Each year I host a 5 Favorite Things Party, and this year, again, was a blast!  It's for ladies only (although you will see my husband and son in a picture or two) and since it's always on the first Friday in December, it helps to kick off the holiday season.  I feel so blessed to have all these women in my life and enjoy everything about them.  The point of the party, besides getting together, is to go home with 5 fun gifts.  Everyone throws their party a little different but getting creative is the most fun. As the hostess, I provide wine, champagne, soda and your choice of naughty or nice punch, bags to carry your treasure home and of course a party atmosphere. To help  make the party festive, I got help from Expo Party Rentals (http://www.exporentals.com/) I opted for glitz so of course I had to use their sequins table cloths!  Not only did we use the tablecloths they way they should be used, on the tables, we also used one as our photo backdrop! In addition this year I did something a little different.  I had Austin Newell from Studio Grade (http://studiograde.net/) take individual pictures and video of all the fun!  Thanks to all that came and made it another successful evening of fun!





Party Prep These bag will be full of all our treasures!

Apparently Joyce got the inside scoop on my décor because she matched perfectly and looked awesome!

Always happy to see my sister-in-law Jan!!! Love her!

These two, always in the holiday spirit!!  Gina and Annie

This busy mama of two found time to come and to look gorgeous! Love my niece Gina!

These two ladies not only help keep us beautiful but hello......how beautiful are they? Jeannie and Aimee!

Looks like my Aunt Susan stole Garrett for a quick PIC! She looks younger every time I see her!

This soon to be retired lady was her first time.  I hope she had fun! Debbie!

Michelle and Katherine are the two beauties we look forward to seeing each year!

These two are always having fun together!  I'm glad they chose to share their fun with us! Jill and Dena!

The Mom and Daughter Duo!  How much do these beauties look alike?? Love seeing Susan and Eryn every year!



It's a family affair!  Lisa, Lexy and Aunt Susan!

Garrett was grabbed again and this time to pose with the ever so sweet Carol!

Three of my favorite loves! My beautiful DIL, Sharla, my co-hostess, Julia and of course my ever so helpful husband, Gary!

We start them out early!!  Bridget, her mommy Kendall and her Auntie Gina!

It wouldn't be the same without these two fun and beautiful ladies! Adrienne and Lisa!

Another Mother and Daughter Duo!! Love these two!  Margaret and Julie!

They just look like trouble! First time for my niece Erica!  Erica, Dena, Jill and Sharla



Oh boy, Oh boy! Too much wonderful things to say about this group! Heather (great to meet you), Shelby, Aimee, Jeannie, Becky and Megan

Another busy Mom! Glad to see you again this year Christie!

Besties! Ceirra and Christie

Nope! Not sisters!  Beautiful cousins Susie and Izkra!

Mama and her girls!



Jessica, Virginia, Ceirra and Cisca

Me and my girls!



Aww, one of my all time favorite lady.  My co-grandparent Jill!

This week's pick is just in time for you to "shine" during this holiday season.  Not only are we busy partying , taking pictures, shopping, wrapping, cooking, and baking, our skin is being exposed to more stress then normal.  I am guilty of not taking  that extra step to give my skin the  special attention it needs. My skin was looking dull, dry and aged.  Let's face it, I'm not 25 anymore,
but I want my skin to be the best it can be.

La Peau Spa to the rescue!  Aimee put together a two part treatment that truly transformed my skin and gave it back the shine I was looking for.  My dark spots are much lighter, my skin is brighter, it feels tighter and honestly it is as soft as a baby's booty!  I can't stop touching my face!

Aimee applied a customized peel just for my skin. It started peeling on day three and by day 7, I had what seemed to be brand new skin.  I was so excited!  But, she wasn't done with me yet.  After my skin was nice and fresh, I got the latest and greatest SUPER facial, Oxygeneo!   It is composed of three treatments; Exfoliate, Infuse and Oxygenate.  If you have aging skin, dull lifeless skin, fine lines, large pores, irregular texture, uneven skin tone, dehydration or acne prone skin, this facial is for you!

When you visit La Peau, the atmosphere is not only beautiful but calming and relaxing as well.  I automatically drop down about ten notches on the stress chart.

Looking for some unique gift ideas?  They have it!  This year I am in love with these cool matches for the fireplace.  I use them to light my velvet moss and jasmine fragranced candle!

We  love our community and so it's important for us  to shop local.  One of ,our  absolute favorite "locals" is Shelby Decker of Deckeratedot!  Every time I see a new piece she's created I get so excited.  I could buy one of everything!  Shelby specializes in hand lettering and designs including wedding and home décor pieces.   Recently she was kind enough to give a calligraphy class to a few lady bloggers, and I realized, it's a lot harder then it looks.  Earlier this year we were so fortunate to have her address our son's wedding invitations and she also made the most amazing seating charts (both pictures below). We are huge fans!! We  encourage you to consider Deckeratedot for all your hand lettering needs.  You won't be disappointed! DECKERATEDOT'S contact information and social sites are below.

When I was asked if I wanted barn wood, the only right answer was "heck ya". Barn wood is a hot commodity now a days and the possibilities are endless! We got up bright and early and met our son Jay and his family for the big tear down! By the end of the day we ended up with a trailer load full of old barn wood begging to be repurposed. In the very near future, we will be blogging about all the wonderful projects created from an old barn in Sanger California.

Just in time for holiday giving!

I am in LOVE with my designer Wood Watch from JORD.  Fall is a time for change and these pieces  make the transition into the fall and winter easy.  I'm sure you've noticed they are popping up everywhere!  JORD creates time pieces that work with a modern lifestyle.  They offer a huge variety of watches for  men and women using several types of wood.  The watches are light weight so they can be worn alone or with stacks of bracelets.  It's my "go to" watch and I am so excited to share these unique watches with you.  Scroll down to win a gift code for a designer JORD WOOD Watch. 


Luxury Wooden Watch

Remember those Antique Chicken Feeders Gary picked up at the Three Speckled Hens Show?  Well, he made these cool outdoor lighting pieces!! He's been looking for something different for some time now.  I love the way they turned out and according to Gary they are extremely easy to make. We hope this inspires you to make something old, new again!