So Ms. Faux just hosted her absolute favorite party of the year and it is an annual affair. It's my FAVORITE THINGS PARTY!!! This was the 5th or 6th year that I have hosted and it is just an amazing party. Here are the rules.
1. Get a fabulous group of ladies.
2. Have them bring a gift to the party (about $20ish dollars)
3. This gift only needs to be something that is their favorite thing. Something they can't live without.
4. Conduct a dirty santa.
The brilliance of the party is that even if you don't get a gift that you like (very rare) you will get to see a ton of other stuff that you will love.
Faux Tip for the hostess: Take a picture of each thing and the person that gave it so that you can catalog for your guests all the gifts given that day. Below is just such a list. I have listed these all with links that you can click on for either the products website or in most cases a link where you can get it along with the first name of each of Ms. Faux's friends that gave the gift.
Ms. Marla's Favorite Things
Ms. Marla started us all off and gave the gift of Baby Jesus... chocolate and even better good chocolate with Ghiradelli's Intense Dark Cherry Tango candy bar $2.79 at Target.com.
Ms. Marla's last part of her gift was one she discovered in a pinch. She is the mother of two beautiful children and told the story that one day when she discovered she ran out of face wash used their Burt's Bees Baby Bee Shampoo & Wash $8.39 for 12oz. at Target.com
Ms. Dori's Favorite Things
Ms. Dori was next and she gave the most practical of all gifts that for anyone that has had to deal with this will absolutely appreciate. Ms. Dori gave the story of the time when she traveled and got bed bugs. Ms. Faux knows a thing or two about this and can attest that they are a pain in the neck and extremely difficult to get rid of, however extremely easy to get, especially if you travel. She gave Secure Travel Bed Bug Proof Luggage liner $19.99 at Amazon.com. Ms Faux ordered hers the day after this party.
Ms. Cynthia's Favorite Things
Ms. Cynthia was next and gave the gift of a healthy tummy. Having dealt with some dietary restrictions in her life she offered up her favorite Vegan Queso from the minimalistbaker.com Here is the Recipe!!! offering the dare to not eat this in one sitting.
Ms. Cynthia rounded out her goodies with El Ranchero Tortilla chips from Ranchero Foods (Ms. Faux's favorite for oven toasted nachos because they hold up. You can also get these for about $3 in most grocery stores in Chicago as it is a locally run business, though they sell in bulk on Amazon for anyone out of the state. Ms. Cynthia rounded out her local business food favorites with Salsa de molce jete from Edgewater Produce, located in Andersonville in Chicago.
Ms. Linda's Favorite Thing
Ms. Linda gave something that is Faux approved and I am shocked it has never been one of my favorite things. It is Lush's Big Shampoo $27.95 at Lushusa.com.
This shampoo is so good to remove all the build up in your hair. It provides so much volume and bounce and is the perfect clarifying shampoos. Here is what Lush says about their product. Ms. Faux says it definitely backs up those claims and smells delicious.
Body-building shampoo for serious oomph
Ms. Erin's Favorite Things
Ms. Erin was next and her gift was truly Erin. Honestly if I didn't know what gift everyone gave I could have absolutely pointed out hers as it is 100% things I see here in all the time. They were also bright, fun and of course some candy spliced in there.
Erin started with fun socks. Knee socks to be exact. I actually found the exact group she gave at Target.com for $6 for 3 pairs, but there are all sorts of graphic socks on their website.
Lastly she added her favorite Fannie May Mint Meltaways $24 for 24 ct. at FannieMay.com or you can get the singles in most pharmacies and likely grocery stores. Another favorite were colorful stud earrings. You can get them for $14.99 (Now $8.99) at Claires.com. Though the ones below are not exactly the same they are similar.
Ms. Alida's Favorite Things
So at my last party at my home, it was saged by none other than Ms. Alida. So I knew her gift was going to be just wonderful and so her. She included a 2017 Calendar by Anne Taintor $8.67 at Amazon.com (JUST MARKED DOWN). A bit of information about the author of this calendar according to Amazon.com...
Anne Taintor created her first images 25 years ago, cutting and gluing images and captions sitting at her kitchen table. Now she and her daughter apply current, slightly twisted captions to vintage magazine clippings from the '40s and '50s. Her magnets, journals, and many other items featuring these designs are in distribution at specialty stores throughout the country. She also has personal care products with BlueQ, and paper napkins and tissues with Paper Products Design. She lives in Portland, ME.
Ms. Alida finished up her gift with a lovely hand treatment called Nourish Organic Skin Cool $20.17 at Amazon.com. It is a cream to oil hand treatment with essential oils that Ms. Alida says doesn't leave your hands greasy and has a cooling effect on dry chapped hands.
Ms. Jess's Favorite Thing
Ms. Jess gave another gift that is Faux approved as it is something that I use as well. Benefit's Goof Proof Brow Pencil $24 at Benefit.com. Benefit knows brows like nobody else and I can even go so far as to say this entire line of brow products is to die for. One thing they get is that ain't everyone going to have the same color brows so there are tons of colors to choose from. You can use one color or mix with another a shade deeper to create gorgeous brows. It also comes with a very helpful spooly on the end to help feather out your brow. Ms. Faux will put this up there with her beloved Anastasia Beverly Hills brow pencil. IT GOOD!
Ms. Yvette's Favorite Things
Ms. Yvette was another to do a cluster of favorite things. Two things warming her tummy a bottle of Korbel Brut California Champagne approximately $14 at most grocery stores. Click on the link for super fun recipes on the korbel.com website. She also gave a Faux fave with Reeses Peanut Butter Cup Trees $4.61 at walmart.com. I can't remember Ms. Yvette's reason for the Reeses trees being her fave other than they are Reeses, but I know Ms. Faux loves them because they have more peanut butter in them.
Lastly Ms. Yvette gave the adorable book called, "I Could Pee on This: And Other Poems By Cats," $9.14 at Amazon.com. This came about due to a struggle with her own cat that I can attest to as I am also a cat owner and they are weird little creatures. I have even included a poem from the book below.
Ms. Caitlin's Favorite Thing
Benefit strikes again and once again it is something Ms. Faux uses. It is Benefit's They're Real Mascara $24 at BenefitCosmetics.com. First of all Benefit is at the top of the mascara game as well, notoriously having some of the best in the business. I guess they just get facial hair. This is everything Ms. Caitlin says it is in that it is one that you should not be without for long thick lashes without clumping.
Ms. Kate's Favorite Things
While Ms. Kate admitted her favorite thing would be time in her life to shop for favorite things, she gave nonetheless most women's favorite thing with two bottles of wine. I have absolutely no doubt that whomever received this gift will enjoy it immensely. The two bottles included was "Relax Riesling," $11.97 at winechateau.com and Prophecy Pinot Noir California Wine $11.97 at winechateau.com.
According to Relax Riesling's website this wine is best with seafood, poultry, salads and spicy dishes. It claims to be, "America's favorite Riesling and Wine Enthusiast "Best Buy." It is a refreshing, crisp, authetically German Riesling. Slightly dry with an enticing fruity boquet, it shows intense flavors of apples and peaches with a hint of citrus. Serve Chilled.
According to Prophecy Wines website, "Prophecy Pinot Noir showcases the best of California. Upon the first swirl, this Pinot Noir delights the senses with a bouquet of toasted oak and ripe raspberry. Plush and smooth, the mouthfeel is rounded and filled with luscious layers of red cherry and strawberry that are complemented by notes of brown spice."
Ms. Mary Jo's Favorite Things:
Now I know this favorite thing to be absolutely true because Ms. MJ is one of Ms. Faux's longest friends and talks about these things all the time. That is Walgreens.com finest Printed and Black Fleece Leggings (Usually $6 or $7 per or 2 for $10). They are not priced online, but I to have seen these in the stores and they are the warmest things ever. The picture below is one of the pairs that Ms. MJ gave away and they have all sorts of patterns or plain black. She gave a few away, but I have put a picture of the patterned ones below as I imagine everyone knows what plain black looks like. She also included some super cozy socks for those coooooooold Chicago winters.
Ms. Rebecca's Favorite Things:
Now Ms. Rebecca's favorite things did not surprise her as Ms. Faux and Ms. Rebecca lovingly refer to each other as each other's wife. Mainly because we are very similar in taste when it comes to decorating and just loving pretty things and damn if that doesn't include fancy matches. Though these aren't the ones Ms. Rebecca gave away HomArt sells beautiful ones for $6.95 at Amazon.com that are very similar to the ones that she did.
She also gave another Faux Fave with her Everyone Lotion for Every Body 3 in 1 in the scent mint + Coconut $10.99 at EOProducts.com. I can attest Ms. Rebecca has this brand of lotion throughout her home.
And lastly Ms. Rebecca shopped local at Alapash.com and got a lovely $18 Soy Candle with the scent New Home. If you do not want to lose your mind, do not click the link and if you further don't just want to die of fabulocity, do not go into the store. It is homey realness.
Ms. Faux's Favorite Things:
Next was my favorite thing during the Dirty Santa and I gave a few things that I live by. #1 was Life Comfort Ultimate Sherpa Throw $39.95 at Amazon.com. Ms. Faux is a lover of a good throw. I have had many in my time, but nothing compares to this one. One is super plush and the other is sherpa. They are sooooooo soft and warm. I have these things all over my house including my living room, meditation room and bedroom. I also give them away as gifts all the time because they are just the best. Faux Tip: At this time of year CostCo sells them for about $20 or less. So if it isn't there for you to spend $40 on a throw, just wait until Costco has them.
The other thing I gave I cannot get on a plane or through a Chicago winter without.. Also please note below the size I gave was about a 5 use super sample size, but I'm putting the full size product here because this sample size is only available usually around this time of year. That is GlamGlow ThirstyMud Hydrating Treatments. On planes I wash my face and put a thin layer over my entire face and when I get to my destination, wipe with a face towelette and reapply moisturizer and I get there with hydrated skin. You can also wear it overnight though the packaging recommends 20 minutes or more. All you will look like is that you have a slight shine to your face. For real I got from Chicago to New Zealand and my face was not stressed at all. Faux Tip: Buy GlamGlow ThirstyMud at Amazon.com for around $43 rather than at Sephora for $69 for the same amount. That is a $26 savings and makes this expensive mask a little more doable.
Lastly I gave a lovely princess like tea cup, because nothing is more luxurious than sitting on your couch with a delicious face mask and super warm throw. My favorites are mis-matched ones that you can get at Marshall's for less than $5.
Ms. Beth's Favorite Things:
Ms. Beth gave the gift of delicious candy and some face soap. First with Trader Joe's Scandinavian Swimmers gummy candy $2.99 at Trader Joes .
And next with SheaTerra Rose Hips Black Soap Facial Wash $15.30 at Amazon.com. Ms. Beth described it as one of the best facial cleansers that she has ever used and highly recommended it.
Ms. Melissa's Favorite Things:
Next was Ms. Melissa's favorite thing, a Bodum Pour Over 4 Cup Coffee Maker $33.99 at Amazon.com. She gave the story of how her boyfriend's coffee always tasted better than hers, even when she bought the same exact coffee. The reason for this is that sediments back up in your coffee maker and can over time taint the taste of your coffee. Since you are required to wash this each time, the sediments do not build up and thus a fresher cup of coffee. Ms. Faux has a similar Chemex, but with that one you have to have filters, so with this one you get a washable filter which makes it even more awesome as it is all reusable each time and more eco friendly. Ms. Faux used her Chemex the next day because of this party and remembered how amazing pour over coffee is.
Ms. Kat's Favorite Things:
Ms. Kat gave a traditional and very personal gift for her as one of her gifts. It is her dad's favorite coffee shop in Morehead, Kentucky called the Fuzzy Duck Coffee Shop. Since they don't have an online store I have linked their facebook page. So if you are ever in that neck of the woods check them out.
She also kept it local and in Evanston, Illinois with a favorite cocktail mixer from a store called Stumble & Relish in Evanston. The mixer itself was called Spark Syrup in the flavor Hibiscus + Ginger + Lime. Again I don't have a place for you to order online, however I have linked their facebook page above should that information become available. I think the moral of Ms. Kat's gifts is to shop local. There are beautifully hand made and in this case small batch items that give quality and a personal touch, right in your neighborhood.
Ms. Meg's Favorite Things:
Ms. Meg gave the gift of delicious Spiced Chai from Trader Joes $1.99 at Trader Joes and also the gift of trying new things. Spiced Chai is simple. It tastes good.
The gift of trying new things is one that Ms. Meg excels at. She is constantly on the go and one of the most outgoing people I have ever met in my life. Someone telling her not to or more so that she can't is one more reason that she will and will succeed. For new things she gave the gift of indoor rock climbing at First Ascent Climging and Fitness $28 at firstascentclimbing.com. The sentiment that she wrote on her gift is a good idea for all of us...
"This may be scary or intimidating but YOU CAN DO IT! This is a gift to remind you that you are never too "fill in the blank" to try something new. Enjoy!"
Ms. Allie's Favorite Thing:
Ms. Allie gave the gift of reading, with two books that she felt helped her with some struggles in her own life. The first one, "The Life-Changing magic of Tidying Up," $10.19 at Amazon.com, was gifted to Ms. Allie I believe at last year's favorite things from another party goer. This is exactly what I like to see, people trying these things and loving them for themselves.
The second was the book, "Come As You Are: The Surprising New Science That Will Transform Your Sex Life," $12.61 at Amazon.com. Again this is generally a taboo topic in most circles and one reason that I love these parties, because I heard multiple women talk about purchasing this book after the gift giving was over. I love that Allie introduced us all to this and hopes like the book that she got at the last party, this will help make an impact on others.
Ms. Nicole's Favorite Things:
Ms. Nicole probably had one gift that Ms. Faux has not tried and immediately went online and ordered. I have yet to use it, but if it makes a manicure faster like she said, sign me up. She gave OPI's Nicole Drying Drops for Nail Lacquer $6.99 at Ulta.com. Also werkin' her name into the gift. I see whatchu did there gurl.
Ms. Nicole also gave her favorite mints, Altoids Arctic - Peppermint $9.46 for 8 Packs at Amazon.com.
And last but not least part of Ms. Faux's favorite things gift from last year, Soap & Glory's The Righteous Butter about $10 at Walgreens.com. Ms. Nicole loves it for the same reason as Ms. Faux. It moisturizes like a dream and smells soooooooo good.
Soap & Glory was one of those brands that Ms. Faux discovered in London while traveling. They long had their products in their drugstores. I discovered it at Boots, but for many years it was never sold in the states... up until a few years ago when they started selling it at Sephora for an escalated price. The brand however got back to their drugstore roots initially starting with selling it at Ulta and now Walgreens. It is really a lovely brand that ranges from skin care to cosmetics. I recommend giving it a try. The Righteous Butter as well as the complementary shower gel Clean On Me $10 at Walgreens.com are my two favorites and super affordable.
Ms. Liz's Favorite things:
Ms. Faux received Ms. Liz's favorite things and was soooooooo delighted to do so mainly because it married her love of cooking and cookbooks with handmade and things that smell delicious. First I started with a lovely cookbook called, "Everyday Food: Great Food Fast," $16.98 at Amazon.com. The reasoning behind this is Ms. Liz has two small children and I can't even imagine what it is like to get everyone fed as I can barely do it myself and it's just me. Well and my cat, but he has an auto feeder that has to be filled every few weeks so yeah... suffice to say she is a dream woman who makes this happen and now I know one of her secrets. Also...Ms. Faux do love a cookbook so I am looking forward to this. Also it is from Martha Stewart's company and that bitch be gangsta as hell, having dealt with what many men could never do.
And speaking of the patriarchy Ms. Liz had the best wrapping with a Smash the Patriarchy pen wrapping up a couple of lovely homemade gifts. Among them was a lovely Wild Sweet Orange & Rosemary Sugar hand scrub made with demerara sugar/olive oil/rosemary/essential oil and Wild Sweet Orange Lip Balm made with coconut oil/beeswax/raw honey & essential oil. Both were made by hand and with love by Ms. Liz and her adorable daughter Ms. Ida.
Though I don't have a picture of the actual lip balm it was a lovely little tin and I can tell you, it works. It is sitting on my living room side table and has been used nightly.
Ms. Jill's Favorite Things:
Next was Ms. Jill's favorite things and like Ms. Meg she gave the gift of new things. In this case her Sephora Play bag. Sephora Play is a subscription service that you pay $10 a month for and they send you various sample to test out. Having been both and IPSY and Birchbox subscriber once I can say this is the better subscription. In this play bag included the following (not pictured but linked so you can look them up). Keep in mind these are sample sizes. What I have linked below is the full sizes on Sephora.com
Next she gave a favorite Spice with Peg's Salt $4.75 at PegsSalt.com , her favorite Basil Olive Oil from Canaan Fair Trade $78 for 6 bottles at canaanusa.com and Organic Fair Trade Chocolate from Equal Exchange Chocolates $3.50 per bar at shop.equalexchange.coop. For the olive oil I could not find the Basil but rather other flavors and for the chocolate Ms. Jill gave the Almond Toasted Pieces bar and the Caramel Crunch with Sea Salt. The link however will take you to all the flavors.
Ms. Jo-El's Favorite Things
Next was Ms. Jo-El who told the story of her mother buying her 12 bottles of her favorite Vanilla Bean Noel Body Spray $14 at bathandbodyworks.com (now $3.50) every year.
She also gave her favorite Korean style sheet mask with Sephora's Lotus Face Mask $6 at Sephora.com. According to Sephora.com this mask is...
Each of these masks is infused with a different active ingredient for relaxing the skin and achieving a brighter, more revitalized complexion. The new lyocell fiber masks perfectly hug facial contours for better and more even penetration of the active ingredients.
The lotus mask specifically is formulated for the following.
Lotus Face Mask: Locks in water to reduce the signs of fatigue and strain for a stress-free and rested appearance.
Ms. Robin's Favorite Thing
Ms. Robin again like many of the ladies shopped local at Squasht Botique here in Chicago.
While I could not find the lovely scarf she bought for the party (pictured below) seriously check out their website in the link above. This store has some seriously cute stuff.
Located 2556 W. Chicago Avenue, if you are a Chicagoan it is well worth a visit.
So there it is. All the Favorite things from this years 2016 Favorite Things Party. But I will not stop there. I'm going to add a couple favorite recipes from the party, one of which Ms. Faux got her very own batch and that is Ms. Nicole's Delicious Cucumber Dip.
8 oz. cream cheese
8 oz sour cream
Combine the above with mixer.
Add garlic salt and onion flakes (dried) to taste
Stir in 1 Chopped Cucumber
The other is Ms. Faux's mulled wine. This is the easiest.
In a crock pot add
Pinot Noir or any other red wine. I just find Pinot Noir not to be as heavy. I prefer Redwood Creek Pinot Noir which you can get at Costco for like $8 for a 1.5 Liter Bottle
On low heat add the wine and a sachet of mulling spices until it warms. Add in sugar to taste as otherwise it will be too tart usually. Voila... delicious mulled wine. Garnish with oranges, cinnamon sticks and star anise.
That's it for this year's favorite things. Can't wait for next year and a possible new addition early in the new year. Check back.
