Alexander Family Christmas

I was so excited to throw our first party and combine all the things I love! 

Decorating my home for guests, finally using a lot of our wedding presents that have stayed in boxes, downing sangria, and playing drinking games.

Brandon first introduced me to Christmas Vacation when we started dating, I have no idea how I had never seen this movie till then, but I've been making up for lost time. And what goes great with awesome Christmas movies? Awesome drinking games to play along with awesome Christmas movies. Thanks to one of my favorite blogs Little Baby Garvin I used her amazing rules.

All of my Christmas decorations come from pre & post Christmas sales. Almost all of it came from Target last year. I also hit the clearance jackpot at Target two days ago. They were getting ahead of the game, but I'm not complaining. I scored lots of clearance Christmas kitchen goodies--most expensive piece was a snowflake bowl for $8. Who can argue with that?

I made Winter Sangria the night before and created homemade potpourri, both were equally amazing.

Winter Sangria:

1 bottle of Pinot

1 bottle sparkling apple cider

Couple bits of mint

1 cup cranberries

1 apple sliced

1 orange sliced

Stove Potpourri:

4 cups water (boil)

1 cup cranberries

Couple bay leaves

Whole Cloves

Cinnamon sticks

1 orange sliced

Brandon's shirt is from Khols & mine is from the boy's section in Target

 Couldn't resist---I SAID FREEZE!

I have made it a mission to have the Alexander Family Christmas party every year from now on!

Ombre' Bridal Shower

I threw one of best and oldest friends a bridal shower for her upcoming wedding. I'm not huge on "theme" parties, but I LOVED the look of a pink ombre' shower, so my planning and crafting began!

Invitation from etsy shop digibuddha Paperie

Both of those projects are very simple to make. The floral "R"just needs fake flowers cut at the stems, cardboard letter with the front cut out, green floral blocks, and hot glue as needed. The fabric garland was even easier, except I bought way to much fabric. I purchased 1/2 a yard of each color and cut 1 inch by 24 inch strips. I had a whole bag left over. So I suggest half that amount.

And everyone LOVES a Mimosa bar! This was a huge hit for obvious reasons. I also added a signature cocktail, Blushing Bride, which is just adding Peach Schnapps and grenadine to champagne. I'm glad I only bought one bottle of Schnapps because that went fast, and we may have had a few tipsy shower guests.

And my favorite new bridal shower game..FIND THE GROOM! I printed off a generic groom clip art and took scissors to my fabulous trash magazines!

Each guest gets an envelope with a "groom" in it and who ever finds the actual groom gets a prize. It's easy, doesn't put anyone on the spot, and it's just plan fun!