the moment so please no lipton for now. thanks.

♥touristy magnets..resin magnets is preferred if available, otherwise any kind will be much appreciated.

★tote bags/reusable shopping bags

☆decorated facial or table napkins/serviette-please send them sealed

♥hair accessories- elastic hairband, hair clips

♡scarves- i could never have enough of them, no used ones please

☆hand sanitizer/hand cream

♥scented candles, tealights, car freshener

★coffee mugs, storage boxes and tins

●writing pens - especially those beautifully decorated ones that write nicely too, I don't understand why they are so darn expensive here, hard to find. Just no pencils please.. I don't use them a lot.

FOOD PRODUCTS - I'd like to try recipes from around the world, any recipe mix/spice mix is most welcome. I also have savory tooth more than sweet tooth, but my kids and the hubby love sweets so I join food swaps. Anything local to your place. Hershey's hugs and kisses, Reese's peanut butter if you're from America. I will be the happiest if I get original crunchy Cheetos as we don't get those here, any flavour is good but I specially love cheese and flaming hot lemon. I WOULD LOVE LOVE LOVE TO DO A PRIVATE FOOD SWAP WITH ANYONE FROM AMERICA I could trade Irish food/goodies for a bag of cheetos ( okay, i want more LOL.

TEA/COFFEE- any coffee mix is most welcome. I love flavoured coffee, like hazelnut and caramel. One swap partner from New York sent me some mint-flavoured coffee and they were divine! (Mint and coffee, who would have thought?!) Dessert-flavored tea preferred- vanilla, chocolate, caramel. Rooibos, and any of the Pickwick and Nordqist flavours. Not a big fan of flowery/floral flavoured tea. Iced tea mix is love. Also, without being too picky, I have easy access to Twinings and most English teas, so please none of them, I'd rather try new brands and flavours unavailable here. I also love hot cocoa drinks.

MAKE-UP/Bath and Body- please don't send me any make-up as I have sensitive skin. Bath and body is okay-lotion,bath bombs,hand cream,body wash..they're more than welcome, but nothing for the face please.

Thanks, but NO, thanks..

I have amassed a lot of postcards, stickers, washi tapes over the time I've been swapping, I have enough of them and I seriously have no need for any more.

No notebooks, memo pads, note cards, writing sets or any stationery at the interim.. got tons of them, too.

I am a busy mom and work on shifts but I will always make the effort to send out packages promptly.. If you don't receive anything from me in 1-2weeks within Europe, 2-6weeks outside Europe, please email me and I will rectify. If you are not entirely happy with my swap, please contact me first before leaving me a low rating. I will never flake on anyone, as I do not want to be flaked on. Also when sending packages to me PLEASE MARK THEM AS GIFT to avoid paying ridiculous tax, if you have to declare amount, please keep it to minimum even if inside is worth more. I also promise to rate on the day I get the swap.

I am very particular with hygiene, so anything that is dirty or I find unhygienic will go to the bin. There is nothing worse than getting expired goodies, so inconsiderate and just rude..believe me I've had them here. Also a few things I don't like.. too much drama (life is too short for such), flakers, NON-raters, especially those who don't reply to PMs, and not thanking anyone for swaps received is just not nice. If at some point I forgot to rate you, please remind me and I'd gladly oblige. I reuse packaging and resend swaps I received not because I didn't like it but because I have not much use for it. Also, I upload photos of my swaps on my instagram account linked here (except those I forget when I try to meet deadlines, or when too much excitement gets in the way.). If you see your swap and not happy about it, please contact me. I will not post addresses and real names except my own.