My friend Dorothy recently told me she was going on a 40th birthday trip with close girlfriends. Each attendee was asked to bring a “favorite thing” to give to everyone in the group. They were, in a sense, creating a swag bag for the party. I was so excited when she told me that she was bringing copies of my novel On Grace to share. And it got me thinking… what would I bring to add to a 40th birthday swag bag? Well, I couldn’t decide on just one thing (and since it’s an imaginary swag bag, cost isn’t an issue), so I made categories. See my picks below, and tell me in the comments section at the bottom of this page what you’d bring.

Next on the Blog Hop: Posting on Monday, May 19 will be Elizabeth Moyer from the gorgeous lifestyle blog Pretty Pink Tulips and writer/blogger extraordinaire Julie Valerie. Be sure to check them out!

Book
How do I choose just one? I guess I won’t. First, I would bring everyone the new Emily Giffin book, The One & Only, that comes out May 20. I’ve loved every book she’s written—they’re relevant and smart and Emily’s such a pro at telling stories that women can relate to. I’d also bring The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. It’s a short book with four amazing lessons that are so simple, and if you apply them to your life, you will be happier (I promise!). Finally, I’d bring extra copies of On Grace in case one of my friends hadn’t—gasp—read it yet.

Don-Miguel-Ruiz-The-Four-Agreements-Book-Cover-original

Beauty Product
I don’t use mine nearly as often as I should but I think the Clarisonic is an amazing product, and whenever I am using it diligently, I notice such a difference in my skin.

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Snack Food
Lately I’ve been loving the “Trainer” protein shake from Organic Pharmer. It’s a delicious and ultra-healthy take on a chocolate/nut butter milkshake, and it’s got lots of yummy little add-ons inside: turmeric, black peppercorns, cardamom, and cinnamon bark, to name a few, that rock my world.

organic pharmer trainer

 

Music Album
I would make a mix tape (yes, I’m old) filled with U2, old Madonna, P!nk, Cat Stevens, Green Day, Beyonce, Coldplay, Indigo Girls, Ray LaMontagne, Michael Jackson, Van Halen, and Justin Timberlake.

 

U2

 

Anything Else?
Two more: a link to subscribe to theSkimm, a free daily email newsletter that gives you everything you need to start your day informed. I read it every morning and it’s amazing. And a 6-month subscription to the POPSUGAR Must Have Box. Each month a gift box arrives at your door filled with hand-selected full-size items in beauty, fashion, home, fitness, and food. It’s like having your birthday every month!

 

theskimm images

Tell me below, what would you bring if you were invited to the party???

And be sure to visit the other bloggers who are on this Blog Hop:
Pretty Pink Tulips
Julie Valerie

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