These are a few of our Favorite Things - 2014

For the last several years I have hosted a Favorite Things party. The first year I did it because it seemed like a fun idea and I'd seen it floating around on Pinterest. Then, it was so fun and everyone loved it, so I did it again the next year. Then, it became a "thing" and people started asking me in the early fall about that year's party. So, its become an annual tradition for about 15 of us. One year we had an early snowstorm the night of the party and I had people walking in the snow for over a mile to get to my house because driving wasn't recommended. Crazy!

If you're not familiar with the Favorite Things Party concept, here's the deal:

Each person brings their favorite thing (anything you like... your favorite lip gloss, kitchen tool, gift wrapping supply, gift card for coffee, etc.). It can't cost more than $6 and each person brings 5 of that favorite thing. Everyone's name goes into a hat 5 times at the beginning of the night. Everyone draws 5 names out of the hat (making sure you don't have any duplicates and you don't get your own name). You each have a chance to tell everyone about your favorite thing and then you give the 5 items you brought with you to the 5 names you drew from the hat. Everyone will go home with five new favorite things to keep for themselves! 

Hooray!!

Here are the items that we shared in 2014... (You can also click over to see the posts with our items from 2015 and 2013.)

My favorite thing in 2014 was the air plant. These weird/awesome plants exist without being planted in the dirt. They just sit out in the open air (hence the name "air plants" but they are also known as Tillandsia). You soak them in water for 15-20 minutes every couple of weeks, let them dry out again on a paper towel and then put them back up on the shelf. Amazing! If you're local, you can visit my favorite place to get air plants at Zinncinnati which is at Findlay Market. It looks like you can also buy them from Amazon.

These are the two plants I have right now.

Bethany loves this Metal Bear Claw Back Scratcher, Cayman Jack bottled Margarita, and e.l.f. Liquid Lipstick. She shared a helpful tip that she pays her sons a quarter to scratch her back with the telescoping back scratcher while she lays across the ottoman. Now that's brilliant! I can attest to the awesomeness of the e.l.f. Liquid Lipstick. She used that as a favorite thing another year and I've been devoted ever since. Its cheaper in the stores than through Amazon so you can afford to have one in every purse and keep one in the diaper bag and one in the car, etc. 

Lauralee recommended the Crystal Deodorant. She's used it for years and swears by it. One of the recipients of this item at the party was so inspired to try it that she put some deodorant on right then and there. Lauralee also gave us a sample pack of the Justin's Chocolate Hazelnut Butter with an apple for dipping! Now that would make a delicious treat for a teacher! 

Sandy speaks my love language of little gifts and she also loves my favorite gift shop, so it came as no surprise that she shared Lollia hand lotion and 10% off at Fort Thomas Central. If you're local, you can find the Lollia products (the Wander scent is my favorite) at Fort Thomas Central. Its the perfect little gift shop with something for everyone on your list. Truly. Love it! If you're not local, you can find it here.

My friend Andrea over at Oak Ridge Revival shared the Lodge Mini Cast Iron Skillet. At just 3.5" wide, she said it was the perfect size to make a personal chocolate chip cookie cake. And she prefers the Ghirardelli Chocolate Chips. Those two items bagged up together would make a darling hostess gift!

Kelly shared her affinity for Victoria Secret panties and Sparkling ICE flavored sparkling water. 

This was the year Ingrid got me hooked on KIND bars (Dark Chocolate Cherry & Cashew flavor) which did NOT help my weight gain at the end of my pregnancy. However, they DID go with me to the hospital when I delivered Nora because they are such a deliciously satisfying treat. I'm not sure they're really good for you because they pack a calorie punch, but all the buzzwords on the packaging like "antioxidants, vitamins, gluten-free and no sulfur dioxide" sure make you feel like its a healthy choice. 

Sushannah gave us the awesome Double Hinge Corkscrew. We like to drink wine at the Favorite Things party. And this corkscrew helps us get it open quicker more easily. Nuff said.

Erin - Rosa Maria Bread Dipping Seasoning You know how when you go to some Italian restaurants they'll give you the little plate of herb oil and balsamic vinegar, well Erin decided to start doing that at home and uses this seasoning blend! I don't know why I never thought to do this at home! Funny story... At the party that year, Erin brought the bottles of seasoning mix with a small loaf of Italian bread to give to each person. When everyone is arriving it's always chaotic as they're bringing in bags and talking and getting food and wine and no one is really paying attention to our dog, Dolly. All of a sudden I see Dolly with a random loaf of bread but because we hadn't shared our items, yet, I had no idea where it had come from or who had brought it. So, Dolly had a nice snack at Erin's expense. 

Jessie - Bath & Body Work sugar scrub in a TUBE. Jessie was adamant that you get a scrub that's in a tube. I can't remember why, but I take her word for it. 

A theme was emerging... chocolate, protein bars, drinks... Stephanie was loving the Kroger brand Chewy Peanut Butter and Dark Chocolate Protein Bars, Ghirardelli chocolate chips, and the Sparkling ICE flavored sparkling water. 

Susan was determined to help us soothe our stress away, so she shared the Bath & Body Works Stress Relief Hand Cream (Eucalyptus & Spearmint scent). Great scent combo! 

Amy - For the local folks Amy (and I would have to agree) thinks Findlay Market and Downtown Cincinnati are pretty awesome, so she gave us $5 gift cards that can be used anywhere in the market or downtown. Check out the details here. My favorite places at Findlay are Pho Lang Thang, Zinncinnati, Taste of Belgium, Pet Wants and Colonel De Gourmet Herbs & Spices 

That's it for 2014! 

P.S. I have no idea why some lines are so close together and others are farther apart OR why the font is not the same. Trust me I have "fixed" it numerous times. Frustrating and it's driving me crazy!

P.P.S. Some of the links in this post are affiliate links to my Amazon store, so if you click through and actually buy something through my Amazon link, the Heindl Haven will get a tiny percentage. You get a favorite thing and you support the Haven at the same time. Again... everybody wins! Happy shopping!