Holiday Party Tips feat. LaDawn!

Happy Holidays! They're here, whether you like it or not. I'm not hosting my own holiday party this year, but I am helping a friend out with hers, so I thought I'd share a little inspiration with you for your gathering, whether it be a big party or just a few friends!

Eats: 
I am excited to feature an Etsy shop called ladawnelaine. LaDawn is from the town across from my hometown - catch - it's in Canada! Such a small world. Anyway, LaDawn makes vintage inspired decor - mainly cupcake and cake toppers and party decor. It's gorgeous stuff that you should consider adding to your party, plus - she's offering Lovely Llorys readers a 10% discount through the end of November - november10.

LaDawn customized these cupcake toppers for me - I asked for Merry Christmas in different languages, so we are representing French, Spanish, Croatian, and Hawaiian! She can make them with or without the lace as well: )

By the way, I used this recipe to make just 6 cupcakes for my demo (I multiplied the recipe by 3). 

Gift Wrap:

I love wrapping gifts - a love not granted to everyone. I like pretty paper from the store, creating my own reusing paper grocery bags, or using old maps. I went with pretty paper from the store for this one.

My grandma (Llorys, as in Lovely Llorys), is a great lady who I take after in her knack for collecting things. One of her collections is Woody from Toy Story! I got this for her during Halloween clearance, isn't he cute?

First Christmas present = wrapped! I used LaDawn's handmade Christmas gift tags atop my reindeer with scarves wrapping paper! Check out these teeny tags as well, so cute! Now we just need to put up the tree; ahh I'm getting excited! 

Tunes:
The classics are great of course, but if you want to add some new songs to your holiday playlist this year check out these new albums:

via Starbucks; I'm loving the Shins version of "Wonderful Christmastime"

You can get all 58 songs on Sufjan's latest Christmas album for just $15. A great deal!

Dress:

Why not use this occasion to buy a new dress? I like these options for under $100.

Express - Because you know you can always use a little more sequins in your life.

H&M - This dress is only $18 and I love it! It's so sassy.

Apt. 9 via Kohl's. Super color appropriate and you could wear it to work, too!

I'd love to hear your holiday tips! What are you serving? Who are you wearing? And let me in on your favorite holiday songs!

Thanks again to LaDawn for her part in this post! Please follow her on Twitter @ladawnouellette and Pinterest and support her shop for your next party!

Tuesday Treasures #8

This Tuesday is the first Tuesday I have ever owned an iPhone! It's about time! It's a big commitment for me because I'm on my own plan and it's definitely an investment in my future (aka two year contract future). Anyway, this Tuesday night I'm going to share some iPhone accessories I'm coveting. Please let me know what apps and gadgets you've found most useful for your iPhone! I'd love to hear!

Kate Spade, who I am obsessed with, makes this perfect case for me because I always knock on wood! 

This Holga Lens attachment available at Urban Outfitters is so fun!

Just awww. From SunSupplies on Etsy.

When I told Andrew I was doing this post, he asked me to do a sloth post instead. Luckily, you can find just about anything on the internet. (Via sharpshirter on Etsy)

Wow, so pretty! I've never seen a replace home button until this gorgeous Swarovski one (via The Fancy).

This is super gorgeous as well! Oh, I just can't make a decision here! 

Hope you're all enjoying your Tuesday night! I really do want your suggestions on iPhone accessories and apps! Help a sista out!

Beauty Blogger VoxBox Review

"Influenster is a free-to-join community of invited trendsetters who live to give opinions of products and experiences. Influenster creates links between brands and members to reward participation and influence future products." (Definition from Influenster) I joined this site just a little while ago, and then I was chosen to receive and report on the Beauty Blogger VoxBox! Above are the contents, so exciting!

First up; I just let you know how i felt about these Bath and Body Works mini candles the other day, but I found the first picture I took of it and it looks so nice next to my pumpkin beer! Mmm, pumpkin.

Not Your Mother's makes salon quality hair products that you can find at CVS, Walmart, and ULTA Beauty. They proudly make their products in the USA! I received a sample of the Smooth Moves Frizz Control Hair Cream. My hair isn't too frizzy, but I also have a lot of flyaways on the top of my head. This cream, which smells great and doesn't weight my hair down, does the trick! I really want to try the Way to Grow shampoo and conditioner because my hair is really fine and grows slowly. I'm always looking for great affordable solutions to that!

This NYC Individual Eyes Custom Compact is awesome. I don't usually wear eyeshadow, but having this in my possession has resulted in greater eyeshadow usage! I got the Dark Shadows compact, but I'm tempted to pick up some of the other shades. I often want smokey eyes when I go out, but I am not confident with makeup and wear very little. Luckily, NYC provides you with easy instructions for this product. They also include an illuminator shade, which really puts a great touch on the look. For only $4.99, look for the compact matching your eye color and give it a try!


These spin pins from Goody are a really cool idea. Unfortunately, as I mentioned earlier I have really thin hair, so these don't really work well for me! I normally do put up my hair this way most days, but two bobby pins are all I need. In the description it says it does the work of 20 bobbies, to give you an idea. I do see on their website that they make mini spin pins for fine or thin hair - so that sounds like it might work better for me. I think if your hair wasn't too thin or too thick, this would be perfect for a quick hair-do. The pins are really simple to use and there are instructions for a few different styles on the package.

There were two more products in my VoxBox - the KISS faux eyelashes and the EBoost Daily Health Booster. I have to be honest, I am way too afraid to try the eyelashes. Anyone in the Grand Rapids area want to give them a go in my place? I did have the E-Boost. It tasted all right as far as powder added to water goes. I didn't notice an increase in immunity or anything, but I also didn't get sick. I am not a huge fan of orange flavored things, so I don't see myself buying a package of these anytime soon. I would consider getting some of these and using them as an add-in to smoothies. I think that could be an easier way to use this product.

So what do you think? Will you try (or do you already own) any of these great products that Influenster shared with me? I already snagged another mini candle from Bath & Body Works and I'm thinking about getting another NYC Individual Eyes Compact for the holiday season. Most of these would also make great stocking stuffers! It's crazy how soon Christmas is coming. Hope your Monday is very un-Monday-like!

The Best Soirees Have Photobooths

 These photos are from the photobooth we helped create at our friend Gaby's birthday party, the theme of which was bowties and sequins. I've been wanting to share them for so long and she fiiiiiinally uploaded them to facebook, so here are some of my favorites! Above is the group shot, of course.

I love this last one. Where are they going? Beyond the streamers? Or are they just hiding from the camera? It's so artsy.

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed these and maybe gained some inspiration for your next party! I love it when people take the time to set up something like this! It creates some silly memories! Happy Thursday. We're almost to the weekend!!!

But First, Coffee

I am a huge wimp when it comes to cold weather. I hate being cold and I don't even want to move if I'm not warm! When I got home from work earlier, I was being lazy and frozen and decided to take a hot shower and follow it up with a hot cup of coffee, which I am currently enjoying. Here are a few shots of the coffee station in our new apartment. Doesn't the Eiffel Tower photograph bring it all together? I hope you're all staying warm today! And remember, remember, the 5th of November.

On our coffee station: Milk pitcher from IKEA, DeLonghi Espresso Machine, Stackable Espresso cups from World Market, Cuisinart Coffee Maker, Black & Decker Coffee Grinder, Disney Coffee Scoop, French Press from Marshall's; owl napkin holder and cream server from thrift stores, and coffee coasters from Target

I wanted a more attractive way to hold my coffee filters, so I used my owl napkin holder!

Can't you just smell the coffee? Grinding your own is the way to go!

Mmm, Starbucks Colombia roast and Coconut Creme Coffee-Mate. Happy Monday!

Do you have a sacred coffee station like us? I'd love to hear about it!

Bath & Body Works Fall Mini Candle

Are you like me?
Do you think mini things are the cutest and most awesome? Well Influenster sent me a complimentary mini candle from Bath and Body Works as part of my Beauty Blogger VoxBox. The scent was pumpkin cupcake - it's already too late to get that one from the store, so I'm sure glad they shared it with me, and I hope they have it next year! I also snagged a free one from the store this weekend - they had an offer on facebook and twitter. Thanks, BBW!

About these candles:
They are now in great glass containers instead of plastic.
They are currently 2 for $5, price for one is $3.50.
You can find a bunch of great seasonal scents right now! French Baguette? Different! And I hope I can find Cafe au Lait in the store!

What I think:
When I find the right scent, it brightens my mood! I usually light these on my desk, because in our new apartment the 'office' is still a little drab and this helps the atmosphere tremendously. I definitely like the price, and BBW has so many sales and coupons that you can get these often and under the full price. They are longer lasting than tealights (15 hours) and there is definitely a bigger selection, a selection that changes with the season. These candles are made using the highest concentration of fragrance oils, an exclusive blend of vegetable wax and lead-free wicks for optimal performance. Try them out!

Giveaway with the Shop at Pooh's Corner!

UPDATE: The winner of the giveaway is Breonna. Thank you to everyone for entering and keep Francesca's shop in mind as your being your Christmas shopping!!

With Halloween behind us, everyone has immediately begun focusing on the holiday season! I love Halloween, don't get me wrong, but I am celebrating a new month and another holiday with a giveaway! Francesca from The Shop at Pooh's Corner is offering up a pack of 8 place cards for your Thanksgiving dinner! So adorable! Especially if you can't contribute to the cooking, you'll be able to supply your family with some table decor. To enter, scroll down and leave a comment telling me what your favorite item in Francesca's shop is and make sure to let me know you've done that in the widget! Good luck!

A little about Francesca:
"I'm a short and spunky, Puerto Rican/Italian, married mom of one with a degree in English language and editing. I love to run, dance, play board games, watch movies, blog, and read. I enjoy word search puzzles and other word games. And I'm a Mormon!

I LOVE shopping at thrift stores. I decided to open a shop selling vintage items after hosting a giveaway on my blog for another children's vintage shop. I thought, "I can do that!" I've always wanted to open an Etsy shop, but I'm not very crafty, so I was excited to find out vintage shops were allowed.

I also wanted to sell some handmade items, since my mother-in-law got me a Cricut and I've always loved working with paper. So I make confetti, gift tags, and other paper goods, which are now taking over my shop.

The name of my shop is a play on the second Winnie-the-Pooh book by A.A. Milne: "The House at Pooh Corner." I chose it because Classic Pooh represents imagination, innocence, childhood, and a past era - all of which I hope you find in my shop."

Thanks, Francesca! Make sure to check out her shop for all your paper party needs and vintage items!

Now onto the giveaway!


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