Favorite Things: Book Club

So I have been slacking in the posting department. Things have been crazy busy around these parts. I've been going through pictures and last month my Book Club took a trip to Vegas, and I was going to post those today...but then realized I haven't posted pictures from our December meeting. (Yeah like I said I'm a little behind.)

For our December Book Club we decided to have a favorite things party in lieu of exchanging gifts for Christmas. It was so much fun. We each brought enough gifts for everyone and I think it's safe to say that we all went home very happy ladies. ( Oh yeah and our book for the month was The Great Gatsby. We really do read and talk about the book---even if it's only for 5 minutes)

My awesome friend Meagan hosted and it was perfect. Her house is always decorated crazy cute for Christmas. She is such a good hostess!

This picture makes me want hot chocolate so bad right now!

Meagan and I

Me and Jenn

Table of goodies. 

 

 

Because there were 10 of us there and we wanted to give to everyone we set the limit a little lower to $5 for each gift. Here's what we all brought:

Me: Handmade bracelets out of washers and leather (instructions found here) and a shopping list pad.
Meagan: Chevron socks and glitter nail polish
Brittney: Handmade scarves and homemade yarn bookmarks.
Nichole: Personally designed prints and earrings
Jeanette: Adorable snowflake mugs
Jenn: Candy Cane Kisses and handmade Christmas Tree Ornaments
Cheryl: Brookside Dark Chocolate Goji Raspberry
Dari: Mexican Vanilla, Nail polish and Crystal Light
Whitney: Bath & Body Works Candy Cane Soap, Crystal Light & Sugar Free Candy
Alicia: Homemade vanilla and recipes.

Jenn, Cheryl, Meagan, Britney and I

Alicia, Dari, Nichole, Jeanette and Whitney

It really was a splendid night. I certainly love these ladies. Thanks for hosting Meg! And sorry it took me so long to post these pictures...

Have you had a favorite things party? I'm kinda obsessed with them. 

Favorite Things Party!

Last week, I threw a Favorite Things Party for my girlfriends. It was SO. MUCH. FUN. I have been seeing them on the blogosphere and knew I had to have one cause they sounded amazing. And boy am I glad that I did.

Basically you think of something that is your 'Favorite Thing' (we did ours between $5-$7) then you bring 5 of that item. That's FIVE of the SAME item. Then you write your name on five pieces of paper and throw all the names in a bowl. You go around sharing what item you brought then drawing out the {winners} names of who gets each thing. So you all go home with 5 new things. 

We had the party in my backyard it was great. You know I love any reason to celebrate so I busted out my silhouette and made a few simple decorations and arranged chairs, vintage TV trays, breakfast trays and blankets on the lawn. I brought candles out all around for some extra light once the sun went down. I was trying to get more pictures while the sun was still out, but it didn't happen. But here's a few that I caught of 

the night:

Brittney, Meagan, Whitney, Me & Jeanette

Swag bags for everyone to take home their treasures in. Tags found here.

Brit and Jeanette loved the purdy straws in the mason jars.

The table for our treasures

Calories galore

We had 'favorite' quotes all around.

Everyone brought their favorite snack to share. And man we had quite the spread: pumpkin dip, spinach dip, hummus, vegetables, chips, queso, chinese chicken salad, fruit truffle, pumpkin muffins, brownies, creme puffs, sugar cookies, red velvet sandwich cookies, chocolate covered strawberries, bread, and an array of beverages. 

Top: Mylee, Marlee, Chanda & Tera
Bottom: Meagan, Whit, Brit & Jeanette

Top: Hadley, Madison, Me & Jeanette
Bottom: April, Julie, Zuleika, Dlayne & Nichole

After mingling  and eating for a bit we started the fun. I was amazed at the good things people brought. Each of us struggled with what to bring and then as we saw what everyone else thought of we were amazed!

When looking at other bloggers posts about their parties I kept searching for more ideas about what to bring. I couldn't find much, so I want to share all the gifts that we had because they were awesome. Here's what everyone brought:

Me: Dry shampoo and lip balm

Whitney: Eyeliner

Zuleika: Mascara

Nichole: Her handmade earrings

Jeanette: Fingerless Gloves

Brittney: Goody Bag! (socks, earrings, Downy wrinkle release)

Chanda: Barnes & Noble giftcard and monster magnet book mark

Tera: Jamba Juice giftcard

Julie: Purse

Hadley: (Taylor Swift) Red Lipstick

Madison: Earrings

Meagan: Kneaders Pumpkin Bread and Autumn hand towel

Mylee: Nail Polish

Marlee: London/Paris/New York notebooks, pen, lip balm, caramel

April: Nail Polish Strips

Dlayne: Kneaders giftcard

Least to say we were all happy ladies at the end of the night. And it's safe to say we all wanted one of everything. Next time we'll have to bring 15 of the same item {start saving $ now ladies!}

A super big thanks to all my friends that came and made it such a wonderful night. I adore EACH of you!

I'll be honest I want to have one of these parties again. Tomorrow. And the day after. Seriously this would be perfect for Christmas. Instead of drawing names like we usually do, we are having a party like this. Who's with me?

Friday Favorites v1 {discount alert}

One of my favorite sites to peruse is Etsy. I could look for hours and hours. If only I could buy all the treasures I find on there. Here's a few of my favorite items lately:

Update:  Some of these awesome shops have offered discount codes just for YOU! Scroll down to see the details!

1. Golden Colorblock Wooden Chevron Necklace

I am in love with this. Hinting to the hubby that he should just buy me this 'just because'.

2.  Hair Arrows

Bought one of these at Craft Lake City and am dying for more. 

3. Tiffany Blue Chevron iTouch Case

I need a cute case for my iTouch, And this is perfect.

4. Beatles All You Need is Love Burlap Pillow Cover
Guess what? Aneta from Vintage Designs Reborn is offering you 10% off of any order. Just use the code ELEVEN19OFF10

I love pillows and The Beatles, so there's no question here really.

5. Engraved Wood Ruler Growth Chart

Love this. And you can take it with you if you move. Need this for the kiddos. 

6. Crayon Art Wallet

Need 2 of these for the kids. They would love this at church and on long drives. 

7. Yellow & Grey Chevron Purse Organizer

I try and clean out my purse often and organize it. But I suck. I never can find anything and when I do finally dump it out I find like 14 lipglosses and 5 packs of gum cause I keep buying more thinking my stuff was really gone. I totally need this. Plus Grey and Yellow Chevron? Score. 

8. Wooden READ sign

Can't decide where I would put this. In the living room on the book shelves? In the kids room by their books? Or in my room? Maybe I need three.

9. Infinity Scarf

It's Fall! And you always need a few new scarves. I love the buttons here!

10. Toddler Crochet Cowl
Cherie from SweetKidCo has graciously offered to give you guys 20% off any order placed now through October 15th. Just use the code: kidcowl when ordering.

Seriously? Cutest thing ever. Chloe totally needs this. We can't have her poor little neck getting cold!

So who's buying?

What are you crushing on lately?