Hey everyone! Ready for a new week? I AM! So I think it’s about time I tell you about the great holiday party I got to go to this weekend! My ONLY holiday party of the year, other than family celebrations on Christmas! It was also my first opportunity to wear my tacky Christmas sweater since college!
Oh how I miss college…
The party was organized by some Chicago Area Running Bloggers, so I actually didn’t know a lot of the women there! However, I did know Erin, our lovely hostess, and Kelsey, Emily and Lindsay all made it as well.
The party started off with a 3 mile run, but since I was worried about running 3 miles without stopping and injuring myself (I knew I’d be stubborn and not stop if I ran with them) I showed up a little late, just before the girls returned from their rainy run!
We had quite the spread of food,
although with my intolerances I ended up eating mostly an amazing quinoa dish someone brought and Kelsey’s “Special Salad.” Okay, I really just ate the special salad because it’s amazing.
And oh so unfortunately the only dessert I could have was puppy chow… I took full advantage of this.
The party included a costume contest, which I entered and yet unfortunately didn’t win. You can’t beat a Santa Snuggie… But I looked good, right? Weirdly similar to the picture above…
We also had a white elephant gift exchange, although they requested that we bring normal gifts and not gag-gifts… weirdos. Lucky me, I still got a gag gift. Thanks, Kelsey. I got a BEAUTIFUL pillow that says skateboarding on it, and has a picture of a skateboarder. Every girls’ dream. (don’t worry, there was wine as well). Luckily I found the perfect use for it: a pillow for my desk chair!!!!
I am sitting on it right now. Thanks, Kels.
It was a fun party and great to spend some time with my friends before a week of finals and then leaving for a month! Don’t worry, I booked my flight back so I’ll be there the morning of book club in January! Haha, I have my priorities straight.
Have you been to any holiday parties this year?
Do you still own random clothes from college?
We went to my husbands work party this weekend which was an ugly xmas sweater party. It was fun to see all the sweaters and costumes!
Haha I love seeing really funny sweaters!
this looks like such a fun party! i love how all the food was labeled!
Haha those of us with food allergies appreciated it!
Hmmmm I could go for some special salad… even at 8:15 am post breakfast. I’m glad you found a use for the pillow… butt pillow for the win.
I could go for some special salad anytime! I need to just move into Kelsey’s apartment. Her couch is comf.
I recently donated a few pairs of shoes that I had since college. It definitely made me ask myself what I was thinking.
Haha yea two of those pairs came with me from college!
How fun! We’ve had a few Christmas parties so far… one for Cody’s work, one for our youth kids at church, and one with some friends. It’s been a crazy couple weeks! 😉
I wish I had all those parties to go to! I think most of the ones I hear of come from work or church community groups, neither of which I’m a part of. Gotta get on that!
That sounds like a good time! I haven’t been to any parties yet, but will be doing the family thing too. I think that pillow is pretty sweet actually! Have safe travels, and definitely wear that sweater more often!
Haha I should just wear the sweater year round!
what an awesome party! I am jealous of that gluten free puppy chow…
All puppy chow is gluten free if it’s made with Chex cereal!
SPECIAL SALAD, SPECIAL SALAD!!
this post had me cracking up and wondering why anyone would want to be my friend….
Um because you make special salad. And send me that dressing recipe. Do you cook your own beets?
P.S. it took me like 5 minutes to put all those stars around the special salad. that’s how good it is.
Looks like fun! I really need to go to an ugly Christmas sweater party sometime. I had two Holiday parties this year – one for Eric’s work and one for school. Now, it’s just the family stuff!
Haha you should have just worn an ugly Christmas sweater anyway!
Looks like you had a lot of fun! Good luck with finals this week 🙂
I did! I saw you when everyone got back from the run but then you disappeared! Too many people at that party!
How much fun is that??? A run before a party?? Have to try that one although I definitely understand why you didn’t participate…I’m glad you had such a good time 🙂 and I love your sweater haha…no parties for me this year before nYe and i actually don’t have any tacky sweaters…must get on that for next year!
Definitely, I love Tacky Christmas Sweater parties because it’s not about how good you look – it’s how tacky your sweater is! haha
You looked so cute in your sweater!!! And do you mind my asking WHAT is puppy chow??
Maybe you call it something else? Haha I can’t imagine never eating it! It’s Chex cereal mixed with melted chocolate and peanut butter and then when it cools you mix in powdered sugar. So each little Chex is covered in a PB/Chocolate mixture and powdered sugar. Messy but delicious.
Yay holiday parties! I of course still own my college holiday sweater although it is much more of a dress on me!
Haha definitely more of a dress, but oh so stylish.
That pillow still cracks me up! Glad you’re putting it to use!
Haha I’m so glad I found a use for it!
Awwww that looks like so much fun! you look adorable in that outfit & sweater 🙂
Haha thanks, I got as Christmas-y as I could!
Looks like a great party! Love your tacky jumper which is actually quite cute!!! You totally pull it off 🙂
Haha thanks, maybe I should wear it all the time!
You looked cute in your Christmas outfit!
Thanks, Emily!
Haha I love your Christmas sweater! It sounds like it was a fun party. I haven’t been to any Christmas parties yet this year – I’m having a potluck with my friends on the 23rd though, so I’m looking forward to that!
Oh that will be fun, enjoy your potluck!
Love the food labels. That’s my kind of party! 🙂
I did a White Elephant Gift Exchange too. I gave away Pikachu and Evie pokemon plushies. Literally the best gift there…. And the gift that I got? An “unopened” JONAS Brothers DVD. Score. Haha.
OMG YES!!!! haha anything pokemon is awesome! I used to love Pokemon in middle school!