"ConGRADulations!" All about grad parties

With graduation season comes graduation parties; a super exciting season full of gifts, food, Instagram shots and talking.

I got invited to four graduation parties this year, and luckily, J is invited to three of the same ones! This was the first time I'd ever been to a graduation party and I was kinda nervous (ok, I get nervous over everything). I'm glad I have J with me for three of them (and the last one is with the person I'm closest with, so it all works out!).

I did my research (asked other people) what gifts to get people and what outfits to wear. It ranged from gift cards to just tumbler cups filled with candy and nail polish, and dresses or just a cute top and shorts.

The first party we went to was yesterday, after graduation. We had been told that many people don't stay at grad parties for too long, as they grad party "hop," so we weren't planning on staying for more than 30 minutes.

We got to ADI's house, and it was brimming with ADI's family friends, family and friends. We found ADI in the backyard, and she introduced us to her mom, who was super sweet and inviting. We got drinks, talked to ADI's boyfriend for a bit, and the two of us just talked.

Soon, lots of familiar faces from the prom group showed up, KP came. We all talked, and it was fun mingling and getting to see everyone. J and I had a great time talking to everyone! One of my favorite guys, Mr. C, an English teacher who I've always loved talking to, showed up as well. I have never had him as a teacher, but we always love talking, so it was great to see him! It was a fun night of (badly) losing cornhole, talking with lots of friends, meeting new people, and just relaxing.

Me, ADI and J
(Wearing: Target dress, Kendra Scott Rayne necklace
Read about the necklace here!)

Me and Mr. C!
He's so sassy and fun

Today was KP's grad party. She kept telling J and I about all of the Moe's that she had gotten catered (1.5 trays of queso!! Talk about happiness). We got there, signed her yearbook (a genius idea to have at a grad party), got some food, talked, and got very tan under the very present sun. It was great to see lots of people we knew and meet new people and just talk to everyone. J's Spanish teacher (how he met ADI and KP) came, and everyone was super excited to see her! We stayed for a bit, mainly talking and eating (a lot). Lots of my friends made an appearance, so it was great to get to talk to them!

KP and me!
Wearing: Lilly Pulitzer dress

I have 2 more grad parties to go to: Student Body Pres and PP! I can't wait.

Here are great gift ideas for grad parties:

• Picture frame with the two of you: they can take it to college with them
• Mix tape: full of songs you all blasted out to throughout high school
• Tumbler with the school they're going to: filled with candy and a bottle of nail polish
• Kendra Scott Color Bar jewelry: Customize it with their fav colors or their future school colors! I was super surprised (in the best way possible) to find out that some of the Color Bar pieces are on sale, as you can customize it! I'm a huge fan of my Noelle necklace from KS Color Bar (now on sale for $64.97!) 

  

  KS Noelle necklace in green

• When in doubt, gift card it out with a nice card

Holiday Gift Guide: Sentimental Gifts

My all-time favorite gift to give are gifts that have memories behind them. The best gift I have ever received was from A for my last birthday, and it was a scrapbook of all of our memories and a mix tape (so many songs, it was broken up into 6+ CDs. One playlist was just songs that were inside jokes between us.

I think sentimental gifts are the best gifts. While material items are great, sentimental items are much more memorable. I think the best gifts should be memorable, sentimental, and let the receiver know that you put a lot of thought into the gift, because you care a lot about them.

Here are some of my favorite sentimental gifts to give:

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Picture frames are one of my favorite gifts to give. I love the frames with a lot of slots, but if you don't have lots of photos with the person, I love the option of a really pretty frame. 

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While a little bit more pricey, I love this gift of a photo in a snowglobe. You can even personalize a message to be written on the snowglobe and it plays a song! 

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Here's a much more affordable (only $12) option! (No song or message, but hey it's a photo in a snowglobe!)

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I love the idea of giving a book for the holidays. Books are a really personal gift. Make it a gift you think they'd enjoy! It'd be perfect for a future book talk.

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Key tip: if you want to make the gift really personal, pull a Jess from Gilmore Girls move, and annotate someone's favorite book. Not exactly English-class annotate, but highlighting your favorite quotes and writing in the margins makes a gift so much more personal. H showed me this author on Instagram and I'm a huge fan of his quotes! 

I have never actually done this for a gift, but I think that the books that would work the best would include the recipient's favorite book, poetry, or something with an inside joke or personal connection.

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Mix tapes are a never-fail gift. What better way to show you care than making a mix tape for someone?!

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A cute version of friendship Mad Libs, a great way to relive all the memories and even get the chance to include some photos of the memories you discussed in the book!

My favorite DIY ideas include...

• A scrapbook with letters, photos and everything in between
• A journal full of letters, pictures and things just for them
• For the news junkie, a collection of articles that you think they'd find interesting cut and pasted into a journal
• A book full of quotes, photos and other things that remind you of them (Use Tumblr and Pinterest for inspiration!)

What are your favorite sentimental gifts? Please share your ideas! I'm always looking for more. Let me know if you do any of these ideas and how it ends up!

Holiday Gift Guide: My Personal Wish List

With all the gift guides floating around, I just wanted to share some of my favorite things that I'd love to receive this Christmas...

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While I don't know if I could personally justify spending more than $15 on a book, I've been eyeing this book for a while. It provides itineraries for 3 day trips to different European countries. It's definitely a great gift for any wanderlust friend of yours. They have these 36 Hours books for all the different continents!

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You can never go wrong with a bottle of nail polish. My personal favorite brand is Essie, but my friend told me I should try out butter LONDON next.

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One of the bloggers I follow has this plaid blanket scarf from Target! It's so cute and I'm a huge fan.

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After debating between a crossbody and a Longchamp for the longest time, I think Longchamp has won. It's such a chic bag that goes with everything.

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I still need a rain jacket! After too many rainy days at school, this is a need.

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I love 1/4 zips! This Patagonia is so pretty and I love the material it's made of. J just got the guys' version of this in navy and I'm in love! I want one for myself.

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I want a vest for all my buttondowns and this vest is so cute!

More of my favorite things coming soon! What do you want for Christmas? Or just are on your wish list?

Holiday Gift Guide: Stocking Stuffers ($25 & Under!)

As I was reading all the blogs this weekend, I was delighted to see Holiday Gift Guides pop up. I love reading Holiday Gift Guides to get inspiration about what to get my friends and family. I've always prided myself in giving gifts that people don't want to rewrap, so I knew I had to share some of my favorite things to give out! This Holiday Gift Guide are just little, cute things that people would actually want to keep.

Crowned Leaf Mug

This mug is from Anthro, and it is so cute! It's only $12. You can fill it with candies, or hot chocolate mixture (with marshmallows)!

Things We Love Eat Cake for Breakfast Mug

A Kate Spade mug for $20! Perfect for any girl... And for the icing on the cake, add a slice of cake from your favorite bakery!

Skyline NY Notebook

I might be a major nerd, but I love stationary! I think it's a practical holiday gift, because what's better than a pretty notebook... for doing homework, making lists, journaling... Anything! This leather bound notebook is from Marc Jacobs and it's only $18!

Take Note If I Do Say So Myself Large Notebook

At the end of the spectrum, for $24, this pretty Kate Spade notebook is complete with its witty saying and polka dotted inside covers.

Sticky Note Set

For a girl who needs some help organizing, or your organization-obsessed friend. $16 from Kate Spade!

Take Note Little Gold Book Medium Notebook

Little gold... notebook. Only $18 from Kate Spade!

#ThingsWeLove Pencil Set

Some pretty pencils for $8 from Design Darling, perfect to pair with a journal or fly solo!

Triple C™ Amplifier Egg for IPhone® 4/4S and 5/5S

This cute amplifier is perfect for your friend who lives off her Spotify playlists. It comes in the cutest color or in classic black for only $12 from J.Crew!

Pinch Provisions for J.Crew Minimergency Kit

For the girl always on-the-go, everything she could possibly need on the off-chance something goes wrong. $18 from J.Crew.

Knock Knock Why You're So Awesome Journal

So cute! You fill in the blanks for this sentimental gift. Like a friendship Mad Libs. Relive all your favorite memories with your friends. Bonus if you add photos of all of the things you wrote about in your book. This sentimental gift is only $10 from J.Crew.

Bow Bracelet

This dainty bow bracelet is only $10 from Marc Jacobs! It's absolutely perfect for those gift exchange parties! (Especially when they have price limits!)

Striped Bass Graphic Tote

On sale for $20, this Vineyard Vines graphic tote is perfect for everything! 

Whale Logo Baseball Hat

This hat barely makes the cut at exactly $25. It's perfect for adventurers: guys and girls!

Taylor Swift - 1989 (Deluxe Edition) - Target Exclusive

Are albums still in? I'm a fan of them. For only $14, you can sing at the top of your lungs to Blank Space and Shake It Off.

What else would you include on your Holiday Gift Guide? Send me the links if you've blogged about them. More Holiday Gift Guides to come soon! :)