WOW. Where do I even begin?! It had been two years since I hosted Landyn’s Favorite Things for the Make a Wish Foundation and I knew by bringing it back this year, I wanted to do something a little different. This year, instead of hosting a 500+ event, I wanted to keep things more intimate + curated for our guests. After much thought and discussion, we landed on an intimate evening with 52 of YOU. The evening was PERFECT and it could not have gone better than I imagined.

There are SO many people I want to thank – from vendors, to brands and of course my volunteers that made ALL OF THIS possible. I’m excited to share out night with you and the one true reason we were gathered together – for all the kids at Make a Wish and their families – together we raised over $95,000 – WHAT.

Enjoy friends!

Xx,

Landyn

THE PRODUCTION + RENTALS

I knew I needed an amazing event space for hosting Favorite Things. We ending up decided on the Ozari Event space at L+L Market Place (where Shop Living With Landyn used to be located!) It was the perfect blank slate to be able to turn it into a Landyn Wonderland.

Next, I knew if I wanted to transform the space I needed Quest Events, Bright Event Productions, Mayker Events + Curated Events on my side! These guys came in and totally transformed the space. Quest took care of all the drapery + Bright Events did everything from lighting + audio. Mayker Events provided all of our soft seating, bar + the dining table and chairs. Curated Events was our go to for all things table top + barware.

THE FLOWERS + TREES – Geny’s Flowers absolutely nailed it on all the pretty live trees and wreaths that decorated Ozari – they transformed it into a winter wonderland. And of course my girl Cristin from Mint Tulip helped Geny’s with design + execution for our dining table-scape, along with creating the most beautiful flower arrangements for all of our cocktail tables + soft seating.

THE COCKTAIL HOUR

Once ladies entered the event space they were greeted with a seating chart display created by Magari Events. Magari was also the brains behind the photo back drop along with the bar signs during the cocktail hour. As for the music during cocktail hour, I call up my girls, Brandon Kadish, Nicolle Galyon + Stephanie Champman and they put together the most magical Christmas set list. Like I mentioned, Magari created the most beautiful backdrop + my girl Mary Craven from Mary Craven Photography took photos of myself with all the guests. She always NAILS IT.

Appetizers + cocktails were being passed by Juniper Green. I’ll place the menu below – warning you might just get a little hungry.

Appetizers + Cocktails

Butternut Prosciutto Skewers – Whipped goat cheese, rosemary fig glaze

Wild Mushroom Toast – Local mushrooms, brie, shallots, herbs

Spiced Lamb Meatballs – Pomegranate molasses, mint

The Landyn Shimmy – Blood Orange Rosemary – blood orange, cranberries, rosemary, simple syrup pairs well with tequila, vodka, bourbon, sparkling or spirit free

Wine – 3 Brooms, Color + Souds Cabernet Sauvignon, Chateau Begadan + Fluers De Praire Rose

THE DINNER

Where do I even begin with the DINNER? I’ve always dreamed of having a long beautiful dinner and my dreams were far exceeded with this set up. A BIG thank you to Geny’s Flowers + Mint Tulip for the tables-cape and the beautiful wreaths hanging above the tables, Laura Beth from SWAG who created the most beautiful acrylic star napkin holders, Curated Events genuinely curated the most beautiful table setting and Mayker Events for the dining tables + chairs. We even had a surprise gift at each table setting to kick off the night 😉

Once the ladies were all seated, we kicked things off with their FIRST gift – a CO2 Mask from CO2 Lift. It was the perfect gift to get the evening started. During the next two hours, I shared everything that the ladies would be taking home that evening! (I’ll list everything in the Favorite Things Bag below!) We had every favorite gift wrapped to keep with the surprise element. While the ladies were enjoying their meal from Juniper Green, I walked around with my Britney mic on and handed several of them gifts to open to reveal what they would be taking home that evening! Talk about dinner and a show and I right?! 😉

THE FOOD

Again, I could not speak more highly of Juniper Green and the food that they curated for the evening. The ladies had a choice between Braised Brisket, Roasted Market Fish or a Cauliflower Steak – You know what, I’ll throw the menu below so you can take a look for yourself. (hunger warning again).

SALAD

Caramelized Beet Salad – Caramelized beets, winter citrus, orange scented labneh, pistachio pesto, dukkah, edible flowers

DINNER

Red Wine Braised Brisket – spiced winter squash puree, shaved brussels, herbs, pecorino, hazelnut

Roasted Market Fish – brown butter, spiced winter squash puree, shaved brussels, herbs, pecorino, hazelnut

Roasted Cauliflower Steak – brown butter, spiced winter squash puree, shaved brussels, herbs, pecorino, hazelnut

DESSERT

Winter Wonderland Eton Mess: Whipped vanilla mascarpone, cranberry curd, gingerbread croutons, pine syrup, winter fruits, star sprinkles

Towards the middle of the evening we had a surprise for one special guest. Before the event, we sent these ladies a form to gather all of their sizes, favorite snacks and asked them if they had one wish to be granted what would that be? We came across a sweet woman who’s son was actually on the wait list with Make a Wish and as soon as I saw that, I knew I wanted to make his wish come true. Her son is 8 years old and is battling a few different medical conditions – He was stuck between two wishes: GO to Disney OR cook with a professional chef in a commercial kitchen (he LOVES to cook). I called up our good friend Guy Fieri and he recorded a video for their family asking for the sweet boy to come cook with him out in LA. We all watched the video at dinner and there wasn’t a dry eye in the room!

Unfortunately she wasn’t able to make it that night but had a dear friend in her spot, but we made sure all the love was passed on to her. The sweet boy is GOING TO GET HIS WISH.

Towards the end of the evening after all the gifts had been opened, we had ONE LAST GIFT – My dear friend Elizabeth from E. Allen donated all these PJ’s for the ladies to wear at the after party! These are the best Christmas PJ’s and I knew they would be fun and comfy for the ladies to change into! Even Cortney LaCorte AKA Cheese Gal came out in PJ’s and announced that she will be serving her Christmas Cosmo at the after party – and it was damn good.

Once the ladies received their PJ’s, they were dismissed table by table to go pick up their holiday slippers and change into their new PJ’s – that way we could get the afterparty STARTED.

THE AFTERPARTY

Now it’s time to GET THE REAL PARTY started. Let’s just say it’s not a party without the perfect DJ and I only know of ONE. DJ Michelle – She flew ALL THE WAY in from LA just for the event and she brought the party. We danced the night away (seriously, I was so sore the next day 🤣) Then it was on for a little holiday surprise – We had Ranchhand Cowboys to come in and teach the girls a line dance because HEY we are in Nashville right?!

We also had Music City 360 Photo Booth there for the ultimate Photo Booth experience – it was so much fun and I’ve haven’t seen another Photo Booth like it! After more dancing, PIZZA arrived from Hometeam Pizza (use code LANDYN10 off your order) and the girls. went. nuts. There’s nothing like a late night snack right?!

After a big group photo and of course 1 or 2 more dance numbers, we ended out night and the girls went to collect their favorite things bag. On their way out there were greeted with the most beautiful candied apple from Alice + Ann Apples . They were amazing.

ALL IN ALL, it was definitely a night to remember. I enjoyed meeting, loving and gifting each of these ladies. THANK YOU to everyone who made this possible and gave their heart to the Make a Wish foundation – you are truly a dream come true!

THE FAVORITE THINGS BAG

I knew I wanted these bags to be ELEVATED because they ladies deserved it! We started with this bag from Quilted Koala – (use LANDYN30 for 30% off your purchase!) and they were PERFECT. I went with the green color to make it a little more festive for the holiday season and I am so glad I did. I listed out everything the ladies receive below (and a few discount goodies for you guys!)

AUSTIN COCKTAILS

This women owned business donated a 4 pack of their Vodka Seltzers!

BEATRIZ BALL

Small Vida Nube Bowl

Use code: LANDYN15 for 15% off!

CO2 LIFT MASK

CO2 LIFT Mask

DOLCE VITA

$150 Giftcard to DOLCE VITA!

ELECTRIC –

Landyn ENCELIA SUNGLASSES

LANDYN10 for 10% OFF