Who doesn’t need more reasons to get together when you have amazing girlfriends you don’t see enough because of _______________ (fill in blank with: kids, job, husband, volunteer work, or other commitment)?
Behold: a Favorite Things Party is the new solution for mommy “me time”!
These parties are popping up in different pockets of the country thanks to Pintrest, social media and just plain female genius. Recently we were blessed to experience one hosted right here at a local “favorite” – Arcadia Farms Cafe over champagne, delicious goodies and afternoon tea.
The concept would capture any woman’s heart: share your favorite “must-have/life-changing item under $10” related to beauty,health, kids, cooking and everything in between and bring five of that item to the party. Everyone has a chance to share their item and how or why it has made such a difference, and then they draw five lucky ladies’ names to get to take the item home themselves! Everyone left with some new ideas and 5 new products to try.
A fun twist we had was the Bring One, Take One Basket. Everyone was encouraged to bring a used favorite movie, book, cd, etc. if they wanted to take home someone else’s. To add to the Oprah-themed favorite giveaways, there were also scratch cards designed to raffle swag bag style gifts from some of the local business owners in attendance: the beautiful La Lou Salon, always giving back to the community Me4Kids, and the charming Whisked Away Culinary School, and a fabulous SkinMedica anti-aging regimen!
Keeping all the shared tips and products to ourselves would defeat the purpose of enhancing other women’s lives, so enjoy the list below and the pictures and cheers to throwing a “favorite things” party of your own soon!
Try Our Favorites!
1.) Covergirl Mascara and 21 Cupcakes from Scottsdale
2.) Seche Vite dry fast top coat: “It is the best and most amazing top coat polish I have found yet! It stays super glossy like you just got a pedicure for weeks! You can buy at Ulta for $10.”
3.) Banana Boat Summer Color Self Tanning Lotion in Deep Dark Tan: “Works great with no streaks and leaves you with a great suntan look without the sun.”
4.) Chap stick from Alba in coconut flavor. “Love the way it tastes and makes my lips feel.”
5.) Coconut water: “Hydrating, tasty, not filled with crap!”
6.) Crystal nail file: “Easy to carry in purse or car, lasts forever, keeps it shape!”
7.) Nyx natural 810 natural lip liner: from Ulta $3.50
8.) Hair ties from Lil Jewels: $1.50 (no creases!)
9.) Clarisonic Brush Head (because every girl needs a Clarisonic)
10.) MAC c-thru lip gloss. I love it because it “goes” with anything, whether you are out at night or running around with the kids. It looks good on all skin tones! I’ve tried a ton of colors and always go back to c-thru 🙂
11.) Mini Tweezerman Tweezers (in pink). They are by far the best tweezers and are so fantastic for doing eyebrows. Also, the mini-ones are great to keep in your car – which is my favorite place to do my eyebrows since the natural light is fantastic.
12.) Eye Mask- Bed Bath & Beyond, Clair’s has some cutie ones too.
13.) Alfa Parf Semi Di Lino Illuminating Shine Lotion: Use this twice a week depending on how often you wash your hair. You can get 2 uses out of a vile. It cost about $50.00 for a box of 12 viles but SO worth the $$$. It leaves your hair soft, shiny and smells just like you walked out of the Salon. I get this from my hairdresser, Emily Clair, at The Root Salon but I am sure you can get it elsewhere. I just found it on Amazon for $21.35!
14.) Lorac Eye Shadows and 3D Multi-Plex Lip Gloss: “The most consistent brand I have ever used and wears ALL Day! You can buy at Ulta, but it is not in Sephora anymore”
15.) Sauve Dry Shampoo: For a few dollars you can get what is claimed to be the best dry shampoo available, so move over Bumble and Bumble 🙂
16.) Rosebud Salve: Ultimate cure for dry, cracked skin
17.) The Original Dish Drying Mat: Our Culinary Guru swears by it, so I am in!
18.) Stila lip glaze: I love all of the colors…it’s my go to lip gloss…very shiny and not clumpy or gooey like some!
19.) OPI nail polish: my favorite brand…love all of their colors!! 🙂
20.) Trader Joe’s Lavendar Salt Scrub: Makes your skin Ultra Smooth!
21.) Burlap Packing Tape: Hobby Lobby…this was just wrapping for her “favorite”, but it became the hot item of the day
22.) Swedish Clove Foot File: Apparently the best out there for soft feet and you can find it at Sally’s.
And some other ideas that came out of our day…
Favorite Wine: Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio and Ridge Zin
Favorite Movie: Beautiful (Spanish, Biutiful), Love Actually
Favorite Book: 50 Shades of Grey, Canada by Richard Ford and The Secret Lives of Dresses
Favorite Magazine: Real Simple
Favorite Place to go with friends: The Mission, Disneyland, or “Vegas Baby”
Favorite Easy Meal to Cook: Chicken thighs in crock pot 6-8 hours with chicken broth; shred and serve over rice with smashed avocado and lemon juice. Add tortillas and salsa for tacos.
Favorite Easy Breakfast: Scramble egg with coconut milk; sauté green apples with cinnamon in coconut oil
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Carrie Liakos is a full time working mother of Kierstyn, Ellie and Evan and is blessed to be madly in love with her supportive husband and friends. She strives to inspire other women that it is possible to balance life between children, personal goals and professional achievements. She is not, however, immuned to “those days” and cherishes all the women who help her get through them with grace, laughter and compassion. Writing is her choice therapy.
