Favorite Things Party | Invite + Gifts Under $20

Oprah is famous for her favorite things. But, everyone has his/her favorite things, too. Whether it’s something in the kitchen, your makeup bag, or a travel necessity you just can’t live without…you have your favorites! We love when people share items they can’t live without with us, so we love the idea of a favorite things party this holiday season. The idea is to bring 3 of your most favorite things under $15 or $20, exchange amongst laughter, food and drinks, then leave with 3 new favorite things. To keep it manageable and affordable, add a $ limit. We like the $15-$20 range, but you can encourage people to bring one to two items for more money, if you wish.

We created an adorable invite on Etsy to celebrate the favorite things party. You can make your own edits on Canva, or place the order and we will make the edits for you. Just leave all the details and your email in the notes section at checkout, and we will send you the invite file.

Speaking of favorite things, we compiled some of our personal favorites under $20. Happy shopping.

garlic press – we’re Italian, so I guess it comes with the territory, but we love our garlic. We eat it when we’re healthy, we eat it when we are sick, and we add it to almost every meal. A garlic press, or this cute smasher, is a must-have in our kitchens.

Milk Frother – We use it every morning and afternoon – literally all the time! We use it for our Flavcity shakes, and when we add collagen and other powders/oils to our coffee. Love this little tool.

Silk Pillowcase – This is such a simple luxury that feels good every night we rest our heads. These make great gifts, and there are lots of colors and patterns to choose from.

Dae hair strand smoother – Jodi and her daughter love this wand that smooths away all those pesky hair wisps. This is a teen girl favorite, and mom’s too.

Heatless Curls – We don’t know how it works, but it actually works. Wrap/twist/braid your hair with the silk wand item at night, and in the morning, you will have beautiful, bouncing curls.

Candle Warmer – We can be forgetful, and sometimes forget to blow out candles. With this candle warmer, you don’t need matches, and you won’t have flames to worry about. Just a cute lantern that provides ambiance, and the smell of your candle under the heat of the lamp.

lotion and lip gift set – Jenna loves this lotion she found in Fairplay, CO this summer. Simple ingredients are in this small business goat milk lotion that smells heavenly.

Meat Masher – this little tool makes cooking so much easier. Meat is perfectly minced with a good texture.

Tweezerman Tweezers – There is no better set of tweezers as far as we are concerned. These grab those pesky hairs easily, and this travel size is great for the car when the hair really show up in that natural light. Friends don’t let friends walk around with unwanted chin hairs. 🙂

Travel Jewelry Case – this is the perfect travel size jewelry box. The jewelry doesn’t get tangled because there are mini pouches for each piece. This is a great gift for women and teens!

happy hour cocktail glass – we love all the cute anthropologie glasses with words and symbols. There is a glass for everyone. It’s always fun to drink a cocktail or cocktail from a cute glass. This would be a cute gift with an LMNT, mini wine can, Poppi or something fun tucked inside.

Jade Roller – You can depute your face every morning and night with this jade roller. It is a tiny tool that feels luxurious.

Loose Leaf Tea Strainer – This loose leaf tea strainer is amazing. We love our tea, especially in the winter. This glass pot can be warmed on the stove with loose leaf tea, then pours the perfect cup!

Holiday Cross-Stitch Cards Workshop at West Elm

make-and-mingle-embroidery-west-elm-flowers

The Every Hostess and your truly hosted a lovely event at West Elm, Denver just in time for the holidays. We gathered to cross-stitch holiday cards, sip coffee and apple cider and snack on cheese, crackers and, of course, cookies! We made wonderful memories with old and new friends, and laughed as we crafted at our 2nd Make & Mingle workshop.

Thanks to everyone who joined us, and to Colby Elizabeth Photography who captured all the cross-stitching fun.

See the beautiful party in its entirety at Couture Colorado. You won’t want to miss all the pretty little details…and the big ass balloons, literally.

joy-holiday-cards-red-polka-dot-embroidery

joy-holiday-cards-red-polka-dot-embroidery-workshop-diy-cards

confetti-balloons-white-west-elm-party

 

cross-stitch-holiday-cards-west-elm-denver-party-christmas-holiday-joy-card

make-and-mingle-santa-chocolate-straws-party-gifts

denver-west-elm-girls-laughing-party-white-balloon

Vendor List

Photographer: Copyright Colby Elizabeth Photography | @colbsta
Location: West Elm, Denver | @westelmdenver
Florist: Ladybird Poppy |@ladybirdpoppy
Stationery: Fleur de lis, a paperie | @fdlpaperie
Balloons: Big Ass Balloons | @bigassballoons
Polka Dot bags and straws: Bake It Pretty | @bakeitpretty
Planning/Styling: The Every Hostess | @theeveryhostess and J. Sorelle | @jsorelle3
Cookies: homemade by J. Sorelle @jsorelle3
Food and Hot Apple Cider: The Every Hostess | @theeveryhostess
Ornaments: Sage 8 Studio | @sage8studio
Chocolate bars and peppermint malt balls: Curly Girl Design | @curlygirldesign
Business card holder: Cory Renee Handcrafted Bags and Clutches
Coffee: Peet’s Coffee & Tea, Cherry Creek North | @peetscoffee

How to Host a Winter White Gingerbread Party

The fabulous ladies at The Entertaining Shoppe let us share their beautiful winter, white contemporary Gingerbread House party with Momtastic. The party is adult and kid friendly, plus it’s so pretty!

Get yourself a white apron with pom poms, and invite your friends because this is a winter white party worth hosting.

the entertaining shoppe gingerbread party

 {image via The Entertaining Shoppe}

day 10: {recipe} christmas cocktail cheer

christmas cocktails

On the 10th day of Christmas, j. sorelle gave to you … three cocktail ideas that put you in the holiday/winter mood!

christmas cocktails 2

I don’t know why exactly {I am not a professional mixologist by any means, just enjoy a cocktail once in a while}, but for some reason I always use a rule of thirds or halves when I make cocktails. It always is easy to make and measure, and always tastes delicious.

white snow russian

Cocktail #1:
WHITE SNOW RUSSIAN
1/3 Vodka
1/3 Kaluah
1/3 Milk
(I think whole milk tastes best, but you can use any milk)

little rum-mer fire boy

Cocktail #2:
LITTLE RUM-MER FIRE BOY
2/3 Fireball
1/3 Rum Chada

brandi-nog

Cocktail #3:
BRANDI-NOG
2/3 Eggnog
1/3 Brandy

christmas cocktails 3

Garnish with a candy cane, chill … sip, and enjoy!

{Images via j. sorelle}

Day 8: DIY party hats for Kids and Adults

On the 8th day of Christmas, j. sorelle gave to you…DIY Holiday Party Hats.

Put on your party dress and get out your hot glue gun because today we have a DIY tutorial to create your own, festive party hats.

DIY christmas tree party hat

diy sparkle and shine party hat

diy frozen party hat_jsorelle

You’ll Need:

  • Cardstock
  • Scissors
  • Hot glue/hot glue gun
  • Holiday trimmings, sequins, ornaments aka party hat decor
  • Package of thin headbands {we bought the softer fabric kind to prevent massive hard-headband-headaches}

How To:

Step 1: Print this free template {thanks Oh Happy Day} on cardstock of your choice

Step 2: Cut and shape cardstock into hat form. We used a pinch of hot glue along the ‘inside seam’ just to make sure the hat was solid for our heavy decorations.

Step 3: Decorate. Add some bling and color…or in our case, add tree trimmings, tinsel, and ornaments. We used a hot glue gun to add our tinsel and tree trimmings.

Step 4: Glue to a thin headband.

Step 5: Take pictures of your party hats and send them to us – we want to see your creations.
e-mail: hello@jsorelle.com
instagram: @jsorelle3
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These hats made even a mini-photo shoot in the middle of a massive winter storm {running eye-liner and all} fun!

{images via j. sorelle}