Hello friends!  The week before kids get out of school in December is always a busy one, isn’t it!?  So much to get done and it’s also when a lot of holiday parties take place. I hope you are all enjoying the madness! :)  I hosted a party at my house last night for all of the 12-18 year old girls from our church and it was so much fun!  But that’s a party story for another day.  It’s time to talk about our annual Favorite Things party!  YEA!!  (I need some drums here.. or music.. something to express my excitement for this party!)  If you’ve been reading my blog for a while you know this has been a fun party I’ve been going to for years.  My friend Ann is the hostess and this party is a tradition we all look forward to!  I can’t believe how quickly a year goes by.  I feel like I was just typing up the post from last year’s party!  If you are new to my blog that post explains how this party works!  It’s also full of other great gift ideas.  Pretty sure I own one of everything on that list by now!

{Outfit sources: blouse/ (one of my favorites!)/jeans/similar boots /necklace/earrings/ Ann’s dress}

Quick cell phone pic of me with the beautiful hostess!  Ann is an amazing party planner.  We had the most delicious dinner and her house looked beautiful and so festive!  She even brought in some cool shelves to hold everyone’s favorite things.  We always make deals on our morning run/walks together about her planning all of my parties while I organize her house.  :)

Every year at this party I think about how grateful I am for good friends who have been in my life for years.  We all have so much fun together.  I truly can’t imagine life without them!

This year instead of bringing three gifts for around $15, we each brought two gifts for around $25 each.  (Although some people always ignore the amounts and just bring what they want.. ha!)  There were some AMAZING gift ideas (my friends have such good taste!) and Ann and I were just talking about how we seriously shop for others off of this list all year long!  Plus every year we all pick up more favorite things that we love ourselves.  So here are our favorite things for 2015!  I hope they give you a few last minute gift ideas!  And maybe something to hint to Santa you want yourself. :)

It’s a 10 Miracle Leave-in Product –  K my friend swears by this and I’m so excited to try it!  Put a little on your hair after the shower and watch the magic happen!  It detangles and makes your hair soft, shiny and smooth!  I ordered some and was reading the Amazon reviews and so many people LOVE this product!

Naked2 Urban Decay Eyeshadow – I gave the first Urban Decay sets to my sister and sister in law last year for Christmas!  Love this make-up and can’t wait to try these colors.

Roses De Chloe – A favorite perfume with an amazing scent!  I don’t usually wear perfume but may have to start!  Excited to try this.

Sprinkles Cupcakes – I’m assuming you’ve all tried Sprinkles cupcakes before?  If not think twice before you do!  Your jeans aren’t going to thank you. ;)  (She brought a gift card to the party – fun gift idea!)

Olive Wood Salt Keeper – This was Ann’s favorite thing and she said it was a gift from a friend and she can’t believe how much she loves it!  She keeps it out on her stove and aside from looking pretty, it’s so handy to have when cooking.  I want one!

Infinite Aloe Skincare – A friend of mine swears by this for keeping her skin looking fabulous!  She also uses it for her kids.  Sounds like such a great product.

Lu Lu Lemon Run and Done Neck Warmer – A great neck warmer for exercising!

Amina Dry Shampoo and Conditioner – Oh my word.  I want to try this based on the smell alone!  LOVE a good dry shampoo and conditioner since I’m trying to do my part during the California drought by not washing my hair more than twice a week. Ha! :)  My friend swears by this and it was a favorite that went fast!

Infinity Scarf – Who doesn’t love a great infinity scarf!?  They go with everything and always look good!

Silk Lashes – My friend wore these to the party and they looked so good on her!  Not fake at all.. just really pretty.  She loves them!  So fun for a special date night or party!  If I try them I’ll let you know what I think!  Or if you try them let me know what you think. :)

Elta MD Tinted Sunscreen – You guys!  My favorite was such a hit!  Woot woot!  I was excited so many people wanted it!  I mentioned this in MY favorite things from 2015 post.  LOVE LOVE LOVE this sunscreen!  It’s a daily sunscreen you wear under your make-up.  It’s so lightweight and it has a slight tint so it’s almost like a touch of foundation (all I wear to exercise in the mornings and I love that it evens out my skin a bit and protects it from the sun).  Maybe this was a huge hit because we live in a place that’s always sunny so protecting skin is a top priority around here, but regardless.. you will love it!  Several of my friends who didn’t get it at the party have ordered it since then and e-mailed me to tell me how much they love it.  Trust me on this one!

Amazon gift card – a friend brought Amazon gift cards as a favorite thing!  Always a great gift idea if you can’t come up with an item to buy.  One of my friends took that so she could order my sunscreen..  Oh.. did I already mention my sunscreen was a hit?  Just sayin.. ;)

Hydro Flask Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle – HOW did I not know about these before!?  Two different friends brought this to the party.  When that happens you know it’s a good favorite!  And I got one!!  I’m so in love with it!  Definitely not your typical water bottle.  It keeps drinks cold for up to 24 hours and hot for up to 6 hours.  I’ll fill it with ice and drink from it all day and when I wake up in the morning the ice is still in it and any water left is ice cold!  Plus it’s cute – comes in so many different colors.  I keep it with me all the time and I’m drinking so much more water now because I don’t have to constantly refill ice.  Well.. I actually don’t have it with me all the time because my girls keep stealing it to take to their dance and play practice.  Guess what will be under the tree Christmas morning for them?  Mom wants her water bottle back! :)

Passport and Money Pouch – I have a friend who is a serious world traveler.  It’s crazy how many places she has been!  Literally ALL over the world!  She loves to travel and this is one of her must have items she takes on every trip.  It’s a safe money belt that holds your money and passport.  It’s so lightweight and thin and it fits under your shirt – nobody can tell it’s there!  A great way to protect your money from travel theft.  Ditch the bulky fanny pack – this is a must have!  A great gift if you know someone who loves to travel.  I’m ordering one!  And then telling my husband he needs to plan a trip so I can use it. :)

PJ Salvage Pajamas – Another favorite that made my list this year!  Remember how I told you about my PJ Salvage pj’s and how much I love them?  I’m not the only one!  A friend brought two pairs and raved about them!  They were scooped up in no time.  I hinted to Santa that I would love this PJ Salvage Nightshirt for Christmas.  So cute and comfy!

Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder – Perfect for all skin types and my friend loves this!  It brightens dark under eye circles and keeps your make-up from creasing.  I’m excited to try it!

Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner – My friend says she has tried so many eye liners and this is her all time favorite!  Goes on easily and stays in place all day long!

Magic Cleaning Cloths – SO excited to try these!  Sounds like they are like a magic eraser but even better.  My friend says she uses them to clean so many things!  I was happy I’m not the only one who gets excited about a good cleaning product. :)

Nancy Turner Books – A friend of mine loves books by Nancy Turner and especially raved about These Is My Words.  They sounds like such great books.

Make and Share Random Acts of Kindness – Oh I love this idea!  A book all about simple and inexpensive crafts and recipes to make to give and share!  My girls would love this.  What a great gift to give and to receive.  Can’t wait to read it!

Tombow Dual Brush Pen Art Markers – If you are going to get crafty these art markers were another favorite that was shared!  On my must have list for sure!  I’ve never tried them and they sound amazing.  Read the reviews!  Seems they are favorite pen markers for a lot of people!

Bliss That’s Incredi-peel – My friend loves this and says it’s like a mini peel you can do on your own.  I really want to try this!  It’s supposed to leave your skin so smooth and bright.  I was reading the reviews and everyone said you notice a difference right away!  Tip: sometimes she finds them on sale at Costco!

California Love Hat – Cutest hat!!  I want one of these too!  If you love Cali like we do this is a fun addition to any wardrobe.  Especially for me since.. you know.. helping with that drought by not washing my hair like I mentioned above.  Just doing my part.

Gold Rounded Bar Necklace – Another favorite on my list this year!  My friend brought a necklace almost identical to my tanner bar necklace (in looks and price!).  I wear this necklace with everything!  She and I both love it!!

Oh my word.. is that a fun list of favorites or what!?  SO excited about all of these favorite things!  I’m set on gifts for a year until the next one!  Of course I want one of everything mentioned so my husband is hooked up with gift ideas too. :)  I hope this post gave you a few fun ideas!  Nothing like last minute shopping.  No matter how prepared I am I find I’m always still on Amazon a week before Christmas!  Fingers crossed we can all wrap things up (literally!) in time to enjoy this special holiday and spend time with those we love.