We have made it to Day Four friends. Three fun days of fabulous down and two BIG days to go! Sheaffer and I are having a blast this week, and we hope you are too!
Before we get to today’s goodies, let’s recap:
Day 1: We gave one lucky winner and two of her friends cozy flannel pajamas and the best fur throws you’ll ever find.
Day 2: We gave one lucky winner and two of her friends blardigans and Ugg slippers.
Day 3: We gave one lucky winner and four of her friends Hunter boots! And that lucky winner from yesterday’s giveaway is…
JOHANNA RUPLIN!!!
Congratulations Johanna!! I emailed you this morning. You have 48 hours to claim your prize, so hurry and email me back!
So, what’s in store for day four…
…you and a friend will each receive a $500 Nordstrom Gift Card!
Woohoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!
One lucky winner will receive a $500 Nordstrom Gift Card for herself and then a second one to gift to a friend…that could be a neighbor, co-worker, sister, mom, aunt, bestie, daughter…whoever they want. One winner, two $500 Nordstrom gift cards. I mean…you could do some damage with that, right?!?! Merry Christmas from Sheaffer and me 🙂 .
So, make sure you complete the Rafflecopter below for your chance to enter to win. Please note, our Canadian friends are able to enter this giveaway 🙂 . Enter below and the winner will be announced tomorrow.
So, today, I’m showing you a few of my favorite dresses for winter from Nordstrom…because you’ll probably need a new dress this winter (holiday parties, New Years Eve, Valentine’s Day, etc). I have a few that are on rotation in my closet…
Yes. This one. Again. Friends, this dress is my favorite for so many reasons: it’s black, it’s comfortable, it’s not too tight, it looks cute with bare legs but also with tights, and it’s only $35!!!!
Now this dress here was from when Erika and I went to NYC back in April. I bought it in green and then just last week, I bought it in black to wear on Christmas Eve. I love this one so much and thought black would just work for any occasion in the fall and winter. It’s 40% off right now and selling out fast!!! Now, mine is sleeveless, but if you want a version with sleeves, the same dress with sleeves is HERE. It also comes in a multitude of colors!
Look how cute this little dress is! I bought it to wear to church and stuff like that. I bought it two weeks ago and this color is already sold out, but there are five more colors still available.
I paired it with the comfiest heels you’ll ever wear 🙂 . I bought black but they come in nude and navy too.
And even though my green dress is sold out, you can pair so many dresses with my over the knee boots 🙂 .
Okay, so I kind of went crazy looking at dresses from Nordstrom’s winter collection, so I have this handy dandy thing below here to help you sort through them. The best part about it? If you skip the free shipping and instead pay $15 for two-day shipping, you could probably even have your dress by Saturday night. So many pretty, festive, sparkly, special dresses for your holiday season. Just scroll and click (almost all of them come in multiple colors!)…
And wrapping up today…on Tuesday night, I hosted my annual recipe exchange! This was my 7th year in a row and honestly, it just gets more and more fun each year. I change it up a bit each year: the first year, we did a cookie exchange, then appetizers, then side dishes (I provided the ham, rolls and dessert), then casseroles, then appetizers again (because it’s our favorite!), last year we did breakfast recipes and came in our pajamas and then this year…
…we did appetizers (again…because seriously, it’s our FAVE!) along with making it an ugly sweater contest too.
I bought my sweater off of Etsy and my turtleneck from kmart.com :).
‘Tis the season friends!
I took a few pics right before everyone showed up. I use these little Christmas tree holders for everyone’s food. We all eat and then we vote on the best recipe.
My napkins make me happy!
The calm before the crazy fun storm!
Here’s where we voted!
I always print off all of the recipes for everyone to take home with them along with a party favor.
That sixth stocking was just meant to be, right?!
I always make a little dessert to go with our appetizers. Recipe HERE.
Now, I took a picture of Sheaffer’s recipe when she brought it in because HOLY PRESENTATION! And guess what? SHE WON! We all voted and her recipe won in a landslide! I’m sharing it with you HERE today because you all need to make this winning recipe this Christmas season!
We all took the obligatory serious picture…
…and then we took our crazy silly picture with Lisa front and center because her ugly sweater won. It was FANTASTIC! My favorite part? Her hubby made it for her while she was at work that day.
So, if you want to host a recipe exchange, this is how I do it:
1: Everyone emails me their recipe in advance and I compile I little booklet of all of them.
2: Everyone brings their prepared dish the night of the party.
3: We eat, eat, eat and then vote on our favorite (the winner gets a prize!).
4: Everyone leaves with a party favor and a copy of the recipe booklet.
5: I always provide drinks and dessert to round things out.
Many years ago, I started incorporating canned food as well. Everyone brings cans and then we donate them to the food bank here in town. I always offer a gift for the most cans. This year, Narci had this in her trunk…
…so we didn’t even make her take them out of her car. Andrew went and got them at the end of the party and took everything to the food pantry the next day. Narci owns the canned food portion of the party 😉 .
So, that my friends…is basically my favorite night of the year. It’s always so much fun!!
So, some of my favorite dresses from Nordstrom for the winter, my recipe exchange and a big fat gift card for one lucky winner and a friend.
What a fun day!!!!! Don’t forget to enter below. Tomorrow, we wrap up our Five Days of Fabulous!
Please note, there is a new entry on today’s Rafflecopter…if you re-gram this graphic above on either Instagram or Facebook, you get 5 points instead of just one!
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Leslie Z. says
I’m so jealous of that awesome party! Each year that you post about it, I get so happy about planning one for myself! You have the best group of girl friends. To go along with your donations, today I’m posting about my Countdown to Christmas: Random Acts of Kindness Calendar! Today is the first day, so if you want to spread some holiday cheer this year, make sure to join me! Ps) Donating to charity is one of them! You can already check that one off!
http://www.withlovefromgablog.blogspot.com
Erika Slaughter says
Your party is my kickoff to Christmas! Always so much fun and Tuesday did not disappoint! And the giveaway today!!! We could all do some damage with a gift card!
Susan Jeffries says
Thank you so much for your simple recipes. I am the worst cook, and I have never liked to be in the kitchen. Plus my husband and daughter are super picky. But using your easy to create recipes, I am slowly learning to enjoy creating food for my family. I asked for your cookbook for Christmas(: Your party is a great idea. I plan to try it next year with my daughter and her teen friends. Blessings.
Elizabeth says
Such a fun holiday tradition – always love reading about your holiday party! That appetizer looked amazing!
Xo
http://stripesandsolitaires.com
Kelly says
I love your recipe exchange idea! Can you post a picture of what the booklet looks like? Do you just print them all out and staple them into a booklet, or is it fancier than that?
And please share where you got those adorable cocktail napkins!!!
Mix and Match Mama says
Yes! That’s all I do :). Easy!! And the napkins came from a random website. I just googled “ugly sweater napkins” and several popped up!
Sheaffer Sims says
Your annual party is seriously one of my favorite days of the year! You always go above and beyond to make everything awesome!!! And the company is perfection. 🙂
Holly Hopkins says
This Canadian gal is very excited!!! Love this party idea looks like so much fun.
Kelly says
I only wish I was at your party! Looks like such fun! What favors did you give out this year? I love it all !
Mix and Match Mama says
Little mercury Christmas trees :).
Sarah Shaneyfelt says
This post always makes me want to host a party for another holiday since it’s already too late for Christmas! Maybe i can remember for next year!
MeetTheShaneyfelts
Liberty H says
Love this idea!!!!
Dana says
Your recipe exchange looks so fun!
I have a question – how do you & Sheaffer make your really cute videos on Instagram? They look like you may use the Boomerang app but I don’t see the Boomerang sign that’s usually at the bottom and I’m not sure if it’s possible to use the cute filters you use over your videos…?
Mix and Match Mama says
Sheaffer found this fun app. I don’t know the name of it, but we used it!
Narci says
Girl, your Recipe exchange is always so fun!!! The food, the decorations, the friends…one of my favorite traditions!!!
Sarah says
Love today’s prize!!! And your annual party looks AWESOME!! Can’t wait for that dessert recipe!!
-Sarah http://www.thefrugalmillionaireblog.com
Lori Richardson says
What color is your polish? The pretty red with your ugly/cute sweater!
Mix and Match Mama says
This is Affair on Red Square by OPI!!
Bethany says
O the Christmas sweaters I could buy
Susan campbell says
Thank you for including us Canadian folk 😉 The recipe exchange sounds so fun.
Natashajk says
Yay for Canadians being able to enter!!! Now if only one of us wins too ????
Lizzie @ This Happy Life says
Your annual party sounds so so fun!! I love that you did an ugly sweater contest too. I would be down for all apps, that’s my favorite too!
Katrina says
Love your blog and love the boots you’re wearing with your ugly Christmas sweater. Where are they from?
Mix and Match Mama says
Nordstrom! They’re Rag & Bone.
Michelle Keller says
Hi Shay! I thought someone would have for sure asked this already, but where did you buy your adorable personalized Christmas stockings?
Mix and Match Mama says
Pottery Barn Kids 🙂
Melinda Bridge says
Such a fun party! Will you share the rest of the recipes? Appetizers are my favorite things to make.
Amber says
Thanks so much for sharing the appetizer recipe! Looks amazing and I can’t wait to try it!
Jennifer Jackson says
I love the idea of your recipe exchange! Every year I read about it and think about having one!! I’m going to do this next year!
Paula says
I love this yearly party.
How do you make the book of recipes? Through a company?
Mix and Match Mama says
Oh goodness no! I just type them up and print them out.
ColleenB. ~ Texas says
Looks like a fun party and what a great hostess besides. Looks like mighty good eating
Them Christmas stockings are adorable
Thank you for this giveaway opportunity
Amy C says
Those party ideas are the best! I’m totally starting that next year. THANKS!
Jessi's Design says
Oh my heavens that recipe, that party and that green dress = fabulous! (Not to mention the giveaway!!) xo
Faith heimbrodt says
Your party looked like so much fun! Love this giveaway!
kellie carrara says
Oh what I could do with a friend at Nordstroms! Yay!
I go to a cookie exchange every year and it gets bigger and bigger — such a fun time for friends to get together amidst the hustle and bustle.
Thanks for doing this gals! Merry Christmas!
Sarah Swain says
This looks like so much fun!! We did a scarf exchange this year and a friend of mine made that cream cheese dip but topped with chopped up snickers bars – so good :). What kinds of prizes do you give out to the winners?
Beth says
Hi Shay! Don’t you do a favorite things party too? My friends are hosting one soon and I was looking for tips. Thanks!!
Bekah Dill says
You and Sheaffer are pure genius. This giveaway is amazing!! Crossing my fingers 🙂
Lindsay T. says
Where did you get your lighted garland on your mantle? I’m in love with it!! 🙂
Faye says
Thanks for the entry for us Canadians!! Love your blog!
Holli says
Your green dress is sold out online, but still available in stores. If you call an actual Nordstrom store they can find it for you and send it to your home. I did this yesterday!
Michelle Reiter says
AWESOME Giveaway!! Love your party too, I’m thinking I am going to try to start the same with my friends!
Meg says
Love love this post…everything ????
Melissa Carswell says
Hi Shay, love all the great giveaways this week! You may have mentioned this before, but are you wearing pantyhose in the picture of the mulberry dress or do you just use self-tanner? I hate the look and feel of pantyhose. Just curious. Thanks.
Mix and Match Mama says
Hahahaha! Neither. I’m glad the picture makes them look tan…because they’re not ;)!
Sinthu says
love your post! Your so creative and your a well-rounded person!
Leanne says
Looks like such a fun party! And just have to say: the gal on the far right in the red sweater vest is a dead ringer for Kimmy Gibler from Full House!
Mix and Match Mama says
She would love to hear this! Hahahahaha!
Libby says
Lol!! I could not figure out who she reminded me of but that’s it!! So cute 🙂
Looks like so much fun Shay!!
Stephanie Jennings says
I thought the exact same thing!!!! ????
Michelle B. says
Love your blog and love reading about your yearly party! You’re definitely blessed. I wish I had a big group of girlfriends. Good friends are hard to come by. Now go ahead and draw my name for the gift card 😉 That’d be awesome and I’d give the other to my sister. She’s a special education teacher and could use it toward nice clothes for teaching. Love all the giveaways!
Melanie says
This sounds so so fun! I would love to see what everyone else brought! Maybe make a pdf file of the recipe book for us readers?
Kathy Lang says
Your annual recipe exchange party is fun to see in pictures every year. Can’t wait to try out Sheaffer’s winning appetizer! This is a great prize for day 4–yay for Nordstrom!
Jenni Pace says
Hi Shay!
I stumbled onto your blog a couple years ago. I’m a 42 year old mom of a Mo. state trooper and 3 kids (17,15,10). I was wondering if you would do a blog on your parents. I see the bond you have as an adult and I am interested to understand more fully some specific things that were meaningful to you. Obviously following Jesus is main foundational thing, but the way you all are so close and your husband as well, I’m just interested in what they did right!! Thank you and thank you for sharing your life’s journey with us!!
Trisha Lonetree says
Hello Shay!!Love your blog!Can’t wait to read and see pictures of your holiday party!!
Megan says
I love how this party is so simple yet do fedtive and fun. You win the prize for the best napkins! They are amazing. We need a better pick of the winning sweater. If her husband made it, it must be great!
Whitney Pegram says
My heart! Your parties are THE best & I’ve never even attended one!! Bahahah
Renee Isley says
Well,.. after following Sheaffer and Shay’s blogs for over 4 years I’d looove to finally win something!! Thanks for including us Canadians that love you ladies as well!!! xxoo
First thing I do every morning after I get my coffee,.. Blog reading time!! Ya’lls blogs always makes my day!
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!
Jeanie says
I don’t know how I missed yesterday’s giveaway, but I did. 🙁
Ursula says
What a fun tradition! I just may have to borrow (not steal:) this idea and replicate with my hometown girls! enjoy the holidays with your gorgeous family.
Becky Reid says
I am one excited Canadian who is eager to shop at the new Nordstrom in Toronto! I’m clueless on how to re-gram an Instagram photo though ????
Terri Lammers says
What a fun blog! It’s my first time to read. I’ll be back. I’d love to be able to give my 27 year old daughter who works full-time and goes to school to a gift card to Nordstrom for a shopping spree! She and I would have a great mom and daughter date. Thanks for the Christmas party ideas:)
Andrea Munding says
Yay! 🙂
Cheryl says
Such a wonderful Party! I used to do cookie swap party it was always so much fun. God bless
Amy says
Just curious what color is your blardigan? Also, where did you get your joyful stocking holders?
Mix and Match Mama says
Mine is taupe. We bought the iron stocking holders from Pottery Barn and spray painted them red ;).
Heather says
I’ve been reading your blog for years and have been wanting to host one of these parties and I’m finally doing it this year! I’m so excited and my friends love the idea! What do you normally do for a prize for the winning appetizer? I’m really at a loss because there are guys/couples coming so I can’t get a cute girly gift. Any suggestions??
Kristen L. says
Question on the $35 black dress..I picked it up yesterday but there is so much static with this dress..have you noticed this? Also do you find it see through? Thx!
Mix and Match Mama says
I haven’t??? Have you tried static spray?