these are a few of my favorite things

you may or may not know

that 13 years ago today 

i married the most amazing man in my world

sadly, things are different now

so i celebrate today differently 

last year a few girlfriends came over 

sort of unplanned

b/c they didn't want me to go the first year alone

this year i've been seeing

favorite things parties

all over blog land

so i merged one of my favorite days

with lots of my favorite friends

with tons of our favorite things

munchies, drinks, give aways, etc.

enter *brown paper packages*

i think it's a new tradition

a  couple of weeks ago 

i sent out simple invites

with directions

i made a few of my favorite desserts
lemon bars, chocolate chip cheesecake bars, & strawberry puffs

other gals brought the yummy selection of appetizers
crab dip & crackers, mexi dip & chips
hummus & pita chips,
pizza roll & sauce, fruit salsa & cinnamon chips

as the girls arrived
i told them to write their name on 5 pieces of paper
and place in a bucket
that is how it was determined who got each fun item

then as ladies shared their fav

she pulled 5 names from the bucket

those five gals took home that item

and so on

best of all the party was on a huge budget

i'm very proud of the little money that i spent
i used things i would find around the house/garage
greens & yellows
glass
brown paper
buckets
string
you get the idea

i used jars from the garage

(my father in law will be thrilled ~

i think he is concerned that i may be a hoarder)

i created chalk panels on a few 

and put tea in those

etched "water" on another

those were the drinks i provided

a few others made their way over as well

  

i used scrapbook paper & grocery bags 

to create the scallops for the garland

also to make sign sign in cards for each guest

last minute i cut open a few other trader joes bags 

to serve as table covering

so i know what you most want to hear about . . .
the *uninvited* guest

just kidding i know you want to see some of the favorites

Kim brought egg timers

and she did NOT draw my name


Anne brought ketchup from Chik Fil A
in those cutsie little dispensers
AND
wonderful BPA free water cups with lids & straws

like the one in the left of the picture
that's mine

Michelle & Maggie
both have a thing for Bath & Body Works Soap

Jennifer brought
Homemade Cajun Rub in cutsie jars
(can't wait to try it!)

Lisa the make-up lovely
brought everyone the best mascara
Kelly Ripa agrees

i forgot to tell you that lisa ~ 

i remember when she would rave about that stuff

Liz brought magazines

Jennie brought Angel Bells
made by Angel Bell

Mandy brought Berts Bees Chap stick

Stephanie brought Venus Razors
and tips from her couponing expeditions

Jenn brought
Hollywood Fashion Tape

I had my fav EOS lip love

this would be fun to do seasonally
that was an idea floating around
i'll host again next summer

Be joyful always;
pray continuously;
give thanks in all circumstances,
for this is God's will for you
in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16