Cross Country Swap

I'm doing a swap with Icecreamgirl over at MLP Arena. Our focus is on sending ponies and goodies that are not available to us at home. 

About Ponies:

Wishlist

G1:

• Hopscotch

A lovely and unusual color combination.

• Gypsy

One of my favorite Lady GaGa songs. Pony has beautiful colors and a unique symbol.

• Applejack (Collectors' Pose) 
• Baby Applejack

I collect versions of Applejack, so this baby is definitely appealing.

• Baby Lemon Drop
• Baby Hopscotch
• (UK) Moondancer

Wow! What unique colors!

• Cupcake

I did book blogging for three years; cupcakes were a running theme / symbol within that community.

• Shady

The so-soft version was one of my childhood ponies. This non-so soft version is neat looking.

• Rosette
• Candy Kisses
• Baby Stella
• Nice 'n Spicy
• Sweet Delight
• Cherry Sweet
• Vanilla Treat

I adore this whole set with their treat based symbols. Cherry Sweet and Sweet Delight are my favorites.

• Snowdrop
• Love Story

I like all of the romance ponies, but Love Story is the one who stands out most to me. I'm a romance novelist, so these just fit.

• Love-in-a-Mist
• Love Token
• Love Letter
• Sports Time
• Play Time
• Music Time
• Painting Time
• Baby School Bag
• Sweetheart
• Bright Eyes
• Melody

I did music competitions for roughly 25 years, so between her colors and her symbol, I definitely want Melody someday. "Unchained Melody" was the song I was known for in Karaoke contests. :)

• Hip Hop

Cute colors, a quirky symbol and a unique name. Very interesting!

• Mommy Meadowsweet
• Daddy Meadowsweet
• Baby Meadowsweet

I love this whole set but Mommy is my favorite with her beautiful butterfly symbol.

• Baby Susie

This was the nickname of my childhood Corgi. Her 'actual' name was Cuddles, so now there are two ponies I'll be looking for to remember her.

• Baby Katie
• Baby Lollipop
• Baby Ruby
• Baby Sapphire
• Baby Diamond

I love this set, but my gut says these are more expensive / harder to get. They're definitely a trio I want someday, though.

• Baby Splish
• Baby Splash
• Baby Splosh

I love this whole set, but Splish and Splash pull ahead just a little. I love Splish's cutie mark and the contrast of blue and orange, and I love the way Splash's symbol goes down her leg and any pony bright red / pink and green is generally a want for me anyway.

• Baby Stargaze
• Baby Snoozy

Rabbit or duck symbol are both totally fine.

• Baby Fun 'n Games / Gametime

I spent years as a D&D Dungeonmaster, so a pony with dice? I love it!

• UK Princess Sparkle 

No idea if this girl is common or really expensive, but I listed her since I collect Princess ponies in general. 

G1 Notes:

I am working on collecting the Princess ponies (Serena / Aquamarine, Tiffany / Pearl, etc.) I have Princess Sparkle / Amethyst and Sunbeam. I'm also collecting the Sundae Best ponies. I have Coco Berry & Swirly Whirly.

There is also one UK accessory I would be interested in: Princess Aquamarine's dragon, Prickles. (According to My Little Wiki, he's green.) Princess Serena is likely my most wanted pony in general, but since I want everything associated with her I figure I should list the dragon here since he's going to be harder to get then her. 

G2:

• Ivy
• Princess Silver Swirl
• Sky Skimmer
• Hip Holly
• Prince Blue Dream
• Princess Golden Dream
• Prince Fauna
• Princess Flora 
• Copper Glow
• Spring
• Princess Silver Rain

G3:

• Desert Blossom
• Silver Song
• Coconut Cream
• Coconut Grove
• Serendipity
• Morning Monarch
• Soda Float
• Butterpop
• Secret Wish
• Baby Tea Lily 

G4:

• Holly Dash
• Shining Armor
• Trixie
• Rarity 

(I need a normal one; I'm also looking for the one with glittery wings) (I have a Rarity & Fluttershy army because of the episode "Green Is Not Your Color", where it's implied they are best friends. Rarity is my favorite pony and Fluttershy is my bf's.) 

• Twilight Sparkle (unicorn, not princess)
• Applebloom
• Sweetie Belle
• Scootaloo
• Princess Luna
• Princess Celestia

Question: Did you guys get the g4 Water Cuties? I have Pinkie Pie, Diamond Mint and Rarity, but would love the others that were released.

Would you prefer one or two more expensive ponies or a few less expensive ones?

I'm totally happy either way. I'll let you know up front that I have no idea what value various ponies outside North America are worth. I've only been collecting since February, so yesterday was the first time I looked at them in detail. I also included ponies from gens 2, 3, and 4 which may be from pretty much any location. I wanted to ensure you have a good variety of ponies to choose from.

Who are the most wanted ponies on your wishlist? (I can't make promises, but I can try.)

For each generation, I have bolded ponies that I am especially interested in.

What flaws are acceptable to you?

• I  don't mind if a pony has had a slight trim. 
• Slight rubs to eyes, cheeks and symbols are not a big deal. 
• I don't mind if a pony has markings under their feet.
• General playwear doesn't usually upset me too much: 
• I generally tell people to use their gut instinct. Would you be happy with the pony? I likely will be as well. 

What flaws are not acceptable to you? 

• I prefer to avoid cancer. 
• I don't want anything that 'rattles' (it can mean they need a new tail and I don't have the skills to fix that yet); 
• I'd rather pass on large areas of regrind or staining. 
• I -prefer- ponies who have nice soft hair. I don't mind a bit of frizz or slightly messy curls, but I've learned that texture is a big deal to me--likely since I rely on that more than vision since I'm legally blind. I can see my ponies, but wanting to pick them up, brush them, etc. is important. 
• I don't care for ponies that do not smell clean. I -love- scented ponies, just to avoid any confusion there. 

I'll wrap this section with my usual disclaimer: I've never seen someone at the Arena give a pony as a gift in an unacceptable condition (unless that pony was intended as bait, which does not count) so I'm totally not worried. :)

Do you have any preference on which generation gets focused on? 

I was able to find the most solid information on g1 non-us ponies. However, I'm totally happy to receive ponies from any of the generations. I can tell you that I create stories with my g1s, I don't have any g2s yet, I use g3s to reflect parts of my life, and my favorite g4s are characters who are key to FiM. 

Favorite or Army ponies?

I collect Rarity and Fluttershy. My favorite ponies from other gens are Princess Serena (g1), Princess Silver Swirl (g2) and Desert Blossom (g3). 

If you have a choice, do you prefer g3 / g4 MIB or opened so there's room for more goodies in the box?

Nine chances outta ten, unless I already have Rarity, Fluttershy or Desert Blossom loose in whatever version is being sent, the first thing I'm gonna do to that MIB pony is open it up. I generally prefer loose ponies and I don't have a ton of space. 

Do any of the ponies you are listing have special meaning to you that you would like to share? 

I have included notes on anything that has meaning, that I like for a specific reason, etc.

Sweets & Treats:

Sweet & Treats preferences (likes / dislikes) (do you want chocolate, candies, chips / cheesies, cookies, etc. What are your flavor preferences?)

Chocolate: I like milk and white chocolate. I'm neutral on dark chocolate. I love anything that mixes chocolate with peanut butter or hazelnut. I like chocolate mixed with peanuts and almonds. I like chocolate with caramel as long as it's soft, rather than really sticky or chewy. I like chocolate used in combination with cookies, wafer, etc.

Dislikes: Anything that has really sticky, chewy filling. Anything is filled with coconut. (Love the smell, hate the taste and texture.) Anything filled with stuff that's really hard when bitten into. (We have a bar over her called Skor that's like that.)

Candy: I like fruit candies (skittles, starburst, jelly beans). I love candies that have flavor in the center (gushers, Maynard's juicy sqirts), I like cinnamon candy as long as it's not tearjerker hot.

Dislikes: Black licorice, anything intensely hot, anything extremely sour. 

Chips / Cheesies: I'll try pretty much any flavor that isn't really, really hot or overly smokey. I like regular chips, wavy chips, kettle chips and cheesies. I also like pretzels (regular or flavored) and many types of flavored crackers (Cheese or Peanut Butter Ritz, wheat thins, Triscuits, etc.)

Dislikes: Anything extremely hot, spicy, or smokey. Xtreme BBQ, Sweet Chili Heat, anything Jhalepino? I'll pass. 

Cookies: I like most types of cookies. I particularly love soft, chewy ones, ones that have filling in the middle, or ones that involve peanut butter or chocolate.

Dislikes: I don't think I've tried any cookies I've -hated-... But I don't care for really hard cookies, ones that have sticky fruit stuff on top and filling in the middle, or plain digestives. They're not on the same level as the 'dislikes' in the other categories, but I may as well list them.

Do you have any allergies?

No allergies here.

Do you like coffee, tea, hot chocolate, cuppacino? 

I love tea and hot chocolate. I tend to use bagged tea, not loose. (I don't have the right kinda tea maker.)

Would you have any interest in a mug / cup / travel mug? 

I collect unique mugs, cups and travel mugs, so a new one is always welcome.

About Cultural / Iconic Items:

What kinds of local souvenirs would interest you? (Music, keychains, stickers, post cards, notebooks / pens / bookmarks, small plush, Canadian written book / book about this area (I'd need genre preferences for the former), pamphlets for key tourist attractions, photos from my area, menus, tickets, etc. from local venues?, Canadian themed stamps, samples of Canadian coins (nickel, dime, quarter, loony, twoney) 

I collect coloring books, keychains, stickers, mugs, plushies and dolls. I love to read and spend a good amount of time with my iPod. Seeing photography, post cards, brochures, etc. from other places is something I've found interesting since childhood. It can also be useful if I ever use an area when writing.

Would you be interested in images with recipes...?

I'm not really a cook, but I find learning about food in other places really interesting. What we eat in various parts of the world is a large part of what makes different places unique.

Random:

Do you want the extras to focus purely on things from UK culture, or is it okay to mix in things I think you might find fun?

I'm totally fine either way. One thought that came to me this afternoon was that even if we send things for other interests or collections, it will likely be different then what is available locally anyway.

Do you collect anything other than MLP / have any non-MLP hobbies I should be aware of? I may or may not be able to incorporate them into the box. 

I like Sailor Moon, Monster High, InuYasha, DC and Marvel Comics, gaming merchandise, pokemon figures and plushies, Jem, He-Man, She-Ra, Thundercats and Zelfs. One thing I've never listed on here is collecting Harry Potter stuff; I'd be silly not to mention that now.

Do you like items that are home made? 

Absolutely! I'm always flattered (and often amazed!) when people take the time to make something for me.

Would you prefer your box's wrapping, decor, etc. to reflect your personal interests and favorite colors, or icons, themes and colors that reflect the UK?

I'm fine either way. Decorate the box / presents / etc. whatever way you find the most fun. :)

Have you done a cross country swap with someone from the UK before? Are there any UK goodies that you enjoyed in the past and would like to get again?

This will be my first time swapping outside of North America. I did mention my aunt and grandma sending each other stuff, but that was chocolate, face cream, etc. I didn't pay much attention. 

Do you want the outside of your box decorated or left plain? Or are you neutral? 

Do whatever works for you. :) Nine chances outta ten the box you send me will get sent to the drugstore downtown and I will pick it up there. We have a community mailbox, so most parcels don't come directly to my home.