celebrating real-life friends in our homes: A SISTER PARTY

by Amber on September 22, 2009

in (In)courage, Bloggy Blog World, Friends, art, sisterhood

She is your mirror, shining back at you with a world of possibilities. She is your witness, who sees you at your worst and best, and loves you anyway. She is your partner in crime, your midnight companion, someone who knows when you are smiling, even in the dark. She is your teacher, your defense attorney, your personal press agent, even your shrink. – Barbara Alpert

a Sister Party

The gracious Ladies with The Sister Project blessed my socks off when they gave the assignment to write about sisterhood for a sponsorship to the TypeAMom Conference. My post, A Kumbaya for Sisterhood, sparked in me a desperate desire to be with my real-life sisters.  So then, of course, I turned that desire into a party and then wrote about that night with my girlfriends—the ones who brought me casseroles when I had my babies.  I crazy love my amazing sisters.

And I know you love yours, too. If you’re like me, unless I’m super intentional, I don’t see my girlfriends very often at all, but when I do, I’m encouraged and pumped with a little more strength in my backbone. That’s why  the ladies at (In)courage and I thought you could probably use a night with your Sisters, too.

Within the next month, what do you think about planning a night to spend with your sisters? Three of my own blogging sisters, We are THAT Family, Secret Agent Mama, and Like a Warm Cup of Coffee are already in. We’re having our own Sister Parties! What about you? Want to giggle, eat, cry, whatever, and then maybe afterward join us for a little blog party? After all, most of you are bloggers. You’ll have to take pictures. If you give a blogger a party, she’ll want to take a picture, and if she takes a picture, she’ll want to write a blog post. And then she’ll want a pancake or a cookie.

Do you want to join your in-the-skin friends for A SISTER PARTY and then come back to bloggy-land and tell us about what you learned or what you did, show us your goofy pictures or how you set the table?  If so, let’s break it down like this:

1. Leave a comment on this post, and then we’ll post about our Sister Parties in a month. Once a week, starting October 1st, I’ll use random number generator to pick one lady from the comments here. She’ll receive a gift from The (In)courage Shop – maybe from the Pleated Poppy Collection or their Life to the Full Collection. The sooner you comment, the more likely you are to win the giveaways because you’ll be in on all three drawings.

2. Spread the word. Add the SISTER PARTY button (code at the bottom of this post) on your blog, tweet about this post (#SisterParty), or facebook it. We want a relational revolution. Leave a comment for every way you promote A Sister Party, and you’ll add yourself other entries for those great giveaways.

3. Get out your planner, draw a smily face on your chosen date (sometime between now and October 21st-ish), and send out an email or an evite. Don’t get all complicated. Be yourself. If you love paper invitations and silverware, be that girl. If you love paper plates and Kool-Aid, be that girl. That’s why they like you. Do what you do to encourage. Last time, I asked my girlfriends to bring a half serving of their favorite dessert. It was WAY TOO MUCH! I just made drinks.

     ***Remember that the purpose of this is to ENCOURAGE and to be encouraged! Invite the girlfriends over who you bet need the same encouragement you do.  Also, you’re welcome to sign up today even if you’re not a blogger. Just enjoy your party and let me know how it goes, and if you don’t want to call it a party, don’t. There aren’t really any rules except to hang out with a few you love or would like to know better.

4. Post about your Sister Party October 22-24 and then link up to theRunaMuck. For everyone who links up during that time, there will be some amazing giveaways. And since we’re on that topic, looky here.

And for your listening enjoyment as you browse through a few of our Sister Party Sponsors:

The Rocking PonyBird Cage Scarf

    *Products Created by (In)courage*

Original Photography from Kelly Sauer 

Paper Lovelies by Amy Hannon with Sincerely Yours

Hip Handmades for Tiny Tots by  The Rocking Pony

An Original from Jen Simmons with Ladybugs and Gents

Studio JRU Exclusive Original Art by Jennifer Ueckert

Back40Life with Vinyl Wall Decals

So what do you say? Are you having A SISTER PARTY? 

Add this sister party button to your blog, by using the following code. 

sisterpartybutton1

<center><a href=”http://therunamuck.com/2009/09/22/a-sister-party/”><img class=”size-full wp-image-3376 alignright” title=”sisterpartybutton1″ src=”http://therunamuck.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/sisterpartybutton1.jpg” alt=”sisterpartybutton1″ width=”113″ height=”113″ /></a>

If you would also like to support these bloggers and their SISTERS by being a part of this giveaway line-up, contact me at theRunaMuck@gmail.com.

I’m not hosting this for merchandise or for money but rather to honor The Sister Project for helping to send me to Asheville and to honor (In)courage because they really are so good at encouraging. Check them out.

Vote for TheRunaMuck

Support me with a Divine Caroline vote?

Subscribe to theRunaMuck?

Tweet with me? I’m Amberrunsamuck.

{ 4 trackbacks }

Real Life Sister Party « Journey to a Gracious Woman
10.01.09 at 6:15 am
I’m Having a Real Life Sister Party!
10.15.09 at 4:13 pm
Survival Sister Party — Daily Dwelling
10.21.09 at 5:06 pm
A Sister Party
10.22.09 at 2:22 pm

{ 53 comments… read them below or add one }

Christin 09.22.09 at 5:54 am

I think I may have to get in on this! :)

Melissa Multitasking Mama 09.22.09 at 6:31 am

This is incredible timing! I am hosting a sleep-over October 2nd for the women on our women’s ministry team because October 3rd is our annual women’s conference…and the theme this year- Sisters Supporting Sisters.
Now, you have inspired me to really make it a fun and encouraging event (the sleep-over that is, the conference is already going to rock :-)
Count me in, going to put the badge on my blog.

deidra 09.22.09 at 6:44 am

Whenever there’s a party you can count me in…along with my paper invites!

Kelly 09.22.09 at 7:07 am

Signing up, signing in, signing on. Consider yourself promoted. ;-)
http://www.thisrestlessheart.com/2009/09/sister-party.html

Kelly 09.22.09 at 7:12 am

Oh, and I RT-ed your tweet on Twitter. :-D

We are THAT family 09.22.09 at 7:22 am

Girl, you’ve outdone yourself! I wish I could be there in real life! Your spirit will be at my little party ;D

Jen 09.22.09 at 7:26 am

This sounds like fun! I am definitely going to get in on this with one of my friends to host a party! :-)

Jen 09.22.09 at 7:51 am

I posted a quick blog post and tweeted about my party! I can’t wait to start planning it.

Margaret Roach 09.22.09 at 8:20 am

We TSP sisters are so happy to have you among us, Amber. Thanks for the good wishes in return, and I hope the TAM conference is a blast. Can’t wait to hear the tales…

Marion Roach 09.22.09 at 8:27 am

I second that, Amber. We’re mighty proud of you, and glad to have you in the sisterhood. Hope that TAM conference is everything you want it to be and more. Take notes. We’re hoping to hear all about it.

Mary @ Giving Up on Perfect 09.22.09 at 9:21 am

Does it count if I already had it planned? And if it might include food products that they can buy? In other words, I’m having a Tastefully Simple party tonight that really IS a sister party…but you tell me if it doesn’t fit. I guess I COULD plan another girls night! :)

Sarah Mae 09.22.09 at 9:59 am

I’m so there.

Wait, I mean here, with my “in-the-skin” friends.

Then I’ll be there.

:)

mandie 09.22.09 at 10:26 am

Perfect timing! My real life sisters are both coming to visit me in 2 weeks for the first time since I moved across the country- 3 years ago! We’re going to have a sister weekend, so I’ll have lots of good material! :) yippee!

Jennifer 09.22.09 at 10:46 am

This is such a great idea!!

Stephanie 09.22.09 at 11:19 am

I guess it goes without saying that I’m hosting a party for (in)courage. . . so excited to be a part of such a needed time.

Muthering Heights 09.22.09 at 11:54 am

I would love to play along! :) This sounds like a great idea!

Robin ~ PENSIEVE 09.22.09 at 1:22 pm

Well, now…what a MAHVELOUS idea friend:).

I’m in…you’ve given me a little motivation to do what I had planned to do anyway.

xo

Holley 09.22.09 at 3:10 pm

Woo-hoo! I’m so excited. I’ll be co-hosting with Stephanie from (in)courage. You’re a brilliant babe, Amber!

Larie 09.22.09 at 8:24 pm

Sounds very interesting and beneficial. I think I’m gonna try it!

smooches,
Larie

Bekah 09.22.09 at 8:37 pm

Sister Time is here! Thanks for starting this.

Lisa 09.22.09 at 9:19 pm

I’m SO in! I’m doing this. <3 Sounds awesome. Thank you.

Lisa 09.22.09 at 9:20 pm

I did a tweet on this event too! http://twitter.com/cnlisa

Heather Gemmen Wilson 09.23.09 at 4:49 am

Love it! This is the kind of thing that makes me so glad I’m a girl. :)

Kristen 09.24.09 at 12:09 pm

A girlfriend and I were just discussing how much we needed a girls’ night soon! Thanks for the motivation. I’m in!

Adventures In Babywearing 09.27.09 at 6:27 am

So how can I make it to YOUR sister party?? Hmmmm

steph

Terri 09.28.09 at 2:30 pm

I am going to have a party! I have several local friends who all blog… it would be so cool to hang out with them in real life. How fun!! Blessings!

Christin 10.01.09 at 6:19 am

Yay! I finally got my post up! :)

Christin 10.01.09 at 6:23 am

I tweeted ;)

Christin 10.01.09 at 6:23 am

I also facebooked :)

Kim 10.01.09 at 11:29 am

Count me in on the real life sister party! Sounds like fun. I’m planning it already!
Blessings,
Kim

To Think Is To Create 10.01.09 at 11:01 pm

I think we’re in! Can’t wait. :)

Adventures In Babywearing 10.05.09 at 7:58 am

I think I’m going to a sister party, will get your button up!

Steph

Monica 10.05.09 at 8:58 am

A friend and I just planned our sister party with our “Survival Sisters” that helped us through our husband’s deployment. I am so excited about this!!!

Monica 10.05.09 at 8:58 am

Oh, I just put the button on my blog, too!

Ann Marie 10.05.09 at 11:56 am

I’m the “friend” of Monica’s!! :)
We are so excited to have a Survival Sisters Party – what a great idea to have a party for your closest girlfriends!!

Ann Marie 10.05.09 at 12:10 pm

ps I posted your button too! :)

Amber 10.05.09 at 1:08 pm

I just have to pipe in and say YES!!!!!!! This is so great that my smile hurts me! A survival party?! YES!

Ann Marie 10.05.09 at 1:09 pm

pps I tweeted about it too!! (annmariedetav) :)

Misty 10.06.09 at 10:10 pm

I think I missed the initial post here but your follow up had me captivated. I am a little late in the game but I am going to attempt to do this. Thanks! I LOVE your blog.

Kim 10.07.09 at 5:40 am
Tiffany Stuart 10.07.09 at 9:36 am

Many of us bloggers will be in Sneads, Florida at the Free to be Me Bloggers Retreat. I’d say that’s a for sure sister party! Sweet tea and all.

melissa 10.08.09 at 8:26 am

i’ve got it planned.

Musings of a Housewife 10.12.09 at 3:16 pm

Love this! What a perfect opportunity to have a par-tay in my newly remodeled kitchen!

Kim 10.13.09 at 11:29 am

What a great idea! And so glad that my friend & neighbor Musings of a Housewife has stepped up to host one!

Sara Sophia 10.15.09 at 11:45 pm

Count me in…sister party here I come:)

No planner involved…just lots of cupcakes…because thats how I roll:)

-Sara Sophia

Sara Sophia 10.15.09 at 11:45 pm

Gotcha button.

–Sara Sophia

Paula Jean 10.17.09 at 7:40 pm

Hi! I think this is a great idea. Thank for sharing it with us!

I am having some trouble getting the Sister Party button to work. I copied it as is, but I only have a link that goes no where. Can anyone help??

Thanks!

Claire 10.18.09 at 1:57 pm

Love this idea! Can’t do one this month as I’m flying off to see one of my sister friends in Texas, but will be sure to do one soon!

Cxx

Paula Jean 10.18.09 at 8:08 pm

Ok, I still haven’t figured out how to make the Sister Party button work, but I’m blogging about this tonight w/a link back to this page. I’ve FB’d it & I’m hatching a tea party & dessert plan for later in the week. I can’t wait to use this as an excuse to see a few of my girls.

AND, I am putting a plan together for another sister party in January.

Thanks for the motivation!

PJ

Sidnie 10.23.09 at 3:35 am

This was an amazing idea! We all should think about having sister parties more often!

mandie 10.24.09 at 11:27 am

I totally forgot to come back here and ‘report’ what I’ve been up to…I’ve tweeted a few times under the #sisterparty hashtag and posted my link on facebook and my blog. ;)

Sara Sophia 10.24.09 at 12:35 pm

Here is my post sister-friend:

http://tout-est-des-roses.blogspot.com/2009/10/sister-party-literally.html

The only thing missing was you, Arianne, SaraMae, Jessie, Stephanie, Jen, Robin, Kyle, Mishelle, Jess and all my many online BFF’s who live MUCH TOO FAR AWAY.

I love ya’ll!

Melissa 11.19.09 at 12:17 am

This was the most extraordinary sister event I have EVER been a part of. I thought I would share it here, as it was such a great twist on sister party. I had a sister from every decade of life from 0-10, up to 70-80. It was amazing.
http://web.me.com/melissafed/MelissaAndCo/Melissa_And_Co./Entries/2009/11/11_Generations_Night….html

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