Wednesday, December 5, 2012

annual party highlights...


Here's a recap of my 12th Annual Christmas party with my girlfriends, this year's theme:
'My Favorite Things'
If you missed the invitation and details you can get the scoop here.
As usual the photos are limited, I just wanna have fun!

Prepping the buffet and lighting candles before the girls arrive...








The Menu...

Stilton Stuffed Dates wrapped in Bacon
Individual Shrimp Ceviche with Tortilla Triangles
Roast Beef with Rosemary Mayonnaise on Pumpernickle
Mini Chicken Pot Pies
Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Warm Molten Chocolate Cake

After everyone arrived and had drinks in hand we passed this bowl,
we all drew five names ~ these would be the recipients of our gifts...






The gifts...
we all LOVED getting five gifts, I usually do a new theme each year, but somehow
I need to work in a repeat of the five for next year's theme.




My 5...


1. Smartwool socks - over the limit, but our friend has connections!
2. EOS Lip Balm packaged in the fun Chinese take out box.
3. Revlon's Creme Brulee nail polish
4. Hanky Panky knock off in front
5. English Toffee beautifully packaged below

Do you remember my talented neighbor I told you about here?
She never ceases to amaze us! Look at the details, she used a garden marker as the tag!


And she brought them all perfectly arranged in this burlap lined wire basket,
 which gets to live at my house... :)

The other CLEVER ideas...

* Box of tea and mug from the non-coffee drinker
* Silver snowflake ornament from the skiier
* Sourdough Starter passed down from a Grandma
along with a whisk, and pancake recipe
* A collection of functional items from our favorite who claims she's not artsy  
* Favorite Drinks - bottle of beer, mini bottle of wine,
Starbucks individual packets to go with a Baileys miniature
* And, my Ikea tins I showed you yesterday here.

What I wore...
I have no idea what I'm doing, but it was the best of the bunch.
Leopard blouse and green skinnies, Rio and I share the pearls, my turn tonight.


This was the look I was going for, I like it much better than what I ended up with,
 I had pinned it about 8 months ago and thought I remembered leopard blouse...wrong.
The ironic thing is I have a the exact belt and blouse...can't believe I didn't look at my
Pinterest board. If you'd like to check them out go here

Green pants, leopard belt, and a white shirt!

That ends another year with my favorite friends, if you don't do a girlfriend
get-together I highly recommend it!

27 comments:

Anonymous said...

Everything looks so beautiful, and it certainly seems like you had a lot of fun. I think you are right, I need a girlfriend get-together.

Scrappy Pink Corner said...

Your home is beautiful You decorated everything so nicely. Very warm. I am sure you all had a great time. That is really a neat idea. The leopard blouse was fine. Loved it with the green skinnies. TFS. Ana

Linda {Calling it Home} said...

What a beautiful event. It sounds like you found the perfect friends to enjoy it with. The menu was perfect. And, you looked beautiful.

Luci @Bungalow At Home said...

I love the whole idea of 5 favorite things! I'll have to copy this for next year..

The house looked so festive and you looked great in those green skinnies!

Cassie Bustamante said...

everything looks gorgeous and you look awesome! so glad you had a turn with the pearls.

Cindy @ a curious gardener said...

Your home was decorated so beautifully for the party, love all the candlelight, sparkling glass and metallic ornaments. Need to steal your ideas, I am slow to get to my holiday decorating this year.

The menu was FANTASTIC! Please.... a post with recipes and how you accomplished all of that along with decorating the house, painting your buffet/hutch and providing a thoughtful bedroom consultation for me!

Your friends gift ideas were so clever and styled so beautifully and finally, you looked great!

Nancie N Bartley said...

Ah! Now I know. You and Rio share the pearls. I always love the pics where she is wearing them-such a great look on her. They look great on you too.
And looks like a fabulous party. Where do we sign up to be long time friends and get on the party invite list?

Unknown said...

I think you look "mahvelous!" Now you can revisit that outfit on your pinterest board, and not look the same. The party looks like it was a great success, the food alone has me salivating and the 5 gifts is pure fun anf creativity!

Karen said...

Looks like a fun event that you friends surely look forward to every year. (BTW, love the outfit, you looked great!)

Sew a Fine Seam said...

Very cool! I love love love the way you decorated your food bar! And your chalk board art looks awesome too!

Cotton said...

I like the leopard and green--totally hostess appropriate!

Calypso In The Country said...

I think Rosie and I need to share some jewelry! So cute! It looks like you had a festive party! There is nothing like getting together with a group of friends for a special occasion!
Cheers! - Shelley

Lisa @ Shine Your Light said...

How fun and how fabulous do you look???!!! I love the leopard/green skinnies combo! Your friends came up with so many fun ideas, this sounds like a fantastic evening!

Dana Frieling said...

So, so, so much fun! My favorite gift...sourdough starter passed down from grandma. So thoughtful! Your table looks gorgeous, as usual, friend.

Katie {Miss Dixie} said...

I absolutely love this party. Small gifts are my favorite and they came up with such fun ideas! love, love, love. Ps- Did I see molten chocolate cake....

Patty Day @Pattys Epiphanies said...

The best party of all! How lucky to have wonderful friends and celebrate each year. You look great and would in either blouse!

Leslie said...

Look at you Pam! You look so festive and the house is decorated perfectly. Did you do all the cooking?! It's always a challenge for me to shop, clean, and prepare food in with my work schedule. I am thankful I don't work full time.. but still, it's tough to stay organized.

Glad you had fun! It's so important to take time out for our girlfriends ;)

Lori said...

You and your house look beautiful! The menu sounds amazing too. I love hearing what your creative friends come up with for gifts. What a great theme!

Taylor Greenwalt said...

Everything looks great....Love the jeans and the leopard belt...You go girl!

Unknown said...

Youre THE best entertainer, for sure, and you looked marvelous! Love your panache kiddo...happy holidays to you and your family ..wish I could take you to lunch and visit in real life :)
xo Nancy
Powellbrowerhome.com

Tara {The Silver Lining} said...

Oh wow!! Your decorations are gorgeous!! I'm hosting a girl's holiday party this Sunday that I've been doing for 8 years with my bestie. However, we are still unpacking boxes in our new house and so I'll hardly have Christmas decorations done. Wish I could snap my fingers and have my home look like yours!!! :)

Unknown said...

My friends and I have done a Favorite Things party this time of year for 4 years now. It is one of our "favorite" times to get together. So much fun to see what everyone comes up with. Your kitchen looks amazing and oh so festive. And all the gift wrapping is beautiful. Thanks for sharing!

Jennifer @ Dimples and Tangles said...

Looks like a great time was had by all! Aren't you the cutest! I think you totally rocked your outfit! Is the party at your house every year or do you all rotate? Your home looks so warm and festive, the menu looked delicious, and how fun are those gifts? I love this idea.

Jennifer @ Dimples and Tangles said...

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention your chalkboard too! Looks fantastic! I just did a little chalkboard myself and am posting about it tomorrow.

Shirley@Housepitality Designs said...

What a fun party...and the gifts itself were fantastic, but I could not help but notice the fabulous wrapping of each one!!...Your friends are so very creative...

maureen stevens said...

the tablescaping is just amazing! And the menu...ahhh, I wanna be there at ur next soiree :)

Jenny said...

What a festive and beautiful party! Your home looks gorgeous, and your friends really pulled out all of the stops with their gift items! Love it!

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