3rd Annual Galentine Party=Fun&Cookies

I had a great time planning this year's party. People always ask me, "How do you have the time?" I've come to realize we make time for the things we love. I love to entertain, I love to decorate and I love to craft, so throwing a party is somewhat of a really fun hobby for me.

This year like all the year's previous, it was a cookie exchange. I love cookie exchanges, but Christmas is to hard for me to throw a party, so a Valentine party seems perfect.

This year for decorations I had lots of PINTEREST  inspiration. I am like totally addicted to that site.

I love the traditional colors of Valentine's Day, red, white and pink, but I wanted a little twist thrown in so I added this beautiful aqua color. I draped this rope across the living room and added vintage pom poms, white lanterns and red and aqua tissue paper poufs. I also used clothes pins to pin up red heart dollies.


I made the fabric banner, by ripping strips of fabric and knotting them onto rope. It was a big color punch. The burlap banner that reads BE MINE was bought on VERYJANE.com, she is also an etsy seller.

Everyone brings their cookies and I thought it would be fun to display them around the room. I set out all my platters and had them write on a little card what kind of cookie they made and who it was that made it.

I love to give little favors to my friends as a reminder of the party and this year I was inspired by these sweet vintage jelly jars that my friend Cathie had in her antique booth at TREASURES. She gave me a great deal on them and I filled them with valentine m&m's and decorated the top with vintage flowers, ribbon and lace. I stuck little toothpick tags that read Be Mine. (I purchased those at Hobby Lobby.)

I also got these cute bags with Be Mine Toppers at Hobby Lobby and put in some jelly bellies.
 

Brunch was simple, I love the FARM CHICKS recipes for an egg casserole and potato casserole. Throw in some fresh fruit and chicken salad rolls and you have a great brunch.

I bought these adorable milk bottles and straws, because what could be cuter than milk with your cookies?


Love tulips, my favorite flower.


My dear friend CATHIE COX (who is a real photographer!) took all these wonderful photos. My other bestie, PAULA PERKINS took photos of the guests that I will share in another post. Thanks you two!
Cathie also made a sweet banner out of a vintage cutter quilt and vintage pom poms. (See the picture of the brunch, it is hanging behind the tulips.)


After cookies and conversation we headed up to make the craft.  I loved this idea of 52 reasons I love you and my guests all made this sweet book out of a deck of cards for someone special in their lives.
Thanks Lisa for all your graphic help!

Of course, I have the most awesome friends and it was a joy to spend some time with them. Come back to see pictures of my GALENTINES in the next post!