Shay's Pajama Party: September with Kelly!

I am so excited for my first edition of Shay's Pajama Party!  Each month, a co-host and I will dish on certain topics pertaining to that month.  We'll talk food, fashion, holidays, mom life, and "me" time.  It's a slumber party for ladies!

September is all about diving into autumn, back to school, football, and fall fashion.  

My very special co-host is...

 That's right ladies!  Kelly from Kelly's Korner has put her jammies on, curled up in a sleeping bag, grabbed a large Sonic drink and is dishin' with me on all things September.

First up, how do we get our kiddos back in their school routine?

Kelly: We crack down on their bedtimes after a loose summer schedule.  I try to make back to school fun, so we have treats after school most days.

Shay: We get up, dressed and out of the house most mornings leading up to school (heading to the gym or to run errands).  It helps get us back into the routine of up, breakfast, dressed and out the door.

What do you do with the artwork and crafts your kids bring home?

Kelly: I am not a keeper!  I have a small bin that I keep special things in but I love the idea of taking pictures or scanning their artwork and putting it into a photobook book...I haven't done that yet-but I want to.

Shay: I keep a rotating assortment of things on the fridge and after I collect about 10 items, I start removing items and replacing it with the newest work.  A few very special things I save, but I get rid of everything else.  The kids see their stuff up on the fridge and rarely ever ask where everything else went.

What do you like to do when they're off at school and you have a few hours to yourself?

Kelly: I actually like to clean my house when I don't have little ones going around un-doing it!  I also LOVE to make lunch dates with friends!  It's the one time when we can have adult time and just visit.  It refreshes me!

Shay: I love to grocery shop!  It's amazing how much faster I can grocery shop without my kiddos with me...and how much less random items get thrown into my cart.  I also love to run errands and drink Starbucks when I'm by myself.

Both of us have our vices...and we're not ashamed to admit it.

Kelly & I made our Fall To-Do Lists together and oh my!  We have such similar lists!  It's such a shame we're a state away from each other!

Apparently, if you're not visiting a pumpkin patch, you're not doing fall justice in our minds!  We're both pretty pumpkin patch obsessed :).

Of course, we would talk food at a ladies' slumber party...especially fall food...

Favorite football watching snack:
Kelly: Chips, salsa, queso...really, any kind of dip!
Shay: I love dip too!  I'm pretty obsessed with spicy spinach dip right now!

Favorite fall dessert:
Kelly: Pecan Pie!  (She should try my Pecan Pie Bundt Cake!)
Shay: Any dessert with pumpkin in it!

Favorite fall supper:
 Kelly: Taco Soup
Shay: Sausage and Corn Chowder

Favorite slow cooker meal:
Kelly: A roast with potatoes and carrots
Shay: Chicken and Dumplings 

Fall Fashion Trends are always a slumber party conversation...here's what we're both into this fall...

I bought my first pair of flat boots this season...and Kelly said that's one of her fall staples too!  I love my Steve Madden boots...especially the cute zipper detail up the back!

Now, Kelly is into cowboy boots...and I must confess, I have never worn a pair.  Ever.  And I'm from Texas.  Perhaps, I should give them a try?  Here are a few pairs that I kind of like (now that I'm actually looking at cowboy boots).  If Kelly says get some, I should probably get some!

I really like the color of these Born Boots.  I know they're not authentic cowboy boots...but they're cute and kind of hip!  I also like these boots too...

But if Kelly and I are being honest...I actually bought these boots last week...

I just love a wedge boot.  With gold studs.  That look super tough.  Maybe I can convince Kelly to buy some too?  That might be simpler than getting me into cowboy boots...

Before we wrap up our pajama party...I am going to ask each co-host the same set of questions.  Let's see how Kelly answered this month...

1. What is your favorite cosmetic?

Merle Norman lip pencil in Spice Sachet 

2. What is your favorite beauty product?

My Chi Iron

3. What is your favorite TV show?

Mostly guilty pleasures like the Bachelor, Switched at Birth, Bravo shows and Duck Dynasty.

4. What is your favorite vacation destination?

Kauai, Hawaii!  But I also love Orange Beach too.

5. What is your favorite pair of shoes?

Boots!

6. What is your favorite nail polish?

Nothing!   I prefer my nails natural.  (We can still be friends even though Kelly doesn't wear nail polish...)

7. What is your favorite chick-flick movie?

Steel Magnolias 

8. What is your favorite book?

Right now, I would say Sophie Hudson's book, A Little Salty to Cut the Sweet or Melanie Shankle's book Sparkly Green Earrings.  They are both dear friends and hilarious writers.

9. What is your favorite ice cream?

Cookie dough or Butterfinger but always Blue Bell 

10. Who would star in a movie about your life?

Tiffani-Amber Theissan.  People always thought we looked alike when we were in college, and we both have daughters named Harper.

11. What is your least favorite household chore?

Cleaning the bathrooms!  Ugh!

12. What is one quirky fact that most people don't know about you?

I have never cried at a sad movie or chick flick but I bawl like a baby at sports movies.  EVERY TIME!  (How can a person whose favorite movie is Steel Magnolias never cry at chick flicks?!?!)

Thank you so much Kelly for putting your pjs on and coming to my pajama party!  I had the best time chit-chatting and getting to know you better.  I love that you love fall, football, good food and fashion...from one Southern girl to another, thank you so much!

You can find Kelly every day at her fabulous blog, Kelly's Korner.  You can also find her here too:

Twitter

Pinterest

Instagram @mrskellystamps

Next month, our pajama party will focus on Halloween...crafts, treats, costumes and more!

Have a wonderful Friday everyone!!

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Our Scarf Exchange plus BIG news!

Before we get to our Scarf Exchange, I have two really big things to tell you this Monday!  First...

...is coming Friday!  You ladies have been telling me that my blog is often like a pj party for us grown-up gals, so beginning this Friday, I will host a monthly pajama party!  Each month, I'll have a special guest co-host and we'll dish about topics us ladies would chat about at a grown-up slumber party.  My co-host is FABULOUS this month, you won't want to miss it!

And second...

...on Wednesday morning, I will be cooking live on Good Morning Texas!  That's right, yours truly will be cooking up breakfast live on a food segment for GMT.  If you're local, tune in to watch, if not, I will post the link on Wednesday so you can watch the playback.

And now for the Scarf Exchange...

Scarf Exchange 2013

Scarf Exchange 2012

On Labor Day night, we had our second annual Scarf Exchange!

Last year, we decided to get together on Labor Day night and properly kick-off fall with a scarf exchange.  Pretty much, we all love Starbucks and we all love scarves, so we created a way to unite the two.  It was such a success that we decided to do it again this year.  And after I posted this pic on Instagram, you people went nuts over our little party!  Here's what we do...

1. We each purchase one scarf and bring it to the party (we do it at Starbucks) wrapped in a bag.

2. We don't really set a limit on how much to spend, but you totally could.  I think we all just kind of know what to spend, what others would like, etc.  But if you feel like a limit would help your group, then by all means, set one.

3. After we get to Starbucks and chat a few minutes, we each draw a number off of little strips of folded up paper (so you don't know which number you're drawing).  There were 9 on us ladies on this night, so we each picked a number randomly (I drew the number 4).

4. The #1 girl goes first and selects a bag.  Then the #2 girl can either "steal" the scarf off of the #1 girl (in which case, #1 girl selects another bag) or select a bag of her own.  Once a scarf has been stolen twice, it can no longer be stolen.

5. After the last girl (in our case #9) selects her bag, then the #1 girl gets to go one more time and is allowed to keep the original scarf she drew or swap with one other person.  And then it's over and everyone keeps the scarf they have.

At Christmas, some people call this White Elephant and swap Christmas ornaments or other gifts...we just do it with scarves.

And since we're talking scarves, I thought I'd show you some of my current faves...

I am flipping over this leopard and navy scarf!  It comes in several other colors too (orange, red, mustard and green).  How cute and chic is this?!?!

I also love this plaid scarf (also in two other colors).  This baby just screams fall and winter :).

I know some of you love camo and some of you hate it.  If you're one that loves it, this camo scarf will rock your world...if you don't love it, move on to my next option :).

I received a houndstooth scarf last year as a gift and wore it all the time!  This one comes in multiple colors too...but the traditional black and white is my favorite.

And if you need something cheery and happy this fall, I love the pink polka dot scarf from Gap.  It's just happiness!

I'm so happy you loved our scarf party, and I hope when you have one, you send me a group pic :).  It's such a blessing to have sweet friends to share these simple moments with.

I have such a great group of girlfriends!  As you can tell, we all faithfully read Sheaffer's blog and wear what she suggests!  There were 5 of her denim jackets, 2 pair of camo pants and 3 pairs of nude flats there that night :).

Thanks to Sheaffer introducing me to the perfect pair of flats, I now own my very own pair.  I love, love, love them!

Look at Kensington and me on Thursday.  I'm wearing my new pair of leopard flats (the first time in my life that I've ever worn flats!), and Kensington is wearing her new pair too.

You guys also probably know Andrea (the one holding sweet Griffin!), she is our design guru.  She blogs at Never Say Never and also has her own design business.  She is responsible for all of my party invitations, party banners and decorations, baby announcements, shower invites, Christmas cards, blog design and blog graphics.  I mean...she basically works on stuff for me 24/7!  You should also check out her design blog called Slightly Askew Designs.

Last year at the scarf exchange, Andrea surprised us with this onesie in her scarf bag!  And now this year, we have Griffin :).

Erika is the cutie on the end wearing the first pair of camo pants :).  Her kiddos Ebby Lee, Nixon and Bowen are in at least half of my photos.  I feel like they're mine!  Erika likes to do a little bit of everything on her blog.   She's currently fixing up her new house with some really creative methods and projects.  I have DIY envy for sure!  You can find her family at the Slaughter Family Blog.

Erika is going to join me tomorrow as we celebrate decorating our homes for fall!

My other friends have blogged off and on over the years but right now, none of them are actively blogging.

I am so blessed to call each and every one of them a friend.  You should wear a scarf today...and think of us :).

Don't forget to check out my latest edition of Meal Planning Monday today!

And the winner of my You Knew Me When book giveaway is...

Tracy (with a dog named Skip!).  

I will be emailing you this morning to claim your prize.  Congratulations!

Have a great Monday!

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