2.25.2010

these are a few of my favorite things

I did another favorites party, this time with a new group of friends! The theme was based on the song "These Are a Few of My Favorite Things." The colors were mostly sage-y green and pink, coming from the fabric I had on hand with which I made the invitations.I'm not the best photographer...in fact I'm not even that good, so bear with my photos.

I got the idea to hang phrases from the song on the blog katie did, here. I just freehanded the letters, which gave a cute, quirky quality to the words. And almost a week later they're still up, they've been too fun!

yes, I did notice that crooked "t" in mittens and fixed it before the festivities!


The food was really easy since the song contains plenty of favorite foods! I bought "crisp apple strudel" from a local bakery, made "girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes" sugar cookies, filled handmade "brown paper packages tied up with string" with raspberry truffles, and topped simple brownies with "raindrops on {radish} roses." I made my favorite go-to party drink, cucumber limeade (a concoction made up by my good friend's husband), and had mismatched glasses & mugs to drink from. I don't own 12 of any one type of glass, so that was my solution!


I set it up a little differently than the parties I have planned with Kari & Alicia in Salem. {Head on over to my family blog to see what those were like.} So here, everyone picked a favorite item and brought 5 of them. I had everyone write their name on 5 slips of paper, then we each drew out 5 names. (that's a lot of 5's I just spit out) I started first and told why my item was a favorite, then gave it out to those who had drew my name. There were 11 ladies total, and we went around the room like that. So each person got to take home 5 new favorites! And we learned a little about each other along the way. Do you think I could remember to take pictures of everyone's favorites displayed on the table, or anyone at the party for that matter?! I was having too much fun chatting I guess! But the favorites ranged from kitchen gadgets {mine was a flexicado, as seen below}, to books, things to wear, and beauty supplies. I wish I could have invited more people, I had about a dozen more I wanted to invite, but my house only holds so many!

I've said this before, and I'll say it again: do this with your friends!! As a hostess, you don't have to worry about party favors to send guests home with, they're already taking things home. It is always so much fun, and everyone has a great time!

2.22.2010

plush alphabet magnets


Just found what I'm going to make with all my fabric scraps. I have way too many that need to be used up, and this is perfect!

2.19.2010

got milk?

I got this little present from my mom for my birthday. Whenever we go antiquing together, I always keep an eye out for a whole set of glass milk jars. I could never find it, but she surprised me with one! All in their own metal carrying case and everything. Seeing them filled with fresh flowers on my table makes me happy.

2.18.2010

spotted


I was in anthropologie last month and saw this on a bookshelf. It caught my eye because I know the author, Chris Marley, and immediately recognized his work. His family and my husband's family go way back, and before we moved from Salem our sons were good friends.
He creates insect artwork - framed bugs that are interesting in shape and color. He says on his website that his fascination with insects was inspired by a desperation to avoid them. Wouldn't it be cool if we could all face our fears head on like that!
Check it all out here.

2.08.2010

cookie cutters

This is the place if you're in need of a particular cookie cutter shape. They have everything imaginable. I want to make sugar cookies for a few different parties that are coming up, and couldn't find anything in stores that suited my fancy. I could have gone crazy with all the options at the cookie cutter shop, and I did end up with four shapes that I couldn't resist. Here are a few of my favorites from the site.

piano - besides my family, it's my life
spool of thread - this is one I bought just for fun!
umbrella - because I live in OR
key - wouldn't it be cute to make these for a housewarming gift?!
tooth - for the first time your child loses a tooth
whale - just a cute animal shape, fun for a baby shower maybe

2.05.2010

babybel


I love cheese, and these are my latest cheese addiction. I have {at least} one a day. always the original flavor.