hail, hail, the gang’s all here for our second annual cookie exchange hosted by yours truly. what a fun evening catching up and sipping wine with my Athens blogging group. and the best part of a cookie swap is that no one leaves home empty-handed. in fact, we were loaded up with enough sugar to last all of 2020! that is if we kept all the cookies to ourselves. but this time of year, it’s so nice to have an extra stash of sweets on hand to share with friends and family when they stop by.
yes, this fun evening was all about cookies and sharing our favorites along with recipes. so i gussied up the house, tried to keep oscar and ollie in check set up a beverage station plus a few snacks.
so what did i wear to the cookie exchange? a pair of black watch plaid pants from J.Crew, ruffle shirt from Ralph Lauren, and a comfy cashmere cardigan also from J.Crew. the grey smoking slippers are from Talbots (old, similar here) and the velvet belt is from Zara (old, similar here) this outfit is a variation from my red royal Stewart tartan plaid pants outfit on YouTube.
getting the table ready for the girls. the presents and pedestals are from GrandinRoad. aren’t they adorable? but this would be an easy DIY project with hand-wrapped presents perched on cake plates.
Beth made Snickerdoodles. My brother’s all-time favorite cookie.
beverages are a must when it’s girl’s night out. similar beverage tub, Christmas plates, cocktail napkins, Santa snack tray
Kelly made Coconut Macaroons
from left to right Kelly, Loren, Jennifer, Beth, Hannah, and Elizabeth. we were missing Molly! see you, next year girlfriend. everyone is on Instagram, so i’ve linked the girls to their handles. there’s seven of us in all with each decade represented from thirty-something to sixty. it’s funny, but i remember the days when i was always one of the youngest in the group. how is it that i now represent the oldest?! but i have to tell you i just love getting together with these smart and funny women.
Jennifer made Pound Cake Cookies
pants | shirt | cardigan | similar belt | similar shoes | similar earrings | bracelet
Hannah made Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies
Loren made Sugar Cookies
tartan pillows (similar here) and a tartan throw (similar here) to spruce up the couch.
wishing you a very Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, and a Very Happy New Year.
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What a fun party! Thank you for including all the yummy recipes–I will be using them.
So glad you got photos of everyone–you all look gorgeous. Tell Kelly she looks adorable in her black watch pants, too! Thanks for all the recipes–I’ve made about all of them excepting the pound cake cookies–yum! I’ll have to try them all, and see these versions. My boyfriend helps me every year–we usually make a batch of English toffee he helps me with, for neighbors, and he also helps me make biscotti that we dip in chocolate on one end–we do cranberry/pistachio as well as orange biscotti. This weekend is our time to whip them up. Fun to see peoples’ favorite recipes. Holly jolly to you all!
You look great. Looks like you girls had fun. By the way had to get a pair of smoking slippers. I got black leather. You looked so cute in the tartan plaid and sweater with the smoking shoes. You really inspire me. Thanks girl. Hope you have a Merry Christmas.
I made your Raspberry Oat Bars for a recent holiday event – oh are they yummy! I’ve enjoyed many of your recipes through the years – thanks!
Merry Christmas –
Thank you for sharing your friends with us. What a beautiful group of women! It looks like you had a great time. The recipes look wonderful, I will be making the coconut Macroons as part of my Christmas desserts!
They all sound so delicious. I’ve saved the pound cake cookie recipe! Can’t wait to give it a try.
Merry Christmas 🎄
What a great video!
I always enjoy your posts.
Keep up the good work!
Beth I have a question for you! I have a pair of JCrew black watch tartan pants from about 5 years ago. They are very similar to yours, but are so itchy and uncomfortable. On the hunt for some that are not. How are these in that department?
this year’s version of the black watch pants are lined so i didn’t have any problems whatsoever. hope this helps!
Excellent! Thanks!~