Five Fun Facts About Me!

Five Fun Facts About Me!

Happy Friday friends! I thought I'd change it up a bit today and participate in the popular #fridayintroductions hashtag on social media. I decided to put it up on the blog instead of Instagram that way more people can see it when they visit the shop! 

So let's get started!

Fun Fact #1: I live an (almost fully) paleo lifestyle.
First off, if you haven’t heard of paleo it is basically a lifestyle where you do not eat grains, dairy, legumes, processed sugar, and soy. I always say I’m like 95% Paleo because I do indulge in the occasional cocktail/wine and some hummus! Plus there is only so much you can control at restaurants if you like to eat out.

I have been paleo for over two years now! I decided to eat paleo after my first round of Whole30 when I realized I had an intolerance to gluten and dairy. I actually really enjoy being paleo and it's crazy to see how much my taste buds have changed since cutting out all the processed food. 

Fun Fact #2: I love scary movies
Suspense, Thriller, Horror... all the genres that relate to that I love them. If I am not catching up on TV shows reading a book then I'm looking for a new scary movie to watch (or show... anyone else obsessed with American Horror Story?)

via GIPHY

Fun Fact #3: Animal Lover
I have always loved animals and always will. Growing up I had a cat most of my life (even though I am actually allergic to them) and now my husband and I have three dogs and an outdoor cat (he would go crazy living inside). A couple years ago, a friend of mine and I had even started our own 5k charity walk (with your dogs) called Tails & Trails that we had locally to support our local animal shelter. We organized it for a couple years and loved every bit of it!


Our Pets: Cooper, Ranger, Bowie & Slider

Fun Fact #4: Bookworm
I love to read! I always have a book on me (typically downloaded to my phone nowadays) so that I can read in my spare time. Just like my love for scary movies I love a good thriller book. I try and list all the books I have read or am currently reading on my Goodreads account. You can check it out or leave a comment below to recommend any good books you have read lately.

Fun Fact #5: Eclectic Taste in Music
I listen to music probably 90% of the day. I love all genres of music and when I say all I mean ALL. I've got everything from songs from the 50s all the way to Cardi B. I'm not even going to link my Spotify playlists because they are so random! I commute to my full-time job every day so I get plenty of listening time in plus I will have it on as background noise while I work. 

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Do we have anything in common? What are some fun facts about you? 

My personal party party planning tips & tricks

My personal party party planning tips & tricks

It’s no secret that I LOVE hosting parties, especially when there is a theme in mind. There is something so fun about figuring out how to decorate, what food items to make and setting up the decor that if I could… I think I would host a party every month (my husband probably would not approve lol).
Today, I’m sharing my personal party planning tips & tricks as well as my process! The first thing I do when planning a party is figuring out a date and then I always message a couple people with a heads up saying something like “I’m planning on having a party for “x”, will you be in town that weekend?”
I know that it is very rare that a weekend will work for everyone on your party list, but it’s nice to give people that you know you want there a heads up as well as give you an idea of if the date you are thinking works or if you might need to move it up a weekend, etc.
Next, I pick my theme and work on my guest list. I typically only do a theme for birthdays, holiday parties, baby showers, and if we are hosting a football/sports related party. From there I work on my guest list.
After my guest list is done I pick an invitation and print them or if I am in a time crunch I upload my design to paperless post and e-mail them out!
Tip: Always have an RSVP on the invitation. This ensures that you know how much food you are going to need. It’s never fun having so much extra food after or party and it’s even worse not having enough! I always plan for a little extra than how many people RSVP. For example, if 30 people RSVP, I plan for 35-37 people.
As you know, Pinterest is my go-to place for party planning so after the invites are sent I get started on how I want to decorate. Now I never go overboard with decorating but I do like to add a couple fun touches to make it a little more fun! I always create a board with ideas I like then go from there.
Tip: I have that may be pretty obvious but I am still going to share it is that take inventory of what you already have! I always look around my house for items that I can incorporate into decorating or serving items.
For example, I took this wooden tray I had and used it as a serving platter for a burger bar last month for a baby shower. Easy, and I already had it and didn’t have to go buy something new!
Ashlynn Elliff Party Planning Tips & Tricks
My next item is to plan out your menu, are you going to get it catered? Are you going to cook? The earlier you get this planned out, the easier it is to make it happen!
Tip: If you are going to cook, meal prep is key! Try and cook as much stuff as you can the day before the party. There is nothing more stressful than setting-up, cooking and cleaning hours before the guests arrive (been there!)
The last thing I do is a couple days before my party I double check that I have gotten all my RSVPs, purchase food and decoration items and make sure everything with my location is in order (typically I host at my house so I make sure everything is clean, that I am stocked up on paper towels and toilet paper, etc.)
Tip: If you are hosting at home, I always start setting up little by little a couple days in advance. Whether it’s gathering all my plates and napkins together, serving platters set-up, hanging banners, etc. This helps to make sure that you have everything you need and that you aren’t throwing everything together last minute!
The reason why I implement some of these tips & tricks because hosting a party is not meant to be stressful, you are celebrating loved ones and it’s supposed to a fun night for everyone including the hosts!
Have you gotten your free party planning printable yet? Grab yours here!
Party Planning: Ideas for your football themed parties!

Party Planning: Ideas for your football themed parties!

Y’all…football season is almost here! Who else is planning football parties? We always do a big annual Texas A&M Aggie football kick-off party at our house every year, so the planning is in full force! There are so many fun football themed party ideas on pinterest right now. Whether you are doing a kick-off party, birthday party or just a fun game day party I have rounded up some fun ideas to help you plan!
First…naturally an invitation! My football invitation has been super popular in the last couple months and the colors can be changed to match your favorite team!
Second…ideas & decorations. All of these ideas I found on Pinterest and are so much fun! I have been collecting ideas for our kick-off party which is coming up quick!
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Now where do you get some of these cute decorations? Well you know my favorite place is Amazon and they had some great deals on prime (free two-day shipping…no brainer!)
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Now that you have some fun decorating ideas and a cute invitation to work with….download my FREE party planning sheet and get to work on planning the best football party yet!
Party Inspiration: 4th of July

Party Inspiration: 4th of July

Y’all 4th of July is just around the corner! Who is planning a fun BBQ or party? I have put together some fun ideas to help make your 4th of July bash a success!
    1. Of course we have to start with the invitation! I have a couple different 4th of July themed invitations to help fit your party needs (plus if you don’t have enough time to mail them out, all my invitation designs are also offered as a digital file on my etsy shop with a quick 1-2 business day turnaround so you still have time to e-mail and/or text them to your family & friends!

2. Party Decorations (Amazon Prime for the win!)
Some of my favorite ideas:  1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

3. The perfect & healthy (for those of you that don’t know I live a paleo lifestyle—if you want to know more about that or see more recipes comment below!) recipes to make for either your party or to take as a side dish:

Crispy Baked Buffalo Wings with 5-ingredient Paleo Ranch Dressing!

Cassy from Fed & Fit is one of my favorites to follow! She is also a fellow Texan and has great recipes & is so fun to watch on Facebook Live.

I hope that you got a little bit of inspiration & some ideas from this party planning post! I also have 2 FREE printables for you for your 4th of July Party!